Colorado Medicaid Income Limits
Updated August 2026
Colorado uses MAGI (Modified Adjusted Gross Income) rules for Health First Colorado and CHP+. MAGI counts most income — wages, self-employment, Social Security, unemployment, and most taxable income. There is no asset test for Health First Colorado or CHP+. Non-MAGI programs (elderly, blind, disabled, and long-term care) use separate eligibility rules with asset tests.
Health First Colorado and CHP+ income limits by coverage group (effective April 1, 2026)
| Coverage group | FPL % | Monthly limit (household of 1) | Monthly limit (household of 4) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adults 19–64 (ACA expansion) — Health First Colorado | 133% FPL | $1,769/mo | $3,658/mo |
| Parents/caretaker relatives — Health First Colorado | 68% FPL | $905/mo | $1,870/mo |
| Children ages 0–18 — Health First Colorado | 142% FPL | $1,889/mo | $3,905/mo |
| Pregnant women — Health First Colorado | 195% FPL | $2,594/mo | $5,363/mo |
| Children under 19 — CHP+ (above HFC limit) | Up to 260% FPL | $3,458/mo | $7,150/mo |
| Pregnant women — CHP+ (above HFC limit) | Up to 260% FPL | $3,458/mo | $7,150/mo |
| Seniors and disabled (non-MAGI) | Separate rules | Varies | N/A |
Adults 19–64 (ACA expansion) — Health First Colorado
- FPL %
- 133% FPL
- Monthly limit (household of 1)
- $1,769/mo
- Monthly limit (household of 4)
- $3,658/mo
Parents/caretaker relatives — Health First Colorado
- FPL %
- 68% FPL
- Monthly limit (household of 1)
- $905/mo
- Monthly limit (household of 4)
- $1,870/mo
Children ages 0–18 — Health First Colorado
- FPL %
- 142% FPL
- Monthly limit (household of 1)
- $1,889/mo
- Monthly limit (household of 4)
- $3,905/mo
Pregnant women — Health First Colorado
- FPL %
- 195% FPL
- Monthly limit (household of 1)
- $2,594/mo
- Monthly limit (household of 4)
- $5,363/mo
Children under 19 — CHP+ (above HFC limit)
- FPL %
- Up to 260% FPL
- Monthly limit (household of 1)
- $3,458/mo
- Monthly limit (household of 4)
- $7,150/mo
Pregnant women — CHP+ (above HFC limit)
- FPL %
- Up to 260% FPL
- Monthly limit (household of 1)
- $3,458/mo
- Monthly limit (household of 4)
- $7,150/mo
Seniors and disabled (non-MAGI)
- FPL %
- Separate rules
- Monthly limit (household of 1)
- Varies
- Monthly limit (household of 4)
- N/A
How CHP+ and Health First Colorado interact for children
Colorado uses a "ladder" structure for children's coverage. Health First Colorado (Medicaid) covers children up to 142% FPL at no cost. CHP+ then picks up children whose family income is above the Health First Colorado limit, up to 260% FPL, with small co-pays and premiums.
In practice, families apply through PEAK with one form, and the system determines whether a child qualifies for Health First Colorado or CHP+ based on household income. The application process is identical — applicants do not need to know in advance which program will cover their child.
CHP+ has a family out-of-pocket maximum of 5% of annual income per year for all enrolled household members. For a family of four earning $80,000, that cap is $4,000 per year in total health care costs — regardless of how many services are used.
No asset test — and 12-month continuous eligibility
Health First Colorado and CHP+ have no asset test. Colorado also provides 12-month continuous eligibility — once enrolled, most members remain covered for a full year regardless of income changes during that period. This policy reduces coverage gaps caused by temporary income spikes (like a seasonal job or one-time bonus). At renewal, current income is reassessed.
Medicare Savings Programs (QMB) in Colorado
Medicare Savings Programs let Health First Colorado (Colorado's Medicaid program) pick up the premiums and, for the top tier, the cost-sharing that Medicare alone doesn't cover. Qualified Medicare Beneficiary (QMB) status pays the Part B premium ($202.90/month in 2026), the Part A premium if one applies, and every Medicare deductible, coinsurance charge, and copayment — and providers are prohibited by federal law from billing a QMB enrollee for that cost-sharing under any circumstances.
| Program | Situation | Monthly income limit |
|---|---|---|
| QMB | Individual | $1,350/mo |
| QMB | Married couple | $1,824/mo |
| SLMB | Individual | $1,616/mo |
| SLMB | Married couple | $2,184/mo |
| QI | Individual | $1,816/mo |
| QI | Married couple | $2,455/mo |
QMB
- Situation
- Individual
- Monthly income limit
- $1,350/mo
QMB
- Situation
- Married couple
- Monthly income limit
- $1,824/mo
SLMB
- Situation
- Individual
- Monthly income limit
- $1,616/mo
SLMB
- Situation
- Married couple
- Monthly income limit
- $2,184/mo
QI
- Situation
- Individual
- Monthly income limit
- $1,816/mo
QI
- Situation
- Married couple
- Monthly income limit
- $2,455/mo
Specified Low-Income Medicare Beneficiary (SLMB) and Qualifying Individual (QI) status, by contrast, only cover the Part B premium. QI has a capped yearly federal funding pool distributed first-come, first-served, so Coloradans near that income band should apply early and reapply each year they qualify.
Resource limits for all three programs follow the federal standard — $9,950 for an individual, $14,910 for a married couple — counting savings and investment accounts but excluding a primary home and one vehicle. Enrollees in any tier are automatically enrolled in Extra Help, which caps prescription costs at $12.65 per drug in 2026.
Apply through Health First Colorado at hcpf.colorado.gov or via the PEAK online portal — Medicare doesn't process these applications, Colorado's Medicaid agency does.
Health First Colorado (Colorado Medicaid)
Visit the official Colorado Medicaid websiteIncome Limits in Nearby States
Related guides
Income Limits
Current income cutoffs by state and household size, tied to the Federal Poverty Level.
Read more →Spend-Down
How to qualify by deducting medical bills from income that's above the limit.
Read more →QMB Program
What the QMB program covers, what a QMB card proves, and how to apply.
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