Colorado Medicaid Income Limits 2026 (Health First Colorado)

Colorado Medicaid, marketed statewide as Health First Colorado, covers approximately 1.3 million Coloradans as of 2026. Colorado adopted the Affordable Care Act's Medicaid expansion on January 1, 2014, extending coverage to adults ages 19 to 64 who earn up to 138% of the Federal Poverty Level, with no asset test required for MAGI-based categories. The 2026 Federal Poverty Level of $15,960 for a single person and $33,000 for a family of four in the 48 contiguous states anchors every income threshold below. Colorado's Department of Health Care Policy and Financing (HCPF) administers the program and updates the income chart annually, most recently effective April 1, 2026, per the published HCPF guidance available at hcpf.colorado.gov.

Colorado Medicaid eligibility splits into four main groups. First, adults ages 19 to 64 at or below 138% FPL qualify under the ACA expansion group, which uses Modified Adjusted Gross Income (MAGI) rules with no asset test. Second, pregnant people qualify at 195% FPL with 12 months of postpartum coverage through the Baby and Me program. Third, children under age 19 qualify for Colorado Medicaid up to 147% FPL, and CHP+ (Child Health Plan Plus, Colorado's CHIP program) extends coverage up to 260% FPL for children in families with income above the Medicaid threshold. Fourth, elderly and disabled adults qualify under Aged, Blind, and Disabled (ABD) Medicaid up to 100% FPL with an asset test, and long-term care Medicaid uses additional financial rules. A noteworthy Colorado-specific development: effective January 1, 2025, the Cover All Coloradans law extended Colorado Medicaid and CHP+ eligibility to children under 19 and pregnant people regardless of immigration status, funded by state dollars through hcpf.colorado.gov.

The household-size table below shows the 2026 Colorado Medicaid income limits across the three main MAGI coverage groups. If your household income is above the Colorado Medicaid adult limit but below 400% FPL, you likely qualify for ACA marketplace subsidies through Connect for Health Colorado at connectforhealthco.com. If your child's family income is above 147% FPL but below 260% FPL, check CHP+ enrollment through the same PEAK portal. If you are 65 or older with limited income, review the Medicare Savings Programs section below, which Colorado runs at 100% FPL (QMB), 120% FPL (SLMB), and 135% FPL (QI-1) as of April 2026.

Colorado Medicaid (Health First Colorado) income limits by household size (2026)

The 2026 Colorado Medicaid (Health First Colorado) income guidelines below are based on the 2026 Federal Poverty Level for the 48 contiguous states. Adult column = expansion-group Medicaid (138% FPL, covers adults ages 19 to 64 with or without dependent children). Children column = standard children's Colorado Medicaid (147% FPL); CHP+ extends children's coverage to 260% FPL. Pregnancy column = 195% FPL Colorado Medicaid for Pregnant People, with 12 months of postpartum coverage through the Baby and Me program. Add roughly $5,680 of annual income per additional household member.

Colorado Medicaid (Health First Colorado) eligibility requirements (non-income)

Beyond income, Colorado Medicaid applicants must meet the following non-income requirements. MAGI categories (adults, parents, children, pregnant people) use federal MAGI rules with no asset test. Aged, Blind, and Disabled (ABD) and long-term care Medicaid categories apply separate SSI-linked asset rules.

• Colorado residency: applicant must currently live in Colorado with the intent to remain. No minimum length-of-residence is required. Homeless individuals may use a shelter address or a county-designated mailing address.
• U.S. citizenship or qualifying immigration status: U.S. citizens, lawful permanent residents (after the standard federal 5-year bar in most cases), refugees, asylees, and certain other qualified immigrants are eligible. As of October 1, 2026, federal rule changes reduce eligibility for refugees, asylees, and parolees. Children under 19 and pregnant people are exempt from immigration restrictions under Colorado's Cover All Coloradans law (state-funded).
• Social Security Number: required for each household member applying for coverage. Individuals who are not eligible to receive an SSN (such as those covered under Cover All Coloradans state-only funding) may apply without one.
• Household composition: determined under MAGI rules for adults, parents, children, and pregnant people. The MAGI household includes the applicant, their spouse (if living together), and any dependents claimed on the tax return. Aged, Blind, and Disabled and long-term care Medicaid use SSI household-composition rules.
• Asset test: NOT applied for MAGI Colorado Medicaid populations (adults, parents, children, pregnant people). Asset test IS applied for Aged, Blind, and Disabled (ABD) Medicaid: approximately $2,000 countable resources for an individual and $3,000 for a couple, excluding the home, one vehicle, and certain burial funds. Long-term care Medicaid has a 60-month lookback period for asset transfers.
• Other insurance coverage: Colorado Medicaid does not require applicants to be uninsured. Colorado Medicaid acts as payer of last resort. Applicants with employer-sponsored or private insurance may still qualify; Colorado Medicaid will coordinate benefits and cover cost-sharing the primary plan does not pay.

What income counts for Colorado Medicaid (Health First Colorado)

Colorado Medicaid uses Modified Adjusted Gross Income (MAGI) rules for adults, parents, children, and pregnant people, based on the household's projected annual income. HCPF applies the federal 5% MAGI income disregard, which effectively raises the applicable threshold for adults to about 143% FPL before comparing to the published 138% FPL limit. Aged, Blind, and Disabled (ABD) and long-term care Medicaid categories use SSI countable-income rules rather than MAGI. The lists below apply to MAGI categories, which handle the majority of Colorado Medicaid applications.

Income sources included

• Wages, salaries, tips, and overtime pay (gross amount, before payroll deductions or federal income tax withholding)
• Net self-employment earnings, 1099 income, and gig-economy income (after allowable business expenses reported on Schedule C or Schedule SE)
• Social Security retirement and survivor benefits; Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) but NOT Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
• Unemployment compensation received from Colorado or another state
• Pensions, annuities, and taxable retirement-account distributions (IRA, 401(k), 403(b))
• Alimony received under divorce or separation agreements finalized before January 1, 2019 (post-2018 agreements follow TCJA rules and are not counted as MAGI income)
• Net rental income, investment income (interest, dividends, and capital gains) as reported on the federal tax return

Income sources excluded

• Supplemental Security Income (SSI) payments from the Social Security Administration
• Child support payments received (these are excluded from MAGI income under federal Medicaid rules)
• Federal tax refunds and refundable credits such as the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) and Child Tax Credit (CTC)
• Veterans Affairs (VA) disability compensation, disability pension, and education benefits (GI Bill)
• SNAP (food stamp) benefits, TANF cash assistance, and other means-tested public benefits
• Workers' compensation payments for work-related illness or injury
• Loans, gifts, and one-time inheritances received during the year (not counted as income for MAGI purposes)

How to apply for Colorado Medicaid (Health First Colorado) in Colorado

Colorado Medicaid applications go through Colorado PEAK (Program Eligibility and Application Kit), the state's online benefits portal at coloradopeak.gov. The same application covers Health First Colorado (Medicaid), CHP+ (Child Health Plan Plus), SNAP food benefits, and cash assistance. Colorado residents can apply any time during the year because there is no open enrollment window for Medicaid. You can also apply by calling 1-800-221-3943, in person at your county human services office, or by mailing a paper application to your local county office.

1. 1. Gather your documents: photo ID, Social Security cards or numbers for all household members, proof of Colorado residency, proof of citizenship or immigration status, and the last 30 days of pay stubs or self-employment records.
2. 2. Go to coloradopeak.gov and create an account, or call 1-800-221-3943 (Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Mountain Time) to start an application by phone with a county worker.
3. 3. Complete the application online: list every household member, report all income sources, and upload (or mail) supporting documents. The PEAK portal screens for Medicaid, CHP+, SNAP, and cash assistance in one pass.
4. 4. Sign the application electronically inside PEAK. You will receive a confirmation email with your case number; save it for follow-up calls and document uploads.
5. 5. Respond to any county requests for additional information, usually within 10 business days of the request notice. Missing the response window is the leading cause of Health First Colorado application denials.
6. 6. Receive your eligibility determination notice. Standard applications are decided within 30 to 45 days; pregnancy applications are processed within 15 days under federal expedited-processing rules. Check the status at any time through your coloradopeak.gov account.

Official portal: coloradopeak.gov

Documents needed

• Photo ID for the head of household (Colorado driver's license, state ID, passport, or tribal ID card)
• Social Security Numbers or cards for every household member applying for coverage
• Proof of Colorado residency (utility bill, bank statement, lease or mortgage statement dated within 60 days)
• Proof of U.S. citizenship or qualifying immigration status (birth certificate, U.S. passport, permanent-resident card, visa, or asylee determination letter)
• Last 30 days of pay stubs (or 12 months of records for self-employment or 1099 workers)
• Most recent federal tax return or a signed statement that no return was filed
• Proof of pregnancy from a licensed health-care provider, if applying for Colorado Medicaid for Pregnant People

Processing timeline: Standard Colorado Medicaid applications are decided within 30 to 45 days of submission. Applications for pregnant people are processed within 15 days under federal expedited-processing requirements. Presumptive eligibility is available for pregnant applicants through qualified entities, allowing prenatal care coverage to begin immediately while the full application is pending. Aged, Blind, and Disabled (ABD) Medicaid applications and long-term care applications typically take 60 to 90 days because they require medical and financial determinations.

Common reasons applications get denied

• Income above the threshold for the specific eligibility group applied for (the most common single reason for denial, particularly for adults whose MAGI exceeds 138% FPL after the 5% disregard).
• Failure to provide requested verification documents within the 10-business-day response window (missing pay stubs, ID, or immigration documents).
• Federal 5-year bar for lawful permanent residents who have held that status for fewer than five years (certain categories including pregnant people and children are exempt under Cover All Coloradans state funding).
• Failure to verify Colorado residency (no utility bill, lease, or other current-address documentation accepted by the county office).
• Asset test failure for Aged, Blind, and Disabled (ABD) Medicaid or long-term care Medicaid applicants whose countable resources exceed $2,000 for an individual or $3,000 for a couple.

If your child's family income is over the Colorado Medicaid limit, CHP+ (Child Health Plan Plus)

CHP+ (Child Health Plan Plus) is Colorado's Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP), administered by HCPF. CHP+ covers children under age 19 in families with income between approximately 147% and 260% of the Federal Poverty Level. For 2026, a family of three earning between $40,160 and $71,032 per year, or a family of four earning between $48,510 and $85,800 per year, may qualify for CHP+. CHP+ provides comprehensive health, dental, vision, and behavioral health coverage with low or no premiums and minimal copays. Effective January 1, 2025, Colorado's Cover All Coloradans law also extends CHP+ to children regardless of immigration status using state funds. Apply for CHP+ through the same Colorado PEAK portal at coloradopeak.gov; the system automatically routes children to CHP+ when family income falls above the Medicaid threshold but below the CHP+ ceiling.

Compare CHIP and Medicaid income limits across all 50 states

If you are 65 or older with limited income, Colorado Medicare Savings Programs

Colorado runs three Medicare Savings Programs (MSPs) for low-income Medicare beneficiaries through HCPF. The Qualified Medicare Beneficiary (QMB) program covers adults up to 100% FPL ($1,350 per month for an individual in 2026) and pays Medicare Parts A and B premiums, deductibles, and coinsurance. The Specified Low-Income Medicare Beneficiary (SLMB) program covers adults up to 120% FPL ($1,616 per month for an individual in 2026) and pays Part B premiums only. The Qualifying Individual (QI-1) program covers adults up to 135% FPL ($1,816 per month for an individual in 2026) and also pays Part B premiums. All three MSPs have a 2026 resource limit of approximately $11,450 for an individual or $17,910 for a couple. Enrolling in a Medicare Savings Program automatically qualifies the beneficiary for the federal Extra Help Low-Income Subsidy for Medicare Part D drug costs, saving hundreds of dollars per year. Apply through coloradopeak.gov or call HCPF at 1-800-221-3943. Coloradans who are dual-eligible (both Medicare and Colorado Medicaid) may also be enrolled in a Dual Eligible Special Needs Plan (D-SNP) for coordinated care.

Read the Medicare eligibility guide

Frequently Asked Questions