Health First Colorado (Medicaid) & CHP+
Last updated August 2026
Health First Colorado is Colorado's Medicaid program: free health coverage for low-income residents. For 2026, adults 19 to 64 qualify with monthly income up to $1,769 for one person, $2,399 for two, $3,028 for three, $3,658 for four, the roughly 138 percent expansion group. Apply online by signing in to or creating an account on Colorado PEAK.
Children and pregnant people reach higher. Kids from birth to 18 qualify up to $1,889 a month for a one-person household, $3,905 for four, and pregnant people qualify at the highest limits, up to $2,594 for one and $5,363 for four. Very low-income parents and caretaker relatives have a lower limit, up to $905 a month for one, so the household's children are often the surest path in.
Do not self-reject on income. The state says plainly that you may still qualify even if you earn more than the table shows, and the surest way to find out is to apply. Deductions and household math surprise people in both directions.
If your children are just over the Medicaid line, there is a next tier. Child Health Plan Plus, CHP+, covers children and pregnant people whose household income is under 260 percent of poverty, above the Medicaid limits, at about $3,458 a month for a family of two up to $7,150 for five.
CHP+ is low-cost, not always free. Enrollment fees and co-pays vary by household size and income, but the annual out-of-pocket limit is 5 percent of your annual income, and Native Americans and Alaska Natives pay no co-pays. So even the paid tier has a firm ceiling.
One application at Colorado PEAK checks the whole household, and a denial for one person decides nothing about the others. The Health First Colorado Member Contact Center is 800-221-3943 (State Relay 711), and while an application processes, 2-1-1 can point you to community health centers.
Phone 1-800-221-3943
Help available in English and Spanish.
Updated August 2026 Program details can change — confirm with the program directly.
Who qualifies
- Colorado residents who meet the income rules for their group; coverage expanded to low-income adults 19 to 64 under Medicaid expansion
- Children, pregnant people, seniors, and people with disabilities each have their own pathway, so apply even if you were denied before
You may qualify. The program makes the final decision.
How to apply
- 1
Apply online at Colorado PEAK, linked from the Health First Colorado apply pages.
- 2
Have proof of identity, income, and Colorado residency ready.
- 3
If your kids are just over the Medicaid line, ask about CHP+ (under 260 percent of poverty).
- 4
For help, call the Member Contact Center at 800-221-3943 (State Relay 711).
What to have ready
- Photo ID and dates of birth for those applying
- Proof of income and Colorado residency
- Immigration or citizenship documents where they apply.
What the application looks like
Common questions
Who qualifies for Health First Colorado?
Adults 19 to 64 up to about $1,769 a month for one person (roughly 138 percent of poverty) in 2026, with children and pregnant people qualifying at higher limits.
I earn a little too much. Should I still apply?
Yes. The state says you may still qualify even if you make more than the table shows, and applying is the surest way to find out.
What is CHP+?
Child Health Plan Plus covers children and pregnant people under 260 percent of poverty, above Medicaid limits, with low fees and an out-of-pocket cap of 5 percent of annual income.
How do I apply?
Online through Colorado PEAK, linked from the Health First Colorado apply pages. For help, call 800-221-3943 (State Relay 711).
Not sure this is the right program for your situation?
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