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Colorado Medicaid: 2026 Income Limits and Moving In or Out

Moving TO Colorado

Health First Colorado (Colorado's Medicaid program) does not accept transferred cases from other states: every new Colorado resident applies fresh through Colorado Department of Health Care Policy & Financing. There is no waiting period tied to how recently you arrived — eligibility is decided on Colorado's own income and household rules from the day you become a resident.

Leaving Colorado

Leaving Colorado ends your Health First Colorado (Colorado's Medicaid program) case — no state will take it over. Close the case with Colorado Department of Health Care Policy & Financing effective your move month, then apply in your destination state immediately after arriving.

Official agency: Colorado Department of Health Care Policy & Financing ↗ (application page)

Colorado Medicaid at a glance

Program nameHealth First Colorado
ACA Medicaid expansionYes — adults covered on income
Adult income limit138% of the federal poverty level
ProcessingFederal 45-day standard; official apply page notes most PEAK applicants 'find out right away if they qualify' (90 days if a disability decision is needed)

Colorado Medicaid income limits for adults (2026)

Colorado expanded Medicaid under the ACA, so adults with income up to 138% of the federal poverty level can qualify without fitting a category such as disability or pregnancy. Federal law (Public Law 119-21) adds a work condition for most of these adults from January 1, 2027 (earlier in some states, and later only in a state granted an extension, which cannot run past 2028): they must show 80 hours a month of work, school, job training, or community service, unless they are exempt (for example, parents of a child 13 or under, pregnant people, and people with a disability). New applicants may have to show it for 1 to 3 consecutive months immediately preceding the month they apply.

Household sizeMonthly income limitYearly income limit
1 person$1,836$22,025
2 people$2,489$29,864
3 people$3,142$37,702
4 people$3,795$45,540
5 people$4,449$53,379
6 people$5,102$61,217
7 people$5,755$69,056
8 people$6,408$76,894
Each additional person+$654+$7,839

Federal source: HHS 2026 Poverty Guidelines (91 FR 1797) (published 2026-01-15)

How to apply for Medicaid in Colorado

Apply with Colorado Department of Health Care Policy & Financing online at co.gov, which runs the program as Health First Colorado. Go to the official application page ↗

Processing time: Federal 45-day standard; official apply page notes most PEAK applicants 'find out right away if they qualify' (90 days if a disability decision is needed).

Moving with more than one benefit? The relocation checklist orders every step for your move.

Common questions

What is the Medicaid income limit in Colorado for 2026?

For adults, 138% of the federal poverty level: about $1,836 a month for one person and $3,795 a month for a family of four in 2026. Children, pregnant people, and people 65+ or with a disability have separate limits.

Can I keep Colorado Medicaid if I move to another state?

No. Medicaid covers residents only, so Colorado coverage ends once you live elsewhere. Report the move to Colorado Department of Health Care Policy & Financing and apply in your new state right away; eligibility there is decided on that state's own rules.

How do I apply for Medicaid in Colorado?

Apply with Colorado Department of Health Care Policy & Financing online at co.gov, which runs the program as Health First Colorado. Processing time: federal 45-day standard; official apply page notes most PEAK applicants 'find out right away if they qualify' (90 days if a disability decision is needed).

Who runs Medicaid in Colorado?

Colorado Department of Health Care Policy & Financing, which runs the program as Health First Colorado. The official page and application link are cited below — always act through them.

Does Colorado make new residents wait for Medicaid?

No state may impose a residency waiting period for Medicaid. You apply as soon as you live in Colorado; eligibility is decided on Colorado's own rules.

Where do I report that I'm leaving Colorado?

Contact Colorado Department of Health Care Policy & Financing (official link below) to report the move and close your case effective your move month.

Every move involving Colorado

Other benefits in Colorado

Terms on this page: Federal poverty level (FPL) · Medicaid expansion · Retroactive Medicaid coverage

Official sources

Every fact above was checked against these official pages. Last verified .

Written by Benefits Transfer Editorial Team

Reviewed by Billy Reiner, Editor

Last verified