State of Colorado Medicaid income limits for 2026

Medicaid income limits Colorado uses from April 1, 2026

Colorado sets its Medicaid and CHP+ limits as percentages of the federal poverty guidelines, and HCPF moved to the 2026 guidelines on April 1, 2026.^[1][2] The table turns each percentage into a monthly ceiling for income before taxes, for households of one to six, with the 5% disregard already added:

HCPF’s own charts print the standards without the disregard, so its dollar figures are lower than the table: $1,769 for one adult and $3,658 for four at 133%, $3,905 for a child in a family of four at 142%, and $7,150 for CHP+ at 260%.^[3][4] Both are right. Medicaid.gov notes that MAGI rules generally adjust income by an amount equal to 5% of poverty, which lifts the real cutoff about five points above the printed one.^[5] The two charts are attachments to Operational Memo OM 26-007, and their PDF file names still end in “Draft”.^[1]

Is Colorado a Medicaid expansion state?

Yes. Colorado expanded Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act, so adults aged 19 to 64 can qualify for Health First Colorado on income alone, up to 133% of poverty (138% once the disregard is applied).^[3] The HCPF chart labels this column “Ages 19-65”. Parents and caretaker relatives have a lower standard of their own, 68% of poverty, which is $1,549 a month for a family of three on the chart. A parent above it still has a route in: parents over 68% can qualify through the adult expansion group up to 133%.^[3]

Here is how that works for a parent in a household of three with $3,000 a month. That income is over the parent line of $1,662 but under the adult line of $3,142, so the checker above shows a match through the adult group. At $3,300 the same parent would be over both lines.

Children, pregnancy and CHP+ in Colorado

Children from birth through age 18 qualify for Health First Colorado up to 142% of poverty, and above that Child Health Plan Plus (CHP+) covers them up to 260%.^[3][4] After the disregard, those lines are $3,347 and $6,034 a month for a family of three. CHP+ sorts families into income bands from 143% to 260% that match rating codes in CBMS, Colorado’s eligibility system. Co-payments may apply, but there are none for American Indians, Alaska Natives, or a pregnant woman and her household.^[4]

Pregnant women qualify for Health First Colorado up to 195% of poverty, or 200% with the disregard: $3,607 a month for a household of two and $4,554 for three.^[3] Medicaid.gov lists CHP+ coverage for pregnancy up to 260%; HCPF’s CHP+ chart has no separate pregnancy column.^[5][4] Colorado also runs Limited Family Planning Medical Assistance for incomes between 134% and 260% of poverty.^[1]

Colorado Medicaid for seniors and people with disabilities

Coloradans who are 65 or older, blind or disabled are assessed under non-MAGI rules, and SSI-related Medicaid follows the 2026 SSI income limits: $994 a month for one person and $1,491 for a couple.^[6] The state sheet notes that SSI income eligibility itself is decided by the Social Security Administration. These programs also test resources, effective January 2026: $2,000 for an individual and $3,000 for a couple for SSI, DAC, Pickle, QDW and Old Age Pension cases.^[6]

• Old Age Pension (OAP): $1,032 a month for an individual; there is no couple limit.^[6]
• Long-term care: the 300% SSI limit is $2,982 a month.^[6]
• Working Adults with Disabilities buy-in: income up to 450% of poverty.^[6]

The checker uses the $994 single-person line for this group, so a couple should compare against $1,491 instead.

How to apply for Health First Colorado

The fastest way to apply is online through PEAK at co.gov/peak; you can also apply by phone at 1-800-221-3943 (State Relay 711), Monday to Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.^[7] Have your household’s monthly income figures ready, because every limit on this page is a monthly amount. Once you are enrolled, renewals are about to change for adults in the expansion group: from renewals scheduled on or after January 1, 2027, federal rules require them every six months.^[10]

2027 work requirements for Colorado adults

From 2027, adults in Colorado’s expansion group must show at least 80 hours a month of work, community service, a work program or half-time school, or monthly income of at least $580, to get or keep Health First Colorado.^[8][9] HCPF says the first people affected will be those who submit a new application on or after January 1, 2027 and members whose renewal is due in or after January 2027, and that it will use the self-attestation option allowed in 2027.^[8]

The rule applies only to the expansion adult group, so children, CHP+ members, pregnant people and people 65 or older are outside it. Within that group, federal law exempts parents and caretakers of a child aged 13 or younger, people who are medically frail, pregnant or postpartum people, American Indians and Alaska Natives, and veterans with a total disability rating, among others.^[9]

Official Colorado links

• PEAK (apply for Health First Colorado and CHP+) phone 1-800-221-3943, State Relay 711
• HCPF Medicaid income chart, April 2026 Colorado Department of Health Care Policy & Financing
• HCPF CHP+ income chart, April 2026 income bands 143%–260%
• HCPF work requirements FAQs who is affected from January 2027

Compare Colorado with New York Medicaid income limits, Indiana Medicaid income limits and Ohio Medicaid income limits, check the national food stamps income limit tables, or go back to the SNAP calculator on our home page.