Colorado Medicaid Eligibility: Income Limits, Asset Rules & How to Apply

Colorado Medicaid is officially branded as Health First Colorado — a joint federal-state health insurance program administered by the Colorado Department of Health Care Policy and Financing (HCPF). It provides medical coverage to low-income Coloradans including children, pregnant women, parents, seniors, and people with disabilities.

Colorado sits in an interesting middle ground among states covered in this series. Like California and Arizona, it expanded Medicaid under the ACA in 2014, closing the coverage gap for low-income adults without dependents. But unlike California — which eliminated its senior asset test and uses a 30-month look-back — Colorado retains the standard 60-month look-back and a $2,000 asset limit for long-term care.

What Colorado does offer that stands out: a CHP+ (Children’s Basic Health Plan) that extends up to 250% FPL for children, an EBD (Elderly, Blind and Disabled) Waiver as its primary home care program, and a relatively accessible Colorado PEAK portal that centralizes benefit applications across most state programs.

Colorado’s high cost of living — particularly in the Denver metro, Boulder, and mountain resort communities — also means that the $730,000 home equity exemption cap warrants more attention here than in lower-cost states. This guide covers every major Health First Colorado program, 2026 income and asset limits, the 60-month look-back rule, and how to apply through PEAK. For a quick eligibility check, use our Medicaid Eligibility Calculator before applying.

Colorado Medicaid (Health First Colorado) Programs

Institutional / Nursing Home Medicaid

An entitlement program with no waiting list — everyone who qualifies is guaranteed coverage. It funds care in nursing facilities, hospitals, and Intermediate Care Facilities for Individuals with Intellectual Disabilities (ICF/IID). Applicants must demonstrate a Nursing Facility Level of Care (NFLOC) based on documented functional limitations. Health First Colorado delivers nursing home coverage through managed care organizations in many areas of the state.

EBD Waiver — Home and Community Based Services

Colorado’s primary HCBS waiver for seniors and disabled individuals is the Elderly, Blind and Disabled (EBD) Waiver, which covers in-home personal care, adult day services, delivered meals, and other supports designed to keep people in their communities rather than nursing facilities. The EBD Waiver is a non-entitlement program with limited slots, and waiting lists apply — particularly along Colorado’s heavily populated Front Range (Denver-Boulder-Fort Collins corridor).

Colorado also operates additional waivers for specific populations, including those with brain injuries and children with developmental disabilities. Apply for the EBD Waiver as early as possible. If you’re also navigating food access while on a waitlist, see our Colorado SNAP benefits page.

Regular Medicaid (Aged, Blind, and Disabled)

Covers elderly, blind, or disabled Coloradans with lower income and assets, without the nursing-level medical requirement of the EBD Waiver or nursing home Medicaid. No look-back period applies. SSI recipients are typically categorically eligible, bypassing income and asset tests. For seniors on Social Security who also need food assistance, see our guide on whether seniors on Social Security can get food stamps.

CHP+ — Children’s Basic Health Plan (Children and Pregnant Women)

Colorado’s CHIP program is called the Children’s Basic Health Plan (CHP+), covering children up to age 19 and pregnant women. The base threshold is 200% FPL ($2,608/month for a household of one), with CHP+ extending to 250% FPL ($3,913/month for a single-person household) for certain age groups — one of the more generous children’s coverage thresholds in the Mountain West region.

Pregnant women’s coverage extends 12 months postpartum. Families who qualify here may also be eligible for WIC nutrition support — see Colorado WIC income guidelines or use our WIC Eligibility Calculator.

Health First Colorado for Adults (ACA Expansion)

Colorado expanded Medicaid under the ACA in 2014, covering adults aged 19–64 without dependent children earning up to 138% FPL ($1,799/month for a single person). No asset test applies. This program has been particularly significant for Colorado’s large outdoor recreation, hospitality, and seasonal ski industry workforce — workers who often lack employer-sponsored coverage.

Starting January 2027, federal work requirements will apply to expansion adults — a population that includes many of Colorado’s seasonal and gig workers who may face documentation challenges during off-seasons.

General Eligibility Requirements

• Colorado Residency: You must currently reside in Colorado.
• Citizenship / Immigration Status: U.S. citizens, nationals, and qualifying immigrants — including permanent residents with 5+ years in the U.S., refugees, and asylees — are eligible. Undocumented immigrants are generally not eligible for full Health First Colorado, though emergency services may be covered.
• Income: Varies by program — see limits below.
• Assets: Limits apply for long-term care and aged/blind/disabled programs only.
• Medical / Functional Need: Nursing home Medicaid and the EBD Waiver require documented NFLOC.

2026 Income Limits for Health First Colorado

Colorado uses the standard 48-state FPL figures. Income limits below are expressed as monthly amounts.

Important Notes on Income

Nursing Home / EBD Waiver applicants above the income limit: If monthly income exceeds $2,901, a Qualified Income Trust (QIT) redirects excess income to establish eligibility. Colorado Medicaid must be named as the QIT beneficiary at the recipient’s death. Colorado’s Personal Needs Allowance for nursing home residents is $72/month — lower than Alaska’s $200/month and Arkansas’s $75/month, but slightly above Alabama’s $30/month — reflecting the federal minimum adjusted for state policy.

Married couples, one spouse applying: Only the applicant’s income counts toward the $2,901 limit. The community spouse may retain income up to a Minimum Monthly Maintenance Needs Allowance (MMMNA) of $3,948/month, provided housing and utility costs exceed $793.13/month (effective July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2026). In Colorado’s high-cost housing markets, most community spouses in the Denver metro will easily meet the housing cost threshold.

Use our FPL Calculator to check your household income position, or see our Colorado Medicaid income eligibility page for a full program-by-program breakdown.

2026 Federal Poverty Level Reference (48 States & D.C.)

Asset Rules for Health First Colorado

Asset tests apply only to long-term care (Nursing Home / EBD Waiver) and Regular Medicaid for the aged, blind, and disabled. ACA expansion adults, CHP+ children, and pregnant women face no asset test.

Long-Term Care Medicaid (Nursing Home and EBD Waiver)

Countable asset limits:

• Single applicant: $2,000
• Married, both applying: $3,000 total
• Married, one applying: $2,000 for the applicant; up to $157,920 for the non-applicant spouse (Community Spouse Resource Allowance, or CSRA)

Home equity limit: $730,000. The primary home is exempt if the applicant or their spouse lives there or intends to return — provided equity stays under $730,000. Colorado’s Front Range real estate markets have seen significant appreciation; Denver-area homes that were comfortably under this threshold a decade ago may be approaching or exceeding it today. Applicants with high-value properties should verify their equity position before applying, particularly in Boulder, Vail, Aspen, and other resort-area markets where property values are especially elevated.

Non-countable (exempt) assets include:

• Primary home (subject to the $730,000 equity cap)
• One vehicle
• Household goods and personal effects
• Irrevocable Funeral Trusts (IFTs)
• Medicaid Compliant Annuities
• Life insurance with a face value of $1,500 or less

Colorado’s 60-Month Look-Back Rule

Colorado enforces a standard 60-month (5-year) look-back period for Nursing Home Medicaid and the EBD Waiver. All asset transfers within that window are reviewed. Gifts or transfers below fair market value — including transfers of appreciated Colorado real estate to adult children — can trigger a penalty period of Health First Colorado ineligibility proportional to the value transferred. There is no look-back period for Regular Medicaid.

Colorado’s booming real estate market creates a specific look-back risk: a home that was worth $400,000 in 2019 and gifted to a child may now be worth significantly more. The Medicaid penalty is calculated based on fair market value at the time of transfer — which in Colorado’s rising market could result in substantial penalty periods for properties transferred years ago at lower values.

Colorado’s Medicaid Estate Recovery Program

After a Health First Colorado long-term care beneficiary passes away, Colorado’s Estate Recovery Program seeks reimbursement from the estate for costs paid. The primary home is the most common recovery target when no exempt spouse or qualifying dependent remains in residence. Planning tools such as certain irrevocable trusts can reduce exposure — consult a Certified Medicaid Planner for Colorado-specific guidance.

Regular Medicaid (Aged, Blind, and Disabled)

Asset limit is $2,000 for individuals and $3,000 for couples. No home equity cap and no look-back period apply to this program. Note: Colorado has not yet eliminated the asset test for this population, unlike California which did so in January 2024.

Medical and Functional Requirements

For Nursing Home Medicaid and the EBD Waiver, applicants must demonstrate a Nursing Facility Level of Care (NFLOC) through a formal evaluation of:

• Activities of Daily Living (ADLs): bathing, dressing, eating, toileting, mobility
• Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADLs): cooking, shopping, managing finances, taking medications
• Cognitive or behavioral issues — including Alzheimer’s disease and dementia. A diagnosis alone does not satisfy NFLOC; documented functional limitations are required.

For Regular Medicaid covering the aged, blind, or disabled, applicants must document disability or blindness per Social Security Administration (SSA) criteria. NFLOC is not required for this program.

What Federal Policy Changes Mean for Health First Colorado

The One Big Beautiful Bill Act, signed July 4, 2025, introduces Medicaid changes phasing in through 2028. Colorado’s expansion status means these changes are broader in scope than in non-expansion states.

• Work Requirements (Starting January 2027): Federal work requirements will apply to ACA expansion adults aged 19–64. Colorado’s large outdoor recreation and ski industry workforce — many of whom work seasonally — will need to document qualifying work activity or exemptions during off-seasons. HCPF will need to build tracking systems for compliance. Seniors, disabled individuals, pregnant women, and children are exempt.
• Reduced Retroactive Coverage (Starting January 2027): Coverage will only extend back 2 months from application, down from 90 days. Coloradans who delay applying after an illness, accident, or hospitalization will face more uncovered medical debt.
• More Frequent Eligibility Renewals (Starting December 2026): Renewals every 6 months instead of annually. Colorado’s large transient population — students, seasonal workers, people relocating frequently in the high-cost rental market — may face higher rates of renewal lapses.
• New Out-of-Pocket Costs (Starting October 2028): Non-exempt beneficiaries may owe up to $35 per specialist visit. Primary care and preventive services remain free.
• Funding Cuts: Projected federal Medicaid cuts of approximately $1 trillion over 10 years may affect Colorado’s rural hospitals — particularly those serving the Eastern Plains and mountain communities where Health First Colorado is often the primary payer and facility finances are already fragile.

For how these changes affect SNAP benefits alongside Health First Colorado, see our article on Big Beautiful Bill SNAP changes. Colorado has also been directly involved in SNAP policy disputes — see our article on Colorado’s SNAP benefit delivery after the government shutdown.

Options If Your Income or Assets Exceed the Limit

Qualified Income Trusts (QITs): For Nursing Home Medicaid and the EBD Waiver, a QIT redirects excess monthly income to bring you under the $2,901 threshold. The trust is irrevocable and must name Colorado Medicaid as the beneficiary. Must be established by an attorney or Certified Medicaid Planner before application.

Irrevocable Funeral Trusts (IFTs): Pre-paid funeral and burial expenses placed in an IFT are fully exempt from asset limits. Colorado does not publish a specific dollar cap on IFTs — confirm current limits with a Certified Medicaid Planner.

Asset Spend-Down: Converting countable assets into exempt ones — home improvements, paying off a mortgage or vehicle loan, or prepaying certain allowed expenses — can reduce countable assets below $2,000. Must be structured carefully to avoid look-back violations, particularly given Colorado’s high real estate appreciation making property transfers risky.

Medicaid Compliant Annuities: In spousal situations, converting excess assets into a compliant annuity can reduce the applicant’s countable assets while generating protected income for the community spouse.

Certified Medicaid Planners: Colorado’s elevated property values, rising home equity approaching the $730,000 cap in some areas, and the 60-month look-back make professional planning especially valuable. A planner can help structure assets to protect both Medicaid eligibility and family wealth in Colorado’s high-appreciation environment.

While addressing a Medicaid income or asset issue, check whether SNAP food assistance is available in parallel — see SNAP income limits to see if benefits can help cover household costs alongside health coverage.

How to Apply for Health First Colorado

Colorado centralizes most benefit applications through its Colorado PEAK (Program Eligibility and Application Kit) portal, which handles Health First Colorado, SNAP (food stamps), and other programs together.

Application Methods

• Online via PEAK (Recommended): Apply at colorado.gov/PEAK. Before applying, use our Medicaid Eligibility Calculator to confirm which program fits your situation. For step-by-step guidance, see our Colorado Medicaid application guide.
• Phone: Call the Health First Colorado Customer Service Center at 1-800-221-3943 for application assistance or program questions.
• In-Person or Mail: Download a paper application from healthfirstcolorado.com and submit to your local County Department of Human Services. Colorado’s 64 counties each have a DHS office — useful for rural applicants on the Eastern Plains or in mountain communities with limited internet access.
• Long-Term Care Support: Contact the Colorado Department of Health Care Policy and Financing or a local Area Agency on Aging at 1-800-424-2353 for help with EBD Waiver applications and NFLOC assessment coordination.

Documents You’ll Need

• Proof of Colorado residency
• Proof of income (pay stubs, Social Security award letters, tax returns)
• Proof of assets (bank statements, investment accounts, property records) — for long-term care applications
• Proof of citizenship or qualifying immigration status
• Medical records documenting functional limitations (for nursing home / EBD Waiver applications)
• Disability documentation per SSA criteria (for aged/blind/disabled programs)

Processing Times

• Standard applications: Up to 45 days
• Disability-based applications: Up to 90 days
• Pregnant women: May qualify for presumptive eligibility for outpatient care while the full application processes

Starting January 2027, retroactive coverage drops to 2 months before application. Apply promptly after any health event that generates medical bills you want Health First Colorado to cover.

Health First Colorado and Other Benefit Programs

• SNAP (Food Stamps): Many Health First Colorado recipients also qualify for SNAP. Colorado PEAK handles both applications together. See our Colorado SNAP page or Colorado SNAP application guide. If you already receive benefits, see how to check your SNAP balance in Colorado.
• WIC: Pregnant women and young children qualifying for Health First Colorado typically also qualify for WIC. See Colorado WIC income guidelines.
• EBT Discounts: Colorado EBT cardholders may access discounts at certain retailers and services. See EBT discounts available in Colorado.
• Medicare: Many Colorado seniors rely on both Medicare and Health First Colorado simultaneously. Understanding the difference between Medicare and Medicaid is essential — Medicare covers short-term skilled nursing care, while Health First Colorado (through the EBD Waiver or nursing home Medicaid) covers long-term care costs.
• SNAP Work Requirements: ACA expansion adults who also receive SNAP should know both programs will have federal work requirements starting in 2027. Read our guide on SNAP work requirements for what to expect.

Common Questions About Health First Colorado

How do I apply for Medicaid in Colorado?

Apply online at colorado.gov/PEAK, by phone at 1-800-221-3943, or in person at your County Department of Human Services. Our Colorado Medicaid application guide has step-by-step instructions. For a national overview, see where to apply for Medicaid.

What are the 2026 income limits for Health First Colorado?

Seniors and disabled in nursing homes or EBD Waiver: $2,901/month (single) or $5,802/month (couple). Regular Medicaid (aged/blind/disabled): $967/month (single) or $1,450/month (couple). ACA expansion adults: $1,799/month (138% FPL). Children and pregnant women: up to $3,913/month (250% FPL via CHP+). Full details at our Colorado Medicaid income eligibility page.

Are there asset limits for Health First Colorado?

Yes, for long-term care and aged/blind/disabled programs: $2,000 (single), $3,000 (couple, both applying), or $157,920 for a non-applicant spouse. Home equity limit is $730,000 — watch this carefully in Denver-area and mountain resort markets. No asset test for children, pregnant women, or ACA expansion adults.

What is the look-back period for Health First Colorado?

A 60-month look-back applies to Nursing Home Medicaid and the EBD Waiver. Colorado’s rising real estate values make this especially important — transfers of appreciated property within 5 years of application can trigger significant penalty periods. No look-back applies to Regular Medicaid.

Does Colorado’s Medicaid expansion affect eligibility?

Yes. Since 2014, Health First Colorado covers adults aged 19–64 earning up to 138% FPL ($1,799/month) with no asset test — closing the coverage gap that remains open in states like Alabama and Texas.

Is Medicaid free in Colorado?

Most Health First Colorado programs have no premiums and minimal cost-sharing today. Starting October 2028, non-exempt beneficiaries may owe up to $35 per specialist visit. See our guide on whether Medicaid is free.

Does Colorado Medicaid cover dental care?

Health First Colorado covers some dental services for adults, including emergency care and preventive services, with varying coverage levels by program. See our full guide on what dental services Medicaid covers.

Does Colorado Medicaid cover prescriptions?

Yes — all major Health First Colorado programs include prescription drug coverage. See our article on Medicaid prescription coverage for details.

This guide reflects 2026 federal and Colorado Department of Health Care Policy and Financing guidelines. Rules change — verify current requirements with Health First Colorado at healthfirstcolorado.com or by calling 1-800-221-3943 before making eligibility decisions.