Health Insurance in Colorado — Options for Individuals, Families & the Self-Employed

Daniel Posey · Colorado · Updated August 2026 · 5 min read

Colorado has one of the highest concentrations of self-employed people in the country — tech consultants in Denver and Boulder, guides and outfitters in the mountains, contractors riding the Front Range building boom. It also has one of the more distinctive insurance markets in America, with its own exchange and its own state-designed plans.

I'm Daniel Posey, an independent licensed health insurance broker (NPN 20609967), licensed in Colorado. I compare plans across multiple carriers — Marketplace and private — and my help costs you nothing, because carriers pay broker commissions, not clients.

The Colorado Health Insurance Landscape

Colorado runs its own exchange, Connect for Health Colorado, rather than HealthCare.gov. Premium tax credits work the same way as on the federal Marketplace, starting at 100% of the federal poverty level, and Colorado layers on its own standardized "Colorado Option" plans.

Colorado adopted Medicaid expansion (Health First Colorado), so adults earning up to 138% of the federal poverty level qualify — no coverage gap. Above that, subsidies phase down, and with the enhanced federal subsidies expired since the end of 2025, many middle-income Coloradans — especially in the high-premium mountain counties — are feeling the increase.

Who Benefits Most from Working with a Broker in Colorado

Colorado's independent workforce is enormous, and these are the people I help most:

  • Self-employed professionals and 1099 contractors — tech and creative consultants, realtors, guides, and tradespeople
  • Mountain-town residents facing some of the highest premiums in the state
  • Families above the subsidy sweet spot staring at full-price premiums
  • Early retirees bridging the years before Medicare

Premiums in Colorado's mountain counties can run dramatically higher than on the Front Range. Where you live inside the state matters more here than almost anywhere.

Your Realistic Options in Colorado

  1. ACA Marketplace plans — the right fit if you qualify for premium tax credits or need guaranteed-issue coverage for pre-existing conditions.
  2. Private medically underwritten plans — often meaningfully cheaper for healthy applicants who don't qualify for subsidies.
  3. Small group coverage — worth exploring if your business has at least one W-2 employee besides you.
  4. Supplemental coverage — accident coverage is worth extra attention in an outdoor-sports state; critical illness, dental, and vision round things out.

Getting Covered in Colorado — What to Expect

We start with a short phone call. I ask about your household, income, doctors, and prescriptions, then compare what's actually available to you — in plain English, with real numbers. If a plan makes sense, I can usually get you enrolled the same week. And if your current plan is already your best option, I'll tell you that too.

Three ways to get started

No fees. No pressure. Just straight answers about Colorado coverage.

Colorado health insurance questions

Where do I buy health insurance in Colorado?

Colorado runs its own exchange, Connect for Health Colorado. You can also enroll through a licensed broker like me at no extra cost, and I can show you private plans sold outside the exchange at the same time.

When is Open Enrollment for 2027 coverage in Colorado?

Open Enrollment starts November 1, 2026. State-run exchanges set their own end date, so confirm the deadline with Colorado's exchange. Enroll by December 15 to be safe for coverage starting January 1.

Which insurance companies sell Marketplace plans in Colorado?

Six carriers are selling for 2027: Denver Health, SelectHealth, Kaiser Permanente, Anthem, Rocky Mountain HMO and new entrant Colorado Access. Cigna is leaving. Availability varies by county.

Did Colorado expand Medicaid?

Yes. Colorado expanded Medicaid (Health First Colorado), and you can apply any time of year.

Can I get health insurance in Colorado outside Open Enrollment?

Marketplace plans need a qualifying life event, such as losing job-based coverage, moving, marriage or a new baby. Private medically underwritten plans can be applied for any month of the year. No carrier currently sells short-term health plans in Colorado.

Does it cost more to use a broker in Colorado?

No. The premium is the same whether you enroll yourself or through a broker. The insurance company pays the broker, not you.

Related reading

Daniel Posey is an independent, licensed health insurance broker serving Colorado and 30 other states. NPN 20609967. Posey Health Solutions LLC is a private, independently owned insurance agency. It is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or acting on behalf of the U.S. federal government, any state government or agency, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, or HealthCare.gov.