Colorado's health insurance enrollment declines
- Media Logic Radio
- Jan 23
- 1 min read
For the first time since 2020, enrollment in Colorado’s health insurance exchange has declined — though not as sharply as state officials feared.
During open enrollment for 2026, 277,228 people signed up for health plans through Connect for Health Colorado. That’s a 2 percent drop from last year’s record high of more than 282,000 enrollees.
The decline follows the expiration of enhanced federal subsidies that had helped lower monthly premiums for many Coloradans. State officials had warned as many as 75,000 people could lose coverage, but enrollment remained relatively steady.
Still, warning signs remain. Only 69 percent of enrollees received federal subsidies this year, down from 80 percent last year. New customer enrollment fell 24 percent, and cancellations spiked sharply. About 17,000 people who initially enrolled later dropped their coverage — an 83 percent increase over last year.
Enrollment dropped most among people 55 and older and rural residents, groups hit hardest by rising costs.
Connect for Health Colorado CEO Kevin Patterson says many families are being forced to choose between health coverage and basic necessities like food and housing.
State lawmakers used one-time funding last year to soften the impact, but that support expires soon. Meanwhile, Congress continues to debate whether to extend the federal subsidies, with the outcome in the Senate still uncertain.
