Colorado will implement new work and renewal requirements for a large segment of its Medicaid population beginning in January 2027, state officials said. The changes affect adults ages 19 to 64 enrolled in Health First Colorado who earn up to 133% of the federal poverty level.
Who is affected
The Colorado Department of Health Care Policy and Financing estimates about 377,000 of the program’s roughly 1.1 million members fall into the category that must comply with the new rules. That group will need to verify either that they are working or have an approved reason for not working to keep coverage.
| Measure | Threshold |
|---|---|
| Income limit (133% FPL) — single individual | $20,815 per year |
| Income limit (133% FPL) — family of four | $42,760 per year |
| Work/education/volunteer requirement | 80 hours per month or earn $580 per month |
| Renewal frequency | Every six months (was annually) |
What recipients must do
Covered adults will need to document that they meet the monthly participation expectation — either through paid employment, school, or volunteer work — totaling 80 hours per month, or by showing earnings of at least $580 a month. The requirement can be met through a combination of activities.
- Find out whether the rule applies to you through your PEAK account or state communications.
- Gather documentation of employment, volunteer hours, enrollment in school, or qualifying exemptions (medical conditions, caregiving duties, etc.).
- Update information proactively — some recipients already qualifying may not have submitted current documentation to the state.
"The most important things that people can do to prepare is A: find out if it applies to you. B: if it does, do you have the necessary documentation that you need to show that you’re already meeting that work requirement, or maybe you’re in a circumstance where you have a medical diagnosis or you’re a caregiver, and you don’t even have to meet the work requirement,"
— Natalie Coulter, director of communications for the Colorado Department of Health Care Policy and Financing.
State outreach and logistics
The department said it will send texts, emails and letters to people who may be affected. Officials emphasized checking PEAK accounts, where many recipients can already upload or update employment and household information. The state’s shift to six-month renewals also shortens the window between eligibility checks, potentially raising the administrative burden for households that experience frequent income or employment changes.
These changes apply to adults who fall under the federal 133% poverty threshold — figures the department cited as $20,815 annually for a single person and $42,760 for a family of four. The department did not provide an exhaustive list of accepted documentation in its initial briefing; recipients should consult official HCPF guidance or their PEAK account for details tailored to their situation.
The policy will affect a wide cross-section of Coloradans, from part-time workers and students to caregivers and those relying on intermittent jobs. Advocates and local agencies that assist with benefits enrollment will need to adjust information and outreach plans ahead of January to avoid coverage disruptions.
Residents with questions should monitor official HCPF communications and their PEAK accounts for notices about eligibility, required documents and timelines for compliance.
