2026 income limits

Health First Colorado Income Limits 2026: Colorado Charts by Family Size

Quick answer: most Colorado adults qualify with household income up to $1,835/month (single) — 138% of the 2026 federal poverty guidelines. Children and pregnant women qualify at much higher levels. The chart below lists the Colorado Medicaid income requirements and guidelines for 2026 — all effective cutoffs including the 5% MAGI disregard, computed from the official 2026 FPL table (ASPE / Federal Register). State standards are from the CMS national eligibility table, as of 2023-12-01.

Health First Colorado is the Colorado Medicaid program. The 2026 Health First Colorado income limits are the figures on this page, shown as both the state percentages and dollar charts by household size.

Colorado Medicaid work requirement 2027: the federal work-requirement deadline for Colorado is January 1, 2027. The income cutoffs on this page are the 2026 figures in effect now; see the Colorado work-requirement page for hours, exemptions and the reporting timeline.

Verification: All figures come from the CMS national eligibility table (2023-12-01 snapshot).

Adults 19-64 (Health First Colorado expansion group) — 2026 income limits

138% FPL effective

Adults 19-64 (Health First Colorado expansion group) income limits 2026: 138% of the federal poverty level — about $1,835/month for a household of 1 and $3,795/month for a family of 4.

2026 Colorado monthly income limits for Adults 19-64 (Health First Colorado expansion group), from a household of 1 to a family of 8. Effective cutoffs including the 5% MAGI disregard.
Household	Family of 1	Family of 2	Family of 3	Family of 4	Family of 5	Family of 6	Family of 7	Family of 8
Monthly income limit	$1,835	$2,489	$3,142	$3,795	$4,448	$5,101	$5,755	$6,408

Base standard 133% FPL + 5% MAGI disregard = 138% effective. Larger households: add roughly $653/month per additional person.

The ACA expansion group: adults 19-64 who qualify on income alone and are not eligible in another category such as disability or pregnancy. This is the group the 2027 work requirement applies to. No asset test.

Children 0-18 (Medicaid) — 2026 income limits

147% FPL effective

Children 0-18 (Medicaid) income limits 2026: 147% of the federal poverty level — about $1,955/month for a household of 1 and $4,043/month for a family of 4.

2026 Colorado monthly income limits for Children 0-18 (Medicaid), from a household of 1 to a family of 8. Effective cutoffs including the 5% MAGI disregard.
Household	Family of 1	Family of 2	Family of 3	Family of 4	Family of 5	Family of 6	Family of 7	Family of 8
Monthly income limit	$1,955	$2,651	$3,347	$4,043	$4,738	$5,434	$6,130	$6,826

Base standard 142% FPL + 5% MAGI disregard = 147% effective. Larger households: add roughly $696/month per additional person.

Medicaid coverage for children. No premiums and no asset test.

Children (separate CHIP — Child Health Plan Plus (CHP+)) — 2026 income limits

265% FPL effective

Children (separate CHIP — Child Health Plan Plus (CHP+)) income limits 2026: 265% of the federal poverty level — about $3,525/month for a household of 1 and $7,288/month for a family of 4.

2026 Colorado monthly income limits for Children (separate CHIP — Child Health Plan Plus (CHP+)), from a household of 1 to a family of 8. Effective cutoffs including the 5% MAGI disregard.
Household	Family of 1	Family of 2	Family of 3	Family of 4	Family of 5	Family of 6	Family of 7	Family of 8
Monthly income limit	$3,525	$4,779	$6,033	$7,288	$8,542	$9,796	$11,051	$12,305

Base standard 260% FPL + 5% MAGI disregard = 265% effective. Larger households: add roughly $1,254/month per additional person.

Separate CHIP coverage for uninsured children above the Medicaid children's ceiling, under the Child Health Plan Plus (CHP+) name. Benefits match Medicaid; small copays may apply for some services.

Pregnant women — 2026 income limits

200% FPL effective

Pregnant women income limits 2026: 200% of the federal poverty level — about $2,660/month for a household of 1 and $5,500/month for a family of 4.

2026 Colorado monthly income limits for Pregnant women, from a household of 1 to a family of 8. Effective cutoffs including the 5% MAGI disregard.
Household	Family of 1	Family of 2	Family of 3	Family of 4	Family of 5	Family of 6	Family of 7	Family of 8
Monthly income limit	$2,660	$3,607	$4,553	$5,500	$6,447	$7,393	$8,340	$9,287

Base standard 195% FPL + 5% MAGI disregard = 200% effective. Larger households: add roughly $947/month per additional person.

Medicaid coverage for pregnant women; Colorado also runs a CHIP-funded pregnancy coverage to 260% FPL. Count the expected child(ren) in household size; 12 months of postpartum coverage applies. No asset test.

Parents & caretaker relatives — 2026 income limits

73% FPL effective

Parents & caretaker relatives income limits 2026: 73% of the federal poverty level — about $971/month for a household of 1 and $2,008/month for a family of 4.

2026 Colorado monthly income limits for Parents & caretaker relatives, from a household of 1 to a family of 8. Effective cutoffs including the 5% MAGI disregard.
Household	Family of 1	Family of 2	Family of 3	Family of 4	Family of 5	Family of 6	Family of 7	Family of 8
Monthly income limit	$971	$1,316	$1,662	$2,008	$2,353	$2,699	$3,044	$3,390

Base standard 68% FPL + 5% MAGI disregard = 73% effective. Larger households: add roughly $346/month per additional person.

The parents and caretaker relatives category — in an expansion state, parents above this line qualify through the adult expansion group instead.

Colorado publishes MAGI standards as a percent of FPL and applies the federal 5-percentage-point income disregard when it makes someone eligible, so each group has a base standard and a slightly higher effective cutoff. The tables below show the effective figures in dollars, computed from the official 2026 federal poverty guidelines.

MAGI household size follows federal tax-filing relationships, not who lives under your roof - and a pregnant applicant counts the expected child(ren).

What does 138% of FPL mean? The federal poverty chart, by household size →Medicaid income limits in every state →Colorado Medicaid work requirements 2027: hours, exemptions & timeline → Check your 2027 work-requirement compliance paths →Colorado Medicaid exemptions — run the self-check →On irregular income? The $580/month alternative →When every state's work requirement starts →If coverage ends: ranked fallbacks →State tracker: enforcement dates & disenrollment data →

Frequently asked questions

What is the Colorado Medicaid income limit in 2026?

It depends on the coverage group. most Colorado adults qualify with household income up to $1,835/month (single) — 138% of the 2026 federal poverty guidelines. Children and pregnant women qualify at much higher levels.

What is the Colorado Medicaid income limit for a family of 2?

Adults 19-64 (Health First Colorado expansion group) — 138% of the federal poverty level, about $2,489/month for a family of 2 in 2026. The ACA expansion group: adults 19-64 who qualify on income alone and are not eligible in another category such as disability or pregnancy. This is the group the 2027 work requirement applies to. No asset test.

What is the Colorado Medicaid income limit for a family of 3?

Adults 19-64 (Health First Colorado expansion group) — 138% of the federal poverty level, about $3,142/month for a family of 3 in 2026. The ACA expansion group: adults 19-64 who qualify on income alone and are not eligible in another category such as disability or pregnancy. This is the group the 2027 work requirement applies to. No asset test.

What is the Colorado Medicaid income limit for a family of 4?

Adults 19-64 (Health First Colorado expansion group) — 138% of the federal poverty level, about $3,795/month for a family of 4 in 2026. The ACA expansion group: adults 19-64 who qualify on income alone and are not eligible in another category such as disability or pregnancy. This is the group the 2027 work requirement applies to. No asset test.

What is the Colorado Medicaid income limit for a family of 5?

Adults 19-64 (Health First Colorado expansion group) — 138% of the federal poverty level, about $4,448/month for a family of 5 in 2026. The ACA expansion group: adults 19-64 who qualify on income alone and are not eligible in another category such as disability or pregnancy. This is the group the 2027 work requirement applies to. No asset test.

What income is too high for Medicaid in Colorado?

There is no single number — every coverage group has its own ceiling. In Colorado, an adult under 65 qualifies with household income up to $1,835/month for one person (138% FPL). Go above that and the adult group no longer covers you. Children and pregnant women stay covered at much higher levels: children to 147% FPL and pregnant women to 200% FPL.

What is the income limit for Adults 19-64 in Colorado?

Adults 19-64 (Health First Colorado expansion group): 138% of the federal poverty level, about $1,835/month for a household of one. The ACA expansion group: adults 19-64 who qualify on income alone and are not eligible in another category such as disability or pregnancy. This is the group the 2027 work requirement applies to. No asset test.

What is the income limit for Children 0-18 in Colorado?

Children 0-18 (Medicaid): 147% of the federal poverty level, about $1,955/month for a household of one. Medicaid coverage for children. No premiums and no asset test.

What is the income limit for Children (separate CHIP — Child Health Plan Plus (CHP+)) in Colorado?

Children (separate CHIP — Child Health Plan Plus (CHP+)): 265% of the federal poverty level, about $3,525/month for a household of one. Separate CHIP coverage for uninsured children above the Medicaid children's ceiling, under the Child Health Plan Plus (CHP+) name. Benefits match Medicaid; small copays may apply for some services.

What is the income limit for Pregnant women in Colorado?

Pregnant women: 200% of the federal poverty level, about $2,660/month for a household of one. Medicaid coverage for pregnant women; Colorado also runs a CHIP-funded pregnancy coverage to 260% FPL. Count the expected child(ren) in household size; 12 months of postpartum coverage applies. No asset test.

What is the income limit for Parents & caretaker relatives in Colorado?

Parents & caretaker relatives: 73% of the federal poverty level, about $971/month for a household of one. The parents and caretaker relatives category — in an expansion state, parents above this line qualify through the adult expansion group instead.

What are the Colorado Medicaid income limits for seniors (65 and older)?

The limits above are MAGI standards for children, pregnant women, parents and adults under 65. People 65 or older (and people with disabilities of any age) qualify under separate non-MAGI categories with their own dollar limits, which can include an asset test. Colorado Department of Health Care Policy & Financing publishes those figures and makes the final determination.

What are the Health First Colorado income limits in 2026?

Health First Colorado is the Colorado Medicaid program. Its income limits are the ones on this page: most Colorado adults qualify with household income up to $1,835/month (single) — 138% of the 2026 federal poverty guidelines. Children and pregnant women qualify at much higher levels.

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Reviewed by Gavin YE, Technical Director, ClearRules Labs.

Page last reviewed 2026-09-21