- Colorado’s individual health insurance premiums will increase by an average of 10% in 2027, below the 15% national median of proposed ACA marketplace rate increases. Small-business premiums will rise approximately 14%.
- Western Colorado faces larger increases, with individual premiums rising 11.8% across most of the Western Slope and 15.5% in the Grand Junction area, including Mesa County.
- State regulators reduced proposed premiums by more than $42 mn, while Colorado Premium Assistance is expected to limit average monthly increases to $20 for financially assisted customers.
Colorado’s Affordable Care Act (ACA) health insurance premiums will increase by an average of 10% in 2027, according to final rates approved by the Colorado Division of Insurance. The increase is below the national median of 15% in insurers’ proposed marketplace rates, although residents in several western counties face substantially higher costs.
The final rates, announced September 22, cover individual policies purchased through Connect for Health Colorado and the small-group market serving employers that provide coverage to their workers.
Small-group premiums will increase by an average of 14% statewide.
Regional differences remain substantial. Individual health insurance premiums across the Western Slope, excluding Mesa County, will rise approximately 11.8%, while small-group rates in the same region will increase 14.6%.
Mesa County, part of the Grand Junction rating area, faces the state’s largest individual-market increase at 15.5%.
The increases come as Colorado households continue to face higher healthcare expenses following the expiration of enhanced federal ACA premium tax credits at the end of 2025.
Colorado insurance regulators reduce 2027 premium increases
The Colorado Division of Insurance said its review of insurers’ rate filings saved consumers approximately $42.1 mn in premiums for the 2027 coverage year.
The regulatory process evaluates proposed rates for compliance with state and federal requirements and seeks to prevent excessive or unfair pricing.
Colorado’s final 10% individual-market increase is lower than preliminary expectations and the national median of proposed rate changes reported by KFF.
However, the expiration of enhanced federal premium subsidies remains a major affordability concern.
The additional tax credits, introduced in 2021 as part of federal pandemic recovery legislation, reduced insurance costs for eligible marketplace participants. Their expiration contributed to a doubling of net premiums on average for hundreds of thousands of Colorado residents in 2026, according to state regulators.
Despite the loss of the enhanced premium tax credits, we are doing everything we can to keep health insurance prices down so Coloradans can afford access to health care.
Colorado Insurance Commissioner Michael Conway
“But make no mistake: Congress still needs to restore the subsidies that millions of Americans relied on to afford their health insurance.”
State subsidies limit costs for eligible households
Colorado lawmakers introduced measures during an August 2025 special legislative session to reduce the impact of expiring federal assistance.
Governor Jared Polis subsequently signed legislation extending state affordability initiatives, including Colorado Premium Assistance and the state’s reinsurance program.
For qualifying consumers receiving financial assistance, average net premiums are expected to rise approximately $20 per month between 2026 and 2027.
Without the additional state support, the average increase would be approximately $69 per month.
Colorado’s reinsurance program is also expected to reduce premiums by nearly $470 mn during the 2027 plan year. The program provides greater support in rural and mountain regions, where healthcare expenses and insurance costs are generally higher.
Despite these measures, affordability pressures have already affected coverage decisions. The state reported a 7% decline in marketplace enrollment during the early part of 2026.
Adam Fox, deputy director of the Colorado Consumer Health Initiative, warned that another year of double-digit increases could force households to reconsider whether they can maintain coverage.
Costs are rising across the board and Coloradans will be hurting, having to choose between another premium hike or going uninsured so they can cover other basic necessities.
Adam Fox, deputy director of the Colorado Consumer Health Initiative
Open enrollment for Colorado’s 2027 marketplace coverage begins November 1, 2026. Consumers will be able to compare available plans, including Colorado Option policies offering $0 primary care and mental health visits.
