Health insurance premiums for Coloradans using the state's Affordable Care Act marketplace are set to increase in 2027, with residents in Mesa County experiencing the steepest rates statewide. The Colorado Division of Insurance announced final 2027 premium rates in late September, showing an average 10% increase for individual market plans across Colorado, but a sharper rise for local residents.
Mesa County is slated for an increase of just over 15%, making it the highest in the state. For the broader Western Slope region, which includes most counties excluding Mesa County, individual premiums will increase by around 11.8% in 2027. Small employers across the state are looking at an average premium increase of 14%, while those in the Western rating area will see an average rise of 14.6%.
These increases come after preliminary rates in June had suggested even higher figures. The statewide average increase of 10% is lower than the 15% national median, according to a release from the Division of Insurance.
Colorado Insurance Commissioner Michael Conway attributed the premium increases partly to Congress' failure to extend federal enhanced Affordable Care Act premium tax credits in 2025. These subsidies, initially passed in 2021 as part of a COVID recovery bill, are set to expire in January 2026. Their previous expiration caused health care premiums on state-run marketplaces to double for many Western Slope customers. Commissioner Conway stated in the release, “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. But make no mistake: Congress still needs to restore the subsidies that millions of Americans relied on to afford their health insurance.”
The Division of Insurance noted that its rate review process saved consumers over $42 million on their premiums for 2027. This process involves reviewing submitted premium rate filings from insurance companies to ensure compliance with state and federal laws and to protect consumers from excessive or unfair premiums.
State lawmakers have also taken steps to soften the impact of the lost federal subsidies. During an August 2025 special session, actions were taken to address the issue. Additionally, a law signed earlier this year by Gov. Jared Polis extended some state health insurance affordability programs, including the Colorado Premium Assistance program. Through this program, financially assisted customers could potentially see an estimated net premium increase of just $20 per month from 2026 to 2027, significantly less than an average of almost $70 per month without such assistance.
Despite Colorado's state policy efforts, consumer advocates are concerned that another double-digit increase will overwhelm residents already struggling with affordability. The Division of Insurance reported a 7% reduction in enrollments during the first part of 2026, indicating that many families are finding it difficult to maintain their insurance plans. Adam Fox, deputy director of the Colorado Consumer Health Initiative, stated in a news release that "Congressional attacks on the (Affordable Care Act) have made it harder for states to keep coverage affordable, although our legislature has taken steps to blunt the impacts on Coloradans.” Fox also suggested a need to examine the pricing practices of hospitals and pharmaceutical companies, arguing that insurance carriers are not doing enough to control costs.
For 2027, the Connect for Health Colorado marketplace will offer plans from seven insurance carriers statewide. In the division’s Western rating area, which includes our community, four carriers will offer plans depending on the county: HMO Colorado through Anthem, Rocky Mountain HMO through United Healthcare, Peak Health Alliance through Denver Health Medical Plan or Elevate, and Select Health. Final 2027 rates show Select Health is projected to have the highest average increase in the Western region at 22.5%, followed by Rocky Mountain HMO with a 16.8% increase, Peak Health Alliance at 8.4%, and HMO Colorado at 7.2%. Insurance carriers had initially requested premium increases as high as 20% for some plans.
Connect for Health Colorado opened its online Estimate and Explore tool in October, allowing customers to compare coverage and costs before open enrollment begins. Open enrollment will run from November 1 through January 15, 2027. Kevin Patterson, chief executive officer of Connect for Health Colorado, encouraged Coloradans to use this time to compare options and consider changes in their health care needs. According to Connect for Health Colorado data, roughly 60% of customers receiving financial help could find a plan for $10 or less per month, and 75% could find a plan for $75 or less per month if they shop and compare.
