Health Premiums Rising in 2027? Colorado Enrollment Guide
Open enrollment on Connect for Health Colorado runs November 1, 2026 to January 15, 2027, and final approved rates rise 10% on average. Here is what changed and how to shop.
Key takeaways
- Open enrollment for 2027 coverage runs November 1, 2026 to January 15, 2027 on Connect for Health Colorado, the state marketplace. Colorado does not use HealthCare.gov.
- Enroll by December 15 for coverage that starts January 1. Enroll December 16 through January 15 and coverage starts February 1.
- Final 2027 rates are set: the Colorado Division of Insurance approved them on September 22, 2026, with an average increase of 10% statewide and 10.8% in rating area 3, which includes Adams County.
- Current customers are re-enrolled automatically at the start of open enrollment, and Cigna is leaving Colorado's individual market, so some people must pick a new plan.
- The enhanced federal tax credits have expired. For 2027 coverage, federal premium tax credits stop above 400% of the poverty level ($63,840 for one person, using the 2026 guidelines).
If you buy your own health insurance in Colorado, the window to choose your 2027 plan opens November 1, 2026 and closes January 15, 2027. You shop on Connect for Health Colorado, the state's own marketplace, at connectforhealthco.com.
This year deserves more attention than usual. Rates are going up, the larger federal tax credits of recent years have ended, and one carrier is leaving the individual market. Letting your plan renew on autopilot could cost you money or leave you in a plan that no longer fits.
Below we walk through the dates, what changed for 2027, who can get help paying premiums, and a simple way to compare plans. If you would rather talk it through, we take a commonsense approach: we ask questions, listen to your answers, and only then recommend coverage. Get personalized support with your insurance needs from our Brighton office.
When is open enrollment for 2027 in Colorado?
Open enrollment for 2027 coverage runs from November 1, 2026 through January 15, 2027, according to Connect for Health Colorado. The date you enroll decides when your coverage starts.
| If you enroll | Coverage starts |
|---|---|
| November 1 to December 15, 2026 | January 1, 2027 |
| December 16, 2026 to January 15, 2027 | February 1, 2027 |
| After January 15, 2027 | Only with a qualifying life change event |
These dates replace an earlier announcement of a December 31 deadline. Some national websites still show the old date, so trust the Connect for Health Colorado page over a general article.
What is changing for 2027 coverage?
Four changes stand out: higher approved rates, the loss of the enhanced federal tax credits, automatic re-enrollment, and a carrier exit. Each one can change what you pay in 2027.
- average approved 2027 increase statewide (10.8% in rating area 3, which includes Adams County)
- 10%
- customers helped by Colorado Premium Assistance this year
- 176,000+
- assistance organizations across Colorado
- 89
- physical locations offering enrollment help
- 182
- Higher approved rates. Insurers asked for an average 11% increase in July. The Colorado Division of Insurance approved final rates on September 22, 2026: an average increase of 10% statewide and 10.8% in rating area 3, which includes Adams County. Your own change depends on your plan, so check the real price for your ZIP code when shopping opens.
- Smaller federal help. The enhanced premium tax credits expired. Connect for Health Colorado says this has made coverage harder to afford for many people.
- Automatic re-enrollment. For 2027, current customers will be re-enrolled automatically at the start of open enrollment. Automatic does not mean right: your renewed plan may have a new price, network or deductible.
- Cigna is leaving. Connect for Health Colorado says Cigna is leaving Colorado's individual medical market. If you have a Cigna plan, you will need to choose another one.
- New options. Colorado Access Choice plans are a new option this year, and customers who qualify for financial help will only see the plans eligible for those savings.
Who can get help paying premiums in 2027?
Federal premium tax credits are based on household income compared with the federal poverty level. With the enhanced credits gone, the 2027 rules go back to the original law: credits are generally available from 100% to 400% of the poverty level, and there is no federal credit above 400%.
| Household size | Health First Colorado adult limit (138% FPL) | Federal tax credit ceiling (400% FPL) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $22,025 | $63,840 |
| 2 | $29,863 | $86,560 |
| 3 | $37,702 | $109,280 |
| 4 | $45,540 | $132,000 |
Below the Health First Colorado line, most adults qualify for Colorado Medicaid instead of a marketplace plan, and children may qualify for Health First Colorado or Child Health Plan Plus (CHP+). Medicaid uses current monthly income, so anyone close to the line should apply rather than guess.
Colorado also has its own help. Connect for Health Colorado reports that Colorado Premium Assistance helped more than 176,000 customers lower their premiums this year and that support continues for 2027. The application on Connect for Health Colorado checks for every program at once.
How should I compare plans this year?
Compare the total yearly cost, not just the monthly premium. A plan with a low premium and a high deductible can cost far more if you see specialists or fill brand-name prescriptions.
- Update your application first. Enter your expected 2027 income and household size so the tax credit is right.
- List your doctors, hospitals and prescriptions. Check each one against the plan's 2027 network and drug list.
- Add up the year. Twelve months of premium after any credit, plus a realistic estimate of deductibles and copays.
- Check the out-of-pocket maximum. It is your worst case for covered in-network care.
- Decide by December 15 if you want coverage on January 1.
Lower premium, higher deductible
- Can suit healthy households with few visits
- Bronze plans can be paired with a health savings account in 2026 under IRS guidance
- Higher bills if you need surgery or ongoing care
Higher premium, lower deductible
- Can suit people with regular visits or brand-name drugs
- More predictable costs month to month
- Silver plans can carry extra cost-sharing help at lower incomes
What if I miss January 15?
After January 15, 2027 you can only enroll or change plans if you have a qualifying life change event, such as losing job-based coverage, moving, marriage or a new baby. For job loss, the U.S. Department of Labor's COBRA guide says you must select a marketplace plan within 60 days before or after your job-based coverage ends.
Cigna customers affected by the exit have their own Special Enrollment Period. Connect for Health Colorado's FAQ says it runs until March 1, 2027. Even so, choosing a new plan during regular open enrollment avoids a gap.
Turning 65 soon? Marketplace coverage and Medicare do not mix well. Plan your switch to Medicare around your 65th birthday month and end your marketplace plan when Medicare starts. Our post on health insurance before 65 in Colorado covers the bridge years.
Where can I get local enrollment help in Adams County?
You can enroll on your own at connectforhealthco.com, work with a licensed broker like us, or use a certified assistance site. Connect for Health Colorado lists Adams County among 10 counties receiving new or expanded in-person assistance for 2027.
A broker costs you nothing extra: plan prices on the marketplace are the same whether you enroll alone or with help. The difference is having someone check the details with you and answer questions during the year.
The bottom line
Open enrollment for 2027 runs November 1, 2026 to January 15, 2027 on Connect for Health Colorado, with a December 15 deadline for January coverage. With a 10% average approved increase (10.8% in the rating area that includes Adams County), expired federal enhancements and a carrier exit, update your income, compare total yearly cost, and do not let automatic renewal choose for you.
Frequently asked questions
When is Connect for Health Colorado open enrollment for 2027?
November 1, 2026 through January 15, 2027. Enroll by December 15 for coverage starting January 1, or from December 16 to January 15 for coverage starting February 1.
Does Colorado use HealthCare.gov?
No. Colorado runs its own marketplace, Connect for Health Colorado, at connectforhealthco.com. Plans with federal tax credits are bought there.
Will my plan renew automatically for 2027?
Current customers are re-enrolled automatically at the start of open enrollment. Check the renewed plan's 2027 premium, network and deductible, and choose a new plan if Cigna is your carrier, because Cigna is leaving Colorado's individual market.
Can I still get a tax credit if I earn more than 400% of the poverty level?
Not a federal one for 2027 coverage, because the enhanced credits expired. For one person the 2027 line is $63,840. Colorado's own programs may still help, and the Connect for Health Colorado application checks for them.
Sources
- Connect for Health Colorado: State Solutions to Counter Rising Costs Connect for Health Colorado
- Connect for Health Colorado: Preparing for Plan Year 2027 Connect for Health Colorado
- Colorado Division of Insurance: Final ACA health insurance premium increases for plan year 2027 (September 22, 2026) Colorado Division of Insurance
- HHS poverty guidelines (2026) U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
- IRS Revenue Procedure 2025-25 (2026 applicable percentage table) Internal Revenue Service
- Connect for Health Colorado: FAQs (Cigna exit and Special Enrollment Period) Connect for Health Colorado
- An Employee's Guide to Health Benefits Under COBRA U.S. Department of Labor, Employee Benefits Security Administration
- Colorado HCPF: Programs for Adults Colorado Department of Health Care Policy and Financing
Please note: Headwaters Health and Wealth is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or operating on behalf of Connect for Health Colorado, HealthCare.gov, the Health Insurance Marketplace, or any federal or state government agency. Plan availability, premiums and advance premium tax credits are set by the carriers and the Marketplace.Estimates only. Figures on this page use published plan-year values and the details you enter. They are not a quote, an offer of coverage, or a determination of eligibility. Your final premium and any tax credit are confirmed at enrollment with the carrier or Connect for Health Colorado. This article is general information, not medical, tax or legal advice.
