Boulder County Offers Free Help for 2027 Health Insurance Enrollment

Coloradans purchasing their own health insurance can enroll in 2027 coverage through Connect for Health Colorado starting Sunday, Nov. 1, and continuing through Friday, Jan. 15, 2027.

Statewide, premiums for individual plans are climbing by an average of 10% to 11%. While this is lower than the projected national average of 15%, it still represents a tangible increase in the monthly cost of living for thousands of households.

Federal rule changes limit financial aid

The most significant disruption isn’t just the price of the plans, but who is allowed to receive help paying for them. A 2025 federal law, H.R. 1, introduces strict new limitations on financial assistance starting Jan. 1, 2027. This isn’t just about monthly premiums; the law impacts the subsidies that lower copays and deductibles, as well as Colorado Premium Assistance.

Under these new rules, financial help is now restricted to specific groups. Those who still qualify include:

U.S. citizens and U.S. nationals
Lawful permanent residents (green card holders)
Cuban and Haitian entrants
People from Palau, the Marshall Islands, and Micronesia living in the U.S. under the Compact of Free Association

For residents who fall outside these categories, the option to buy a plan remains, but they must now do so at full price.

The impact on undocumented residents and OmniSalud

The shift in affordability extends to the most vulnerable populations. OmniSalud, which provides affordable health insurance to undocumented Coloradans, is adjusting its pricing for 2027. The cost for low-cost plans will rise from $0 to $15 per person each month.

Time is of the essence for current OmniSalud members. To maintain their coverage, they must reapply by Monday, Nov. 30. While new members can enter a lottery for any remaining spots, officials expect very few openings to be available. Anyone else may still apply for a full-price plan through the Jan. 15 deadline.

Some relief remains at the state level. Colorado Premium Assistance will continue to lower monthly costs for households with incomes between 100% and 400% of the federal poverty level, providing $70 a month for the first person in a household and $25 for each additional person.

Comparing 2027 Cost Trends

Metric	Colorado Average	National Average (Expected)
Premium Increase	10% – 11%	15%

Accessing free enrollment support

Because the intersection of federal law and state assistance has become so complex, Boulder County is deploying Health Coverage Guides to help residents use the marketplace. These guides provide free, confidential assistance in English, Spanish, and other languages via interpreters, regardless of a person’s immigration status.

Residents can book appointments through the Boulder County Health Coverage portal. For those requiring information in other languages, the county has established contact channels via email at [email protected] or by calling 303-413-7556.

These services are managed by Boulder County Human Services, a department of over 350 staff members. The agency currently supports more than 110,000 people annually through a variety of programs, including food and cash assistance, childcare, and family services, all detailed on their official website.