Colorado Medicaid & Waiver Changes You Need to Understand
Colorado Medicaid & Waiver Changes You Need to Understand
Colorado is proposing far-reaching Medicaid and waiver changes that could significantly alter services, funding, and access for people with developmental disabilities and the families who support them.
These proposals go well beyond “budget adjustments.” They introduce new limits, new costs for families, and new barriers that many people won’t feel until services are reduced, waitlists grow, or income is suddenly required to cover care.
This resource breaks down the most critical changes being discussed across Medicaid, the DD Waiver, CES, and CHRP — in clear, practical language, without policy jargon or spin.
What Families, Providers, and Advocates Need to Know Right Now
Proposed changes could:
Cap daily and weekly caregiving hours, including limits as low as 8 hours per day
Reduce caregiver pay and provider reimbursement, threatening workforce stability
Cut DD Waiver enrollments by 50%, dramatically increasing waitlists
Introduce new income contribution requirements for DD Waiver members through PETI
Reduce or eliminate therapy and community-based services many families rely on
Restrict access to mental health, dental, and behavioral supports
Undermine Employment First principles by discouraging earned income
Some changes are already underway. Others are pending federal approval — but once finalized, reversing them becomes far more difficult.
Take Action While There’s Still Time!
Most impacts aren’t felt until budget cycles close, services are reduced, or caregivers burn out and leave, leaving families scrambling for answers with no time to respond.
Download the full breakdown to understand how these proposed Medicaid and waiver changes could affect services, finances, and access — and to learn what steps you can still take before decisions are finalized.
Don’t wait until the impact is personal.
Get informed. Get clear. Get prepared.
This resource helps you understand:
What’s already happening
What’s proposed next
When changes are expected to take effect
Where families are most vulnerable
What actions still matter right now