The percentage of uninsured people in Colorado has remained stable recently, according to a survey released on Wednesday. The latest Colorado Health Access Survey shows the uninsured rate at 5.9%. This marks a slight rise from last year’s record low of 4.6%. However, Suman Mathur of the Colorado Health Institute noted that this change isn’t statistically significant—meaning it’s tough to tell if there’s really been a shift.
This information may ease concerns for state health officials worried about the impact of Medicaid disenrollments following the COVID pandemic. The discontinuation of the federal health emergency in 2023 led to Colorado experiencing one of the steepest declines in Medicaid enrollment in the U.S. Nearly 1.8 million people were enrolled in March 2023, but that number plummeted to around 1.2 million by May 2024, reflecting a 34% drop.
Interestingly, the survey revealed a decrease in Medicaid coverage, which fell to 21% from 30% last year. In contrast, private employer-sponsored insurance rose from 49.4% to 53%, and Medicare coverage increased from 10.5% to 12.3%. This may hint at shifts due to an aging population or people moving fully to Medicare from a dual coverage situation.
Yet, concerns remain. Around 20% to 25% of those with insurance reported being unable to afford needed medical care or prescriptions. Additionally, over 10% of respondents said they struggled to afford food, while more than 11% faced difficulties paying for housing. Renters particularly felt the strain.
Mental health is another pressing issue. Over 20% of Coloradans reported experiencing eight or more days of poor mental health in the past month, but this is an improvement from 26.1% last year. Notably, the health crisis during the pandemic had severely impacted mental well-being, with previous surveys showing similar poor mental health rates between 10% and 15% before the pandemic.
New insights from the 2025 survey also explored loneliness for the first time. They found that 21.7% of Coloradans felt lonely, with particularly high rates reported among gender-diverse individuals (61.9%) and those with disabilities (47.4%). Young adults, Native Americans, and solo dwellers also reported high loneliness levels, especially in urban areas like Denver.
Lindsey Whittington from the Colorado Health Institute emphasized the link between loneliness and health. Those who felt lonely often reported poor mental and physical health. Recognizing this connection is crucial, as addressing loneliness could improve overall well-being.
As we continue to navigate the effects of the pandemic and shifting health care coverage, these findings offer valuable insights into the health landscape in Colorado.
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Colorado Department of Health Care Policy and Financing,Colorado Health Institute,health insurance,Medicaid
