How to Apply for Colorado Medicaid 2026: PEAK Guide

To apply for Colorado Medicaid for long-term care, you apply through Health First Colorado and submit an income trust directly to HCPF if your monthly income exceeds $2,982. This guide covers the Colorado PEAK online portal, county human services offices, the Member Contact Center phone line, the income trust requirement, required documents, and appeals.

For the most current details, visit hcpf.colorado.gov.

In This Guide

• Before You Apply: The Income Trust
• How to Apply for Colorado Medicaid Online
• Apply at a County Human Services Office
• Apply by Phone
• What Documents You'll Need
• What Happens After You Apply
• Why Applications Get Denied
• How to Appeal a Colorado Medicaid Denial
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Learn More

Before You Apply: The Income Trust

Colorado is an income-cap state. If an applicant's gross monthly income exceeds $2,982 (300% of the 2026 SSI Federal Benefit Rate), they cannot qualify for nursing-facility or HCBS-waiver coverage unless they first establish an income trust, which is Colorado's term for a Qualified Income Trust (also called a Miller Trust).

Colorado's income trust has a distinctive requirement: unlike some states where the trust document is simply established at a bank, Colorado requires that the income trust be submitted directly to HCPF for review and approval before it can be used to qualify. This is an important procedural step. Submitting the trust to HCPF is not the same as simply opening a bank account in the trust's name; both steps are required.

Once approved, the applicant deposits their gross income into the trust account each month. HCPF counts only the allowable distributions, not the deposited amount, so the applicant's countable income falls below the $2,982 cap. Each month, the trustee distributes the Personal Needs Allowance ($110.36), any approved deductions, and the patient-pay amount to the facility.

An elder law attorney familiar with Colorado Medicaid can prepare the trust document, coordinate submission to HCPF, and establish the bank account. Do not begin depositing income until HCPF has accepted the trust document.

If your income is below $2,982/month, skip this step and proceed directly to the application.

How to Apply for Colorado Medicaid Online

Go to www.colorado.gov/PEAK and select "Apply for Benefits." PEAK is the state's benefits portal and handles Health First Colorado applications for long-term-care coverage.

You can create an account (which lets you save your application, upload documents, and check your case status) or submit as a guest. Creating an account is recommended for long-term-care applicants because document requests and status updates from HCPF often appear there before a paper notice arrives.

The portal walks through personal information, income, assets, and medical need. Uploading supporting documents through PEAK at the time of application reduces processing delays.

Note: the old portal address (coloradopeak.secure.force.com) no longer works. Use www.colorado.gov/PEAK.

Apply at a County Human Services Office

Each Colorado county has a human services office that accepts Health First Colorado applications in person. Staff can help you complete the application, review your documents, and answer questions about the income trust requirement.

Find your county office through HCPF's county directory. In-person visits are useful when the applicant's situation is complex (for example, a married couple with spousal impoverishment questions) or when someone needs help gathering or organizing documentation.

Apply by Phone

Call the Health First Colorado Member Contact Center at 1-800-221-3943. A representative can walk you through the application, explain the income trust submission process, and answer eligibility questions.

Phone applications are often used when a family member or authorized representative is handling the process on behalf of an applicant in a hospital or care facility. Have the applicant's Social Security number, income documentation, and an asset summary ready before calling.

What Documents You'll Need

Gather these before submitting. Missing documentation is the most common reason Colorado Medicaid applications for long-term care stall.

Identity and residency:

• Social Security card or letter
• Colorado driver's license or state ID
• U.S. birth certificate, passport, or Certificate of Naturalization
• Proof of Colorado residency (utility bill, lease, or similar)

Income:

• Social Security award letter or most recent SSA-1099
• Pension and retirement income statements
• Any other monthly income statements

Financial accounts:

• Bank statements for all checking and savings accounts (at least 60 months of history for long-term-care applications)
• Statements for CDs, retirement accounts, stocks, and bonds
• If an income trust is required: the executed trust document (for submission to HCPF) and the trust bank account statements

Property:

• Property deed for the primary residence
• Recent property tax statements
• Vehicle title or registration
• Life insurance policy information (face value and cash surrender value)
• Burial plot or prepaid funeral contract documentation

Medical:

• Recent physician's statement or hospital records supporting the level-of-care need
• Medicare card and any supplemental insurance cards

What Happens After You Apply

After submitting through PEAK, a county office, or the Member Contact Center, HCPF (or the county) reviews the application and requests any missing documents.

If an income trust is required, HCPF must review and accept the trust document before finalizing the financial eligibility determination. Submit the trust document as early as possible to avoid delays.

HCPF will send written notices about the status of both the income trust review and the overall eligibility determination. If additional information is needed, respond quickly: missing a documentation deadline can result in an automatic denial. Check your PEAK account regularly for status updates and document requests.

Once approved, HCPF sends a written approval notice. Coverage for long-term-care services is delivered through Health First Colorado's managed-care or fee-for-service structure depending on the applicant's county and program.

Why Applications Get Denied

Most Health First Colorado denials for long-term-care coverage fall into a few categories.

Income over the cap without a trust. An applicant whose gross monthly income exceeds $2,982 will be denied unless an income trust has been submitted to and accepted by HCPF. If you receive a denial for this reason, have an elder law attorney prepare the trust document, submit it to HCPF, and reapply.

Assets over the limit. Countable assets above $2,000 for a single applicant ($3,000 for a married couple both applying) result in denial. The primary home, one vehicle, household furnishings, and prepaid burial are exempt.

Asset transfers during the look-back period. HCPF reviews 60 months of financial records for gifts or below-market transfers. Uncompensated transfers within that window trigger a penalty period. An elder law attorney can evaluate whether any exceptions apply.

Missing or late documentation. Failing to respond to HCPF's document requests by the stated deadline results in an automatic denial. Check PEAK and your mail regularly after applying.

How to Appeal a Colorado Medicaid Denial

If HCPF denies your Health First Colorado application, you have the right to request a state fair hearing. The denial notice will include the deadline for requesting a hearing; that deadline is strict.

To request a hearing, follow the instructions on the denial notice. You or your authorized representative can present additional evidence and challenge HCPF's eligibility determination. Colorado's Office of Administrative Courts handles Medicaid fair hearings.

Colorado Legal Services provides free representation to qualifying applicants in Medicaid appeals. The State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) can also provide guidance. Contact your county human services office for referrals.

Learn More

• Colorado Medicaid Eligibility and Income Limits
• Medicaid Planning Strategies
• Medicaid Estate Recovery Explained

Find personalized help applying for Colorado Medicaid through Health First Colorado at brevy.com.

The information on Brevy.com is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional legal, financial, or medical advice. Rules vary by state and program and change frequently. Always verify with the relevant agency or a qualified professional. Brevy is not a law firm, financial advisor, or healthcare provider.