Health First Colorado
Health First Colorado is Colorado's state Medicaid program, operated by the Colorado Department of Health Care Policy & Financing, providing physical, dental, and behavioral health coverage to eligible low-income adults, children, pregnant women, the elderly, and people with disabilities.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded-
- HeadquartersDenver, United States
- Headcount51–100
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Health First Colorado does
Health First Colorado is Colorado's state Medicaid program, operated by the Colorado Department of Health Care Policy & Financing (HCPF), a state government agency. It provides physical, dental, and behavioral health benefits to eligible Colorado residents — including adults ages 19-64, children and youth (via Medicaid and the Child Health Plan Plus program), pregnant women, elderly adults, and individuals with disabilities. Services are provided at little to no cost based on income qualification, and the program is funded by a combination of federal Medicaid matching funds and State of Colorado appropriations rather than through commercial pricing or equity investment. The program was previously known as Colorado Medicaid before being rebranded as Health First Colorado.
The program's core technology and member-access infrastructure consists of the Colorado PEAK online portal for eligibility determination, enrollment, renewals, and benefit management (available in English and Spanish), a Health First Colorado mobile application for on-the-go account access, and a 24/7 Nurse Advice Line staffed by licensed nurses. Care delivery is coordinated through Regional Accountable Entities (RAEs) that manage members across geographic regions, with behavioral health services integrated under managed-care arrangements and Non-Emergency Medical Transportation (NEMT) services providing rides to medical appointments. A Member Contact Center (800-221-3943) supports member inquiries.
From a go-to-market and business-model perspective, Health First Colorado is not a commercial enterprise — it has no pricing model, no equity funding, no paying customers, and no private shareholders. Its "go-to-market" motion is public outreach (official website, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube) combined with self-service enrollment through PEAK and the mobile app. Operational reach is single-state (Colorado). The program's strategic priorities visible in 2026 are member preparation for federal work requirements taking effect in 2027 and an NEMT provider transition in the Denver metro area effective July 1, 2026, both of which indicate a defensive posture driven by federal policy change rather than growth-stage scaling.
Health First Colorado firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Health First Colorado
- Legal name
- Colorado Department of Health Care Policy & Financing
- Website
- https://healthfirstcolorado.com
- Company type
- Private
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 51–100 employees
- Short description
- Health First Colorado is Colorado's state Medicaid program, operated by the Colorado Department of Health Care Policy & Financing, providing physical, dental, and behavioral health coverage to eligible low-income adults, children, pregnant women, the elderly, and people with disabilities.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Health First Colorado industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Government Health Insurance (Medicaid)
- NAICS
- Administration of Public Health Programs (923120), Health Care and Social Assistance (62)
- SIC
- Hospital & Medical Service Plans (6324), Services-Health Services (8000)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Healthcare-Linked Social Benefits Administration (e.g., Medicaid/Means-Tested Health Coverage) (BPAIAKAH)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Maternal, Child & Family Health Departments (HLAJAAAK), Local Public Health & Human Services Administration (BPAIACAK), Primary Care for Underserved Populations (e.g., migrant, homeless, refugee clinics) (HLAFAGAN)
Keywords
Where Health First Colorado is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Denver
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Markets served
Health First Colorado business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Operations, Personnel, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Others
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels4 records
Health First Colorado product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Health First Colorado is Colorado's Medicaid program, operated by the Colorado Department of Health Care Policy & Financing (HCPF). It provides government-funded health coverage including physical, dental, and behavioral health benefits to eligible Colorado residents such as low-income adults, children, pregnant women, elderly adults, and individuals with disabilities. Members access services through the PEAK online portal, mobile app, Regional Accountable Entities (RAEs), a 24/7 Nurse Advice Line, and Non-Emergency Medical Transportation (NEMT).
Product overview
Health First Colorado is Colorado's state Medicaid program, operated by the Colorado Department of Health Care Policy & Financing. The offering consists of the core Health First Colorado Medicaid program and Child Health Plan Plus (CHP+), which together provide health coverage to children, pregnant women, adults, elderly, and individuals with disabilities. Members access services through multiple channels: the PEAK online portal for enrollment and account management, a mobile app for on-the-go access, the Nurse Advice Line for 24/7 health guidance, and Non-Emergency Medical Transportation (NEMT) for ride services. Behavioral health services and regional organization coordination provide integrated care management through regional accountable entities (RAEs).
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Health First Colorado (Medicaid) Colorado's Medicaid program providing health coverage to eligible adults, children, pregnant women, elderly adults, and people with disabilities. Operated by the Colorado Department of Health Care Policy & Financing.
- Child Health Plan Plus (CHP+) Colorado's health insurance program for children and pregnant women who earn too much to qualify for Medicaid but not enough to afford private insurance.
- PEAK Portal Online self-service portal for members to apply for coverage, renew benefits, update information, check renewal dates, and access health claims data. Available in English and Spanish.
- Health First Colorado Mobile App Mobile application enabling members to access their health coverage information, find providers, and manage their account on the go. Available via the Apple App Store and Google Play.
- Nurse Advice Line 24/7 nurse consultation service available to members for health guidance and triage support.
- Non-Emergency Medical Transportation (NEMT) Transportation service to help members get to and from medical appointments. Provider changed for Denver metro area effective July 1, 2026.
- Behavioral Health Services Mental health and substance use disorder services provided through regional organizations under managed care arrangements.
- Regional Accountable Entities (RAEs) Regional accountable entities that coordinate and manage health care services for Health First Colorado members within specific geographic areas.
Companies that use Health First Colorado
Customer profileSegments3 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Health First Colorado technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Health First Colorado partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Four partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Colorado Department of Health Care Policy & Financing (HCPF)core
- Regional Accountable Entities (RAEs)core
- NEMT Transportation Providersminor
- Colorado PEAKcore
Recent moves5 records
Expansion highlights4 records
Health First Colorado competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS): Federal agency within HHS that administers Medicare, Medicaid, and CHIP nationally. Functions as the overarching regulator and federal funding partner for state Medicaid programs like Health First Colorado.
- UnitedHealthcare Community & State: Large national managed care company operating Medicaid health plans across many states including Colorado. Comparable as a broad incumbent Medicaid managed care organization with overlapping scope on benefits administration.
Direct peers
- Florida Medicaid: Florida's Medicaid program administered by the Agency for Health Care Administration. Comparable state Medicaid program with managed care delivery and NEMT-equivalent transportation benefits.
- California Medi-Cal: California's Medicaid program administered by the Department of Health Care Services. Directly comparable state Medicaid entity covering physical, dental, behavioral, and NEMT-equivalent benefits for low-income residents, with similar federal-state funding structure.
- Oregon Health Plan (Medicaid): Oregon's Medicaid program, administered by the Oregon Health Authority. Comparable state Medicaid program with coordinated care organizations functioning similarly to Colorado's RAEs.
- Texas Medicaid: Texas's state Medicaid program administered through the Health and Human Services Commission. Comparable state-administered Medicaid coverage for low-income children, adults, and disabled populations.
- Washington Apple Health (Medicaid): Washington State's Medicaid program branded as Apple Health, administered by the Health Care Authority. Directly comparable state Medicaid brand with physical, behavioral, and NEMT benefits and a similar member-portal approach.
- New York State Medicaid: New York's Medicaid program, run by the state Department of Health. Comparable state-run Medicaid offering with managed care plans, behavioral health integration, and a similar enrollment portal model.
Regional players
- Kaiser Permanente Colorado: Major Colorado-based integrated payer-provider that participates in Health First Colorado's network. Operates as a regional Medicaid managed care-style provider in the same Colorado geography.
Emerging players
- Colorado PEAK (Benefits Eligibility Platform): Colorado's online eligibility and enrollment platform for Health First Colorado, food assistance, and other public benefits. Comparable as the technology layer powering Health First Colorado's member enrollment and renewals.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat3 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Health First Colorado social profiles
Digital presenceHealth First Colorado compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance3 records
Health First Colorado financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Health First Colorado leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Health First Colorado funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Health First Colorado M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Health First Colorado
What does Health First Colorado do?
Health First Colorado is Colorado's Medicaid program, operated by the Colorado Department of Health Care Policy & Financing (HCPF). It provides government-funded health coverage including physical, dental, and behavioral health benefits to eligible Colorado residents such as low-income adults, children, pregnant women, elderly adults, and individuals with disabilities. Members access services through the PEAK online portal, mobile app, Regional Accountable Entities (RAEs), a 24/7 Nurse Advice Line, and Non-Emergency Medical Transportation (NEMT).
Is Health First Colorado a public or private company?
Health First Colorado is a private company. It is classified as state government owned and is currently operating.
When was Health First Colorado founded?
Health First Colorado was founded in -1. It employs 51 to 100 people.
Where is Health First Colorado based?
Health First Colorado is headquartered in Denver, United States, in the North America region.
Who are Health First Colorado's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) and UnitedHealthcare Community & State. Direct peers are Florida Medicaid, California Medi-Cal, Oregon Health Plan (Medicaid), Texas Medicaid, Washington Apple Health (Medicaid) and New York State Medicaid. Kaiser Permanente Colorado is listed as a regional player. Colorado PEAK (Benefits Eligibility Platform) is listed as an emerging player.
Does Health First Colorado have an API?
No public API is recorded for Health First Colorado.
What industry is Health First Colorado in?
Health First Colorado's product category is Government Health Insurance (Medicaid). Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAIAKAH, Healthcare-Linked Social Benefits Administration (e.g., Medicaid/Means-Tested Health Coverage), with a secondary code of HLAJAAAK, Maternal, Child & Family Health Departments. Its NAICS code is 923120 and its SIC code is 6324.