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Using data from the Colorado Department of Health Care Policy and Financing (HCPF) on Health First Colorado (Colorado’s Medicaid program), this memo reviews the number of denials of prior authorization requests, the number of annual Medicaid appeals, and the outcomes of those appeals. It concludes with resources for filing an appeal.

This memo covers the clinical, demographic, coverage, and regulatory landscapes of glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists as of early 2026. It details the resolution of previous drug shortages, the subsequent restrictions on compounded versions, and the approaches states are taking toward coverage and cost management. Socially, while many patients using these medications for weight loss report the emotional benefit of feeling "normal," emerging research highlights complex challenges such as persistent weight-related stigma and potential entwinement with disordered eating.

Expanding on Legislative Council Staff’s Overview of Artificial Intelligence (AI) memo, this memo focuses on the application of AI for health uses. It details model training, algorithmic equity, and data privacy and security from a health lens. Furthermore, the memo discusses challenges in data privacy and security, highlighting risks such as unauthorized monetization of patient records.

This memo analyzes the rapid growth of state legislation regarding artificial intelligence (AI) and health, which surged from 15 bills introduced in 2023 to 168 bills introduced in 2025. Based on data from the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL), at least 41 states have introduced 247 health and AI bills addressing topics ranging from private sector use to government use. This overview presents annual trends to illustrate the complexities of regulating AI for health.

Medicaid is a joint federal and state insurance program that provides health care coverage to low-income families and individuals, including children, pregnant people, seniors, and people with disabilities. Colorado’s Medicaid program is known as Health First Colorado and is administered by the Department of Health Care Policy and Financing (HCPF). This memorandum provides an overview of recent Medicaid changes under H.R. 1, the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA). For additional information, see LCS’s memo providing an Overview of Colorado’s Medicaid Program.

Medicaid is a joint federal and state insurance program that provides health care coverage to low-income families and individuals, including children, pregnant people, seniors, and people with disabilities. The federal government establishes general rules and policies for Medicaid, including required services and eligible populations, and each state administers its own Medicaid program.

The Health Care Affordability Act of 2009, House Bill 09-1293, authorized the collection of a provider fee from most Colorado hospitals. Senate Bill 17-267 created the Colorado Healthcare Affordability and Sustainability Enterprise (CHASE) under the Department of Health Care Policy and Financing (HCPF).

This memorandum provides an overview on the federal immigration system, Colorado’s role in immigration, and patterns of immigration in the state and nationally. It then discusses the impact of immigration on different sectors of the economy and state government programs and services, and highlights recent state legislation to address these issues.

The Interim Committee on Opiod and other Substance Use Disorders was created pursuant to Section 10-22.3-101.  

To date, Colorado and ten other states have enacted paid family and medical leave laws.  The other states include California, Connecticut, Delaware, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, and Washington.  However, the New Hampshire is voluntary for employers and relies on tax incentives for businesses to contribute.  In addition, Hawaii has a paid medical leave law that does not extend to family leave.  This memorandum provides a summary of the major components of the paid family and medical leave laws in each of these states.

This memorandum provides information about FY 2022-23 appropriations for state-funded behavioral health programs.  Information for this memorandum was taken from:

• the FY 2022-23 Long Bill, House Bill 22-1329;
• other bills that include funding for behavioral health programs;
• Joint Budget Committee (JBC) staff FY 2022-23 figure-setting documents and the JBC Appropriations Report FY 2022-23; and
• department staff.

The opioid epidemic, the COVID-19 pandemic, and the rise of homelessness strained Colorado’s behavioral health system.  This memorandum covers the actions the Colorado General Assembly has taken to strengthen Colorado’s behavioral health care system, including creating the Behavioral Health Administration, strengthening the behavioral health care workforce, increasing rural health care access, and treating and preventing substance abuse issues.

Sunset laws allow the General Assembly to periodically review the need for state regulations, advisory committees, or state agencies and to update the law creating the agency or function.  To accomplish this review, committees of reference hold public sunset hearings on sunset reports issued by the Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA).

This memorandum summarizes legislative efforts since 2017 to control prescription drug prices.  It includes information on both bills that failed as well as those that became law. 

The following are the safety protocols for the First Regular Session of the 73rd General Assembly.  These protocols are adopted after consultations with a bi-partisan group of legislators, non-partisan legislative staff, the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, the National Conference of State Legislatures, and the Governor's office. The purpose of these safety protocols is to ensure a safe and healthy working environment while the General Assembly is convened in session.

This memorandum provides an overview of temporary changes the Colorado Division of Insurance (DOI) implemented in response to the spread of COVID-19 and associated declaration of a disaster emergency by Governor Polis on March 11, 2020.  The DOI in the Department of Regulatory Agencies regulates the insurance industry in Colorado, including insurance carriers selling life, health, title, and property and casualty insurance, and insurance agents.

This memorandum provides an overview of how the spread of the coronavirus and associated disease (COVID-19) has prompted insurers, federal and state health organizations, and behavioral and mental health organizations to adopt policies that support and encourage the use of telehealth.  Telehealth enables long-distance health care and other health-related services to occur with the use of telecommunication technology.

This memorandum provides information on Colorado's mandated health insurance benefits. Table 1, Colorado Health Insurance Mandates, provides a description of current state laws governing insurance benefits.  The mandates are listed in the table alphabetically.

The Legislative Council Staff's Health Care Resource Book is intended to serve as a reference guide for information on some of Colorado's major health care issues and programs.  The book is divided into two sections.

The first section covers health care spending; private health insurance regulation; the state’s health benefit exchange; an overview of public health care programs; and discussion of issues related to uninsured individuals.

Summary Report for the Opioid and Other Substance Abuse Disorders Study Committee.  

This memorandum is an assessment of the fiscal impact of the attached proposed Amendment L.045 to Senate Bill 19-188. This fiscal assessment is for the impact of the bill with inclusion of this amendment only. Any other added amendment could influence the fiscal impact.

This memorandum provides an overview of the 2017 membership of the Opioid and Other Substance Use Disorders Interim Study Committee, the origin and charge of the committee, bill request deadlines and procedures, and information regarding committee staff and the committee website. Information is also provided about the stakeholder task force created to work with the interim study committee.

This is the final report for the 2016 Interim Committee

This memorandum provides information on recent trends in Medicaid caseload growth and drivers of state Medicaid expenditures. Included in this memorandum is a ten-year history and three years of projections for Colorado Medicaid caseloads, government expenditures, and expenditures per Medicaid enrollee. A summary of the factors that have historically driven growth in state Medicaid expenditures is also included.