Private PPO Health Insurance in Colorado
Colorado has a large and growing population of freelancers, remote workers and small business owners along the Front Range, plus mountain towns and the Western Slope where networks look very different.
This guide covers how private PPO plans work in Colorado, what affects the price, Colorado’s continuation rule when a job-based plan ends, and how to confirm an agent is licensed.
Who shops for private coverage in Colorado
How a private PPO plan works
A PPO (preferred provider organization) plan has a network of providers who agree to set prices. You can usually see in-network providers without a referral, and some PPO plans also pay part of the cost outside the network. Four numbers decide what a plan really costs you:
- Premium: what you pay every month to keep the plan.
- Deductible: what you pay for covered services before the plan starts sharing costs. Some private plans offer $0 deductible options; others trade a higher deductible for a lower premium.
- Copays and coinsurance: your share of each covered service after the deductible.
- Out-of-pocket maximum: the most you pay for covered in-network services in a plan year.
Private plans are offered by insurance carriers, and benefits vary by plan. Applications can include questions about your household and history, so approval is not guaranteed, and some plans limit what they cover based on your answers. Always read the plan documents before you enroll. More detail: how PPO networks work and deductibles, copays and out-of-pocket maximums explained.
Front Range and mountain networks
Networks along the Front Range, from Fort Collins to Pueblo, can be much broader than in mountain resort towns or on the Western Slope. Check providers in your own county.
Six months of coverage first
Colorado continuation requires at least 6 months of coverage before you leave, longer than many states. If you are new to a job, plan for a private plan instead.
What affects the price of a plan in Colorado
Your monthly price depends mainly on the ages of the people covered, the number of people on the plan, where you live, tobacco use, the plan design you pick (deductible and out-of-pocket maximum) and the carrier's underwriting.
Prices vary a lot by age and household, so the fastest way to see a realistic range is to run your own numbers. Get an estimate for your Colorado household. Estimates are not offers and are subject to underwriting.
Leaving a job-based plan in Colorado
When you leave a job in Colorado, compare federal COBRA or Colorado continuation with a private plan of your own.
| Option | How it works |
|---|---|
| Federal COBRA | Employers with 20 or more employees. Usually up to 18 months for the employee, at up to 102% of the plan premium. You generally have at least 60 days to elect. |
| Colorado state continuation (C.R.S. 10-16-108) | Group plans issued by a carrier, for employees covered for at least 6 months before the job ended. Up to 18 months, or until you are eligible for other group coverage. Elect in writing and pay within 30 days of the job ending (60 days if the employer did not give timely notice). |
| Private individual plan | Your own plan, not tied to any employer. Price and approval depend on the carrier and underwriting. Many private plans accept applications year round. |
You pay both your share and the employer’s share of the premium for Colorado continuation. Compare that total with a private plan estimate before the 30 day deadline.
More on this: leaving a job-based plan and COBRA vs a private plan.
Taxes for the self-employed
If you are self-employed and not eligible to join a plan offered by your own or your spouse's employer, you may be able to deduct health insurance premiums for yourself, your spouse and your dependents on your federal return (IRS Form 7206). Colorado has a flat state income tax. Ask your tax preparer how the federal self-employed deduction carries into your Colorado return. See the self-employed health insurance deduction.
Check the license, know the regulator
Colorado Division of Insurance. The Division of Insurance, part of the Department of Regulatory Agencies, licenses agents and insurance companies in Colorado and handles consumer questions and complaints. You can verify an agent license through the division.
Colorado health insurance questions
How long does Colorado state continuation last?
Who qualifies for Colorado continuation?
Can I buy a private PPO plan in Colorado if I am self-employed?
How do I check that an agent is licensed in Colorado?
Sources
- C.R.S. 10-16-108 (Colorado continuation)
- Colorado Division of Insurance
- U.S. Department of Labor: COBRA continuation coverage
General information, not legal or tax advice. Plan availability, benefits and prices vary by carrier and are subject to underwriting. Last reviewed November 2026.
Other state guides: Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Maryland, Michigan, Missouri, North Carolina, Ohio, South Carolina, Texas, Virginia, Wisconsin. All 31 states.
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