Reviewed for accuracy on November 3, 2026 by Tina Price, one of Grove's licensed advisors.
Short-term plans and health care sharing ministries in Colorado
Colorado allows short-term plans of up to six months, but no insurance company sells them here. Health care sharing ministries aren't insurance. Plans through Connect for Health Colorado are the only ones with the tax credit and the full set of required benefits and protections.
Last updated November 3, 2026
The short version
- No insurance company sells short-term plans in Colorado.
- Health care sharing ministries aren't insurance and don't have to pay your bills.
- Only Connect for Health Colorado plans come with the tax credit.
- Sharing ministries must report to Colorado's Division of Insurance every year.
Short-term plans
In Colorado, a short-term plan can last no more than six months and can't be renewed. It has to cover the same essential health benefits as other plans.
Because of those rules, no insurance company offers short-term plans here. If someone sells you one, ask the Division of Insurance whether the company is licensed.
Health care sharing ministries
A health care sharing ministry is a group whose members share medical costs. It isn't insurance, so it doesn't have to pay any bill, cover pre-existing conditions, or follow insurance rules.
You can't use the tax credit for one. Since 2022, Colorado law requires these groups to report to the Division of Insurance each year, including how many requests they paid and denied.
How they compare
Plans through Connect for Health Colorado can't turn you down or charge more for health conditions. They cover the essential health benefits, cap what you pay each year, and come with the tax credit if you qualify.
If a low monthly price is what draws you to the alternatives, price a marketplace plan with your credit first. Many people pay less than they expect.
Next step
Comparing options? A licensed Grove advisor can show you what a marketplace plan costs you after the credit, at no cost.
Want a person to check your pick? A licensed Grove advisor will, at no cost. If you make Grove your broker, you can keep calling the same advisor after you enroll.
Compare plansPrices in your countyCall (970) 840-1130
Common questions
Can I join a sharing ministry and later switch to a marketplace plan?
Usually only during open enrollment, from November 1 to January 15. Leaving a sharing ministry isn't a qualifying life change.
Sources
- healthinsurance.org: short-term health insurance in Colorado (accessed April 2026)
- C.R.S. 10-16-107.4: health-care sharing plans or arrangements (reporting to the Division of Insurance)
- Colorado Division of Insurance: health care sharing plans or arrangements
- Connect for Health Colorado: health services covered
- Connect for Health Colorado: when can I buy insurance? (qualifying life change events)
This guide is general information, not tax or legal advice. Connect for Health Colorado decides eligibility and tax credits.