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Gender-affirming care in Colorado

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  • Page changed: Medicaid Program; Prohibition on Federal Medicaid and CHIP Funding for sex-trait procedures for minors (final rule, August 13, 2026) (2026-10-12) · #214
  • Page changed: Gender-Affirming Care Billing Manual (read via Internet Archive snapshot, 2026) (2026-10-05) · #116
  • Page changed: LGBTQ Health Care Rights and Resources (read via Internet Archive snapshot of December 26, 2025) (2026-10-05) · #115
  • Page changed: Gender-Affirming Care Coverage Guide (read via Internet Archive snapshot, 2026) (2026-10-05) · #114
  • Page changed: Medicaid Program; Prohibition on Federal Medicaid and CHIP Funding for sex-trait procedures for minors (final rule, August 13, 2026) (2026-09-28) · #21
Care for adults
Allowed
Care for people under 18
Limited
Health First Colorado pays for hormones
Covered
Health First Colorado pays for surgery
Covered
Private plans must cover care
Yes, by law

Gender-affirming care is legal for adults and minors under Colorado law, and a 2023 shield law protects patients and providers. Adults can get informed-consent hormones at Denver Health, Planned Parenthood, and community clinics, and Health First Colorado (Medicaid) and state-regulated private plans cover care. For people under 18, access has narrowed sharply: Children's Hospital Colorado and Denver Health stopped youth prescriptions in 2026, and federal rules end Medicaid and CHP+ coverage for minors on October 13, 2026.

Draft from official sources, September 24, 2026. Not yet checked by a person. How we verify

On this page
  1. If you are under 18, or a parent
  2. Health centers near you
  3. Hormones by telehealth
  4. Clinics, programs, and funds
  5. Paying for care
  6. Rules for adults
  7. Laws and court cases
  8. Sources

If you are under 18, or a parent

State law does not ban gender-affirming care for minors, and Colorado's shield law (SB23-188) blocks out-of-state subpoenas, extradition, and professional discipline for care lawfully provided here. Parental consent is required. In practice, access has narrowed:

  • Hospitals: Children's Hospital Colorado and Denver Health suspended new and renewed hormone and puberty-blocker prescriptions for patients under 18 on January 2, 2026, citing federal investigations. After the Colorado Supreme Court found likely discrimination (May 18, 2026), a Denver judge ordered Children's to stop refusing the care; Children's restored the service on paper, but its physicians (employed by the University of Colorado) have declined to write prescriptions, and on September 22, 2026 the judge ruled the hospital was not in contempt. The class action continues.
  • Medicaid and CHP+: a federal rule finalized in August 2026 bars federal funds for this care for people under 18 (under 19 in CHP+). Colorado will suspend coverage on October 13, 2026, with six months of continued coverage to taper off hormones. Behavioral health is not affected.
  • Ballot: Proposition 135, on the November 3, 2026 ballot, would ban gender-affirming surgery for anyone under 18 and bar public funds or insurance from paying for it. It does not address hormones or puberty blockers.

Some independent and community clinics may still see adolescents; call first and ask.

[1][6][7][8][4][5][9]

Community health centers near you

These federally funded centers must see you whether or not you have insurance, and charge based on income. Many, but not all, prescribe hormone therapy. Call and ask for "gender-affirming care" or "hormone therapy."

Sorting by distance uses your location only on this device. It is never sent anywhere.

Hormones by telehealth

These services prescribe hormones through video visits for people in this state. Point of Pride pays for a year and a half of care with several of them each spring.

  • Plume

    PaidNo Medicaid18+

    Trans-led telehealth service providing informed-consent hormone therapy, lab orders, prescriptions, and letters for surgery and documents, by app and video visit. Self-pay only since January 2026. A Point of Pride HRT Access Fund partner.

    About $99 per month ($90 in NY and NJ), which includes visits, messaging, prescriptions, and document letters. Labs and medications are billed separately and are often cheap with GoodRx or at a community pharmacy. Free for 18 months if you win a Point of Pride HRT Access Fund grant.

  • FOLX Health

    InsuranceTakes insuranceNo Medicaid18+

    LGBTQ-focused telehealth offering hormone therapy, PrEP, primary care, and mental health visits. Accepts major commercial insurance (Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna, UnitedHealthcare) but not Medicaid or Medicare. A Point of Pride HRT Access Fund partner.

    In-network with many commercial plans; self-pay membership about $69 to $98 per month all-inclusive.

  • Planned Parenthood

    Sliding scaleTakes insurance

    Many Planned Parenthood affiliates provide informed-consent gender-affirming hormone therapy alongside sexual and reproductive health care, on a sliding scale and with Medicaid. Most affiliates see adults 18 and older; a few see 16- and 17-year-olds with parental consent and a readiness letter. Many start hormone care by telehealth. Self-pay initial consults typically run about $120 to $250 before sliding-scale discounts.

Clinics, programs, and funds

  • Denver Health LGBTQ+ Services[12][6]

    Denver's public safety-net health system. Informed-consent hormone therapy, gender-affirming surgery (top surgery, hysterectomy, orchiectomy, vaginoplasty), voice therapy, behavioral health, same-day PrEP, and patient navigators. Accepts Medicaid and offers financial assistance. 303-602-5699, weekdays 8 am to 5 pm. Youth hormone care was suspended in January 2026.

    • Sliding scale
    • Accepts Medicaid
    • Sees uninsured patients
    303-602-5699

  • Planned Parenthood of the Rocky Mountains, gender-affirming hormone therapy[13]

    Informed-consent hormone therapy at Colorado health centers in Denver (Park Hill, Denver Central), Palmer South Metro, Boulder, Colorado Springs Westside, Durango, Glenwood Springs, Cortez, and Salida; transfers of existing prescriptions welcome. Call 1-800-230-7526 (1-800-230-PLAN). Confirm the minimum age with the health center.

    • Sliding scale
    • Accepts Medicaid
    1-800-230-7526

  • Find a community health center (HRSA)[16]

    Official locator for federally qualified health centers, which must see you regardless of insurance and charge on a sliding scale. Call and ask whether they offer gender-affirming hormone therapy.

    • Sliding scale
    • Accepts Medicaid
    • Sees uninsured patients

  • The Center on Colfax, Glass Lawler Mental Health[14]

    Twelve free therapy sessions for LGBTQ+ adults with no insurance or referral needed, free peer support groups, and a Gender Affirming Care Letter Lab on the second Wednesday of each month (10 am to 5 pm) for letters needed for surgery or insurance. 1301 E. Colfax Ave, Denver.

    • Free
    • Sees uninsured patients
    303-733-77431301 E. Colfax Ave, Denver, CO 80218

  • PrEP from a pharmacist (Colorado HB20-1061)[15]

    Colorado law lets pharmacists prescribe HIV prevention medication (PrEP and PEP) under a statewide protocol, and state-regulated insurers must cover it without prior authorization or step therapy. Ask your pharmacy whether it offers PrEP.

    • Insurance

  • Point of Pride funds[17]

    National funds for people who cannot afford care, including the HRT Access Fund (free telehealth hormone therapy), a yearly surgery fund, and free binders and shapewear.

    • Free

  • Genderbands grants[18]

    Small grants for surgery and transition costs, including hormones and name change fees; 18 and older.

    • Free

  • Trans Health Project (Advocates for Trans Equality)[19]

    Free templates and guides for appealing insurance denials of gender-affirming care, including self-funded employer plans.

    • Free

  • Colorado Division of Insurance, Consumer Services[10][11]

    State regulator that takes complaints and runs independent external reviews for state-regulated plans. Publishes a yearly Gender-Affirming Care Coverage Guide comparing what each insurer covers. 303-894-7490 or 800-930-3745.

    • Free
    303-894-7490

Paying for care

Medicaid (Health First Colorado)[2][3][4][5][10]

Health First Colorado covers gender-affirming care for members with a diagnosis of gender dysphoria when medically necessary, under program rule 10 CCR 2505-10 § 8.735: hormone therapy (prior authorization required), puberty blockers, and surgeries such as mastectomy, breast augmentation (mammoplasty), hysterectomy, and covered facial and neck procedures (the rule has the full list, and other medically necessary surgeries are reviewed case by case), plus electrolysis of surgical sites and pre- and post-operative care. Most surgeries require six continuous months of hormone therapy (12 months for breast augmentation) unless hormones are not clinically indicated or not wanted; chest surgery (mastectomy) has no hormone requirement. The surgeon must keep a statement from a qualified health professional that the criteria are met.

Under 18 (CHP+ under 19): coverage of hormones, puberty blockers, and related procedures is suspended starting October 13, 2026 because of a federal funding rule; people already on hormones keep coverage for a six-month taper.

Who qualifies: adults with household income under about 133% of the federal poverty level, even if not pregnant, married, or a parent. Apply online through PEAK, by phone, or at your county human services office.

Apply for coverage

Private insurance[10][11][1]

Colorado Insurance Regulation 4-2-62 bars state-regulated plans (look for "CO-DOI" on your card) from denying, excluding, or limiting medically necessary care based on gender identity, and the Division of Insurance says Colorado prohibits transgender exclusions in plans sold here. Since 2023 Colorado has included gender-affirming care in its essential health benefits benchmark for individual and small-group plans, and the Division publishes a yearly guide to what each company covers. The shield law (SB23-188) also bars insurers from penalizing providers for lawful gender-affirming care.

If a plan denies care, appeal to the plan within 180 days; if it is upheld as "not medically necessary," you can ask the Division for a free, binding independent external review. Help: Division of Insurance Consumer Services, 303-894-7490 or 800-930-3745. Self-funded employer plans are federally regulated and may not follow these rules; the Trans Health Project has appeal templates.

File an insurance complaint

The rules in detail

Rules for adultsNo state restriction on adult care.

No state restriction on adult care. Denver Health, Planned Parenthood of the Rocky Mountains, and several community clinics prescribe hormones on an informed consent basis: you talk through risks and benefits with the prescriber and sign a consent form, with no therapist letter required. Telehealth prescribing is legal.

If you have no insurance and little money, in rough order of what to try:

  1. Apply for Health First Colorado (Medicaid). Adults with household income under about 133% of the federal poverty level qualify, and it covers hormones, labs, and surgery.
  2. Go to a community health center (federally qualified health center). They charge on a sliding scale; find one at findahealthcenter.hrsa.gov and ask about gender-affirming hormone therapy.
  3. Planned Parenthood of the Rocky Mountains offers hormone therapy at nine Colorado health centers (1-800-230-7526).
  4. Point of Pride's HRT Access Fund pays for telehealth hormone care for people who cannot afford it.
  5. If you need a letter for surgery, The Center on Colfax runs a free monthly Gender Affirming Care Letter Lab and 12 free therapy sessions for LGBTQ+ adults.
[12][13][10][16][17][14]
Laws and court cases1 court case, 3 laws

Transgender patients v. Children's Hospital Colorado (class action)

Children's Hospital Colorado lists youth gender-affirming medical care as a service again, but as of late September 2026 its doctors are not writing new or renewed prescriptions. Mental and behavioral health services continue. The case is ongoing.[8][7][6]

Families of transgender youth sued Children's Hospital Colorado under the state anti-discrimination law after it suspended hormone and puberty-blocker prescriptions for patients under 18 in January 2026. On May 18, 2026 the Colorado Supreme Court (5-2) found sufficient evidence of discrimination; in June a Denver judge enjoined the hospital from refusing the care. On September 22, 2026 the judge ruled the hospital was not in contempt because it had changed its policy, and its physicians, who are not hospital employees, had individually declined to prescribe. Last update 2026-09-22.

Sources

19 sources. Numbers in the text, like [1], point here.Show all
  1. SB23-188, Protections for Accessing Reproductive Health Care (signed April 14, 2023)Colorado General Assembly, Law. accessed
    “Insurers ... cannot penalize health-care providers for the provision of, or assistance in the provision of, reproductive health care or gender-affirming health-care services.”
  2. Gender-Affirming Care Billing Manual (read via Internet Archive snapshot, 2026)Colorado Department of Health Care Policy and Financing, Official page. accessed
    “Health First Colorado provides gender-affirming care services benefits to eligible members. ... Covered hormone therapy services are limited to Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone Therapy and Gender-Affirming Hormone Therapy.”
  3. Gender-Affirming Care Stakeholder Engagement (links Transgender Services Department Rule 8.735; Internet Archive snapshot of May 23, 2025)Colorado Department of Health Care Policy and Financing, Official page. accessed
  4. Colorado to suspend Medicaid coverage for some gender-affirming care for youth due to new federal ruleThe Colorado Sun, News. accessed
    “Colorado's coverage suspension will begin Oct. 13 to match when the federal rule takes effect. Under the federal rule, patients taking hormones will continue to have coverage for a six-month-long tapering period.”
  5. Medicaid Program; Prohibition on Federal Medicaid and CHIP Funding for sex-trait procedures for minors (final rule, August 13, 2026)Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, Federal Register, Regulation. accessed
  6. Children's Hospital Colorado has suspended gender-affirming care for transgender youth amid a new federal investigationThe Colorado Sun, News. accessed
    “A second Colorado hospital, Denver Health, also announced Friday that it has suspended gender-affirming care for transgender youth, including hormone and puberty-blocking therapies.”
  7. Colorado Supreme Court sides with transgender youth in fight against Children's Hospital ColoradoThe Colorado Sun, News. accessed
  8. Children's Hospital Colorado not in contempt in gender-affirming care case, Denver judge saysThe Colorado Sun, News. accessed
    “Children's responded to the injunction by changing its "scope of services" statement to reinstate gender-affirming care ... But patients have not begun receiving prescriptions again.”
  9. Colorado Proposition 135 (2026)Ballotpedia, Community. accessed
    “A health-care professional or other person shall not knowingly perform, prescribe, administer, or provide any surgery to a minor for the purpose of altering biological sex characteristics.”
  10. LGBTQ Health Care Rights and Resources (read via Internet Archive snapshot of December 26, 2025)Colorado Division of Insurance, Official page. accessed
    “Colorado Regulation 4-2-62 prohibits discrimination in private health insurance plans based on sexual orientation or gender identity. ... Colorado prohibits transgender exclusions and clauses in private plans sold in Colorado.”
  11. Gender-Affirming Care Coverage Guide (read via Internet Archive snapshot, 2026)Colorado Division of Insurance, Official page. accessed
    “The information below displays a list of gender-affirming services and how they are covered by each insurance company offering individual and small group plans for 2026.”
  12. LGBTQ+ ServicesDenver Health, Organization. accessed
    “Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) on an Informed Consent Model”
  13. Gender Affirming Care (Internet Archive snapshot of April 4, 2026)Planned Parenthood of the Rocky Mountains, Organization. accessed
    “In Colorado: Park Hill, Denver Central, Durango, Colorado Springs Westside, Glenwood Springs, Cortez, Boulder, Salida, and Palmer South Metro”
  14. Glass Lawler Mental HealthThe Center on Colfax, Organization. accessed
  15. HB20-1061, HIV Infection Prevention MedicationsColorado General Assembly, Law. accessed
  16. Find a Health CenterHealth Resources and Services Administration, Official page. accessed
  17. HRT Access FundPoint of Pride, Organization. accessed
  18. GenderbandsOrganization. accessed
  19. Trans Health ProjectAdvocates for Trans Equality, Organization. accessed