Colorado

Colorado currently has five waivers that are open to children. All are HCBS 1915(c) Medicaid waivers. Four of these programs waive parental income; we do not know the status of the other. For general information on Colorado's waivers, see this overview. See also this chart of the four waivers that are for children only.

In addition to waivers, Colorado has a Medicaid buy-in program for children with disabilities whose families earn less than 300% of the federal poverty line.

Colorado also has several adult-only waivers, including Complementary and Integrative Health; Elderly, Blind and Disabled; Supported Living Services; and DD.

Colorado Advocacy Organizations:

Last updated 9/21/22

Programs in Colorado

CHILDREN WITH LIFE LIMITING ILLNESS

Also called CLLI Waiver

  • Target Population: Children who are medically fragile or technology dependent with life-limiting illnesses.
  • Ages: 0-18
  • Levels of Care: Hospital
  • Income Waiver: Yes, the waiver is based on the child's income only. Parent income is not counted.
  • Waiver Type: 1915(c)
  • Spots: 218
  • Expiration Date: 6/30/2025
  • Description from medicaid.gov: Provides respite care, bereavement counseling, palliative/supportive care services, expressive therapy, massage therapy, therapeutic life limiting illness support: individual counseling, family counseling, group counseling for medically fragile individuals ages 0-18.
  • Online State Information: CLLI Waiver Page
  • Official Federal Information
  • How to Apply: Apply for Medicaid and contact your Single Entry Point Agency to apply for the waiver.
  • Waiting List: As of 9/2022 there was no waiting list.
CHILDREN'S HCBS WAIVER

Also called Children's Home and Community Based Services Waiver or CHCBS

  • Target Population: Children who are medically fragile or technology dependent.
  • Ages: 0-17
  • Levels of Care: Nursing Facility, Hospital
  • Income Waiver: Yes, the waiver is based on the child's income only. Parent income is not counted.
  • Waiver Type: 1915(c)
  • Spots: 2249
  • Expiration Date: 6/30/2023
  • Description from medicaid.gov: Provides case management, in home support for medically fragile individuals, ages 0 – 17.
  • Online State Information: CHCBS Waiver Page
  • Official Federal Information
  • How to Apply: Contact your local Single Entry Point (SEP) AgencyCommunity Centered Board (CCB) or Private Case Management Agency.
  • Waiting List: As of 9/2022 there was no waiting list.
CHILDREN'S HABILITATION RESIDENTIAL PROGRAM

Also called CHRP

  • Target Population: Children with developmental disabilities, typically with severe behavioral issues, usually in foster care.
  • Ages: 0-20
  • Levels of Care: Intermediate Care Facility
  • Income Waiver: This waiver is usually used for foster children; only the child's income is counted. Parent income is not counted.
  • Waiver Type: 1915(c)
  • Spots: 167
  • Expiration Date: 6/30/2024
  • Description from medicaid.gov: Provides habilitation, respite, hippotherapy, intensive support services, massage therapy, movement therapy, community connector, transition support services for individuals with DD, ages 0 – 20.
  • Online State Information: CHRP Waiver Page
  • Official Federal Information
  • How to Apply: Contact your local Community Centered Board (CCB).
  • Waiting List: As of 9/2022 there was no waiting list.
CHILDREN'S EXTENSIVE SUPPORT

Also called CES Waiver

  • Target Population: Children with developmental disabilities.
  • Ages: 0-17
  • Levels of Care: Intermediate Care Facility
  • Income Waiver: Yes, the waiver is based on the child's income only. Parent income is not counted.
  • Waiver Type: 1915(c)
  • Spots: 2582
  • Expiration Date: 6/30/2024
  • Description from medicaid.gov: Provides homemaker, respite, adapted therapeutic recreational equipment and fees, assistive technology, community connector, hippotherapy, home accessibility adaptations, massage therapy, movement therapy, parent education, specialized medical equipment and supplies, vehicle modifications, youth day service for individuals with DD, ages 0 – 17.
  • Online State Information:  CES Waiver Page
  • Official Federal Information
  • How to Apply: Apply for Medicaid and contact your Community Centered Board to apply for the waiver.
  • Waiting List: Colorado has 3037 individuals with developmental disabilities on its waiting list; however, this waiver typically does not have a waiting list.
PERSONS WITH BRAIN INJURY

Also called BI Waiver

  • Target Population: Teens and adults with brain injuries.
  • Ages: 16+
  • Levels of Care: Nursing Facility, Hospital
  • Income Waiver: no?
  • Waiver Type: 1915(c)
  • Spots: 622
  • Expiration Date: 6/30/2023
  • Description from medicaid.gov: Provides adult day health, day treatment, personal care, respite, behavioral management and education, consumer directed attendant support, home mods, independent living skills training, mental health counseling, non-medical transportation, PERS, specialized medical equipment and supplies/assistive devices, substance abuse counseling, supported living program, transitional living program for individuals individuals with brain injury, ages 16 to no maximum age.
  • Online State Information: BI Waiver Page
  • Official Federal Information
  • How to Apply: First apply for Medicaid. Then contact your Single Entry Point Agency to apply for the waiver.
  • Waiting List: Colorado has 3037 individuals with developmental disabilities on its waiting list; however, this waiver typically does not have a waiting list.
OTHER PROGRAMS
PAID FAMILY CAREGIVING

Parent CNA Program: allows parents to become certified as a CNA to care for their children and receive pay. For more information on that program, see this info from the Department of Public Health.

IHSS Program: allows parents to be paid to provide personal care services for children in the Children's HCBS program.