Colorado currently has our 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. In 2025, Colorado merged its two waivers for children who are medically fragile into a waiver called the Children with Complex Health Needs Waiver (CwCHN). Children currently in the HCBS Waiver for Children with Life-Limiting Illness and Children’s Home and Community Based Services (CHCBS) Waiver will be transitioned to the new waiver over the next year. For general information on Colorado’s waivers, see this overview. See also these charts comparing waivers.

In 2025, Colorado moved a number of services, including personal care and some paid parent caregiving, into a Community First Choice program, allowing anyone in Medicaid who qualifies to access these services. Find out more at Community First Choice.

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 Advocacy Organizations:

Last updated 11/5/25

Programs in Colorado

Merged waiver combining the HCBS Waiver for Children with Life-Limiting Illness and Children’s Home and Community Based Services (CHCBS) Waiver

  • Target Population: Children who are medically fragile or physically disabled.
  • Ages: 0-18
  • 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: 3040
  • Expiration Date: 6/30/2030
  • 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, and wellness education benefit services to individuals with physical disabilities ages 0-18 and individuals who are medically fragile ages 0-18 years who meet a hospital or nursing facility level of care.  This waiver operates with a concurrent 1915(b)(4) authority.
  • Online State Information: Children with Complex Health Needs Waiver Page
  • Official Federal Information
  • How to Apply: Apply for Medicaid and contact your Case Management Agency to apply for the waiver.
  • Waiting List: none

Also called CHRP

  • Target Population: Children with developmental disabilities or serious emotional disturbance, including in foster care.
  • Ages: 0-20
  • Levels of Care: Hospital, Nursing Facility, or 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: 482
  • Expiration Date: 6/30/2029
  • Description from medicaid.gov: Provides habilitation, respite, wraparound services, adaptive therapeutic equine activities, child and youth mentorship, community connector, massage therapy, movement therapy, and wellness education benefit services to individuals with developmental disabilities or with serious emotional disturbance ages 0-20 years who meet a hospital, nursing facility, or an ICF/IID level of care. This waiver operates with a concurrent 1915(b)(4) authority.
  • Online State Information: CHRP Waiver Page
  • Official Federal Information
  • How to Apply: Apply for Medicaid and contact your Case Management Agency to apply for the waiver.
  • Waiting List: Colorado has 2345 people with developmental disabilities on waiting lists; however, this program does not typically have a waiting list.

Also called CES Waiver

  • Target Population: Children with developmental disabilities who require extensive daytime and nighttime interventions or care.
  • 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: 4228
  • Expiration Date: 6/30/2029
  • Description from medicaid.gov: Provides homemaker, respite, adaptive therapeutic equine activities, adapted therapeutic recreational equipment and fees, assistive technology, community connector, home accessibility adaptations, massage therapy, movement therapy, primary caregiver education, specialized medical equipment and supplies, vehicle modifications, wellness education benefit, and youth day services to individuals with developmental disabilities ages 0-17 years who meet an ICF/IID level of care. This waiver operates with a concurrent 1915(b)(4) authority.
  • Online State Information:  CES Waiver Page
  • Official Federal Information
  • How to Apply: Apply for Medicaid and contact your Case Management Agency to apply for the waiver.
  • Waiting List: Colorado has 2345 people with developmental disabilities on waiting lists; however, this program does not typically have a waiting list.

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: 1504
  • Expiration Date: 6/30/2027
  • Description from medicaid.gov: Provides adult day health, day treatment, personal care, respite, behavioral management and education, consumer directed attendant support services, home delivered meals, home modification, independent living skills training, mental health counseling, non-medical transportation, peer mentorship, personal emergency response systems, remote support, specialized medical equipment and supplies/assistive devices, substance abuse counseling, supported living program, transition setup, transitional living program, and wellness education benefit services to individuals with brain injury ages 16 or older who meet a hospital or nursing facility level of care. This waiver operates with a concurrent 1915(b)(4) authority.
  • Online State Information: BI Waiver Page
  • Official Federal Information
  • How to Apply: Apply for Medicaid and contact your Case Management Agency to apply for the waiver.
  • Waiting List: Colorado has 2345 people with developmental disabilities on waiting lists; however, this program does not typically have a waiting list.

Additional Information

  • Parent CNA Program: allows parents/guardians to become certified as a CNA to care for their children, including giving tube feedings, and receive pay. For more information on that program, see this info from the Department of Public Health. This information is not currently available on the website. The child must be enrolled in Medicaid, either through a waiver, categorical eligibility, or the Medicaid buy-in program.
  • IHSS Program and CDASS Program provide in-home care through Medicaid, including allowing parents to be paid to provide personal care services for children.