If you buy your own health insurance, another increase could be coming to your household budget.
Colorado regulators approved an average 10% premium increase for the individual market in 2027. In the state’s Western rating area, the average is 11.8%.
But those figures are not a personalized renewal quote. Your plan, household circumstances and financial assistance determine what you actually pay.
For Eagle County residents preparing for open enrollment, the practical question is: what will your coverage cost—and what alternatives are available?
What the regional numbers show
The Colorado Division of Insurance’s final rate announcement lists these average increases:
| Market | Colorado average | Western rating area |
|---|---|---|
| Individual coverage | 10% | 11.8% |
| Small-group employer coverage | 14% | 14.6% |
The Western rating area includes Eagle County. Mesa County is in a separate rating area, where the approved individual-market average increase is 15.5%.
These are market averages. They should not be applied to every employer plan, Medicare policy or Medicaid enrollee. Source: Colorado Division of Insurance’s final 2027 rates; regional reporting by Andrea Teres-Martinez, Vail Daily.
The premium increase and your bill are different numbers
The premium is the price of the insurance policy. Financial assistance can reduce the amount an eligible household pays.
The Division of Insurance estimates an average $20 monthly net premium increase for financially assisted customers receiving support through Colorado Premium Assistance, compared with approximately $69 without that support.
That estimate is not a promise about an individual household’s renewal. Some customers may see a different increase, qualify for different assistance or find a more suitable plan by comparing options. Source: Division of Insurance
Compare the coverage as well as the price
Connect for Health Colorado has opened its Estimate & Explore tool for 2027 plans.
Before choosing, compare:
- Monthly premium after assistance: the amount you would actually pay.
- Deductible and other costs: what you could owe when using care.
- Provider network: whether your doctors and preferred facilities participate.
- Prescription coverage: whether your medications are covered and at what cost.
The marketplace says many customers receiving financial help could find lower-premium options. That does not mean the least expensive monthly premium will provide the best overall fit for every household. Source: Connect for Health Colorado’s 2027 shopping announcement
Dates to put on your calendar
For 2027 coverage:
- November 1, 2026: open enrollment begins.
- December 15, 2026: enroll by this date for coverage beginning January 1.
- January 15, 2027: open enrollment ends. Enrollment from December 16 through January 15 starts February 1.
Connect for Health Colorado also currently lists scheduled maintenance from October 20–27, affecting its website, application, accounts and customer service. Check the current notice when planning your comparison shopping. Source: Connect for Health Colorado
Get help before making the decision
You can start with Estimate & Explore or find free enrollment assistance through Connect for Health Colorado.
Bring your renewal information, expected household income, medication list and the names of providers you want to keep. Those details help turn a statewide headline into a comparison that matters to your household.
A higher regional average is a reason to review your options. Your own renewal price and coverage needs are what should guide the decision.
Image credit: AI-generated illustration. The 11.8% figure is the Western rating area’s average individual-market premium increase for 2027; personal costs vary.
