Connect for Health Colorado celebrates Gov. Jared Polis’s signing of House Bill 25B-1006, and urges Congress to extend federal Enhanced Premium Tax Credits.

Denver, Colo.– Kevin Patterson, chief executive officer of Connect for Health Colorado, released the following statement about Colorado House Bill 25B-1006. The bill was passed during the state Legislature’s special session and was signed into law by Gov. Jared Polis on Aug. 28, 2025. 

“Connect for Health Colorado was proud to support House Bill 25B-1006 when it was introduced during the Legislature’s special session. We are grateful to the Colorado Legislature and Gov. Jared Polis for their leadership in preserving and expanding access to affordable health care coverage.

For plan year 2026, this important, necessary stopgap legislation will lower the total cost of health insurance premiums and invest in OmniSalud, a program that provides access to health care coverage for Coloradans no matter their documentation status. 

Every day, we see how lives are transformed by access to affordable, essential health services, including preventive care, mental health treatment and life-saving prescription medications.

Now, it’s important for the U.S. Congress to protect the progress we’ve made, and strengthen our ability to provide health coverage to people who most depend on it. It’s absolutely critical that Congress extend the Enhanced Premium Tax Credits that have helped millions of Americans – including hundreds of thousands here in Colorado – maintain access to quality, affordable coverage. 

Without Enhanced Premium Tax Credits, health care coverage will be less affordable and – in some cases – out of reach for many people in Colorado, with rural residents, older adults, and those with fluctuating incomes among the most impacted. We estimate average increases of 100% to over 300% in monthly premiums for people receiving financial assistance; and we estimate tens of thousands of Coloradans will be at risk of losing coverage.

House Bill 25B-1006 will mitigate some of this impact. But make no mistake: failure to extend Enhanced Premium Tax Credits will significantly impede access to affordable health insurance.

Colorado continues to lead the way in making health care more accessible and affordable for our families, friends, and neighbors – and Connect for Health Colorado remains committed to ensuring that all Coloradans can get the coverage they need.”

About Connect for Health Colorado

Connect for Health Colorado is the state’s official health insurance marketplace. Its mission is to increase access, affordability and choice for individuals, families and small employers purchasing health insurance in Colorado. It is the only place where residents can qualify for and receive financial help for their health insurance.