Your Daily Guide

🍎 Open Enrollment for Colorado Health Insurance Live Until Jan 15

With all the surprising election news that landed last week, you may have missed that the open enrollment period for Connect for Health Colorado began on Nov 1. Here’s a quick guide to getting health insurance through the state’s marketplace — plus a few changes to watch.

• What’s changing? Colorado residents who buy their health insurance through the state marketplace might see their monthly premiums increase by 10% on average (which is less than the average 15% increase projected nationwide). [Colorado Sun/Colorado.gov]
• Also, no more Cigna: About 35,000 residents are covered by Cigna insurance that they secured through the state marketplace. They will all need to find a new provider for 2027, since Cigna will be leaving Colorado’s individual health insurance market. [9News]
• Find the right plan: Use the free explore tool on the Connect for Health Colorado website to search for a plan that suits your needs and compare monthly premiums. [Connect for Health Colorado]
• Can I apply for Colorado Medicaid? Yes, you can use the Connect for Health Colorado portal to apply for Health First Colorado, the state’s medicaid program. However if you apply directly through the Colorado PEAK website, you can also apply for other benefits like the supplemental nutrition assistance program (SNAP). If you think you’re eligible for Medicaid, you can apply any time of year — you don’t have to stick to the open enrollment period. [Connect for Health Colorado/Health First Colorado]

🌲 Proposition 137 will Fund Conservation Efforts in Colorado

Proposition 137 has passed in Colorado, meaning that $175-180 million of the state’s sales tax on sporting goods equipment will be directed toward public lands. The proposition will predominantly fund conservation work and wildfire mitigation and rehabilitation with a small percentage going towards the state outdoor recreation office and a grant that expands access to the outdoors. [Colorado Sun]

💸 Local Food Banks Are Overwhelmed Ahead of Colorado Gives Day

High living costs, changes to SNAP, and overall economic uncertainty are driving more Coloradans to seek help at local food pantries, with some local organizations experiencing a 90% increase in families served. As needs grow and capacity to help shrinks, local orgs are asking for support through Colorado Gives Day, which runs from now through Dec 8. [Colorado Newsline/CBS Colorado]

🧑‍⚖️ Federal Judge Dismisses Wanda James’ Lawsuit Against CU Regents

Wanda James can’t sue seven fellow CU Regents board members for removing her from her committee assignments and censuring her, according to a recent ruling. James had claimed the CU Board of Regents’ censorship — which came after they investigated her efforts to revoke a university’s funding last summer — was violating her first amendment rights. Federal Judge Phillip A. Brimmer officially tossed the lawsuit, which can’t be refiled. [Denver Gazette 🔐]