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ColoradoSB25-3082025 Regular SessionSenate

Medicaid Services Related to Federal Authorizations

Sponsored By: Barbara Kirkmeyer (Republican), Emily Sirota (Democratic), Judy Amabile (Democratic), Rick Taggart (Republican)

Signed by Governor

Health Care & Health Insurance

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

6 provisions identified: 4 benefits, 0 costs, 2 mixed.

Colorado funds Medicaid service changes

For 2025–26, Colorado provides its Medicaid agency $14.97 million: $12.19 million in General Fund money and $2.78 million in cash funds. This includes $2.22 million from the Affordable Housing Support Fund for Medicaid-eligible people’s medical and long-term care services. The appropriation also supports administration and transfers for corrections, youth, human services, and local affairs programs. It includes $140,886 for staff and $11,925 for operating costs from the two new reinvestment funds. The federal funding forecast is $15.12 million; these amounts fund programs, not fixed household payments.

Colorado redirects youth service funding

For 2025–26, Medicaid-agency transfers replace $817,784 in General Fund money for youth and community services. These services include youth homelessness prevention, youth medical care, and community-program administration. The law also adds $37,980 for human services administration and finance staff, supporting 0.3 full-time-equivalent positions. The funding switch does not create a direct household payment.

Colorado reinvests Medicaid social needs funding

Colorado creates a fund for federally authorized Medicaid services that address health-related social needs, plus related administration. Beginning June 30, 2026, annual transfers equal unused state General Fund appropriations for these services. Spending requires yearly legislative approval and does not guarantee individual benefits. Starting November 1, 2025, Colorado’s Medicaid agency must recommend spending annually to the legislature’s budget committee after consulting agencies and stakeholders. The fund is exempt from general cash-fund reserve limits; its interest goes to the General Fund. The agency must also develop a peer-support workforce that meets the federal authorization’s requirements.

Colorado saves money for Medicaid reentry

Colorado creates a fund for federally authorized Medicaid reentry services and related administration. Services support people incarcerated, at risk of incarceration, or being released. Beginning June 30, 2026, annual transfers equal unused state General Fund appropriations for reentry services. Spending requires yearly legislative approval. Starting November 1, 2025, Colorado’s Medicaid agency must recommend spending annually to the legislature’s budget committee after stakeholder consultation. The fund is exempt from general cash-fund reserve limits; its interest goes to the General Fund.

Colorado shifts prison health funding

For 2025–26, Colorado reduces General Fund support for corrections medical staff and medicines by $3.75 million. This includes $2.01 million for staff and $1.75 million for medicines. Transfers from the Medicaid agency replace that support and fund leased space, staff, operations, and medicines. Transferred staff funding rises by $2.53 million and adds two full-time-equivalent positions. These are agency funding changes, not direct household payments.

Colorado links housing funds to Medicaid

Colorado’s Medicaid agency can use Affordable Housing Support Fund money for federally authorized social-needs services that also meet housing-fund rules. Spending requires annual legislative approval; unused housing-fund money stays in the fund. The law clarifies which housing and local government divisions administer the fund and counts Medicaid transfers toward administrative-cost limits. For 2025–26, Medicaid-agency transfers replace $3.92 million in General Fund rental subsidies and $3.59 million in housing construction grants and loans. Funding changes also cover housing help for people leaving the justice system and add three full-time-equivalent positions. The law reduces the Proposition 123 housing-fund appropriation by $2.22 million, matching money allocated to Medicaid.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsors

  • Barbara Kirkmeyer

    Republican • Senate

  • Emily Sirota

    Democratic • House

  • Judy Amabile

    Democratic • Senate

  • Rick Taggart

    Republican • House

Cosponsors

  • Andrew Boesenecker

    Democratic • House

  • Chad Clifford

    Democratic • House

  • Julie McCluskie

    Democratic • House

  • Iman Jodeh

    Democratic • Senate

  • Kyle Mullica

    Democratic • Senate

  • Marc Catlin

    Republican • Senate

  • Tony Exum

    Democratic • Senate

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 89 • No: 27

House vote • 5/3/2025

Third reading: Bill

Yes: 44 • No: 19

House vote • 5/1/2025

Refer Senate Bill 25-308 to the Committee of the Whole.

Yes: 8 • No: 3

Senate vote • 4/30/2025

Third reading: Bill

Yes: 30 • No: 5

Senate vote • 4/29/2025

Refer Senate Bill 25-308, as amended, to the Committee of the Whole and with a recommendation that it be placed on the consent calendar.

Yes: 7 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

  1. Governor Signed

    5/30/2025House

  2. Sent to the Governor

    5/13/2025House

  3. Signed by the President of the Senate

    5/13/2025Senate

  4. Signed by the Speaker of the House

    5/13/2025House

  5. House Third Reading Passed - No Amendments

    5/3/2025House

  6. House Second Reading Special Order - Passed - No Amendments

    5/2/2025House

  7. House Committee on Appropriations Refer Unamended to House Committee of the Whole

    5/1/2025House

  8. Senate Third Reading Passed - No Amendments

    4/30/2025Senate

  9. Introduced In House - Assigned to Appropriations

    4/30/2025House

  10. Senate Committee on Appropriations Refer Amended - Consent Calendar to Senate Committee of the Whole

    4/29/2025Senate

  11. Senate Second Reading Special Order - Passed with Amendments - Committee

    4/29/2025Senate

  12. Introduced In Senate - Assigned to Appropriations

    4/23/2025Senate

Bill Text

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