Governor Polis Convenes Local Leaders, Discusses Urgent Need to Extend Health Care Tax Credits

GRAND JUNCTION, CO - Today, Governor Jared Polis convened a discussion in Grand Junction with small business owners, employees, health care providers and local leaders to highlight the devastating consequences Colorado families and communities will face if Congress fails to extend the Enhanced Premium Tax Credit ("tax credit") before the end of September. The Governor was joined by small business owners, non-profit and chamber leaders, and local elected officials to discuss the impacts on Western Slope businesses and residents who purchase health insurance through the Affordable Care Act marketplace. Each shared how the expiration of the EPTC would increase costs, reduce coverage, and destabilize rural health care in Western Colorado.

"Coloradans on the Western Slope already face some of the highest health insurance premiums in the country, and without action in Congress, those costs will double or even triple for many families," said Governor Jared Polis. "That would mean small business owners forced to go without coverage, employees paying thousands more out of pocket, and rural hospitals stretched to the breaking point. Congress must extend these tax credits this year to prevent devastating harm to Colorado families and communities."

According to the Colorado Division of Insurance, families in Mesa County who get health insurance through the exchange and currently qualify for tax credits could see premiums rise by 170%, Garfield County families by 262%, and families in Delta and Montrose Counties by more than 330% if the tax credit is allowed to expire. These increases would increase the number of uninsured Coloradans and drive up uncompensated care costs for local hospitals.

The Governor emphasized that while Colorado has taken steps to blunt the damage of losing the tax credit - including signing HB25B-1006 Improve Affordability Private Health Insurance, sponsored by Representative Kyle Brown, Representative Lindsay Gilchrist, Senator Iman Jodeh, and Senator Kyle Mullica - during the August Special Session to strengthen the reinsurance program and reduce private insurance costs - state action alone cannot offset the consequences of federal inaction. Only Congress can prevent the massive premium increases that Coloradans will otherwise face starting on January 1, 2026.

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