How to Apply for a Medicaid Waiver in Colorado: A Step-by-Step Guide for Families

Step 2: Contact Your Local Community Centered Board (CCB)

Your Community Centered Board (CCB) is your primary point of contact. CCBs manage eligibility determinations and coordinate services for individuals with developmental and intellectual disabilities.

Correct link to find your CCB:

✔ CMA & CCB Agency Directory
https://hcpf.colorado.gov/hcbs-waiver-contacts

Examples of local CCBs:

• Colorado Springs: The Resource Exchange (TRE)
• Denver County: Rocky Mountain Human Services
  

What to do:

• Visit the directory and locate your county’s CCB.
• Ask to speak with an Intake or Case Management Specialist.
• Request an application for Medicaid waiver eligibility determination.
  

Your CCB will guide you through which waiver(s) your loved one may qualify for and help you begin the required paperwork.

Step 3: Complete the Application and Provide Documentation

The application typically includes:

• Medical or psychological evaluations confirming disability or developmental delay
• Income and resource information (for Medicaid eligibility)
• Proof of Colorado residency
• A Functional Needs Assessment completed by the CCB
  

This documentation helps determine which waiver best fits your loved one’s needs.

Step 4: Determine Medicaid Financial Eligibility

To qualify for waiver services, your loved one must be financially eligible for Health First Colorado (Colorado’s Medicaid program).

If your family’s income is too high, you may still qualify through the Medicaid Buy-In Program, which allows families to pay a premium for coverage.

You can apply for Health First Colorado online through PEAK:
https://coloradopeak.secure.force.com/

Step 5: Waitlist and Enrollment

Some waivers — especially the Developmental Disabilities (DD) Waiver — have waitlists.

Important Note:

Families must explicitly tell the CCB that they want to be added to the DD Waitlist.
If a family declines placement initially, reinstating the option often requires:

• County involvement
• CCB supervisor approval
• Potentially significant delays
  

This is why it’s crucial for families to join the DD waitlist as early as possible.

While waiting, individuals may still be eligible for:

• Family Support Services (FSSP)
• Respite
• Supported Living Services (SLS) waiver (if eligible)
  

Stay in contact with your CCB for updates.

Step 6: Connect with Your Service Provider

Once approved, your case manager will help you choose service providers for:

• Day programs
• Residential services
• Supported employment
• Therapies and behavioral support

At RiseUP, we collaborate closely with families and case managers to ensure each person’s care plan reflects their strengths, goals, and long-term independence.

Step 7: Review and Renew Annually

Waiver services require annual reviews to remain active. You’ll update documentation each year and confirm that the services still meet your loved one’s needs.

Staying organized and proactive helps prevent service gaps. Your case manager will notify you when renewals are approaching.

Final Thought

Applying for a Medicaid waiver may feel complex, but you don’t have to navigate it alone. With the right support system and trusted resources, your loved one can access life-changing services and live more independently within their community.

If you ever need help navigating these steps or connecting with local support, RiseUP is here to help.

Rising Together. Thriving Forever.

About RiseUP

RiseUP is at the forefront of advancing inclusion for neurodivergent individuals in Colorado. With a dedicated K–12 school, adult day and residential programs, and supported employment services, RiseUP provides comprehensive support from childhood through adulthood. RiseUP’s mission is to promote dignity and self-worth by building transformational communities where people of all abilities thrive side by side.  Together, we RiseUP for inclusion.