Eight new counties will gain access to community-informed individual and family health plans beginning January 1, 2027.
[FRASER, COLORADO] — November 4, 2026 — Peak Health Alliance, a nonprofit health insurance purchasing alliance serving rural Colorado, announced today that it will expand from nine to 17 counties for the 2027 plan year. Beginning January 1, 2027, individuals and families in Alamosa, Conejos, Costilla, Rio Grande, Mineral, Hinsdale, Moffat and Jackson counties will be able to purchase Peak-affiliated Elevate Health Plans through Connect for Health Colorado, the state’s official health insurance marketplace.
The expansion extends Peak’s community-driven model to more rural Coloradans facing some of the state’s highest health insurance costs. Peak organizes communities and brings together residents, local leaders, healthcare providers and insurance partners to strengthen purchasing power, build networks around local needs and pursue more affordable coverage.
“Expanding to 17 counties is an important step toward ensuring that more rural Coloradans have access to comprehensive health insurance and local care,” said Rich Cimino, executive director of Peak Health Alliance. “This expansion is possible because providers, community leaders and our health plan partner have chosen to work together on behalf of individuals and families. That collective commitment is the foundation of Peak’s model.”
A Proven Community Purchasing Model
Independent research published in the Journal of Risk and Insurance found that Peak’s localized purchasing model reduced individual-market premiums by 13% to 17% in participating counties between 2017 and 2021. The research attributed those savings to lower negotiated healthcare prices rather than changes in plan design or healthcare use. The findings also showed that savings continued as Peak expanded into additional counties.
Peak is grateful to Elevate Health Plans, a nonprofit health insurance company administered by Denver Health Medical Plan, for its continued partnership. Elevate Health Plans provides the insurance products, assumes insurance risk and administers member benefits, while Peak organizes communities and develops a locally informed provider network.
“Denver Health Medical Plan is pleased to expand our successful partnership with Peak, bringing health insurance to more people and families in rural and mountain communities across Colorado,” says Greg McCarthy, CEO of Denver Health Medical Plan. “This partnership between two nonprofit organizations helps Coloradans maintain health insurance coverage and access to high quality care in a challenging marketplace.”
Local Providers Make Expansion Possible
The expanded network is being built with the participation of hospitals, health centers, behavioral healthcare organizations, physicians and other providers serving rural communities. Peak recognizes the essential role these organizations play in making local access possible.
Provider partners supporting the expansion include Memorial Regional Health in Moffat County, a Peak provider for more than a year; Rio Grande Hospital; Valley-Wide Health Systems; San Luis Valley Health; San Luis Valley Behavioral Health Group; Porch Light Health; Northwest Colorado Health; and numerous independent and community-based providers across the expansion region.
“Affordable insurance only matters if people can use it to access trusted care,” Cimino said. “We are deeply grateful to the providers who are partnering with us. Their participation makes it possible to offer a network designed around the communities it serves while continuing the hard work of lowering costs for consumers.”
Enrollment Information
Coverage in the eight new counties will be available for the 2027 plan year, with benefits effective January 1, 2027. The existing 9 counties in Peak’s catchment area – Summit, Grand, Lake, Park, La Plata, Archuleta, San Juan, Dolores, and Montezuma Counties – are currently available on Connect for Health Colorado for special enrollment periods and will open November 1 as well for open enrollment. Individuals and families may review eligibility for financial assistance, compare plans and enroll through Connect for Health Colorado during the 2027 open enrollment period beginning November 1, 2026. Final plan availability, premiums, benefits and provider participation are subject to regulatory approval and final plan materials.
More information, including the full county list, plan options, enrollment dates and provider directory, will be available at peakhealthalliance.org.
About Peak Health Alliance
Peak Health Alliance is a nonprofit health insurance purchasing alliance and community advocate serving rural Colorado. Peak brings together individuals, employers, local leaders and healthcare providers to strengthen community purchasing power and support access to comprehensive, affordable health insurance. Peak is not an insurance company, broker, third-party administrator or healthcare provider. Learn more at peakhealthalliance.org.
About Elevate Health Plans
Denver Health Medical Plan is a nonprofit health plan created in 1997 to provide quality, accessible and affordable healthcare services in the Denver area. In partnership with the DHMP provider network, Denver Health Medical Plan seeks to improve the health and well-being of its members by promoting wellness and disease prevention, providing access to culturally diverse, comprehensive health services and enabling members to play an active role in their healthcare. (MCO). Denver Health Medical Plan has aligned with Peak Health Alliance to bring healthcare to the rural areas of Colorado under Elevate Health Plans. Together we work to expand our network beyond Denver Health include CommonSpirit and many other hospital networks. Elevate Health Plans is part of the larger Denver Health and Hospital Authority system, which integrates acute and emergency care with public and community health. For more information, please visit: www.DenverHealthMedicalPlan.org.
Media Contact: Rich Cimino, Executive Director
rich@peakhealthalliance.org | 970-455-0381
peakhealthalliance.org