Colorado opens public comment on Fall 2026 HCBS waiver amendments
What families need to know
Colorado HCPF is accepting public comments on proposed Fall 2026 amendments to HCBS waivers including CES, SLS, and DD. Families have until September 4, 2026, to submit feedback before the changes go to CMS for approval.
Colorado families who use Home and Community-Based Services, often called HCBS, have an important opportunity to speak up. The Colorado Department of Health Care Policy and Financing is accepting public comments on proposed updates to several state waiver programs.
The comment period is open through September 4, 2026. If your family relies on waiver services now, is waiting for services, or may need them in the future, your perspective can help state leaders understand how these changes may play out in real life.
What is being proposed
Colorado is proposing Fall 2026 amendments to several HCBS waivers. The list includes the Children’s Extensive Supports (CES), Supported Living Services (SLS), and Developmental Disabilities (DD) waivers, along with other waiver programs.
Among the proposed changes are updates related to assistive technology, specialized medical equipment and supplies, spending limits, respite language, provider qualifications, and service plan language. One proposal families may want to review closely would discontinue automatic enrollment into the DD waiver for some people connected to the CES and CHRP waivers.
Who may be affected
This matters most for Colorado families who currently use, are waiting for, or expect to use the CES, SLS, or DD waivers. It may also matter to families who rely on respite, assistive technology, specialized equipment, or other supports covered through these programs.
What you can do before September 4
- Read the state fact sheet and the draft waiver documents for the programs that affect your family.
- Write down what is working, what creates barriers, and what you want decision-makers to understand.
- Send your comments by September 4, 2026. You can email HCPF_LTSS.PublicComment@state.co.us, call 303-866-3684, or mail comments to the Colorado Department of Health Care Policy and Financing, 303 E. 17th Avenue, Suite 1100, Denver, CO 80203.
What happens next
Colorado plans to submit the proposed amendments to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services on September 11, 2026, and is requesting a January 1, 2027 effective date. The state says it will review comments and publish a listening log after the public comment period closes.
Quick questions
Do I need to be enrolled in a waiver to comment?
No. Families, self-advocates, providers, and community members can submit comments.
Will the proposed changes happen right away?
No. The state is collecting public input first. The proposals would also need federal approval before they could take effect.
Source: Colorado Department of Health Care Policy and Financing, HCBS Public Comment Opportunities