- Colorado has a reputation as one of the nationís healthiest states. Most residents (85.2 percent) describe their health as good, very good or excellent.
- However, in 2019, 15.3 percent of Coloradans reported poor mental health, compared with 11.8 percent in 2017. The increase could signal worsening mental health ó and an increased willingness to talk about it.
- More than one million Colorado adults (26.9 percent) say that they, a loved one, or a close friend have been addicted to alcohol or drugs in their lifetime.
- The share of Coloradans struggling to pay medical bills has climbed back to its pre-ACA (Affordable Care Act) level of 18.1 percent. Meanwhile, 30.6 percent of Coloradans received a surprise medical bill in the past year.
- Coloradoís uninsured rate remains at 6.5 percent ó statistically unchanged since the 2015 survey, the first survey after the ACA took effect. Colorado did see slight growth in employer-based insurance in 2019.
- Almost one in six (15 percent) say they are sometimes or often treated unfairly when getting medical care. Race, ethnicity, age and gender are a few of the reasons people believe their experiences with care were negative.
- Two years ago, Colorado had insured 97 percent of Coloradoís children. But that progress has started to reverse, particularly for Hispanic and Latin children. Their uninsured rate tripled from 2.4 percent in 2017 to 7.9 percent in 2019.
From the Colorado Healthy Access survey, released December 2019. The survey is conducted and managed by the Colorado Health Institute.
