Health in Colorado, United States: official figures
Life expectancy at birth in Colorado was 78.5 years in 2022, 11th longest among the 50 states and DC (U.S.: 77.5 years), according to NCHS state life tables.
How long do men and women live in Colorado?
Women in Colorado could expect to live 81.0 years and men 76.1 years at 2022 death rates, a gap of 4.9 years (U.S.: 80.2 for women, 74.8 for men).
Source: National Center for Health Statistics (CDC) · saved copyIs life expectancy in Colorado going up?
Life expectancy in Colorado was 77.7 years in 2021, so the 2022 figure is up 0.8 years; nationally it rose from 76.4 to 77.5 years.
Source: National Center for Health Statistics (CDC) · saved copyHow long do people live after 65 in Colorado?
A 65-year-old in Colorado could expect to live another 19.4 years in 2022 (20.4 for women, 18.3 for men); 11th longest among the 50 states and DC (U.S.: 18.9).
Source: National Center for Health Statistics (CDC) · saved copyWhat is the infant mortality rate in Colorado?
292 babies died before their first birthday in Colorado in 2024, an infant mortality rate of 4.54 per 1,000 live births; 11th lowest among the 50 states and DC. In 2019 the rate was 4.85 (305 deaths).
Source: National Center for Health Statistics (CDC) · saved copyHow many people die of drug overdoses in Colorado?
1,610 people died of drug overdoses in Colorado in 2024, an age-adjusted rate of 25.7 per 100,000 people; joint 20th highest among the 50 states and DC. The rate was 30.6 in 2023 (1,872 deaths) and 18.0 in 2019.
Source: National Center for Health Statistics (CDC) · saved copyAre overdose deaths falling in Colorado?
CDC provisional data count about 1,847 drug overdose deaths in Colorado in the 12 months to May 2026, up 10.3% on the 12 months to May 2025 (1,674); nationally the count went from 75,094 to 66,478. These counts are predicted values that allow for deaths still being investigated.
Source: National Center for Health Statistics (CDC) · saved copyHow many overdose deaths in Colorado involve fentanyl?
Synthetic opioids other than methadone, mainly fentanyl, were involved in 1,048 of the 1,847 reported overdose deaths in Colorado in the 12 months to May 2026 (57%), and psychostimulants such as methamphetamine in 906 (49%). A death can involve more than one drug.
Source: National Center for Health Statistics (CDC) · saved copyHow many people die of heart disease in Colorado?
Heart disease killed 7,882 people in Colorado in 2024, an age-adjusted rate of 118.8 per 100,000; 2nd lowest among the 50 states and DC (2019: 127.7).
Source: National Center for Health Statistics (CDC) · saved copyWhat is the cancer death rate in Colorado?
Cancer caused 8,527 deaths in Colorado in 2024, an age-adjusted rate of 122.2 per 100,000; 5th lowest among the 50 states and DC (2019: 125.9).
Source: National Center for Health Statistics (CDC) · saved copyWhat is the suicide rate in Colorado?
1,313 people in Colorado died by suicide in 2024, an age-adjusted rate of 20.8 per 100,000; 8th highest among the 50 states and DC. In 2019 the rate was 22.1 (1,312 deaths).
Source: National Center for Health Statistics (CDC) · saved copyHow many gun deaths are there in Colorado?
Firearms were involved in 961 deaths in Colorado in 2024, including suicides, homicides and accidents: an age-adjusted rate of 15.3 per 100,000, joint 22nd highest among the 50 states and DC (2019: 14.2).
Source: National Center for Health Statistics (CDC) · saved copyHow many people in Colorado have no health insurance?
7.9% of people in Colorado, about 464,000, had no health insurance in 2024; 21st highest among the 50 states and DC (U.S.: 8.2%). That is up 1.2 percentage points on 2023 (6.7%), according to the American Community Survey.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow many children in Colorado are uninsured?
6.0% of children under 19 in Colorado were uninsured in 2024, against 10.5% of adults aged 19 to 64 (U.S.: 6.0% and 11.3%).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow many people in Colorado are on Medicaid?
11.8% of residents of Colorado were covered only by Medicaid or another means-tested public plan in 2024, and 48.3% only by employer-based insurance (U.S.: 14.5% and 45.3%).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow many people are on Medicaid in Colorado?
1,188,599 people were enrolled in Medicaid and CHIP in Colorado in June 2026 (preliminary state data reported to CMS), down 1.9% on June 2025 (1,211,357); across the 50 states and DC the total was 73.17 million.
Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services · saved copyHow much has Medicaid enrollment in Colorado changed since the pandemic?
In March 2023, the last month before states resumed removing people who no longer qualified after the pandemic, Colorado had 1,711,007 Medicaid and CHIP enrollees, so enrollment has fallen 30.5% since then (50 states and DC: down 22.5%).
Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services · saved copyHow many children are on Medicaid in Colorado?
Children made up 526,118 of the Medicaid and CHIP enrollees in Colorado in June 2026 (44%), and adults enrolled in Medicaid numbered 662,481. Colorado has expanded Medicaid to low-income adults under the Affordable Care Act.
Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services · saved copyWhat is the obesity rate in Colorado?
25.0% of adults in Colorado had obesity (a body mass index of 30 or more) in the 2024 CDC Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System survey; the lowest among the 49 states and DC with data. In 2015 the figure was 20.2%; the median across the states and DC was 34.2% in 2024.
Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention · saved copyHow many people smoke in Colorado?
9.7% of adults in Colorado smoked cigarettes in 2024 (12th lowest among the 49 states and DC with data; state median 11.6%), down from 15.6% in 2015. 8.8% used e-cigarettes.
Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention · saved copyHow many people have diabetes in Colorado?
8.4% of adults in Colorado had been told by a doctor they have diabetes, and 15.3% described their health as fair or poor, in 2024; the diabetes share is the lowest among the 49 states and DC with data (state medians: 12.0% and 18.6%).
Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention · saved copyHow many people in Colorado cannot afford to see a doctor?
In 2024, 15.6% of adults in Colorado said they had done no physical activity or exercise outside work in the past month, and 14.1% said that in the past year they had needed to see a doctor but could not because of the cost (state medians: 21.8% and 11.5%).
Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention · saved copyHow common is depression in Colorado?
17.6% of adults in Colorado reported binge drinking in 2024, and 23.0% had ever been told they have a depressive disorder (state medians: 15.5% and 22.0%).
Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention · saved copyHow Colorado compares with other states
Life expectancy at birth (2022)
Colorado ranks 11 of 51, highest first. NCHS state life tables
| Rank | Region | Life expectancy at birth |
|---|---|---|
| 8 | Rhode Island | 79.2 years |
| 9 | Utah | 79.0 years |
| 10 | New Hampshire | 78.7 years |
| 11 | Colorado | 78.5 years |
| 12 | Washington | 78.4 years |
| 13 | Idaho | 78.4 years |
| 14 | Nebraska | 78.3 years |
Life expectancy at age 65 (2022)
Colorado ranks 11 of 51, highest first. Further years of life expected at 65
| Rank | Region | Life expectancy at age 65 |
|---|---|---|
| 8 | North Dakota | 19.5 years |
| 9 | Vermont | 19.5 years |
| 10 | Florida | 19.4 years |
| 11 | Colorado | 19.4 years |
| 12 | Rhode Island | 19.4 years |
| 13 | South Dakota | 19.4 years |
| 14 | Washington | 19.1 years |
Infant deaths per 1,000 live births (2024)
Colorado ranks 41 of 51, highest first. NCHS Stats of the States
| Rank | Region | Infant deaths per 1,000 live births |
|---|---|---|
| 38 | Idaho | 4.73 |
| 39 | Minnesota | 4.60 |
| 40 | Wyoming | 4.60 |
| 41 | Colorado | 4.54 |
| 42 | Connecticut | 4.51 |
| 43 | Iowa | 4.50 |
| 44 | Maine | 4.48 |
Drug overdose deaths per 100,000 (age-adjusted) (2024)
Colorado ranks 22 of 51, highest first. NCHS Stats of the States
| Rank | Region | Drug overdose deaths per 100,000 (age-adjusted) |
|---|---|---|
| 19 | Connecticut | 26.2 |
| 20 | North Carolina | 25.7 |
| 21 | Indiana | 25.7 |
| 22 | Colorado | 25.7 |
| 23 | Pennsylvania | 25.6 |
| 24 | Oklahoma | 25.5 |
| 25 | Alabama | 25.0 |
Drug overdose deaths, 12 months to May 2026 (provisional) (2025-2026)
Colorado ranks 12 of 51, highest first. Predicted provisional counts
| Rank | Region | Drug overdose deaths, 12 months to May 2026 (provisional) |
|---|---|---|
| 9 | North Carolina | 2,139 |
| 10 | Tennessee | 1,967 |
| 11 | Illinois | 1,915 |
| 12 | Colorado | 1,847 |
| 13 | Michigan | 1,720 |
| 14 | Georgia | 1,526 |
| 15 | New Jersey | 1,475 |
Heart disease deaths per 100,000 (age-adjusted) (2024)
Colorado ranks 50 of 51, highest first. NCHS Stats of the States
| Rank | Region | Heart disease deaths per 100,000 (age-adjusted) |
|---|---|---|
| 45 | Hawaii | 130.6 |
| 46 | California | 130.4 |
| 47 | Connecticut | 128.9 |
| 48 | Minnesota | 121.9 |
| 49 | Massachusetts | 121.5 |
| 50 | Colorado | 118.8 |
| 51 | Alaska | 116.3 |
Cancer deaths per 100,000 (age-adjusted) (2024)
Colorado ranks 47 of 51, highest first. NCHS Stats of the States
| Rank | Region | Cancer deaths per 100,000 (age-adjusted) |
|---|---|---|
| 44 | California | 126.4 |
| 45 | New Mexico | 126.2 |
| 46 | Connecticut | 123.5 |
| 47 | Colorado | 122.2 |
| 48 | New Jersey | 121.6 |
| 49 | New York | 118.5 |
| 50 | Utah | 117.4 |
Suicides per 100,000 (age-adjusted) (2024)
Colorado ranks 8 of 51, highest first. NCHS Stats of the States
| Rank | Region | Suicides per 100,000 (age-adjusted) |
|---|---|---|
| 5 | South Dakota | 21.9 |
| 6 | Idaho | 21.2 |
| 7 | Oklahoma | 20.9 |
| 8 | Colorado | 20.8 |
| 9 | Oregon | 20.0 |
| 10 | Nevada | 19.6 |
| 11 | Utah | 19.5 |
Firearm deaths per 100,000 (age-adjusted) (2024)
Colorado ranks 22 of 51, highest first. NCHS Stats of the States
| Rank | Region | Firearm deaths per 100,000 (age-adjusted) |
|---|---|---|
| 19 | Arizona | 16.9 |
| 20 | North Carolina | 16.3 |
| 21 | Idaho | 15.9 |
| 22 | Colorado | 15.3 |
| 23 | West Virginia | 15.3 |
| 24 | Kansas | 15.2 |
| 25 | Ohio | 14.6 |
People without health insurance (2024)
Colorado ranks 21 of 51, highest first. American Community Survey, civilian noninstitutionalized population
| Rank | Region | People without health insurance |
|---|---|---|
| 18 | Utah | 8.3% |
| 19 | Alabama | 8.2% |
| 20 | South Dakota | 8.1% |
| 21 | Colorado | 7.9% |
| 22 | New Jersey | 7.7% |
| 23 | Missouri | 7.7% |
| 24 | Louisiana | 7.7% |
Children under 19 without health insurance (2024)
Colorado ranks 20 of 51, highest first. American Community Survey
| Rank | Region | Children under 19 without health insurance |
|---|---|---|
| 17 | Tennessee | 6.5% |
| 18 | Indiana | 6.1% |
| 19 | New Mexico | 6.1% |
| 20 | Colorado | 6.0% |
| 21 | South Carolina | 5.9% |
| 22 | Mississippi | 5.8% |
| 23 | Delaware | 5.8% |
Medicaid and CHIP enrollment, June 2026 (2026-06)
Colorado ranks 23 of 51, highest first. CMS performance indicator data (preliminary)
| Rank | Region | Medicaid and CHIP enrollment, June 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| 20 | Kentucky | 1,264,449 |
| 21 | Louisiana | 1,264,327 |
| 22 | Missouri | 1,243,023 |
| 23 | Colorado | 1,188,599 |
| 24 | Minnesota | 1,128,624 |
| 25 | Wisconsin | 1,107,383 |
| 26 | Oklahoma | 992,735 |
Change in Medicaid and CHIP enrollment since March 2023 (2023-03 to 2026-06)
Colorado ranks 42 of 51, highest first. March 2023 was the last month of pandemic continuous enrollment
| Rank | Region | Change in Medicaid and CHIP enrollment since March 2023 |
|---|---|---|
| 39 | Arkansas | -28.9% |
| 40 | Florida | -29.9% |
| 41 | Wyoming | -30.2% |
| 42 | Colorado | -30.5% |
| 43 | Michigan | -30.9% |
| 44 | Arizona | -30.9% |
| 45 | Idaho | -33.3% |
Adults with obesity (BMI 30 or more) (2024)
Colorado ranks 50 of 50, highest first. BRFSS 2024, crude prevalence; Tennessee did not report for 2024
| Rank | Region | Adults with obesity (BMI 30 or more) |
|---|---|---|
| 44 | California | 29.1% |
| 45 | Vermont | 29.0% |
| 46 | New Jersey | 27.7% |
| 47 | Massachusetts | 27.0% |
| 48 | Hawaii | 27.0% |
| 49 | District of Columbia | 25.5% |
| 50 | Colorado | 25.0% |
Adults who currently smoke cigarettes (2024)
Colorado ranks 39 of 50, highest first. BRFSS 2024, crude prevalence
| Rank | Region | Adults who currently smoke cigarettes |
|---|---|---|
| 36 | Texas | 10.0% |
| 37 | New York | 9.9% |
| 38 | Rhode Island | 9.9% |
| 39 | Colorado | 9.7% |
| 40 | Idaho | 9.6% |
| 41 | New Hampshire | 9.1% |
| 42 | Connecticut | 9.0% |
Adults ever told they have diabetes (2024)
Colorado ranks 50 of 50, highest first. BRFSS 2024, crude prevalence
| Rank | Region | Adults ever told they have diabetes |
|---|---|---|
| 44 | Alaska | 9.4% |
| 45 | Idaho | 9.3% |
| 46 | Vermont | 8.9% |
| 47 | Montana | 8.7% |
| 48 | Utah | 8.7% |
| 49 | District of Columbia | 8.4% |
| 50 | Colorado | 8.4% |
More on Colorado: overview · economy and jobs · education and schools · poverty and living standards · government budget · the United States
Sources
- U.S. Census Bureau: American Community Survey 2024 1-year estimates, table-based summary file: Types of health insurance coverage by age (B27010), read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 737090000f71…)
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) Prevalence Data, 2011 to present: selected questions, 2015 and 2023-2025, all adults, read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 7ab093888a27…)
- National Center for Health Statistics (CDC): Stats of the States: Cancer mortality by state (National Vital Statistics System via CDC WONDER), map data file, read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 16647d000278…)
- Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services: State Medicaid and CHIP Applications, Eligibility Determinations, and Enrollment Data (Performance Indicator data, September 2026 release), read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 6fc730af4f67…)
- National Center for Health Statistics (CDC): Stats of the States: Firearm mortality by state (National Vital Statistics System via CDC WONDER), map data file, read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 93f4daddcb09…)
- National Center for Health Statistics (CDC): Stats of the States: Heart disease mortality by state (National Vital Statistics System via CDC WONDER), map data file, read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 53ffcd80b442…)
- National Center for Health Statistics (CDC): Stats of the States: Infant mortality rates by state (National Vital Statistics System via CDC WONDER), map data file, read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 c8e6ba1c198b…)
- National Center for Health Statistics (CDC): U.S. State Life Tables, 2022 (National Vital Statistics Reports Vol. 74, No. 12), Tables A, B and C, read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 c1373546ce89…)
- National Center for Health Statistics (CDC): Stats of the States: Drug overdose mortality by state (National Vital Statistics System via CDC WONDER), map data file, read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 1990aeae39f4…)
- National Center for Health Statistics (CDC): Stats of the States: Suicide mortality by state (National Vital Statistics System via CDC WONDER), map data file, read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 5df6571a02ff…)
- National Center for Health Statistics (CDC): VSRR Provisional Drug Overdose Death Counts (12-month ending periods, May and December 2019-2026, selected indicators), read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 68a227998fc5…)
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