Hourly: area median home care rate (CareScout 2025); * statewide median, no local figure. 65+: Census share of residents (metro area for "Metro" locations).
License required
Is non-medical home care licensed in Colorado?
Yes.
Colorado licenses home care agencies through the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE). A Class B license covers agencies that provide only personal care. A Class A license covers agencies that provide skilled health care (such as nursing or therapy) and may also provide personal care. Agencies that provide only housekeeping are not covered by the license rule, and a person who works alone with no employees or agency ties is also excluded. Since July 1, 2025, agency-delivered personal care under Health First Colorado's Community First Choice must come from a Class A or Class B licensed agency. Members can also direct their own care through Consumer-Directed Attendant Support Services (CDASS), which works differently.
Tip: Ask the agency for its CDPHE Class A or Class B home care agency license, and check its inspection and complaint findings on the CDPHE facility finder. Check a license
Most families pay privately, with long-term care insurance or with veterans benefits. These programs can pay for help at home for people who qualify.
state plan personal care
Community First Choice (CFC)
Who: People enrolled in Health First Colorado who meet an institutional (nursing facility or similar) level of care, or who are enrolled in an HCBS waiver and receive at least one waiver service per month. They must also meet the financial rules for full Medicaid. The page does not set an age limit.
What it covers
Personal care, homemaker, health maintenance activities, home delivered meals, medication reminders, personal emergency response systems and remote supports. CFC became active July 1, 2025.
Family caregivers: Yes. Members can self-direct through CDASS or IHSS, and family members, friends or others (with some restrictions) can be paid attendants, or members can use an agency.
Who: Adults 65 and older with a significant functional impairment, or ages 18 to 64 who are blind, physically disabled, or have HIV or AIDS, who need a nursing facility level of care. Income must be under 300% of the SSI limit and countable resources under $2,000 for one person.
What it covers
Adult day services, alternative care facilities, home accessibility modifications, life skills training, non-medical transportation, peer mentorship, respite and a wellness education benefit. Personal care and homemaker are now delivered through CFC.
Family caregivers: Personal care and homemaker can be self-directed through CDASS or IHSS under CFC.
Consumer-Directed Attendant Support Services (CDASS)
Who: Health First Colorado members who meet CFC eligibility, have an assessed need for personal care, homemaker or health maintenance, and want to direct all of their own in-home care.
What it covers
The member hires, trains and supervises attendants and manages a service budget with help from a Financial Management Services provider.
Family caregivers: Yes. Members can choose family members, friends or others (with some restrictions) as paid caregivers.
Who: Health First Colorado members who meet CFC eligibility and an institutional level of care and need personal care, homemaker or health maintenance help.
What it covers
Personal care, homemaker and health maintenance delivered by attendants the member selects, with an IHSS-approved home health agency as the provider and a licensed professional providing oversight if needed.
Family caregivers: Yes. Members select and supervise their own attendants, including family members, with agency support.
Programs of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE)
Who: People 55 and older who meet nursing facility level of care, live in a PACE service area, and can live safely in the community at enrollment.
What it covers
All Medicare and Medicaid covered services plus other services the care team finds necessary, including home care, personal care, respite, adult day services and transportation, all through the PACE organization.
Income limit: For 2026, the Colorado long-term care special income limit (300% of the SSI individual rate of $994) is $2,982 per month, effective January 1, 2026. Countable resources are limited to $2,000 for one person on the EBD waiver.
Colorado medians, CareScout Cost of Care Survey 2025. Home care months are estimates: hourly rate x hours x 52 / 12. Not HomeCare.com prices.
Help at home with daily living.
Care in your home
Meal preparation
Light housekeeping
Bathing and dressing
Transportation
Companionship
Personal care
About home care in Colorado
Home care in Colorado helps seniors who need assistance with “activities of daily living (ADL’s)” and their family. In-Home Care can be provided in Colorado by either a home care agency or private duty caregivers. Agencies have physical locations and are more strictly regulated by the state, but many more experienced caregivers decide to work directly for the family as private duty home health aides so they can avoid the agency overhead that cuts into their wages.
HomeCare.com specializes in connecting families with caregivers who meet their unique needs. Our care advisors have years of experience dedicated to assisting families through this process. We'd be happy to offer you a free consultation to discuss your specific requirements and help you find the best possible caregiver.
Colorado has PACE organizations in the Denver, Boulder, Fort Collins, Colorado Springs, Grand Junction, Pueblo and Western Slope areas. The HCPF service-area table does not list La Plata County (Durango).
Questions about care in Colorado.
Rather talk it through? A care advisor can answer these by phone.
CareScout's 2025 survey puts the Colorado statewide median for a non-medical caregiver at $42 an hour. The national median is $35. By area, Denver is $42, Fort Collins is $41, Colorado Springs is $40 and Grand Junction is $38 an hour. A HomeCare.com care advisor can talk through payment options at 800-974-3458.
Does Medicaid pay for home care in Colorado?
Sometimes. Health First Colorado (Medicaid) pays for personal care and homemaker help through Community First Choice, which became active July 1, 2025. Related programs include the Elderly, Blind, and Disabled Waiver, CDASS, IHSS and PACE. Contact your local Case Management Agency. A HomeCare.com care advisor can talk through payment options.
Is non-medical home care licensed in Colorado?
Yes. The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) licenses home care agencies. A Class B license covers agencies that provide only personal care. A Class A license covers agencies that also give skilled care. Since July 1, 2025, agency-delivered personal care under Community First Choice must come from a Class A or Class B agency. Members can also direct their own care through CDASS.
Can I be paid to care for a family member in Colorado?
Sometimes, through Medicaid. Health First Colorado members can pay family members, friends and others, with some restrictions, as attendants through Consumer-Directed Attendant Support Services (CDASS) or In-Home Support Services (IHSS). The member must first qualify. Talk to your local Case Management Agency about service planning.
How do I find senior services near me in Colorado?
Start with your Area Agency on Aging. Colorado has 16, and they serve adults 60 and older and their caregivers. Local agencies offer caregiver information, counseling, support groups, training and respite care. You can also call Aging and Disability Resources for Colorado (ADRC) at 1-844-265-2372.
How does HomeCare.com work in Colorado?
HomeCare.com serves families in Colorado by connecting them with credentialed, non-medical caregivers. Call 800-974-3458 to talk with a care advisor, who offers a free consultation. You choose the visits and hours, with no minimums and no contracts. An app confirms each caregiver is at your home on time and your billed hours are accurate.
