Healthcare for Western Slope's Undocumented Immigrants at Risk

The cost of providing healthcare to undocumented immigrants on the Western Slope has skyrocketed, and now lawmakers are considering cuts to the program. This is bad news for our communities, where many undocumented immigrants live and work. The Cover All Coloradans program, which launched in 2025, was supposed to cost the state around $14.7 million in its first full fiscal year. Instead, it's going to cost over $104.5 million - a more than 600% increase.

Lawmakers are facing a tough decision as they try to close a $1.5 billion shortfall in the state budget. The Joint Budget Committee has proposed cuts to the program, including an enrollment cap and benefit reductions. For Western Slope residents, this means that many of our neighbors who are undocumented immigrants may no longer have access to healthcare. This is particularly concerning in rural areas like ours, where healthcare options are already limited.

Alex Sanchez, President and CEO of Voces Unidas, an immigrant advocacy group based in Glenwood Springs, says that rollbacks to the program will hit rural areas hard. Our mountain resort communities are home to large immigrant populations, and we already see some of the highest uninsured rates in the state. Sanchez warns that reducing preventative care will drive up expensive emergency services, like hospital visits and transfers. This will not only hurt the individuals who are no longer able to access healthcare, but it will also cost our communities more in the long run.

What This Means for Western Slope Residents

So what can you do about it? If you're concerned about the impact of these cuts on our community, you can start by contacting your local representatives. Let them know that you value the health and wellbeing of all members of our community, regardless of their immigration status. You can also support organizations like Voces Unidas, which are working to advocate for the rights of immigrant communities on the Western Slope.

In practical terms, the proposed cuts to Cover All Coloradans could mean that many undocumented immigrants in our community will no longer be able to access routine medical care. This could lead to more people showing up at emergency rooms with preventable illnesses, which will not only be more expensive but also put a strain on our already-overburdened healthcare system. For example, if an undocumented immigrant in Montrose or Delta County can no longer access prenatal care, they may be more likely to experience complications during pregnancy, which could result in costly hospital stays and even long-term health problems.

The cost of these cuts will be felt across our community, from the hospitals and healthcare providers who will have to absorb the cost of unpaid medical bills, to the local businesses that rely on immigrant workers to stay afloat. That's roughly what Delta County spends on road maintenance in a year - $104.5 million is a significant amount of money, and it's not just a number on a budget spreadsheet. It represents real people and real lives that will be affected by the decisions our lawmakers make.