TRUSTED CONTENTAddiction treatment in Colorado costs roughly $50 to $1,000 a day before insurance, based on what Colorado programs quoted RehabSeekers.com for 2027. One month of residential rehab runs $7,000–$30,000, with a midpoint of $18,500. Medical detox is $250–$800 a day, partial hospitalization (PHP) $8,000–$15,000 a month, intensive outpatient (IOP) $3,000–$10,000 and weekly outpatient counseling $1,500–$5,500 a month.
Where these prices come from: RehabSeekers.com commissioned a team of researchers to phone treatment programs in Denver and other Colorado cities, and in every other state, and record their 2027 self-pay prices. Health First Colorado, Colorado LIFTS or a state-regulated health plan can bring your share well below these figures. How we did it.
On this page
Is rehab cheaper in Oklahoma or Wyoming than in Colorado?
Colorado shares the highest typical residential price on its regional map with Wyoming. Wyoming matches Colorado exactly, at $18,500 a month; Oklahoma, Kansas, Nebraska, New Mexico and Utah come in lower. The lowest typical residential price on the map belongs to Oklahoma, $5,000 a month less than in Colorado.
States are shaded by typical price (range midpoint, before insurance) across these 7 states. Colorado has the solid orange outline; the selected state is dashed. Source: RehabSeekers.com Rehab Cost Survey, 2027 prices.
| State | Detox per day | Residential per month | PHP per month | IOP per month | Outpatient per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Colorado | $250–$800 | $7,000–$30,000 | $8,000–$15,000 | $3,000–$10,000 | $1,500–$5,500 |
| Wyoming | $250–$800 | $7,000–$30,000 | $8,000–$15,000 | $3,000–$10,000 | $1,500–$5,500 |
| New Mexico | $220–$700 | $6,000–$25,000 | $7,000–$13,500 | $2,500–$9,000 | $1,200–$5,000 |
| Utah | $220–$700 | $6,000–$25,000 | $7,000–$13,500 | $2,500–$9,000 | $1,200–$5,000 |
| Nebraska | $220–$700 | $6,000–$25,000 | $7,000–$13,000 | $2,500–$8,500 | $1,200–$4,500 |
| Kansas | $200–$600 | $5,500–$22,000 | $6,500–$12,000 | $2,500–$8,000 | $1,000–$4,500 |
| Oklahoma | $200–$600 | $5,000–$22,000 | $6,500–$12,000 | $2,500–$8,000 | $1,000–$4,500 |
| U.S. median (50 states) | $230–$715 | $6,000–$27,000 | $7,500–$14,000 | $3,000–$9,000 | $1,200–$5,000 |
Colorado’s place in the national rankings
- Only 7 states charge more than Colorado for a month of residential care. The typical Colorado price of $18,500 a month is 12% above the national median.
- Every level of care costs more here than the U.S. median. The widest margin is for standard outpatient, at 13% above.
- Detox: a typical Colorado detox day costs $525; 4 states charge more and 33 charge less.
- Across the border: Wyoming is the only neighbor priced the same. The lowest typical residential price on the map belongs to Oklahoma, $5,000 a month less than in Colorado.
| Level of care | Typical price | vs. U.S. median | Rank among 50 states | Cheapest neighbor |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Medical detox | $525 a day | 11% above the U.S. median | 4 states cost more, 33 cost less, 12 the same | Kansas and Oklahoma (tied), $400 a day ($125 less) |
| Residential | $18,500 a month | 12% above the U.S. median | 7 states cost more, 32 cost less, 10 the same | Oklahoma, $13,500 a month ($5,000 less) |
| PHP | $11,500 a month | 7% above the U.S. median | 5 states cost more, 35 cost less, 9 the same | Kansas and Oklahoma (tied), $9,250 a month ($2,250 less) |
| IOP | $6,500 a month | 8% above the U.S. median | 6 states cost more, 26 cost less, 17 the same | Kansas and Oklahoma (tied), $5,250 a month ($1,250 less) |
| Standard outpatient | $3,500 a month | 13% above the U.S. median | 6 states cost more, 34 cost less, 9 the same | Kansas and Oklahoma (tied), $2,750 a month ($750 less) |
Typical prices are range midpoints from the RehabSeekers.com Rehab Cost Survey, 2027 prices. States with equal prices are counted as tied. See rehab costs in all 50 states.
The regional pattern is a finding in itself: Colorado and Wyoming sit at the top of this map, and Oklahoma, Kansas, Nebraska, New Mexico and Utah follow at lower prices. A cheaper quote over the border helps only if your coverage follows you, so check with your plan first.
What does each level of addiction care cost in Colorado?
Daily price ranges before insurance, from 24-hour detox to weekly counseling. Each bar runs from the lowest to the highest Colorado quote.
Source: RehabSeekers.com Rehab Cost Survey, 2027 prices quoted by Colorado programs.
The more hours of care, the higher the price. A residential stay bundles housing, meals and round-the-clock staff, and the most expensive Colorado residential quote came to $1,000 a day. Weekly outpatient counseling starts at $50 a day averaged over a month.
| Level of care | Cost per day | Cost per month | Typical (midpoint) | Typical length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Medical detox | $250–$800 | $7,500–$24,000 | $525 a day | 3–10 days |
| Residential (inpatient) | $230–$1,000 | $7,000–$30,000 | $18,500 a month | 30–90 days |
| Partial hospitalization (PHP) | $270–$500 | $8,000–$15,000 | $11,500 a month | 2–4 weeks |
| Intensive outpatient (IOP) | $100–$330 | $3,000–$10,000 | $6,500 a month | 4–12 weeks |
| Standard outpatient | $50–$180 | $1,500–$5,500 | $3,500 a month | 3 months or longer |
Source: RehabSeekers.com Rehab Cost Survey, 2027 prices before insurance. The midpoint is halfway between the lowest and highest Colorado quote; a month equals 30 days.
Residential quotes ran from $7,000 to $30,000 a month, a $23,000 spread. Before paying for the top of the range, compare weekly schedules, staff credentials and what is billed separately.
Does Health First Colorado cover drug and alcohol rehab?
Yes. Health First Colorado, the state’s Medicaid program, widened its substance use disorder benefit on January 1, 2021 to include residential and inpatient treatment and withdrawal management, and it added partial hospitalization on July 1, 2024. Members pay no copays for any substance use disorder service.
| Service | ASAM level | Colorado self-pay price | Medicaid note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Partial hospitalization | 2.5 | $8,000–$15,000 a month | Covered since July 1, 2024 |
| Residential | 3.1, 3.3, 3.5 | $7,000–$30,000 a month | Prior authorization and continued-stay reviews |
| Inpatient, including withdrawal management | 3.7, 3.7-WM | Detox: $250–$800 a day | Prior authorization for 3.7; none for withdrawal management admission; continued-stay reviews |
| Medically managed inpatient | 4 | Not priced in our survey (hospital level) | Paid under physical health benefits |
Coverage: HCPF SUD Services Overview & FAQ (January 2025). Prices: RehabSeekers.com Rehab Cost Survey, 2027, before insurance.
- No fixed day limit. HCPF says length of stay depends on progress in treatment and continued medical necessity. Residential and inpatient stays need prior authorization and continued-stay reviews.
- A 30-day average is a statewide goal. Under its federal SUD waiver, Colorado aims for an average residential stay of 30 days or less across the state. It is not a limit on any one person’s stay.
- The waiver is on an extension. CMS first approved the waiver for January 1, 2021 through December 31, 2025. On June 30, 2026 it approved a temporary extension through December 31, 2026, while Colorado’s renewal request, which would rename the program “Comprehensive Care for Colorado,” is still pending.
- Room and board is separate. Federal rules bar Medicaid from paying room and board in residential levels of care, so ask a program how that part of the stay is funded before admission.
- Medication access is required. Residential and inpatient programs that bill Medicaid must help members get medication-assisted treatment, and since 2020 Medicaid managed care entities may not require prior authorization for FDA-approved substance use disorder medications, and a 2024 law extended this to any dosage.
- Who qualifies and how to apply. Colorado began enrolling adults with incomes up to 133% of the federal poverty level on January 1, 2014. PEAK is the fastest way to apply; you can also apply by phone, by mail or at your county office.
Who manages the behavioral health benefit?
Regional Accountable Entities (RAEs) administer the capitated behavioral health benefit, which includes addiction treatment. The third phase of the Accountable Care Collaborative began July 1, 2025 with four regions.
| Region | Regional Accountable Entity |
|---|---|
| Region 1 | Rocky Mountain Health Plans (RMHP) and RMHP PRIME |
| Region 2 | Northeast Health Partners (NHP) |
| Region 3 | Colorado Community Health Alliance (CCHA) |
| Region 4 | Colorado Access (COA) |
Source: Colorado Department of Health Care Policy and Financing, ACC Phase III.
January 1, 2027: work requirements begin
Health First Colorado will apply the H.R. 1 work requirements starting January 1, 2027 to adults ages 19 to 64 who are not in a long-term services and supports or buy-in program. People in a treatment program for drug or alcohol use disorder are on the exemption list, but still answer every renewal notice to stay covered.
Search programs that accept Medicaid to find Health First Colorado providers.
How much do detox and a 30-, 60- or 90-day stay cost in Colorado?
Colorado detox is priced per day at $250–$800, so five days costs $1,250–$4,000 and a full week $1,750–$5,600. Residential care adds $7,000–$30,000 for 30 days and $21,000–$90,000 for 90 days at self-pay rates.
| Detox length | Estimated total before insurance |
|---|---|
| 3 days | $750–$2,400 |
| 5 days | $1,250–$4,000 |
| 7 days | $1,750–$5,600 |
| 10 days | $2,500–$8,000 |
Supervised withdrawal matters most for alcohol, benzodiazepines and opioids.
| Length of stay | Estimated total before insurance | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| 30 days | $7,000–$30,000 | A typical first stay before outpatient step-down |
| 60 days | $14,000–$60,000 | A longer stay to strengthen recovery skills |
| 90 days | $21,000–$90,000 | NIDA says most individuals need at least 3 months of treatment |
The full step-down path
Detox, then a month of residential care, a month of PHP and two months of IOP adds up to $22,750–$70,600 in Colorado before insurance. Each later step costs less per day, so the timing of each step-down drives the total. See PHP and IOP programs.
| Stage | Length | Estimated cost before insurance |
|---|---|---|
| Medical detox | 7 days | $1,750–$5,600 |
| Residential treatment | 30 days | $7,000–$30,000 |
| Partial hospitalization | 30 days | $8,000–$15,000 |
| Intensive outpatient | 60 days | $6,000–$20,000 |
| Full course of care | 127 days | $22,750–$70,600 |
Worked out from RehabSeekers.com Rehab Cost Survey Colorado rates. A planning example, not a quote.
How can uninsured Coloradans get rehab paid for?
Through Colorado LIFTS, the statewide safety-net network the Behavioral Health Administration (BHA) launched in July 2025. It offers low- or no-cost crisis, mental health and substance use care to uninsured and underinsured people, coordinated by new regional Behavioral Health Administrative Service Organizations (BHASOs).
- Who runs it locally. BHASOs started July 1, 2025 under House Bill 22-1278. Rocky Mountain Health Plans holds Region 1, and Signal Behavioral Health Network holds Regions 2, 3 and 4.
- Income test. Some BHA-funded services are means-tested at or under 300% of the federal poverty level; providers may waive this for priority populations.
- No refusal for inability to pay. The 2022 law says safety-net providers may not refuse treatment because of insurance coverage, lack of coverage or ability to pay. Comprehensive providers must waive charges or use a sliding scale based on income. Essential providers can be limited by contract to certain populations.
- Three ways in. The regional care navigation line, the OwnPath Care Directory, or a screening at a Colorado LIFTS provider.
Our directory lists Colorado state-funded and sliding-scale programs alongside private centers.
What would your stay cost in Colorado?
Pick a level of care and slide to the number of days. Detox is charged by the day in Colorado, so the estimate multiplies the daily rate (up to 14 days). Residential, PHP, IOP and outpatient estimates divide the Colorado monthly price by 30 and multiply by your days.
Estimates before insurance. Check which levels of care a program offers.
What does Colorado insurance law mean for your rehab bill?
For state-regulated plans, Colorado law (C.R.S. 10-16-104(5.5)) requires coverage for substance use disorder treatment that is no less extensive than coverage for any physical illness. Decisions about placement and medical necessity must follow American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM) criteria.
Under C.R.S. 10-16-148, carriers may not require prior authorization or step therapy for FDA-approved medications for substance use disorders, and at least one must sit on the lowest tier of the drug list. A 2024 law also bars prior authorization based only on dosage. These rules apply to insured plans regulated in Colorado, not to self-funded employer plans.
| Payment route | What you pay | Worth knowing |
|---|---|---|
| Health First Colorado (Medicaid) | No copays for SUD services | Room and board in residential care is outside Medicaid; ask how the program handles it |
| Colorado LIFTS (safety net) | Waived fees or an income-based sliding scale at comprehensive providers | Some BHA-funded services are means-tested at or under 300% of the federal poverty level; providers may waive this for priority populations |
| State-regulated health plan | Your deductible, copays and coinsurance | Coverage no less extensive than for physical illness; ASAM criteria for level-of-care decisions |
| Self-funded employer plan | Set by the plan | Colorado insurance law does not reach these plans; federal parity rules still apply to most |
| Self-pay | $7,000–$30,000 a month residential; $3,000–$10,000 a month IOP | Ask what the quote includes, such as detox, medication and lab work |
Look up programs by carrier on our insurance pages.
Where are Colorado’s rehab centers?
RehabSeekers.com lists 280+ addiction treatment centers in Colorado, private and publicly funded. 14% offer residential care, 42% offer medication for addiction treatment and 84% accept Medicaid.
The most listings are in Denver, CO (77), Aurora, CO (27), Englewood, CO (27) and Colorado Springs, CO (25). Browse all Colorado rehab centers.
Source: RehabSeekers.com directory, as of October 2026, refreshed monthly. Shares sum to more than 100% because centers offer several services.
How many Coloradans need addiction treatment?
SAMHSA estimates that 1,130,000 Coloradans age 12 and older, or 22.37%, had a past-year substance use disorder (2023–2024 average). In 2024, 82.97% of Coloradans classified as needing substance use treatment, about 1,031,000 people, did not receive it.
The CDC’s provisional counts show 1,640 drug overdose deaths in Colorado in 2024, down from 1,926 in 2023, and 1,819 in 2025. These are provisional figures for the 12 months ending in December and may differ from final state data. NIDA’s research guide says most people need at least three months in treatment to significantly reduce or stop drug use, which is why length of stay shapes the total cost so much.
How we collected Colorado rehab prices
A team of researchers commissioned by RehabSeekers.com called treatment centers in every state, at least five per state and across several cities, and asked what each level of care costs without insurance. Colorado ranges run from the lowest to the highest Colorado quote.
- Prices are quotes for admission in early 2027, gathered from programs directly rather than from other websites.
- Timing: calls began in October 2026, with final checks through January 2027.
- Totals: detox multiplies the daily rate; every other level prorates the monthly rate by day.
- Coverage facts come from HCPF, the BHA, the Colorado General Assembly, SAMHSA, the CDC and NIDA, all listed under Sources.
Colorado rehab cost FAQs
How much does drug and alcohol rehab cost in Colorado without insurance?
Colorado programs quoted RehabSeekers.com self-pay prices of $50 to $1,000 a day, depending on the level of care. Monthly, that is $7,000–$30,000 for residential treatment, $8,000–$15,000 for partial hospitalization, $3,000–$10,000 for intensive outpatient and $1,500–$5,500 for standard outpatient care. Detox is $250–$800 a day. Browse self-pay programs.
Read more: Browse self-pay programs
Does Health First Colorado pay for rehab?
Yes. Health First Colorado, the state’s Medicaid program, has covered residential and inpatient addiction treatment and withdrawal management since January 1, 2021, and added partial hospitalization on July 1, 2024. See rehabs that accept Medicaid.
Read more: rehabs that accept Medicaid
Are there copays for addiction treatment on Colorado Medicaid?
No. The Department of Health Care Policy and Financing states that there are no copays for any substance use disorder service. One cost to ask about: federal rules bar Medicaid from paying room and board in residential programs, so check how a program handles it. Learn about paying for rehab.
Read more: paying for rehab
How many days of residential rehab will Colorado Medicaid cover?
There is no set number. HCPF says length of stay depends on progress in treatment and continued medical necessity. Under its federal waiver, Colorado aims for a statewide average residential stay of 30 days or less; that is a goal for the whole state, not a cap on one person. Compare residential programs.
Read more: residential programs
What is a Regional Accountable Entity (RAE)?
RAEs are the four regional organizations that run Health First Colorado’s behavioral health benefit, including addiction treatment, under the Accountable Care Collaborative. Since July 1, 2025 they have been Rocky Mountain Health Plans, Northeast Health Partners, Colorado Community Health Alliance and Colorado Access. Find Medicaid-accepting programs.
Read more: Medicaid-accepting programs
Is there free or low-cost rehab in Colorado?
Yes, through Colorado LIFTS, the state’s safety-net network launched in July 2025 for uninsured and underinsured residents. Some BHA-funded services are means-tested at or under 300% of the federal poverty level, though providers may waive this for priority populations, and comprehensive safety-net providers must waive fees or use an income-based sliding scale. Find state-funded programs.
Read more: state-funded programs
Can a Colorado safety-net provider turn me away because I can’t pay?
Colorado’s 2022 behavioral health law says safety-net providers may not refuse treatment because of insurance coverage, lack of coverage or ability to pay. Essential providers can be limited by contract to certain populations, so ask. See sliding-scale programs.
Read more: sliding-scale programs
Do Colorado insurers need prior authorization for addiction medication?
Not for FDA-approved medications for substance use disorders on state-regulated plans. Colorado law bars prior authorization and step therapy for them and requires at least one on the lowest drug tier. A 2024 law also stops carriers from requiring prior authorization based only on dosage. See MAT programs.
Read more: MAT programs
Is rehab cheaper in Oklahoma than in Colorado?
For residential care, yes: a typical month in Oklahoma is $5,000 a month less than in Colorado. Wyoming is priced the same as Colorado at every level. Health First Colorado and Colorado LIFTS are Colorado programs, so confirm coverage before crossing a state line. See the Oklahoma rehab cost guide.
Read more: Oklahoma rehab cost guide
Will Medicaid work requirements affect people in rehab in Colorado?
Health First Colorado will start H.R. 1 work requirements on January 1, 2027 for adults ages 19 to 64 who are not in a long-term care or buy-in program. People in a treatment program for drug or alcohol use disorder are exempt. Keep answering renewal letters. See Medicaid rehab options.
Read more: Medicaid rehab options
How to cite this data
Journalists, researchers and AI tools are welcome to use these figures with credit and a link to this page.
RehabSeekers.com. “How Much Does Rehab Cost in Colorado?” RehabSeekers.com Rehab Cost Survey, 2027 prices. https://rehabseekers.com/resources/rehab-cost-colorado/
Sources
Primary data
- RehabSeekers.com Rehab Cost Survey (2027 prices): treatment center prices collected by a team of researchers commissioned by RehabSeekers.com, with at least five centers per state. All prices, ranges, totals and state comparisons on this page.
Coverage rules and public health data
- Colorado HCPF, Substance Use Disorder Services Overview & FAQ (January 2025)
- Colorado HCPF, Expanding the Substance Use Disorder (SUD) Continuum of Care Waiver
- Colorado HCPF, SUD 1115 demonstration Special Terms and Conditions
- Colorado HCPF, Accountable Care Collaborative Phase III
- Colorado HCPF, Medicaid expansion rulemaking notice (2013)
- Health First Colorado, Apply now
- Health First Colorado, Work requirements FAQs
- Colorado Behavioral Health Administration
- Colorado BHA, BHA launches Colorado LIFTS (July 2025)
- Colorado BHA, Behavioral Health Administrative Service Organizations
- Colorado BHA, Free and low-cost help
- Colorado HCPF, BHA FAQ (August 2025)
- Colorado House Bill 22-1278 (signed act): Behavioral Health Administration
- Colorado General Assembly, House Bill 25-1002 (reengrossed text, includes C.R.S. 10-16-104(5.5))
- Colorado General Assembly, HB19-1269, Mental Health Parity Insurance Medicaid
- Colorado General Assembly, HB24-1045, Treatment for Substance Use Disorders
- SAMHSA, 2023–2024 NSDUH State-Specific Tables: Colorado
- CDC NCHS, VSRR Provisional Drug Overdose Death Counts (Colorado)
- NIDA, Principles of Drug Addiction Treatment: A Research-Based Guide (3rd ed.)
This page is for information only and is not medical, legal or financial advice. Prices are estimates; your cost depends on your program, your coverage and your treatment plan.
