Colorado Democrats are now learning a basic rule of economics: if the government provides something for “free,” costs are likely to escalate as people take advantage of it.
The Cover All Coloradans program, created in 2022, is supposed to provide healthcare for illegal aliens who do not qualify for Medicaid because they are not legal residents.
“Fiscal analysts estimated at the time that the program would draw 3,700 enrollees at a cost of $14.7 million to the state,” the Washington Free Beacon reported.
However, enrollment increased by 9 times the predicted amount, and costs have now risen to $105 million.
This is causing problems, as the state is facing a massive deficit.
“That 611% cost-over-projections is now causing a major headache for the legislature as it tries to address a $1 billion gap between what it costs to continue offering the level of state programs and services and how much is available to spend,” the Colorado Sun reported. “A major cause of the shortfall is programs, like Cover All Coloradans, that the Democratic majority at the Capitol created in recent years.”
Legislators have been reluctant to significantly change the program, voting only on a “hard cap on enrollments if costs surpass $96 million next year,” the Free Beacon noted.
At the same time, officials are looking to cut payments to disabled individuals in caregiving programs, Colorado Public Radio reported.
Meanwhile, Denver has encouraged illegal aliens to take up residency in the city, while taxpayers are forced to pay the increased costs.
The Free Beacon reports:
Colorado has emerged as a leading opponent of the Trump administration’s immigration policies. The City of Denver has refused to cooperate with federal immigration authorities, leading the Justice Department to classify Denver as a “sanctuary jurisdiction,” though left-wing mayor Mike Johnston rejects the word “sanctuary” as it suggests illegal immigrants have broken the law. Denver’s public schools are spending hundreds of millions of dollars to educate illegal immigrant children.
On the other hand, Democratic Governor Jared Polis made comments in early 2025 suggesting he supported plans to deport violent criminal illegal aliens, Axios reported.
“We welcome more federal help to detain and deport dangerous criminals,” he said in January 2025.
Still, he generally supports illegal immigrants being treated as American citizens.
“In his six years as governor, he has signed into law multiple measures making it easier for those living in the country illegally to receive driver’s licenses, state aid and health care,” according to Axios.
[Featured image courtesy of Cover All Coloradans]
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