Bifurcated

Colorado No Surprises Act & IDR Rules

Last verified: July 2026 · For informational purposes only, not legal advice

Quick answer: Colorado is a bifurcated state. Some disputes are governed by Colorado's own specified state law, while others default to the federal No Surprises Act IDR process depending on the plan type and service involved.

How it works

Colorado's specified state law applies to emergency services by out-of-network providers or facilities, non-emergency ancillary services at in-network facilities, and post-stabilization emergency services. The federal IDR process applies mainly to air ambulance services furnished by out-of-network providers.

Key dates

Federal No Surprises Act protections took effect January 1, 2022. State-specific protections vary — check the official source below for exact effective dates in this state.

Official source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services — Colorado enforcement letter and specified state law documentation (cms.gov/nosurprises)

See the full Colorado breakdown

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