Colorado small businesses have several health insurance options for 2027: a traditional group plan, a Choice Arrangement (formerly ICHRA), or, for eligible smaller employers, a QSEHRA. Self-employed owners without employees generally shop for individual coverage. The right fit depends on your team, budget and the plans available where employees live.

If your renewal feels expensive or confusing, you do not have to sort through it alone. At Majeske Insurance Consulting in Englewood, we help Colorado business owners compare the options and understand what each choice means for their employees.

1. A traditional group health insurance plan

With a group plan, the business selects coverage options for eligible employees and contributes toward the premium. This can be a practical starting point when you want a shared benefits program for your team.

Compare more than the monthly premium. Look at the employer contribution, employee and dependent costs, deductibles, prescriptions and provider networks. Ask to compare Colorado Option plans where available as part of the review.

Colorado changed its small-employer definition to an average of one through 50 employees effective January 1, 2026. Businesses with 51–100 employees that already had qualifying small-group coverage may have transition rights. Eligibility for an actual group policy and the transition rules require a closer look at your business. Read Colorado’s small-employer law.

2. Choice Arrangements (formerly ICHRAs)

A Choice Arrangement lets an employer set a reimbursement budget while eligible employees enroll in their own individual health insurance. It can be worth comparing when employees live in different areas or want different plans.

There are rules for employee eligibility, notices and administration. An affordable offer can also make an employee ineligible for marketplace premium tax credits. Employees cannot simply combine the arrangement with federal credits; affordability and any decision to decline the arrangement must be evaluated.

Before setting a contribution, compare the plans, premiums and networks available in each employee’s home county. A fixed employer budget does not automatically mean every employee will pay less. HealthCare.gov explains Choice Arrangements and subsidy rules.

3. A QSEHRA for an eligible smaller employer

A Qualified Small Employer Health Reimbursement Arrangement, or QSEHRA, is another reimbursement option for eligible employers with fewer than 50 full-time employees and full-time equivalents that do not offer a group health plan. It has annual contribution limits and can affect employees’ premium tax credits.

We can help you compare the coverage options while your tax adviser or benefits administrator confirms the arrangement’s requirements and owner eligibility. See the IRS discussion of QSEHRAs and owner coverage.

What if I am self-employed with no employees?

Individual health insurance is generally the starting point for a sole proprietor without employees. In Colorado, Connect for Health Colorado is the marketplace for applying for eligible federal premium tax credits and Colorado Premium Assistance.

Your tax household, projected income and access to other coverage affect eligibility. Read our 2027 Colorado Premium Assistance guide for the current amounts and income limits.

What should Colorado employers review for 2027?

• Your actual renewal: Compare your quote rather than assuming a statewide average is your increase.
• Employee locations: Individual plan availability and networks vary by county.
• Doctors and prescriptions: Confirm them against the specific 2027 plan.
• Total costs: Compare employer spending, payroll deductions and costs when employees receive care.
• Financial assistance: Check how an employer offer changes eligibility before moving employees to individual coverage.
• Timing: Leave room for notices, enrollment and any required first premium payment.

The Colorado Division of Insurance has released the approved 2027 premium information. Your business’s best option still requires a comparison using your own team and budget.

Does my business have to enroll during November and December?

Not necessarily. Group coverage follows the employer plan’s renewal schedule. Colorado’s individual market Open Enrollment runs November 1, 2026 through January 15, 2027. For individual coverage starting January 1, enroll by December 15, 2026; enrollment from December 16 through January 15 starts February 1, 2027.

If you are introducing a reimbursement arrangement or moving between coverage types, confirm the applicable enrollment window and notice deadlines before ending existing coverage.

What should I bring to a business health insurance review?

Start with your renewal, current employer contribution, desired budget, employee count and the ZIP codes where employees live. We will explain what additional information is needed and how to share it securely. Employees can discuss personal healthcare needs privately.

Get help comparing your Colorado business health insurance options

Majeske Insurance Consulting is based in Englewood and serves businesses throughout Colorado. We are also a Connect for Health Colorado Certified Enrollment Center, helping individuals and families understand marketplace coverage. We can help you compare group coverage and reimbursement options and identify the next steps for your business.

Schedule a health insurance review

When booking, let us know you are a business owner so we can help arrange the right review. Call or text (720) 753-4886.

Majeske Insurance Consulting
3012 S Broadway, Englewood, CO 80113

Reviewed October 23, 2026. General educational information. Plan availability, eligibility and tax treatment depend on your circumstances. Confirm legal and tax requirements with your advisers.