
Over 1 Million Adult Coloradans
Carry Medical Debt
Roughly 40% of adults in Colorado owe money related to medical or dental care—translating to more than one million people statewide

Roughly 11% of Colorado Adults
Have Medical Debt in Collections
Behind every unpaid medical bill is a real person, often facing impossible choices. In Colorado, many still see this debt follow them into every financial decision.

Median Debt ≈ $693
Among Those in Collections
The median amount of medical debt in collections within Colorado credit reports (2022) was $693 — indicating even relatively modest bills can carry major consequences.

Medical Bills Are a Leading Cause of Bankruptcy in Colorado
Approximately 66% of personal bankruptcies nationwide are linked to medical bills or illness-related income loss—as reflected in Colorado’s own financial hardship patterns.

It Takes Just One Unexpected Bill to Derail a Life
More than 4 in 10 Coloradans say they would struggle to cover a $500 emergency, making even small medical bills a fast track to debt, stress, and instability.