A program aimed at helping immigrants in the state obtain health coverage cost the state $73 million in 2023, a taxpayer-funded spending that’s occurring amid a surge in illegal immigration in Colorado. 

And officials anticipate the same spending this year. 

More than 11,000 immigrants obtained health insurance through the program known as OmniSalud, the program designed — the state said — to provide “undocumented Coloradans with a safe way to compare affordable health insurance plans and enroll on a secure online platform.”

About 12,485 people enrolled in Colorado Connect, the insurance marketplace’s public benefit corporation and online platform. Of those 12,485 individuals, 11,000 enrolled in OmniSalud, according to state data.

In 2024, state officials expect the program to cost another $73 million, bringing the two-year total to $146 million, which equals about $6,600 per immigrant. The spending is happening against the backdrop of waves of immigrants arriving in Denver — more than 37,000 so far — within the past year. The surge has cost the city $38 million.

Colorado is among a growing number of states that have launched taxpayer-funded health insurance programs to immigrants, including those living in the U.S. without authorization. Colorado, which does not ask for people’s immigration status when enrolling, also limits enrollment for subsidized coverage in its program, capping it at 10,000 people in 2023 and 11,000 in 2024. The 2024 discounted slots were booked up within two days of enrollment beginning in November.

Meanwhile, the state reported on Thursday that the number of Coloradans enrolled in the state’s individual market insurance plan has increased by 188% since 2023, over a third of all selections made during the open enrollment period.

According to the office of Gov. Jared Polis and the Colorado Department of Regulatory Affairs, 80,655 people enrolled in Colorado Option, the heath insurance system that started off as the more expansive “public option” that would have been a state-designed and state-run plan. 

Setting up a public option plan was a key component of Polis’ first-term agenda, with the goal of saving people money on health insurance premiums. Under the law, health insurance providers are required to reduce premium rates by at least 5%, not including medical inflation, beginning Jan. 1, 2023. In following years, the providers are required to reduce premiums by another 5% each year, for a total of 15% by Jan. 1, 2025.

“We are thrilled that Colorado’s nation-leading Colorado Option is helping thousands of Coloradans save money on health insurance,” said Polis. “Reducing health care costs has been a top priority since day one, and we continue working to save people money on health care.”

Colorado Insurance Commissioner Michael Conway said the increased enrollment in the Colorado Option means more state residents are choosing the plan to save money and get better health care coverage.

“The reality is Coloradans chose the Colorado Option in record numbers for 2024, even while special interests continue to try to mislead Coloradans about the Colorado Option,” Conway said. “In addition, the Colorado Option provides zero-dollar coverage for primary care and behavioral health visits. So, it should come as no surprise that Coloradans are choosing to save money on health care by enrolling in the Colorado Option.”

The Associated Press contributed to this article.