Small Business Health Insurance for Landscaping Companies in El Paso County, CO

Updated July 2026 · ColoradoPlanFinder.com — Licensed Health Insurance Producer (NPN #21249133)

In 2026, 6 carriers offer marketplace plans in Rating Area 5, which covers El Paso and Teller counties.
Small businesses in Colorado with 1-100 employees can explore traditional group plans, with options like HMO, EPO, and PPO available.
Individual Coverage HRAs (ICHRAs) allow landscaping businesses to contribute tax-free funds for employees to buy individual plans on Connect for Health Colorado.
El Paso County's uninsured rate is 7.2%, lower than the state average, indicating strong access to coverage options.

For landscaping business owners in El Paso County, Colorado, providing health insurance to your team is a crucial decision that impacts recruitment, retention, and employee well-being. Whether you're a sole proprietor or manage a growing crew, understanding the available health insurance options for your business and employees in the Colorado Springs area is essential. This guide covers the key choices, from traditional group plans to individual coverage solutions, tailored to the specific market in El Paso County.

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What Are the Health Insurance Options for Landscaping Businesses in El Paso County?

Landscaping companies in El Paso County have several paths to providing health insurance, each with distinct advantages for different business sizes and budgets:

Traditional Group Health Plans: These are the most common choice, where your business selects a plan and contributes to employee premiums. In El Paso County, these plans are offered by carriers like Cigna, Denver Health Medical Plan, HMO Colorado, Kaiser Permanente, Select Health, and United Healthcare.
Individual Coverage Health Reimbursement Arrangements (ICHRAs): With an ICHRA, your business provides tax-free funds for employees to purchase their own individual health insurance plans through Connect for Health Colorado. This offers flexibility for employees to choose a plan that best fits their needs.
Small Business Health Options Program (SHOP): Connect for Health Colorado also offers SHOP plans for small employers (generally 1-50 employees). These plans can sometimes offer tax credits to eligible businesses.
Facilitating Individual Marketplace Enrollment: For very small businesses or those not ready for group plans, you can encourage employees to enroll in individual plans on Connect for Health Colorado, where they may qualify for premium tax credits based on their household income.

Choosing the right option depends on factors such as your budget, the number of employees, and the level of administrative involvement your business is prepared to undertake.

Understanding Group Health Plans for Small Businesses in Colorado

Traditional group health plans remain a popular choice for many small businesses in El Paso County. These plans are regulated under Colorado law and typically require a minimum number of participating employees (often two or more, with an owner counting as one). Key features include:

Premium Contributions: Employers typically contribute a percentage of the employee's premium, and often a smaller percentage for dependents.
Plan Types: In Colorado, small group plans offer a variety of structures, including Health Maintenance Organization (HMO), Exclusive Provider Organization (EPO), and Preferred Provider Organization (PPO) plans. PPOs are available on-exchange in Colorado, offering more flexibility in provider choice.
Network Access: Employees gain access to a network of doctors and hospitals. In El Paso County, this includes major systems like Uch-memorial Health System and Centura Health-penrose St Francis Health Services.
Tax Advantages: Employer contributions to group health premiums are generally tax-deductible for the business.

Eligibility for group plans usually requires that a certain percentage of eligible employees (e.g., 70%) enroll in the plan, preventing adverse selection where only less healthy employees sign up.

Individual Coverage HRAs (ICHRAs) for Flexibility

ICHRAs offer a modern, flexible alternative to traditional group plans, particularly appealing to landscaping businesses seeking to manage costs while empowering employees. Under an ICHRA, your business defines a tax-free allowance that employees can use to pay for individual health insurance premiums and, in some cases, qualified medical expenses. This approach has several benefits:

Budget Control: You set a fixed contribution amount per employee, making budgeting predictable.
Employee Choice: Employees select an individual plan from Connect for Health Colorado that best suits their family's needs and preferred doctors, potentially accessing PPO, HMO, or EPO options.
Tax Efficiency: Employer contributions are tax-deductible, and employee reimbursements are tax-free.
No Participation Requirements: Unlike group plans, ICHRAs do not have minimum participation rates, making them suitable for businesses with varying employee interest in benefits.

For employees whose individual plan premiums exceed the ICHRA allowance, they may still be eligible for premium tax credits on Connect for Health Colorado, depending on their household income and if the ICHRA allowance is deemed "affordable."

Health Insurance Carriers in El Paso County

In 2026, 6 carriers offer marketplace plans in Rating Area 5, which covers El Paso and Teller counties. These carriers provide a range of plan types, including HMO, EPO, and PPO options, ensuring diverse choices for individuals and small groups. The confirmed local carriers for El Paso County include:

Cigna
Denver Health Medical Plan
HMO Colorado
Kaiser Permanente
Select Health
United Healthcare

When selecting a plan, consider the network of providers, especially access to local hospitals such as Uch-memorial Health System, Centura Health-penrose St Francis Health Services, and Children's Hospital Colorado - Colorado Springs, all serving the El Paso County area.

Navigating Connect for Health Colorado and Medicaid in El Paso County

Connect for Health Colorado is the state-based marketplace where individuals and small businesses can shop for health insurance. It’s where employees can enroll in individual plans if your business opts for an ICHRA or does not offer group coverage. Key points for El Paso County residents:

Premium Tax Credits: Many individuals and families qualify for subsidies to lower their monthly premiums based on household income.
Cost-Sharing Reductions: Those with incomes up to 250% of the Federal Poverty Level may also qualify for extra savings on deductibles, copayments, and coinsurance through Cost-Sharing Reductions.
Health First Colorado (Medicaid): Colorado expanded Medicaid in 2014. Adults with incomes up to 138% of the Federal Poverty Level may qualify for comprehensive, low-cost or no-cost coverage through Health First Colorado. This is an important option for lower-wage employees in the landscaping industry.
Child Health Plan Plus (CHP+): Colorado's CHP+ covers pregnant women with income up to 195% FPL and children in households up to 260% FPL, providing vital support for families.

El Paso County's 742,999 residents, with a median income of $90,363, have diverse needs. The county's uninsured rate of 7.2% (per U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2024 5-year estimates) is lower than the national average, reflecting good access to coverage options through these programs.

Making the Best Health Insurance Decision for Your Landscaping Business

Choosing the right health insurance strategy for your landscaping business in El Paso County involves weighing several factors. Here's a decision framework to help:

Business Need/Situation	Recommended Approach	Key Considerations
Prioritize comprehensive, traditional benefits; willing to manage administration.	Traditional Group Health Plan	Employer contributions, minimum participation rates, network choice, tax deductions.
Seek budget predictability and employee choice; fewer administrative burdens.	Individual Coverage HRA (ICHRA)	Fixed employer allowance, employees select individual plans, tax advantages, no participation rules.
Very small business (1-50 employees) seeking potential tax credits.	SHOP Plan via Connect for Health Colorado	Eligibility for Small Business Health Care Tax Credit, limited plan options.
Cannot afford to contribute; want to support employees finding their own coverage.	Facilitate Individual Marketplace Enrollment	Employees may qualify for subsidies on Connect for Health Colorado, minimal employer involvement.

El Paso County's 6 acute care hospitals, including Uch-memorial Health System and Centura Health-penrose St Francis Health Services in Colorado Springs, provide a robust healthcare infrastructure. Ensuring your employees have access to these facilities through their chosen plan is vital. A licensed health insurance producer specializing in small business benefits can provide personalized guidance, helping you navigate the options and enroll in the best solution for your landscaping company.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the health insurance options for a small landscaping business in El Paso County?

Small landscaping businesses in El Paso County, Colorado have several health insurance options, including traditional group health plans, Health Reimbursement Arrangements (HRAs) like ICHRA, and encouraging employees to use individual plans on Connect for Health Colorado. The best choice depends on your budget, employee count, and desired level of contribution.

Can my landscaping employees get subsidies on Connect for Health Colorado?

Yes, if your landscaping business does not offer affordable group health coverage (meaning the employee's share of the premium is more than 8.39% of their household income for the lowest-cost self-only plan), or if you don't offer group coverage at all, your employees may be eligible for subsidies (premium tax credits) to reduce their monthly premiums on Connect for Health Colorado. Eligibility is based on household income and other factors.

What is the minimum number of employees needed for a group health plan in Colorado?

In Colorado, small group health insurance plans are generally available to businesses with 1 to 100 employees. For many small group plans, a minimum of two enrolled employees is required, and often at least 70% participation among eligible employees is also a common requirement. Some plans may allow a single owner/employee to constitute a group under specific circumstances.