Grade Summary: Colorado
Tobacco Prevention Control and Spending
- FY2012 State Funding for Tobacco Control Programs: $6,772,811
- FY2012 Federal Funding for State Tobacco Control Programs: $1,740,742*
- FY2012 Total Funding for State Tobacco Control Programs: $8,513,553
- CDC Best Practices State Spending Recommendation: $54,400,000
- Percentage of CDC Recommended Level: 15.7%
*Includes regular funding from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention as well as tobacco-related grants to states and communities from federal stimulus and health care reform funds.
Smokefree Air
Overview of State Smoking Restrictions
- Government Workplaces: Prohibited
- Private Workplaces: Prohibited (non-public workplaces with three or fewer employees exempt)
- Schools: Prohibited
- Childcare Facilities: Prohibited
- Restaurants: Prohibited
- Bars: Prohibited (allowed in cigar-tobacco bars)
- Casinos/Gaming Establishments: Prohibited (tribal establishments exempt)
- Retail Stores: Prohibited
- Recreational/Cultural Facilities: Prohibited
- Penalties: Yes
- Enforcement: Yes
- Preemption: No
Citation: COLO. REV. STAT. ANN. §§ 25-14-201 et seq. (2008).
Cigarette Tax
- Tax rate per pack of 20: 84 cents
Cessation
Overview of State Cessation Coverage
State Medicaid Program:
- Medications: All health plans cover NRT Gum, NRT Patch, Varenicline (Chantix) and Bupropion (Zyban); some health plans cover NRT Nasal spray, NRT Inhaler and/or NRT Lozenge
- Counseling: Coverage of group and individual counseling varies by health plan
- Barriers to Coverage: No health plans require lifetime limits on quit attempts; all other barriers to coverage vary by health plan*
State Employee Health Plan(s):
- Medications: Coverage of NRT Gum, NRT Patch and Bupropion (Zyban) varies by health plan
- Counseling: Coverage of group counseling varies by health plan
- Barriers to Coverage: Some plans have limits on duration, a lifetime limit on quit attempts, require prior authorization and/or require co-payments
State Quitline:
- Investment Per Smoker: $3.04; CDC recommends an investment of $10.53/smoker
Other Cessation Provisions:
- Private Insurance Mandate: Yes
Citation: See State Tobacco Cessation Coverage page for specific sources.
*Barriers could include: Limits on duration, annual limits on quit attempts, requiring prior authorization, requiring co-payments, requiring using one or more cessation treatments before using others and/or requiring counseling to get medications.


