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SERVICE NOTICE - SUNSHINE RIDES COLORADO NEMT
An update on non-emergency medical transportation in Colorado
A reimbursement rate cut is forcing Sunshine Rides to pause non-life sustaining NEMT trips statewide, effective Monday, July 13, 2026.
Here's what's changing, what isn't, and how you can help bring NEMT back.
Last updated July 9, 2026
OUR STATEMENT
Where things stand
“
Sunshine rides has been intensely engaging the Governor's office and Joint Budget Committee to solve the rural NEMT rate problem, but a solution may not be achieved for weeks if not months. Until then, Sunshine is forced to suspend all non-life-sustaining NEMT services statewide effective Monday, July 13.
We've been providing rural NEMT for our communities for 35 years, and not being able to care for our clients is heartbreaking. We are deeply concerned about the health of our communities and ask everyone to register their support for NEMT by going to https://www.thecta.net/contact. Learn more about the NEMT rate issue at https://www.thecta.net/save-nemt.
Please also continue to visit our Sunshine Rides website for news and updates. We are continuing to provide all other services, including Medicaid HCBS non-medical trips, private-pay trips, and airport trips. We offer facility transportation services if needed.
- Sunshine Rides, July 9, 2026
Please reach out to your representatives and let them know what NEMT means to you and your loved ones.
There are three channels of communication for you to make your voices heard.
To contact the Joint Budget Committee and share personal impact of this rate cut:
Email: JBC.GA@coleg.gov
Phone: 303-866-2587
WHAT THIS MEANS FOR YOU
Some trips are pausing, others will continue.
At this time, Sunshine Rides is continuing to provide every life-sustaining ride, even though Medicaid reimbursement falls well below the actual cost of providing these trips. We are absorbing those losses because our riders' access to care can't wait for a policy fix.
Continuing as normal:
✓ Life-sustaining medical trips -- dialysis, chemotherapy and other provider-verified ongoing treatment of serious medical conditions
✓ Medicaid HCBS non-medical transportation
✓ Private-pay trips
✓ Airport trips
✓ NEW: Facility transportation service: pay directly, no NEMT authorization required. Fill out the form to get started →
Paused starting July 13:
X Non-life-sustaining NEMT trips
X Emergency room trips
X Hospital discharge trips
X Mental health appointment trips
X Methadone / opioid treatment program trips
Already have a non-life-sustaining trip booked after Friday, July 10?
Our team will call you before your ride to explain and talk through your options. If your trip is scheduled after July 10 and you haven't heard from us, give us a call at 970-777-7777.
Is your treatment life-sustaining?
Dialysis and other ongoing treatment of life-threatening conditions are not affected by this pause – but we need your healthcare provider to confirm the appointment in writing. A description from the rider alone is not enough; verification has to come directly from your provider.
Please have your medical provider complete this form prior to booking your ride with Sunshine.
This form is completed by a doctor or care team, not a rider.
Help us bring NEMT back
Sunshine Rides and the Colorado Transportation Alliance are working directly with the Governor's office and the Joint Budget Committee to preserve an operationally viable reimbursement rate. Sign up for updates, contact your legislators, and follow statewide updates on the Colorado Transportation Alliance site.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is this happening?
Colorado’s Joint Budget Committee voted to cut NEMT reimbursement rates for providers statewide to lower than what is operationally viable for providers who service rural areas. At current rates, Sunshine Rides can’t sustain full NEMT services across the state and remain operational for our communities long-term.
How long will it last?
We don't have a firm end date yet. We're working toward a resolution with the Governor's office and the Joint Budget Committee, but it may take weeks or months. We'll post updates on this page as soon as we have them.
What qualifies as "life-sustaining"?
Dialysis and other ongoing treatments your healthcare provider confirms in writing are medically necessary to sustain your life, such as certain cancer treatments. A general description from a rider of a serious condition is not enough. We need a direct, written verification from your provider using this form.
At this time, Sunshine Rides is continuing to provide every life-sustaining ride, even though Medicaid reimbursement falls well below the actual cost of providing these trips. We are absorbing those losses because our riders' access to care can't wait for a policy fix.
What about rides to the ER, hospital discharge, mental health appointments, or methadone treatment?
These trip types are forced to be paused under this change and are not eligible for this life-sustaining exception at this time.
I use Medicaid HCBS non-medical transportation. Does this affect me?
No. HCBS non-medical transportation will continue exactly as normal.
Can I still pay for a ride directly?
Yes. We offer private-pay trips and a few facility transportation service that lets providers book and pay directly, without needing NEMT authorization and billing channels. Fill out this form to let us know you're interested in setting up an account with us to ensure rides for your patients.
I'm a healthcare provider -- What should I do?
Watch for an email and phone call from our team with more detail. You can also help now by contacting state leadership. If you want to book and pay for transportation for your clients (or book and bill clients for transportation), you can talk to us about setting up a facility transportation account to book rides for your patients through a private-pay model.
Learn how to contact your legislators at www.thectanet/save-nemt →
Fill out this form to start the conversation about a facility transportation account →