Colo. spending heavily to market health exchange

Colorado is spending heavily to promote the launch of its new health insurance exchange, called Connect For Health Colorado. It’s a shopping marketplace for folks who must have health insurance by Jan. 1 or face federal fines.

Colorado was one of the first to start organizing its exchange two years ago, and it’s among the heaviest spenders marketing and advertising it to more than 700,000 Coloradans who don’t have health insurance.

According to data compiled The Associated Press from federal and state sources, Colorado is spending more than $21 million in public money to market Connect For Health Colorado. That puts the state eighth nationally on spending to promote new opportunities for health insurance coverage under the Affordable Care Act.