Kidney disease is one of the most serious and growing public health challenges in Colorado. From chronic kidney disease (CKD) — which affects 3.5% of Colorado adults — to end-stage kidney failure requiring lifelong dialysis or transplantation, the disease touches tens of thousands of residents and their families. As of 2026, more than 9,000 Coloradans are living with kidney failure, and over 5,000 depend on dialysis to survive.
This article brings together data from multiple annual reporting periods spanning 2021 through 2026, covering the full spectrum of kidney disease in Colorado: the prevalence and growth of kidney failure, its leading causes, transplant activity and outcomes, dialysis infrastructure, financial assistance programs, mortality trends, geographic disparities across Colorado’s 60 counties, and kidney and renal pelvis cancer incidence and mortality. The statistics are organized to move from the broadest population-level picture down to county-level detail, with a brief analysis after each section to highlight key patterns and implications.
Chronic Kidney Disease
Chronic kidney disease (CKD) describes the gradual loss of kidney function that, if untreated or poorly managed, can progress to kidney failure.
Chronic Kidney Disease Prevalence
- Colorado CKD prevalence: 3.5% of adults reported ever being told by a health professional that they had kidney disease (excluding kidney stones, bladder infections, and incontinence)
- Colorado’s national rank: #12 among all U.S. states
Colorado ranks 12th in the nation for CKD prevalence, indicating a moderately high burden relative to other states.
Risk Factors
Understanding who is at elevated risk for kidney disease — and how many Coloradans already have early-stage kidney disease — is essential for prevention and early intervention.
Several chronic health conditions strongly increase the likelihood of developing kidney disease.
- High blood pressure: 25.8%
- Obesity (self-reported): 23.8%
- Diabetes: 7.0%
All three of these conditions — high blood pressure, obesity, and diabetes — are major risk factors for kidney disease.
Kidney Failure in Colorado
Kidney failure — also known as end-stage renal disease (ESRD) — is a condition in which the kidneys can no longer filter waste and fluids from the blood on their own. Without treatment through dialysis or a kidney transplant, it is fatal.
Statewide Prevalence Over Time
The table below tracks the total number of Coloradans living with kidney failure across multiple annual reporting periods, showing how the population is divided between those on dialysis and those living with a transplant.
| Report Year | Total Living with Kidney Failure | On Dialysis | Living with a Transplant |
| 2021 | 8,292 | 4,994 | 3,298 |
| 2023 | 8,680 | 5,113 | 3,567 |
| 2024 | 8,721 | 5,091 | 3,630 |
| 2025 | 8,896 | 5,064 | 3,832 |
| 2026 | 9,039 | 5,073 | 3,966 |
The total number of Coloradans living with kidney failure has grown from 8,292 in 2021 to 9,039 in 2026 — an increase of 747 people over five years.
Leading Causes of Kidney Failure
Diabetes and high blood pressure are consistently the two primary drivers of kidney failure in Colorado. The following table shows the percentage of kidney failure cases attributed to each cause across three consecutive reporting years.
| Report Year | Caused by Diabetes | Caused by High Blood Pressure | Combined % |
| 2023 | 47% | 30% | 77% |
| 2024 | 44% | 29% | 73% |
| 2025 | 43% | 30% | 73% |
Diabetes and high blood pressure together account for approximately 73–77% of all kidney failure cases in Colorado across all three years, making them by far the dominant causes.
New Diagnoses by Year
Every year, hundreds of new Coloradans are diagnosed with kidney failure and must begin treatment immediately — either by starting dialysis or, for a fortunate few, receiving a kidney transplant. The following list breaks down newly diagnosed cases by year and how patients entered treatment.
2018
- Total new cases: 1,156
- Received a transplant: 65
- Began dialysis: 1,091
2020
- Total new cases: 1,224
- Received a transplant: 54
- Began dialysis: 1,170
2021
- Total new cases: 1,266
- Received a transplant: 64
- Began dialysis: 1,202
2022
- Total new cases: 1,281
- Received a transplant: 90
- Began dialysis: 1,191
2023
- Total new cases: 1,213
- Received a transplant: 87
- Began dialysis: 1,126
Across all years, the vast majority of newly diagnosed kidney failure patients begin dialysis rather than receiving a transplant.
Kidney & Renal Pelvis Cancer in Colorado
In addition to kidney failure, kidney and renal pelvis cancer is a distinct but related form of kidney disease burden in Colorado. .
Statewide Incidence (2018–2022)
The following figures provide a statewide overview of kidney and renal pelvis cancer incidence in Colorado.
- Colorado kidney & renal pelvis cancer incidence rate: 14.8 per 100,000
- U.S. kidney & renal pelvis cancer incidence rate: 17.5 per 100,000
- Colorado’s ranking among new cancer cases in the state: #9 in the Top 10
Colorado’s kidney and renal pelvis cancer incidence rate is noticeably below the national rate suggesting a relatively lower cancer burden in this category.
Cancer Incidence
Cancer incidence data shows where new cases are arising — broken down by population group, geographic setting, and county.
By Race/Ethnicity
The following list shows new kidney and renal pelvis cancer case rates per 100,000 by racial and ethnic group in Colorado.
- Non-Hispanic White: 14.4 per 100,000
- Hispanic: 14.3 per 100,000
- Black/African American: 12.4 per 100,000
- Asian or Pacific Islander: 9.7 per 100,000
- American Indian or Alaskan Native: 7.7 per 100,000
Non-Hispanic White and Hispanic populations have the highest rates of kidney and renal pelvis cancer in Colorado at 14.4 and 14.3 per 100,000, respectively — nearly twice the rate seen in American Indian or Alaskan Native populations (7.7).
By County Type
The table below shows new kidney and renal pelvis cancer case rates broken down by county classification — urban, rural, or frontier. The overall state rate is 14.4 per 100,000.
| County Type | New Cases Rate (per 100,000) |
| Urban | 28.3 |
| Frontier | 25.9 |
| Rural | 24.9 |
All three county types show new case rates that are substantially higher — approximately double — the overall state rate of 14.4 per 100,000.
Late-Stage Incidence by County (2018–2022)
Late-stage diagnosis significantly limits treatment options and worsens outcomes. The following list shows age-adjusted late-stage kidney and renal pelvis cancer incidence rates by county, ranked from highest to lowest rate.
- Colorado late-stage rate: 4.0 per 100,000 (27.1% of cases diagnosed at late stage)
- U.S. late-stage rate: 5.0 per 100,000 (29.1% late stage)
| Rank | County | Urban/Rural | Age-Adjusted Rate (per 100,000) | 95% CI | Avg. Annual Cases | % Late Stage |
| 1 | Larimer | Urban | 4.9 | 3.9–6.0 | 20 | 31.8% |
| 2 | Pueblo | Urban | 4.7 | 3.5–6.2 | 11 | 24.0% |
| 3 | La Plata | Rural | 4.5 | 2.5–7.6 | 4 | 36.7% |
| 4 | Mesa | Urban | 4.2 | 3.0–5.8 | 9 | 27.4% |
| 5 | Arapahoe | Urban | 4.1 | 3.4–4.8 | 29 | 26.0% |
| 6 | Jefferson | Urban | 4.1 | 3.4–4.8 | 30 | 27.7% |
| 7 | Adams | Urban | 3.9 | 3.2–4.8 | 20 | 23.9% |
| 8 | Weld | Urban | 3.9 | 3.0–4.9 | 14 | 26.5% |
| 9 | Denver | Urban | 3.8 | 3.2–4.6 | 26 | 24.1% |
| 10 | El Paso | Urban | 3.8 | 3.2–4.5 | 30 | 27.2% |
| 11 | Douglas | Urban | 3.5 | 2.7–4.5 | 14 | 25.0% |
| 12 | Boulder | Urban | 3.5 | 2.7–4.5 | 13 | 27.2% |
Colorado’s overall late-stage diagnosis rate (27.1%) is below the national figure (29.1%), indicating that Colorado diagnoses a somewhat larger share of kidney cancers at earlier, more treatable stages.
Kidney Transplants in Colorado
A kidney transplant is the preferred long-term treatment for kidney failure, offering better quality of life and outcomes than dialysis. This section covers the transplant waiting list, how many transplants are performed in Colorado each year, the state’s transplant centers and their program capabilities, and outcomes data for both adult and pediatric patients.
Transplant Waiting List
The transplant waiting list reflects the gap between the demand for kidneys and the available supply. The table below tracks the number of Coloradans on the kidney transplant waiting list across reporting periods.
| Report Year | Coloradans on the Waiting List |
| 2021 | 1,358 |
| 2023 | 1,128 (as of February 17, 2023) |
| 2024 | 1,075 |
| 2025 | 1,133 |
| 2026 | 1,290 |
Note: As of the 2023 report, only about 1 in 2 Coloradans on the kidney transplant waiting list received a transplant in 2022.
The waiting list peaked at 1,358 in 2021 and fell to its lowest point of 1,075 in 2024, potentially reflecting improved transplant volume and efficiency.
Transplants Performed
The number of kidney transplants performed in Colorado has grown substantially over the past decade, driven by increases in both living and deceased donor transplants. The following list details annual transplant volumes, the breakdown by donor type, and the percentage increase compared to each report’s historical baseline year.
2022
- Total transplants: 477 — a 73.5% increase vs. 2012
- Living donor: 148 (42.3% increase vs. 2012)
- Deceased donor: 329
2023
- Total transplants: 462 — a 53% increase vs. 2013
- Living donor: 142 (56% increase vs. 2013)
- Deceased donor: 320
2024
- Total transplants: 453 — an 80% increase vs. 2014
- Living donor: 151 (44% increase vs. 2014)
- Deceased donor: 302
2025
- Total transplants: 431 — a 70% increase vs. 2015
- Living donor: 130 (28% increase vs. 2015)
- Deceased donor: 301
Transplant activity in Colorado has seen dramatic long-term growth — roughly a 70–80% increase in total transplants compared to a decade prior.
Transplant Centers
Colorado has four kidney transplant centers. Two of them — AdventHealth Porter and UCHealth University of Colorado Hospital — are active participants in the National Kidney Registry (NKR) and a wide range of donor and recipient programs. The other two — Children’s Hospital of Denver (pediatric) and Presbyterian/St. Luke’s Medical Center — have more limited program participation.
Donor Programs & Capabilities
The table below details each center’s participation in key donor support programs.
| Center | NKR Transplants (Last 12 Mo.) | Prioritization: Deceased Donor | NKR Prioritization: Living Donor | Donor Shield (NKR) | Remote Donation | Voucher Program | NKR Member | Equal Access Commitment | Donor Referral Network | Kidney for Life | Donor Care Network | Nutcracker Care Network |
| AdventHealth Porter – Denver | 38 | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| UCHealth University of Colorado Hospital – Anschutz | 34 | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
| Children’s Hospital of Denver | 0 | No | No | No | No | No | No | No | No | No | No | No |
| Presbyterian/St. Luke’s Medical Center | 0 | No | No | No | No | No | No | No | No | No | No | No |
AdventHealth Porter – Denver leads among donor centers, participating in every listed program including the Nutcracker Care Network — the only Colorado center to do so.
Recipient Programs & Capabilities
The table below details each center’s participation in key recipient support programs.
| Center | Kidney for Life | Low Eplet Transplants (Last 12 Mo.) | NKR Transplants (Last 12 Mo.) | NKR Living Donor Transplants (Prior Year) | Living Donor Transplants (Prior Year) | NKR % of Living Donor Transplants | Paired Microsites | Microsite Center of Excellence | Non-Steroidal Protocol | Voucher Program | NKR Member | Equal Access Commitment |
| AdventHealth Porter – Denver | Yes | 13 | 38 | 34 | 60 | 57% | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| UCHealth University of Colorado Hospital – Anschutz | Yes | 6 | 34 | 30 | 78 | 39% | No | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Children’s Hospital of Denver | No | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 0% | No | No | Unknown | No | No | No |
| Presbyterian/St. Luke’s Medical Center | No | 0 | 0 | 0 | 12 | 0% | No | No | Unknown | No | No | No |
AdventHealth Porter leads in NKR transplant volume (38) and is the only center designated as both a Paired Microsite and a Microsite Center of Excellence.
Transplant Outcomes
Survival outcomes — for both the patient and the transplanted kidney (graft) — are a key measure of transplant center quality. Data is available for adult and pediatric centers separately.
Adult Centers
The table below shows 1-year and 3-year graft and patient survival rates for living and deceased donor transplants at Colorado’s adult transplant centers.
| Center | NKR Transplants (Last 12 Mo.) | Living Donor Transplants (Prior Year) | Living Donor 1-Yr Graft Survival | Living Donor 3-Yr Graft Survival | Living Donor 1-Yr Patient Survival | Living Donor 3-Yr Patient Survival | Deceased Donor 1-Yr Graft Survival | Deceased Donor 3-Yr Graft Survival | Deceased Donor 1-Yr Patient Survival | Deceased Donor 3-Yr Patient Survival |
| AdventHealth Porter – Denver | 38 | 60 | 97% | 96% | 99% | 98% | 94% | 91% | 97% | 90% |
| UCHealth University of Colorado Hospital – Anschutz | 34 | 78 | 99% | 94% | 99% | 96% | 92% | 86% | 98% | 91% |
| Presbyterian/St. Luke’s Medical Center | 0 | 12 | 100% | 93% | 100% | 100% | 95% | 87% | 97% | 93% |
All three adult transplant centers in Colorado demonstrate strong outcomes. For living donor transplants, 1-year patient survival is between 99% and 100% across all centers, reflecting the relatively lower risk associated with living donors. Deceased donor graft survival tends to be somewhat lower at the 3-year mark (86–91%), consistent with the typically higher baseline health risks of deceased donor recipients.
Pediatric Centers
The following list presents outcomes for pediatric transplant recipients at Children’s Hospital of Denver, Colorado’s dedicated pediatric kidney transplant center.
| Center | NKR Transplants (Last 12 Mo.) | Living Donor Transplants (Prior Year) | Living Donor 1-Yr Graft Survival | Living Donor 3-Yr Graft Survival | Living Donor 1-Yr Patient Survival | Living Donor 3-Yr Patient Survival | Deceased Donor 1-Yr Graft Survival | Deceased Donor 3-Yr Graft Survival | Deceased Donor 1-Yr Patient Survival | Deceased Donor 3-Yr Patient Survival |
| Children’s Hospital of Denver | 0 | 6 | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 93% | 90% | 100% | 100% |
Children’s Hospital of Denver reports excellent pediatric transplant outcomes. Living donor graft and patient survival are 100% at both the 1-year and 3-year marks, and deceased donor patient survival is also 100% at both timepoints.
Dialysis in Colorado
For those who cannot receive a transplant, dialysis is the only alternative — a lifelong, time-intensive treatment that must be performed multiple times per week. Coloradans who cannot receive a transplant depend on the state’s dialysis centers for life-sustaining care.
- 76 dialysis centers in Colorado
- 72 KCP (Kidney Care Partners) centers in Colorado
- 1,043 employees at KCP centers
- 7,175 individuals with ESRD in Colorado
- 5,073 Coloradans on dialysis (2026 report)
With 76 dialysis centers serving more than 5,000 patients, Colorado has a substantial dialysis network.
Kidney Disease and Kidney and Renal Pelvis Mortality in Colorado
Kidney disease is a significant cause of death in Colorado. This section presents overall mortality statistics, deaths broken down by age group, and county-level death rates that reveal major geographic disparities across the state.
Statewide Overview
The following statistics summarize overall mortality from kidney disease at the state level.
Single-Year Snapshot
- Total kidney disease deaths in Colorado: 570
- Kidney disease death rate: 8.5 per 100,000
- Colorado age-adjusted death rate (nephritis/nephrosis): 9.11 per 100,000
- United States age-adjusted death rate (nephritis/nephrosis): 13.55 per 100,000
- Colorado’s national overall mortality rank: #21
Five-Year Average (2019–2023)
| Indicator | Colorado | United States |
| Age-Adjusted Death Rate (per 100,000) | 8.7 (95% CI: 8.3–9.0) | 13.4 (95% CI: 13.3–13.4) |
| Average Annual Deaths | 526 | 54,332 |
| Recent 5-Year Trend | Stable (–0.5) | Stable (0.0) |
Colorado’s kidney disease death rate is substantially below the national average — approximately 35% lower when comparing 9.11 to the national 13.55, or 35% lower using the 2019–2023 five-year figures (8.7 vs. 13.4).
Deaths by Age Group
Deaths from kidney disease are heavily concentrated in older age groups. The following list shows Colorado deaths and national ranking within each age bracket.
- All Ages — 570 deaths (National Rank: #21)
- 0–14 — 0 deaths (National Rank: #25)
- 15–24 — 0 deaths (National Rank: #25)
- 25–34 — 0 deaths (National Rank: #28)
- 35–44 — 16 deaths (National Rank: #17)
- 45–54 — 29 deaths (National Rank: #19)
- 55–64 — 62 deaths (National Rank: #20)
- 65–74 — 116 deaths (National Rank: #18)
- 75+ — 347 deaths (National Rank: #13) — 60.9% of all kidney disease deaths
No kidney disease deaths were recorded among Coloradans aged 0–34. Deaths begin to appear in the 35–44 group and rise sharply with each successive age bracket.
Death Rates by County
Kidney disease mortality varies dramatically across Colorado’s counties, revealing stark geographic disparities between rural southeastern communities and urban and mountain areas.
General Rankings — All 60 Counties
The following table ranks all Colorado counties by their age-adjusted kidney disease (nephritis/nephrosis) death rate per 100,000, from highest to lowest. For reference, the statewide rate is 9.11 per 100,000 and the U.S. rate is 13.55 per 100,000.
| Rank | County | Rate per 100,000 |
| 1 | Bent | 23.31 |
| 2 | Prowers | 21.49 |
| 3 | Otero | 19.86 |
| 4 | Yuma | 17.92 |
| 5 | Crowley | 16.77 |
| 6 | Costilla | 16.08 |
| 7 | Sedgwick | 15.38 |
| 8 | Kiowa | 15.13 |
| 9 | Rio Grande | 15.12 |
| 10 | Conejos | 15.06 |
| 11 | Alamosa | 14.51 |
| 12 | Huerfano | 13.96 |
| 13 | Rio Blanco | 13.71 |
| 14 | Adams | 13.30 |
| 15 | Morgan | 12.73 |
| 16 | Kit Carson | 12.66 |
| 17 | Denver | 12.45 |
| 18 | Las Animas | 12.30 |
| 19 | Phillips | 12.18 |
| 20 | Montezuma | 11.30 |
| 21 | Pueblo | 11.27 |
| 22 | Moffat | 11.15 |
| 23 | Lake | 11.05 |
| 24 | Cheyenne | 10.83 |
| 25 | Elbert | 10.75 |
| 26 | Jefferson | 10.65 |
| 27 | Chaffee | 10.64 |
| 28 | Garfield | 10.61 |
| 29 | Logan | 10.44 |
| 30 | Baca | 10.15 |
| 31 | Arapahoe | 10.01 |
| 32 | Routt | 9.98 |
| 33 | Washington | 9.64 |
| 34 | Custer | 9.52 |
| 35 | Fremont | 9.48 |
| 36 | Weld | 9.30 |
| 37 | Larimer | 9.29 |
| 38 | Delta | 9.18 |
| 39 | Clear Creek | 9.11 |
| 40 | Jackson | 8.86 |
| 41 | Saguache | 8.30 |
| 42 | El Paso | 8.06 |
| 43 | Grand | 7.96 |
| 44 | Douglas | 7.73 |
| 45 | La Plata | 7.42 |
| 46 | Summit | 7.31 |
| 47 | Dolores | 7.19 |
| 48 | Boulder | 7.00 |
| 49 | Lincoln | 6.76 |
| 50 | Teller | 6.15 |
| 51 | Mesa | 6.00 |
| 52 | Montrose | 5.84 |
| 53 | Gunnison | 5.64 |
| 54 | San Miguel | 5.50 |
| 55 | Park | 5.05 |
| 56 | Ouray | 4.80 |
| 57 | Archuleta | 4.45 |
| 58 | Eagle | 4.32 |
| 59 | Gilpin | 3.25 |
| 60 | Pitkin | 2.79 |
There is an extreme range in kidney disease death rates across Colorado’s 60 counties — from 2.79 (Pitkin) to 23.31 (Bent), nearly a 10-fold difference.
2019–2023 Five-Year Data (Selected Counties)
The following table provides five-year (2019–2023) age-adjusted kidney disease death rates for counties with sufficient data, along with trend information. The state total and U.S. figures are included for reference.
| County | Urban/Rural | Age-Adjusted Rate (per 100,000) | 95% Confidence Interval | Avg. Annual Deaths | Recent 5-Year Trend |
| Colorado | — | 8.7 | (8.3–9.0) | 526 | Stable (–0.5) |
| United States | — | 13.4 | (13.3–13.4) | 54,332 | Stable (0.0) |
| Alamosa County | — | 29.6 | (18.9–44.2) | 5 | N/A |
| Prowers County | — | 25.1 | (15.2–39.6) | 4 | N/A |
| Otero County | — | 18.2 | (12.0–27.2) | 5 | N/A |
| Chaffee County | — | 16.5 | (10.5–25.5) | 5 | N/A |
| Fremont County | — | 16.3 | (12.5–21.1) | 13 | N/A |
| Garfield County | — | 14.9 | (10.5–20.6) | 7 | N/A |
| Logan County | — | 14.9 | (9.3–23.1) | 5 | N/A |
| Morgan County | — | 14.2 | (9.2–21.1) | 5 | N/A |
| Pueblo County | Urban | 10.7 | (8.9–12.9) | 24 | Stable (–1.5) |
| Adams County | Urban | 10.6 | (9.2–12.1) | 43 | Falling (–3.5) |
| Denver County | Urban | 9.9 | (8.8–11.0) | 64 | Falling (–2.8) |
| El Paso County | Urban | 9.0 | (8.0–10.1) | 64 | Stable (+1.1) |
| Weld County | Urban | 9.0 | (7.5–10.6) | 28 | Stable (–1.9) |
| Arapahoe County | Urban | 8.5 | (7.5–9.6) | 55 | Falling (–1.8) |
| Jefferson County | Urban | 8.0 | (7.1–9.1) | 54 | Falling (–3.8) |
| Broomfield County | Urban | 7.7 | (5.3–11.0) | 6 | N/A |
| Delta County | — | 7.5 | (4.6–11.9) | 4 | N/A |
| Mesa County | Urban | 7.5 | (5.9–9.4) | 16 | Stable (+0.3) |
| Larimer County | Urban | 7.4 | (6.3–8.7) | 30 | Falling (–2.1) |
| La Plata County | — | 6.8 | (4.3–10.3) | 5 | N/A |
| Douglas County | Urban | 6.0 | (4.8–7.3) | 19 | Rising (+16.3) |
| Boulder County | Urban | 5.7 | (4.6–7.0) | 20 | Falling (–3.2) |
Among counties with trend data, several major urban counties are showing meaningful declines — Jefferson (–3.8), Adams (–3.5), Denver (–2.8), Boulder (–3.2), and Larimer (–2.1) all show falling trends, suggesting improving outcomes in Colorado’s largest population centers.
Kidney and Renal Pelvis Cancer Mortality
Kidney and renal pelvis cancer mortality in Colorado has been declining over the long term, both statewide and across most individual counties.
Statewide Trend (2000–2023)
The annual percent change (APC) in kidney and renal pelvis cancer mortality in Colorado was –1.1% (95% CI: –1.9 to –0.3) across the full 2000–2023 period, indicating a statistically significant downward trend. The table below shows the observed and model-estimated death rates per 100,000 for each year.
| Year | Observed Rate | Estimated Rate |
| 2000 | 3.1 | 3.9 |
| 2001 | 3.9 | 3.9 |
| 2002 | 3.8 | 3.8 |
| 2003 | 3.9 | 3.8 |
| 2004 | 3.4 | 3.7 |
| 2005 | 4.4 | 3.7 |
| 2006 | 3.7 | 3.7 |
| 2007 | 4.0 | 3.6 |
| 2008 | 3.2 | 3.6 |
| 2009 | 3.9 | 3.5 |
| 2010 | 3.5 | 3.5 |
| 2011 | 3.8 | 3.5 |
| 2012 | 3.0 | 3.4 |
| 2013 | 3.5 | 3.4 |
| 2014 | 3.3 | 3.4 |
| 2015 | 3.6 | 3.3 |
| 2016 | 3.1 | 3.3 |
| 2017 | 2.8 | 3.2 |
| 2018 | 3.2 | 3.2 |
| 2019 | 2.9 | 3.2 |
| 2020 | 3.2 | 3.1 |
| 2021 | 3.4 | 3.1 |
| 2022 | 2.8 | 3.1 |
| 2023 | 3.2 | 3.0 |
While year-to-year observed rates fluctuate (ranging from 2.8 to 4.4 over the full period), the smoothed estimated trend line shows a consistent decline from 3.9 in 2000–2001 to 3.0 in 2023.
Death Rates by County (2019–2023)
The following list shows kidney and renal pelvis cancer death rates for Colorado counties with sufficient data, sorted from highest to lowest rate, for the 2019–2023 period. All counties listed met the Healthy People objective for kidney cancer mortality.
| Rank | County | Urban/Rural | Age-Adjusted Rate (per 100,000) | 95% CI | Avg. Annual Deaths | Recent 5-Year Trend |
| 1 | Pueblo | Urban | 4.0 | 2.9–5.4 | 9 | Stable (–1.8) |
| 2 | La Plata | Rural | 3.9 | 2.1–6.7 | 3 | N/A |
| 3 | Adams | Urban | 3.7 | 2.9–4.7 | 17 | Stable (–1.4) |
| 4 | Jefferson | Urban | 3.5 | 2.9–4.1 | 25 | Stable (–1.2) |
| 5 | Arapahoe | Urban | 3.4 | 2.8–4.1 | 24 | Stable (–0.3) |
| 6 | Denver | Urban | 3.3 | 2.7–4.0 | 21 | Stable (–1.1) |
| 7 | El Paso | Urban | 3.2 | 2.7–3.9 | 25 | Stable (–1.0) |
| 8 | Weld | Urban | 3.0 | 2.2–4.0 | 10 | Falling (–24.6) |
| 9 | Mesa | Urban | 2.9 | 2.0–4.2 | 6 | Stable (–0.7) |
| 10 | Larimer | Urban | 2.9 | 2.2–3.7 | 12 | Falling (–2.6) |
| 11 | Douglas | Urban | 2.6 | 1.9–3.5 | 10 | Stable (+0.4) |
| 12 | Boulder | Urban | 2.2 | 1.6–3.1 | 8 | Falling (–3.9) |
Colorado’s overall kidney cancer death rate (3.1 per 100,000) is below the national rate (3.4), and the statewide trend is falling (–1.1), mirroring the national downward trajectory (–1.4).
Financial Assistance & Socioeconomic Impact
Kidney failure is classified as a disability, and treating it is financially devastating for most patients. This section covers the charitable assistance provided by the American Kidney Fund (AKF) to Coloradans, the insurance landscape of those who receive help, and the broader financial hardship and disparities that characterize the kidney failure population.
AKF Grants to Coloradans
The American Kidney Fund (AKF) provides charitable grants to help low-income dialysis and transplant patients cover insurance premiums and other health care costs not covered by insurance. The table below tracks grant recipients and total assistance provided to Coloradans over time.
| Grant Year | Number of Colorado Recipients | Total AKF Charitable Assistance |
| 2020 | 1,076 | $3,700,000 |
| 2022 | 873 | $3,231,382 |
| 2023 | 741 | $2,771,205 |
| 2024 | 766 | $2,739,554 |
| 2025 | 796 | Not reported |
Both the number of Colorado AKF grant recipients and the total charitable assistance provided have declined significantly from 2020 to 2024 — from 1,076 recipients and $3.7 million to 766 recipients and $2.74 million.
Insurance Coverage of AKF Recipients
Understanding how AKF recipients are insured helps illuminate the coverage gaps that leave kidney patients financially vulnerable. The following list shows the insurance breakdown for Americans who received AKF charitable premium assistance, reported for each year.
2022
- Medicare Part B: 40.9%
- Medigap (Medicare Supplement): 27.2%
- Commercial Employer Group Plans (incl. COBRA): 17.7%
- Medicare Advantage: 1.3%
2023
- Medicare Part B: 44.6%
- Medigap (Medicare Supplement): 23.4%
- Commercial Employer Group Plans (incl. COBRA): 17.2%
- Medicare Advantage: 1.4%
2024
- Medicare Part B: 25.0%
- Medigap (Medicare Supplement): 27.3%
- Commercial Employer Group Plans (incl. COBRA): 20.1%
- Medicare Advantage: 0.6%
Medicare Part B has been the most common insurance type among AKF recipients, though its share dropped sharply from 44.6% in 2023 to 25.0% in 2024.
Financial Hardship & Disparities
Kidney failure imposes severe financial hardship on patients and their families. The following statistics illustrate the depth of that hardship and which populations are most affected.
Work & Disability
- More than 80% of dialysis patients cannot work — ESRD is classified as a disability
- Dialysis is life support, and treating kidney failure and its comorbidities is more consuming than a full-time job
Income vs. Costs
- Average annual income of patients AKF helps: under $25,000
- Average annual out-of-pocket costs for dialysis patients: over $10,000
Racial & Ethnic Disparities
More than 60% of the patients AKF helps are minorities:
- 34.7% are Black
- 20.9% are Hispanic/Latino
- 5.2% are Native American, Asian, or Pacific Islander
The financial gap is striking: patients earning under $25,000 per year face out-of-pocket dialysis costs exceeding $10,000, representing more than 40% of their income.
Conclusion
Colorado’s kidney disease burden has grown significantly over the past decade and a half, with the total kidney failure population rising by roughly one-third since the early 2010s. Diabetes and high blood pressure — both largely preventable and manageable conditions — account for more than 70% of all kidney failure cases each year, underscoring the critical importance of upstream prevention and chronic disease management. At the same time, the number of kidney transplants performed annually in Colorado has grown by 70–80% compared to a decade ago, and all of the state’s major transplant centers report strong 1-year and 3-year patient and graft survival outcomes, reflecting real progress in transplant care.
Geographic and demographic disparities remain a serious concern. Rural counties in southeastern Colorado — including Bent, Prowers, Otero, and Alamosa — bear kidney disease death rates two to three times higher than the state average and far above the national figure, with insufficient data volume to even track trends over time. Minority populations, particularly Black and Hispanic/Latino residents, are disproportionately represented among kidney failure patients requiring financial assistance, reflecting broader patterns of health inequity driven by higher rates of diabetes, hypertension, and limited access to care. The financial toll is severe across the board: patients earning under $25,000 per year face out-of-pocket dialysis costs exceeding $10,000 annually, and more than 80% cannot work — a combination that makes charitable assistance from organizations like the AKF essential to survival for hundreds of Coloradans each year.
On a more encouraging note, Colorado’s kidney and renal pelvis cancer mortality rate has declined by approximately 1.1% per year over the past two decades, and kidney disease death rates in several of the state’s largest counties — including Jefferson, Adams, Denver, Larimer, and Boulder — are showing statistically significant downward trends. The steady growth in transplant volume, the strong outcomes at Colorado’s transplant centers, and the long-term decline in cancer mortality all point to the value of continued investment in kidney disease prevention, early detection, equitable access to transplant care, and financial support for patients navigating one of the most demanding chronic diseases in existence.
Sources:
- Kidney Transplant Centers in Colorado
- Kidney failure
- Kidney failure COLORADO: 2026
- Kidney failure in Colorado: 2024
- Kidney failure in Colorado: 2023
- Kidney failure (ESRD) in Colorado 2021
- Explore Chronic Kidney Disease in Colorado | AHR
- Kidney Disease Mortality | Stats of the States | CDC
- Colorado Nephritis/Kidney Disease
- COLORADO CAUSES OF DEATH BY AGE AND GENDER
- Kidney Disease (Nephritis & Nephrosis) Death Rates Table for Colorado by County
- Kidney Care: A National Overview
- 2022 COE Factsheet for CAC
- Incidence Rate Report for Colorado by County Kidney & Renal Pelvis (Late Stage), 2018-2022
- Incidence Rate Report for Colorado by County Kidney & Renal Pelvis (All Stages), 2018-2022
- Colorado Cancer Incidence: Quick Profile | HDPulse Data Portal
- State Cancer Profiles > Interpretation of Historical Trends Data
- Death Rate Report for Colorado by County Kidney & Renal Pelvis, 2019-2023