Colorado WIC Program

Colorado WIC is administered by the Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment (CDPHE) but delivered through a network of local WIC agencies — county and district public health departments, community health centers, and nonprofits — operating around 100 clinic sites across all 64 counties, from Denver and Colorado Springs to rural agencies serving the Western Slope and San Luis Valley.

Who WIC Serves in Colorado

WIC is open to people who are pregnant, up to six months postpartum (or up to a year if breastfeeding), infants, and children up to their 5th birthday. Fathers, grandparents, foster parents, and other caregivers can apply on behalf of an eligible child. Colorado WIC does not require proof of pregnancy as a condition of eligibility, and there is no citizenship or immigration status requirement to apply. To qualify, a household needs to meet income guidelines and show a nutrition-related risk — such as being pregnant, anemic, or underweight — which a WIC staff member or your doctor can help confirm at your appointment.

What Your Benefits Include

Once approved, benefits load monthly onto an eWIC card that works like a debit card at authorized grocery stores statewide, covering items like milk, eggs, whole grains, fruits and vegetables, and infant formula. WIC also connects families to breastfeeding support, one-on-one nutrition education, and referrals to programs like Health First Colorado (Medicaid) or SNAP. Most participants use the free WICShopper app to scan barcodes in the store, check their benefit balance by food category, and find nearby WIC-authorized retailers.

How WIC Works in Colorado

Because Colorado WIC is delivered through local agencies rather than a single office, the fastest way to get started is to contact the clinic nearest you, or submit the online sign-up form and a staff member will follow up within 10 calendar days. Colorado offers phone and online appointments whenever possible, though at least one in-person visit is generally required each year to take height, weight, and hemoglobin measurements. Ongoing nutrition education between appointments can often be completed online through wichealth.org.

Staying Enrolled

Recertification timing depends on your category: pregnant participants are certified through delivery, breastfeeding participants for up to a year postpartum, non-breastfeeding postpartum participants for six months, and infants and children are recertified periodically until age five. Your local WIC clinic will reach out before your certification period ends — don't wait until the last week to schedule, especially at busier clinics along the Front Range.