A medical weight loss program is physician-supervised care that combines nutrition and activity coaching with prescription medicine when a clinician judges it appropriate.
Denver's numbers, in context
Denver is a consolidated city and county, so the city and county CDC figures are the same: 21.6% of adults have obesity and 7.1% have diagnosed diabetes [1]. A lower average does not change the care an individual needs. Prescribers look at your own BMI, health conditions and goals, not the city rate.
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An academic option in Aurora
The CU Anschutz Health and Wellness Center at 12348 E Montview Blvd in Aurora lists a physician-directed weight loss program that pairs weight loss medicines with behavior change, and says self-pay is available [4]. Its page does not publish a program price, so ask for the visit fee, lab costs and whether the medicine is billed separately. Hospital systems in the city include UCHealth and Denver Health; we have not confirmed a specific weight program at either.
Coverage in Colorado
Colorado is not on KFF's January 2026 list of 13 state Medicaid programs covering GLP-1s for obesity [2]. For people 65 and older on Part D, the Medicare GLP-1 Bridge pays for Wegovy, Foundayo and the Zepbound KwikPen with a $50 monthly copay from July 1, 2026 through December 31, 2027, if BMI rules are met [6] [7]. Employer plans differ widely; our insurance and Medicare guide lists what to ask HR.
Drug prices that apply in Denver
| Option | Monthly price | Checked | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Foundayo pill | $149 to $299 | Oct 17, 2026 | [8] |
| Wegovy pen, standard doses | $349 | Oct 17, 2026 | [3] |
| Zepbound, 7.5 to 15 mg with on-time refill | $449 | Oct 17, 2026 | [9] |
What an average result looks like
Trial results are averages, not promises. In STEP 1, adults on semaglutide 2.4 mg lost an average of 14.9% of body weight over 68 weeks [10]. In SURMOUNT-1, those on tirzepatide 15 mg lost 20.9% over 72 weeks [11]. When people stopped semaglutide in the STEP 1 extension, they regained about two-thirds of the lost weight within a year [12]. Plan for long-term cost, not a short course.
Next steps
- Read the medical weight loss guide and the clinic checklist.
- Compare online prescribers in online GLP-1 programs.
- Look at neighboring markets: Salt Lake City, Phoenix and Kansas City.
Know the warning signs
GLP-1 labels list acute pancreatitis: get care for severe stomach pain that does not go away [13] [14]. Seek help for swelling of the face or throat or trouble breathing. If you also use insulin or a sulfonylurea, watch for low blood sugar. These drugs carry a boxed warning about thyroid C-cell tumors and are not for people with a personal or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma or MEN 2. Stop when pregnancy is recognized. Call 911 for emergencies.
Questions people ask
What is the obesity rate in Denver?
CDC PLACES estimates 21.6% of Denver adults have obesity and 7.1% have diagnosed diabetes, based on 2023 data [1].
Does Colorado Medicaid cover Wegovy or Zepbound for weight loss?
No. Colorado was not among the 13 state Medicaid programs covering GLP-1s for obesity in KFF's January 2026 count [2].
Is there a hospital-based weight loss program near Denver?
The CU Anschutz Health and Wellness Center in Aurora lists a physician-directed weight loss program using medicines with behavior change, with self-pay available [4].
What is the cheapest brand GLP-1 for Denver patients?
Do people regain weight after stopping semaglutide?
In the STEP 1 extension, people regained about two-thirds of their lost weight one year after stopping semaglutide [12].
Sources
14 cited
- PLACES county data, 2025 release: Denver County, CO. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2025 release (2023 BRFSS).
- Medicaid coverage of and spending on GLP-1s. KFF, Jan 16, 2026.
- Wegovy self-pay offer, NovoCare Pharmacy. Novo Nordisk (NovoCare), Oct 17, 2026.
- Anschutz Health and Wellness Center. CU Medicine, Oct 17, 2026.
- QuickFacts: Denver city, Colorado. U.S. Census Bureau, 2025 estimates and 2020-2024 ACS; accessed 2026-10-17.
- Weight loss drugs coverage (Medicare GLP-1 Bridge). Medicare.gov (CMS), Oct 17, 2026.
- Medicare GLP-1 Bridge: information for pharmacies. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, Oct 17, 2026.
- Foundayo self-pay prices on LillyDirect. Eli Lilly and Company (LillyDirect), Oct 17, 2026.
- Zepbound self-pay prices on LillyDirect. Eli Lilly and Company (LillyDirect), Oct 17, 2026.
- Once-weekly semaglutide in adults with overweight or obesity (STEP 1). New England Journal of Medicine (PubMed), 2021.
- Tirzepatide once weekly for the treatment of obesity (SURMOUNT-1). New England Journal of Medicine (PubMed), 2022.
- Weight regain and cardiometabolic effects after withdrawal of semaglutide (STEP 1 extension). Diabetes, Obesity and Metabolism (PubMed), 2022.
- Wegovy label (injection and tablets). DailyMed, National Library of Medicine, Jun 2026.
- Zepbound (tirzepatide) prescribing information. U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Apr 2026.
This page is general information, not medical advice. Talk with a licensed clinician about your own care.