State guide

Colorado

Programs, dollars, and people that serve autism families in Colorado. Federal protections always apply on top of what you see here.

Colorado overview

Colorado's Medicaid Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) Developmental Disabilities waiver is administered through the CDHS Office of Community Living — apply through your county Community Centered Board (CCB), which is the local intake point. Waitlists are real; apply early. PEAK Parent Center is Colorado's PTI center and one of the most resource-rich in the country for families navigating IEPs. The Rocky Mountain Autism Center and AUTA provide regional clinical support.

Verify program names, URLs, and eligibility on official .gov sites — these change.

⏰ Act now — Medicaid waiver waitlist

Children's Extensive Support (CES) for children; HCBS-DD and Supported Living Services for adults

Typical wait: No state waitlist for CES; around 7 years for the adult DD waiver

Contact your Community Centered Board or Case Management Agency. For a child, ask about CES — but if what you need is ABA, that is covered by state-plan Medicaid under EPSDT and does not require a waiver at all.

Colorado's Children with Autism waiver ended in 2018. Behavioral therapy moved to state-plan Medicaid via EPSDT.

Apply or learn more →Compare all 50 states

Statewide resources

These four programs exist in every state and are the fastest entry points for most families.

Parent Training & Information (PTI)

PEAK Parent Center

(719) 531-9400

Federally funded — free help with IEPs, evaluations, and special ed rights.

Insurance Coverage

Whether private insurance must cover ABA therapy in Colorado.

Colorado requires insurance to cover ABA therapy

HB 09-1021 · effective 2009

Through age 18No dollar capDiagnosis required

Covers ABA through age 18 with no dollar cap. Requires autism diagnosis and a licensed BCBA. Small employer and self-funded ERISA plans may be exempt — verify your plan type with HR.

Self-funded employer plans (ERISA) are typically exempt — ask your HR department which type of plan you have.

Medicaid Waiver

Home and community-based services (HCBS) for autism families in Colorado.

Children's Extensive Support (CES) Waiver / HCBS-Developmental Disabilities Waiver

Colorado Department of Health Care Policy and Financing (HCPF) / Office of Community Living

Currently closed

Typical wait time

5-10 years (CES); varies for adult DD waiver

Coverage highlights

  • ✓Respite
  • ✓Supported Living
  • ✓Therapy
  • ✓Employment Supports

Colorado's CES waiver is designed for children with significant needs and has a long waitlist — apply as early as possible. Adults can apply for the HCBS-DD waiver through their county Department of Human Services. Colorado also offers a Family Support Services program with smaller benefits while waiting for a waiver slot.

How to apply

Apply online →303-692-2700

Medicaid Managed Care

How Medicaid pays for ABA therapy in Colorado.

Health First Colorado (Colorado's Medicaid)

Covers ABA through under 21

How to find your plan

Visit colorado.gov/hcpf or call 1-800-221-3943. Colorado uses Regional Accountable Entities (RAEs) for behavioral health — your RAE depends on your county of residence.

Major plans in this state

  • Rocky Mountain Health Plans (RAE 1)
  • Colorado Access (RAE 3, 4, 5)
  • Behavioral Healthcare Inc. (BHI) / Acentra Health (RAE 2)
  • Beacon Health Options (RAE 6, 7)

Colorado's Medicaid program covers ABA therapy for children under 21 through Health First Colorado. Behavioral health services including ABA are managed by Regional Accountable Entities (RAEs) by geography. Physical health is managed separately through traditional Medicaid. Contact your RAE to get a list of in-network ABA providers.

⚠️ Prior authorization is required before starting ABA services.