County resource guide
Autism Resources in Denver County, Colorado
Local providers, school contacts, and support services for autism families in Denver County. Colorado statewide resources also apply.
Denver County is home to Children's Hospital Colorado and JFK Partners at CU Anschutz — two of the region's strongest autism programs. Children's Colorado is an Autism Treatment Network site and consistently ranks among the nation's best pediatric programs. PEAK Parent Center, Colorado's federally funded PTI headquartered in Colorado Springs, serves Denver families with free IEP advocacy. Colorado requires most commercial insurance plans to cover ABA therapy, and Colorado's SLS/CES Medicaid waivers and Early Intervention program support eligible residents.
School evaluation
Request a School Evaluation
Under IDEA, your school district must evaluate your child for free if you request it in writing. Here’s who to contact in Denver County:
Denver Public Schools Special Ed
Serves Denver city and county (consolidated city-county).
Contacts verified May 2026 — call to confirm current numbers
Learn how to write your evaluation request →Provider directory
Local Providers34 providers in Denver County
About our listings
Provider listings on Autism Parent Club are submitted by practices or researched from public sources. All listings are reviewed by a person before publication, and no provider has paid to appear here. Read how we verify listings, or use the “Suggest a correction” link below to flag anything inaccurate.
0 providers in Denver County. Filter by your child’s age — including 18+, which is the hardest to find anywhere.
Diagnostic clinics
Formal autism evaluations by developmental pediatricians, psychologists, or neuropsychologists.
Aurora
Children's Hospital Colorado — Autism and Developmental Pediatrics
One of the nation's leading pediatric autism programs. Children's Colorado offers comprehensive evaluations, the Autism Developmental Disabilities Clinic, and a nationally recognized Autism Treatment Network site. Serves the full Denver metro.
Autism Treatment Network site. Waitlists common — ask about their self-referral process.
Aurora
JFK Partners — University of Colorado Anschutz
Colorado's University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities at CU Anschutz Medical Campus. Comprehensive evaluations, interdisciplinary training, and Colorado's strongest connection between research and family services.
ABA therapy
Applied Behavior Analysis therapy — typically requires insurance authorization.
Denver · multi-county
Attain ABA — Denver
ABA therapy with a regional Denver office at 2301 Blake Street, Suite 100. Serves Adams, Arapahoe, Denver, Douglas, and Jefferson counties.
Source: https://www.attainaba.com/behavior-analysis/colorado/
Commerce City · multi-county
Behavioral Innovations — Adams County
Center-based ABA therapy serving Adams County families in Commerce City, Brighton, and Westminster. BCBA-supervised programs accepting Colorado Medicaid and commercial insurance under Colorado's ABA mandate.
Colorado requires most commercial plans to cover ABA therapy.
Lakewood · multi-county
BlueSprig Autism — Lakewood
Center-based ABA therapy in Lakewood serving Jefferson County. BlueSprig's BCBA-supervised programs focus on communication, social skills, and adaptive behavior for toddlers through teens. Accepts Colorado Medicaid and most commercial insurance.
Colorado requires most commercial plans to cover ABA therapy.
Aurora · multi-county
Centria Autism — Aurora
Center-based and in-home ABA therapy in Aurora serving Arapahoe County. BCBA-supervised programs accepting Colorado Medicaid and most commercial insurance plans.
Colorado requires most commercial plans to cover ABA therapy.
Denver · multi-county
Centria Autism — Denver Metro
Center-based and in-home ABA therapy serving the Denver metro. BCBA-supervised. Accepts most commercial insurance and Colorado Medicaid.
Colorado requires most commercial plans to cover ABA therapy.
Lakewood · multi-county
Continuum Autism Spectrum Alliance — Colorado
In-home and clinic-based ABA therapy from a Lakewood office serving Denver metro and Jefferson County since 2012.
Source: https://www.autismspectrumalliance.com/locations/colorado/
Mental health
Therapists and psychiatrists experienced with autistic children and adults.
Denver
Breckenridge Outdoor Education Center — Social Skills
Unique outdoor-based therapeutic programs for autistic youth in Colorado. Adventure therapy and social skills development through structured outdoor experiences.
Respite care
Respite care providers giving families a break — in-home, center-based, and overnight.
Statewide · multi-county
Family Support Services Program and Colorado Respite Coalition vouchers
Two routes, and the first has a detail worth knowing: the Family Support Services Program, run through Community Centered Boards, helps cover costs of caring for a disabled child including respite, and has NO income limit. Separately, the Colorado Respite Coalition issues family vouchers toward respite. Several Colorado waivers also fund respite, including the Children's Extensive Support waiver.
No income limit on FSSP is unusual — apply even if you assume you earn too much. Your Community Centered Board is the door.
~3,000 providers nationwide
ARCH National Respite Locator
A free national database of respite providers searchable by state and locality — home care agencies, community-based organizations and state programs. The single best starting point for finding respite anywhere in the country, and it is the tool state agencies themselves point families toward.
A national programme with local chapters — we have not verified a chapter in this county. Use their finder to locate the nearest one.
Before you pay out of pocket, check what your state's Medicaid waiver funds — respite is covered by nearly every state waiver, and many families never think to ask.
Most states run one
Your state's Lifespan Respite Care Program
Lifespan Respite Care Programs are federally seeded, state-run programs that help families of any age and any disability find and pay for respite — often including vouchers or subsidies that do not depend on having a Medicaid waiver. Most states have one, they are chronically under-used, and they are rarely mentioned by anyone else in the system.
A national programme with local chapters — we have not verified a chapter in this county. Use their finder to locate the nearest one.
Search for "[your state] Lifespan Respite" or use the ARCH directory. Ask specifically about voucher or subsidy programs — that is the part families most often miss.
Parent & family support
Parent groups, sibling programs, and family peer support.
Denver · multi-county
Autism Society of Colorado
Statewide advocacy and support organization with active Denver-area programs. Support groups, community events, resource navigation, and crisis support for Colorado families.
Commerce City · multi-county
Autism Society of Colorado — Adams County / North Denver Metro
Autism Society of Colorado programming for Adams County families including Commerce City, Brighton, and Westminster. Support groups, resource navigation, and connection to the statewide autism community.
Aurora · multi-county
Autism Society of Colorado — Aurora/Arapahoe Chapter
Autism Society of Colorado support programming for Aurora and Arapahoe County, including parent peer groups, social events for autistic individuals, and resource navigation with deep ties to Children's Hospital Colorado.
Lakewood · multi-county
Autism Society of Colorado — West Metro Chapter
Autism Society of Colorado programming for Jefferson County families, including support groups in Lakewood and Arvada, resource navigation, and connection to statewide advocacy and the 24/7 crisis line.
Advocacy & legal
Legal advocates, special education advocates, and disability rights organizations.
Colorado Springs · multi-county
PEAK Parent Center
Colorado's federally funded Parent Training and Information Center. Free IEP advocacy, training workshops, and one-on-one support for families statewide. Knows Colorado's specific rules and school district procedures inside out.
FREE. Federally funded PTI. Essential call before any IEP meeting in Colorado.
Commerce City · multi-county
PEAK Parent Center — Adams County Families
Colorado's federally funded PTI serving Adams County. Free IEP advocacy coaching and training for families in Adams 12 Five Star Schools, Brighton 27J, and other Adams County districts. Spanish-language support available.
FREE. Spanish-language services available for the large Spanish-speaking community in Adams County.
Englewood · multi-county
PEAK Parent Center — Arapahoe County Families
Colorado's federally funded PTI serving Arapahoe County families. Free IEP advocacy for families in Cherry Creek, Aurora, Englewood, and other Arapahoe County districts. PEAK provides training and individual coaching at no cost.
FREE. Federally funded PTI. The most important call before any IEP dispute.
Lakewood · multi-county
PEAK Parent Center — Jefferson County Families
Colorado's federally funded PTI serving Jefferson County at no cost. Free IEP advocacy and training for families navigating Jefferson County R-1 schools — one of Colorado's largest districts. Workshops frequently hosted in the Denver metro area.
FREE. Federally funded PTI. Essential resource before any IEP meeting.
Activities, clubs & recreation
Clubs, sports, camps, and social programs that welcome autistic children and teens — inclusive, adaptive, and special-needs specific.
Carbondale · multi-county
Ascendigo Autism Services
An autism-specific nonprofit in the Roaring Fork Valley near Aspen, built out from a summer sports camp started in 2004 into employment services, in-home behavioral therapy and life coaching. Camp activities run to wakeboarding, rafting, climbing and horse riding, with individualised plans using a naturalistic developmental behavioral approach. Genuinely adventurous rather than cautious, which suits young people who are tired of being handled carefully.
Boulder · multi-county
Autism Society of Boulder County - recreation and camps
The Boulder County chapter maintains a recreation and camps listing alongside its support work - a local organization that has collected what actually exists nearby.
Denver · multi-county
Denver Parks and Recreation - Adaptive Recreation
Therapeutic programs and leisure activities for people of all ages with disabilities, delivered by Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialists. Municipal, so cheap and local.
Winter Park · multi-county
National Sports Center for the Disabled
One of the largest therapeutic recreation organizations in the world, serving more than 3,000 children and adults a year since 1970. Based at Winter Park Resort with a Front Range center at the Jefferson County Fairgrounds in Golden. Summer camp days run to hiking, archery, a ninja warrior course, horse riding, paddleboarding, kayaking and fishing; winter is skiing and snowboarding.
Front Range Adaptive Program Center at the Jefferson County Fairgrounds, Golden - closer for most Denver-area families than Winter Park.
200+ locations nationwide
ACEing Autism
Weekly Saturday tennis clinics built specifically for autistic children aged 5 to 18, run by volunteers at more than 200 locations across the country, serving over 7,000 players. Sessions run in six-week blocks of an hour. This is the clearest example of the interest-based model working: the sport supplies the structure, the turn-taking and the reason to be there, so the social side happens sideways rather than being the task.
A national programme with local chapters — we have not verified a chapter in this county. Use their finder to locate the nearest one.
Cost varies by location — around $120 for a six-week session at some sites, with scholarships available. Use the map on their site to find your nearest program, schedule and local contact.
~4,000 camps nationwide
American Camp Association — camp finder
A free searchable directory of close to 4,000 summer camps that can be filtered for camps serving autistic campers, by distance, session length, activities and cost. The best single starting point for finding a day or overnight camp anywhere in the country.
A national programme with local chapters — we have not verified a chapter in this county. Use their finder to locate the nearest one.
Registration for specialized camps typically opens December–February and popular overnight camps fill within days. Start the funding conversation in autumn.
Nationwide — find your local chapter
Best Buddies
One-to-one friendship matching between people with and without intellectual and developmental disabilities, plus employment, leadership and inclusive living programs. Over 4,000 chapters across all 50 states, serving school-age through adult. If what your family wants is a friend rather than an activity, this is the most direct answer in the country.
A national programme with local chapters — we have not verified a chapter in this county. Use their finder to locate the nearest one.
A national organization, not a local listing — use the finder on their site, or call 1-800-89BUDDY, to locate your nearest chapter.
Local affiliates across most of the country
Easterseals — camps and recreation
Day and overnight camps run through local Easterseals affiliates, several of them autism-specific, with weekend respite and family camp sessions as well. Many affiliates operate sliding-scale fees, and several camps serve adults alongside children.
A national programme with local chapters — we have not verified a chapter in this county. Use their finder to locate the nearest one.
Programs vary a great deal between affiliates — check what your nearest one actually runs rather than assuming the national description applies.
Week-long camps hosted nationwide
iCan Shine (iCan Bike)
Teaches people with disabilities to ride a conventional two-wheeled bicycle, using adapted roller bikes over a week-long camp that gradually transfers balance to the rider. Learning to ride a bike is a milestone a lot of autistic children are quietly written off for, and this is the program that most reliably delivers it. Camps are hosted by local organizations across the country, so availability is by host town rather than by chapter.
A national programme with local chapters — we have not verified a chapter in this county. Use their finder to locate the nearest one.
Check their site for host locations and dates — camps run in different towns each year, so somewhere near you may host this year and not next.
Local chapters in a number of US cities
KEEN (Kids Enjoy Exercise Now)
Volunteer-led one-to-one recreation for children and young adults with developmental and physical disabilities, at no cost to families or carers. The one-to-one model is the point: a volunteer is paired with your child for the session, which makes it workable for people who cannot manage a group setting unsupported.
A national programme with local chapters — we have not verified a chapter in this county. Use their finder to locate the nearest one.
Free to families. Runs through local chapters in a number of US cities rather than everywhere — check whether yours has one.
900+ divisions nationwide
Little League Challenger Division
Baseball for children and adults with a physical or intellectual disability, across more than 900 divisions. The main division serves ages 4–18, or up to 22 if still enrolled in school; the Senior League Challenger Division serves 15 and above with no upper age limit.
A national programme with local chapters — we have not verified a chapter in this county. Use their finder to locate the nearest one.
Use the league finder on their site to locate the nearest Challenger division, or ask about starting one.
200+ communities
Miracle League
Baseball on purpose-built accessible fields in more than 200 communities. Every player bats and every player scores, so ability differences do not decide the game.
A national programme with local chapters — we have not verified a chapter in this county. Use their finder to locate the nearest one.
Check their location list for the nearest field — coverage is good but not universal.
Every state — county-level programs
Special Olympics
Year-round sports training and competition at no cost to the athlete or their family, for children and adults alike. Programs run at county level in every state.
A national programme with local chapters — we have not verified a chapter in this county. Use their finder to locate the nearest one.
Eligibility centers on intellectual disability or a closely related developmental disability. If your child is autistic without an intellectual disability, have a direct conversation about fit before signing up rather than after.
Through local clubs and state associations
TOPSoccer (US Youth Soccer)
The Outreach Program for Soccer — recreational soccer for children and adults with intellectual, emotional or physical disabilities, usually with buddy support on the pitch. Run through ordinary local soccer clubs rather than as a separate organization.
A national programme with local chapters — we have not verified a chapter in this county. Use their finder to locate the nearest one.
Ask your state youth soccer association which local clubs run TOPSoccer — it is often not advertised on the club's own website.
For providers
Are you a provider serving this county?
Help families find accurate information about your services. Submit your practice for review so parents in this area can better understand their options.
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School districts & government services
Public programs and school district contacts for Denver County.
School & special education
Services & benefits
- Rocky Mountain Human Services — Denver CCB
Denver County's Community Centered Board — manages CDHS DD waiver intake and enrollment.
Adult services
- Rocky Mountain Human Services — Denver CCB
Denver County's Community Centered Board — manages CDHS DD waiver intake and enrollment.
Respite & support
- Rocky Mountain Human Services — Denver CCB
Denver County's Community Centered Board — manages CDHS DD waiver intake and enrollment.
Helpful guides
Guides for Denver County families
Step-by-step help on the topics that matter most.
School & IEP
Navigating the IEP process
Your rights under IDEA, how evaluations work, and what every IEP section means.
Finding help
ABA, OT, speech and waitlists
How to find qualified providers, navigate insurance, and get off waitlists faster.
Getting started
Where to start after diagnosis
A week-by-week checklist for the first 90 days — from evaluation to early intervention.
Benefits & money
SSI, Medicaid waivers, ABLE accounts
Federal benefits your child may qualify for and how to apply without losing your spot.
Mental health
Co-occurring conditions and support
Managing anxiety, ADHD, and depression alongside an autism diagnosis.
Daily life
Sensory processing and OT
Understanding sensory needs, sensory diets, and how occupational therapy helps.
Adulthood
Employment, housing, legal planning
Supported employment, housing options, guardianship alternatives, and ABLE accounts.
Communities served
Cities in Denver County
Serving families across Denver County including Denver, Stapleton, Montbello, Westwood, Harvey Park, College View, Globeville, Swansea, Five Points and Capitol Hill and more.
See all Colorado resources
Waivers, PTI centers, and state programs apply to all families in Colorado.
Colorado state guide →Common questions
Answered from the providers currently listed for this county — these update as the directory does.
How many autism providers serve Denver County, Colorado?
We list 22 providers serving Denver County, covering activities, clubs & recreation, ABA therapy, parent & family support, mental health and diagnostic clinics, plus 2 more. Some are based in the county and others serve it from nearby areas. Every listing is reviewed by a person before it is published.
Which autism providers in Denver County accept Medicaid?
4 of the providers we list for Denver County state that they accept Medicaid, including Behavioral Innovations — Adams County, BlueSprig Autism — Lakewood, Centria Autism — Aurora and Centria Autism — Denver Metro. Coverage and plan participation change often, so confirm directly with the provider before your first appointment.
Where can I find ABA therapy in Denver County?
ABA providers serving Denver County are listed in the ABA therapy section of this page, with phone numbers and websites. Many deliver services in the family's home or at school as well as in a clinic. Ask about waitlists when you call — they vary widely and change month to month.
Can autism therapy happen at home in Denver County?
3 providers serving Denver County deliver services in the family's home. Many children do better in a familiar setting than in an unfamiliar clinic room, and in-home visits remove the travel burden.
How do I get a free evaluation for a child under 3 in Denver County?
Contact Denver Public Schools Special Ed, the Early Intervention program serving Denver County. Under Part C of IDEA you can request an evaluation yourself — you do not need a doctor's referral, and the evaluation is free. Contact details are listed in the key contacts section of this page.
Does Medicaid pay for autism services in Colorado?
Colorado families can apply to the Children's Extensive Support (CES) for children; HCBS-DD and Supported Living Services for adults, a Medicaid waiver that can fund respite, therapies and in-home support. The typical wait is No state waitlist for CES; around 7 years for the adult DD waiver, and your place is usually set by the date you apply — so applying early matters even if you are unsure what services you need. Many waivers also disregard parental income, so families who don't qualify for regular Medicaid often still qualify here.
What if I can't find an autism provider in Denver County?
If none of the Denver County providers is the right fit, these Colorado counties currently have the most listed providers: Arapahoe County (20), Adams County (19), Jefferson County (19), Alamosa County (18). Many providers travel or offer telehealth, so it is worth calling even if they are not based nearby. You can also tell us about a provider we are missing.
Nearby counties in Colorado
You know things we don’t
Still missing from Denver County
These are the things no database has and every parent knows. If you can answer one of them, another family in Denver Countygets an afternoon back. It takes about a minute and you don’t need to know the business details — a name and a rough location is enough for us to check.
- Which dentist here has managed a cleaning without it becoming a fight?
- Who cuts your child's hair without a meltdown?
- Is there a group here where your child has made a friend?
- Which pediatrician here actually listens, and doesn't rush the appointment?
We check everything before it goes up, and nobody pays to be listed. How we verify.
Get told when this page changes
New provider in Denver County? We'll email you.
One email when we verify a new provider in Denver County — no newsletter, no digest, nothing else. Some counties hear from us a few times a year and some stay quiet for months; we would rather send you nothing than send you filler.
We store your address and county, and nothing else. How we handle it.
See something that needs fixing?
Providers move, phone numbers change, and links break — it happens. If anything on this page is out of date, wrong, or no longer working, please tell us and we’ll fix it. Keeping this accurate for autism families is the whole reason we’re here.
Report a correction →Help the community
Know a great provider in Denver County?
If a therapist, clinic, or specialist helped your family, tell us about them and we’ll add them to the directory so other families can find them too.
Tell us about a provider →For providers
Are you a provider serving Denver County?
Add your practice so families searching for help can find you. Listings are free.
Add your practice →