Finding Autism Support in Denver, CO: Services, Schools, and Community Resources

Denver has a genuinely strong network of autism support, but it takes time to learn where everything lives. Diagnosis waitlists at hospital-based programs run long, private clinics vary widely in availability and insurance acceptance, and the path from referral to services is rarely linear.

This guide names the providers, gives you the phones and addresses, covers what Medicaid and Colorado waivers cover in 2026, and tells you what to do first. Whether your child was just diagnosed or you've been working through services for years, here's the full picture for Denver families.

Key Takeaways

• CHCO and JFK Partners share an intake line at 720-777-6630: Wait times for hospital-based evaluations in Denver can stretch a year or longer, and private psychology practices can often schedule evaluations within weeks. Wait times shift, so confirm with the clinic before applying.
• ABA, OT, and speech are covered by Health First Colorado: Eligible children under 21 access these therapies through the federal EPSDT benefit at no cost to the family.
• The Children's Extensive Support (CES) waiver has no state waitlist: Families who meet eligibility criteria in Colorado can access services without waiting, though program capacity is capped.
• Public school districts offer free Child Find evaluations: Children ages 3 and up qualify through district Child Find, and for children under 3, state Early Intervention provides developmental evaluations at no cost.
• Alpaca Health is an in-network ABA therapy provider with Health First Colorado: Alpaca matches Denver families with a local BCBA in under 24 hours with no waitlist, accepting 100+ commercial plans. Begin your intake to get started.

Newly Diagnosed in Denver: Your First 30 Days

A new autism diagnosis brings a lot of information at once. Here's a practical sequence for the first month, with concrete actions for each week so nothing falls through the cracks.

1. Week 1: Call your child's pediatrician to request referrals for ABA therapy, speech therapy, and occupational therapy. Ask for copies of all evaluation reports to keep in a file you control.
2. Week 2: Contact your insurance company to verify coverage for each therapy type under your specific plan. Ask whether prior authorization is required and what documentation is needed. If your child is on Health First Colorado, confirm which managed care organization (MCO) covers your zip code and ask about the prior authorization process for each service.
3. Week 3: Start the school district intake process. Contact your district's Child Find program in writing to request a special education evaluation. The district has 60 days to respond. Even if your child isn't yet school-age, this starts the IEP clock.
4. Week 4: Connect with local community organizations. The Autism Society of Colorado runs family support groups and maintains an events calendar of sensory-friendly programming across the metro. PEAK Parent Center provides free advocacy support and helps families understand IEP rights. Family Voices Colorado supports families of children with special health care needs, including insurance questions. AdvocacyDenver provides disability rights advocacy and case management for Denver residents.

The broader post-diagnosis sequence is laid out in what to do after your child's autism diagnosis.

Where to Get Diagnosed in Denver

Diagnostic options in Denver fall into three tracks: hospital-based programs with long waits but the strongest reports, private psychology practices with shorter waits and insurance flexibility, and free Child Find evaluations through your school district for children 3 and older. Most families pursue more than one track in parallel.

Hospital-Based Programs

Children's Hospital Colorado (CHCO) Developmental Pediatrics is the most thorough hospital-based autism evaluation program in the Denver metro. CHCO and JFK Partners (the University of Colorado's lifespan developmental disabilities program, serving toddlers through adults) share an intake line at 720-777-6630. Call ahead to confirm current intake procedures, as hospital processes can update. Wait times for hospital-based evaluations in Denver have historically stretched from several months to well over a year, so verify current wait times before joining the list. For many families, a private psychologist is the faster path to a diagnosis while the CHCO waitlist moves.

Private Psychology Practices

Mountain Vista Psychology has two primary Denver-area locations: 6635 S. Dayton St., Suite 140, Greenwood Village, CO 80111, and 88 Inverness Circle East, Building E, Suite 103, Englewood, CO 80112. Phone: 720-583-9332 (Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 7:00 PM). Autism evaluations can often be scheduled within a few weeks, with final reports typically delivered 4 to 6 weeks after testing. A free 20-minute consultation is available to assess fit before booking.

Insights Denver is located at 1658 York Street, Denver, CO 80206. Phone: (303) 935-5307. Contact the practice directly for current evaluation availability.

Birch Psychology is located at 950 N. Logan Street, Suite 101, Denver, CO 80203 (Capitol Hill). Phone: (303) 834-1026. As a large group practice, Birch generally avoids the multi-month waitlists common at smaller clinics. Psychological assessments require booking an initial planning session, with testing typically completing within a few weeks after that.

The Catalyst Center is located at 300 S. Jackson St., Suite 520, Denver, CO 80209 (Cherry Creek). Phone: (720) 675-7123. Catalyst focuses on anxiety, trauma, and neurodivergence. Brief adult autism evaluations take approximately 2 to 3 weeks to complete. Initial consultations are typically available within one week.

Free Evaluations Through Child Find

Colorado's Child Find program provides free developmental and special education evaluations through public school districts. For children under 3, Early Intervention handles referrals statewide. For children 3 and older, contact your district directly:

• Denver Public Schools (DPS): DPS Child Find serves children ages 3 through 5; contact the Child Find Manager at (720) 424-7213 or visit the DPS Child Find page.
• Boulder Valley School District (BVSD): bvsd.org/departments/special-education/child-find
• Douglas County School District: Child Find Information Line: 720-433-0020; Email: Child_Find_Intake@dcsdk12.org; dcsdk12.org/schools-academics/schools/preschool/child-find
• Jefferson County, Cherry Creek, Aurora, and other metro districts: The Contact info for every metro-area district is on the CDE Child Find directory.

Child Find evaluations produce an educational classification rather than a clinical DSM-5 diagnosis, but they initiate the IEP process and can run in parallel with a private evaluation. Strong IEP goals for autism matter once eligibility is established.

Therapy Services for Autistic Children in Denver

Denver has solid coverage across ABA, OT, speech, and mental health, but availability, age ranges, and insurance acceptance vary clinic to clinic. The list below names the major ABA providers with locations, ages served, and Medicaid status, followed by where to look for OT, speech, and counseling.

1. Alpaca Health

Alpaca Health matches Denver families with independent BCBAs in under 24 hours. Delivery is flexible: in-home, in-school, virtual, clinic, and community-based are all available, with statewide coverage across Colorado. Alpaca is in-network with Health First Colorado and 100+ commercial plans and handles prior authorization directly. There is no waitlist. All Denver BCBAs are listed in one place.

Services offered:

• 1:1 ABA therapy with an independent BCBA
• In-home, in-school, virtual, clinic, and community-based sessions
• Insurance verification and prior authorization handling
• Parent training and consultation

Pros:

• Families match with a BCBA in under 24 hours, and there is no waitlist.
• Care happens wherever the child needs it: at home, in school, in clinic, in the community, or virtually statewide.
• Alpaca is in-network with Health First Colorado and more than 100 commercial plans across Colorado.
• The insurance team handles verification, prior authorization, and direct billing so families are not on hold.

Cons:

• Hourly availability depends on which BCBAs are currently accepting clients in your zip code.
• The brand is newer, so it carries less name recognition than national clinic chains.

Best for: Families who want to start ABA quickly without sitting on a 3 to 6 month clinic waitlist, and who value flexibility across home, school, and virtual sessions. Start your intake to begin care this week.

2. ACES ABA

ACES ABA serves the Denver area from a Centennial clinic at 8008 E. Arapahoe Court, Suite 110, Centennial, CO 80112. The phone number is (720) 274-1566. Ages served run from birth to 21, with both center-based and in-home delivery available. ACES accepts Medicaid, though families should verify their specific plan before scheduling.

Services offered:

• Center-based ABA at the Centennial location
• In-home ABA in the surrounding metro
• Programming across a wide age range, birth to 21

Pros:

• The age range runs birth to 21, which serves older children and transition-age teens that many providers do not.
• Both center-based and in-home delivery options are available.
• ACES accepts Health First Colorado, though specific MCO acceptance can vary.

Cons:

• A single Centennial clinic limits geographic convenience for families outside the south metro.
• Medicaid acceptance varies by plan, so an upfront verification call is required before enrollment.

Best for: Families in the south metro near Centennial who want a single clinic that can serve a young child through their teen years, and who are comfortable verifying plan-by-plan Medicaid coverage.

3. Action Behavior Centers

Action Behavior Centers (ABC) operates several Denver-area clinic locations using a center-based intensive ABA model. ABC accepts most major commercial insurance plans. Waitlists at ABC clinics in Colorado typically run three to six months, which is common for the center-intensive model but slower than alternatives that offer in-home or virtual delivery.

Services offered:

• Center-based intensive ABA
• Multiple clinic locations across the Denver metro
• Structured full-day programming

Pros:

• Several Denver-area clinic locations give families a choice of geography.
• ABC accepts most major commercial insurance plans in Colorado.
• The center-based curriculum is established and offers a full-day structured program.

Cons:

• Waitlists at Colorado locations typically run three to six months.
• Care is center-based only, with no in-home or virtual option.

Best for: Families who want a structured, full-day, center-based program and have the time to wait for a clinic spot to open up.

4. Autism Learning Partners

Autism Learning Partners (ALP) serves the broader Front Range, including Denver, with both in-home and clinic-based ABA. Their model covers a wide age range, including transition-age young adults, which is unusual among Denver providers. ALP accepts most major commercial insurance plans.

Services offered:

• In-home ABA across the Front Range
• Clinic-based ABA
• Programming for transition-age young adults

Pros:

• The age range is wide and explicitly includes transition-age young adults.
• Service area covers the broader Front Range, not just the Denver metro.
• ALP accepts most major commercial insurance plans.

Cons:

• Medicaid acceptance is not advertised, so commercial-insurance families typically benefit most.
• Availability and start times depend on the capacity of local clinicians in your area.

Best for: Families with commercial insurance who need programming for an older child or young adult, or who live along the Front Range outside the immediate Denver metro.

5. Behavioral Innovations

Behavioral Innovations operates multiple Denver metro clinics and serves children ages 18 months to 10 years through a center-based-only model. The provider accepts Health First Colorado. The main phone number is (720) 642-7019, and Denver-area locations include Aurora/Centennial (20971 E. Smoky Hill Rd., Suite 102), Commerce City (12303 E. 104th Place, Suite 105), Littleton (10789 Bradford Rd., Suite 150), and Parker (19585 Hess Rd., Suite 106).

Services offered:

• Center-based ABA for early-childhood and elementary-age kids
• Multiple Denver metro clinic locations
• Early intervention for children as young as 18 months

Pros:

• Four Denver-metro clinics (Aurora, Commerce City, Littleton, Parker) cover most suburbs.
• Behavioral Innovations accepts Health First Colorado.
• The model has a strong early-intervention focus, starting children as young as 18 months.

Cons:

• The age cap at 10 means families with older children will need to plan a provider transition.
• Care is center-based only, with no in-home or virtual option.

Best for: Families with a young child between 18 months and 10 years who want a clinic-based model close to home and who have Medicaid or coverage that aligns with Behavioral Innovations.

6. BlueSprig Autism

BlueSprig Autism operates in Colorado under the Trumpet Behavioral Health name and offers both center-based and in-home ABA for ages birth to 18. BlueSprig accepts Medicaid. Denver-area locations include Aurora (1330 S. Potomac St., Suite 111, (720) 845-6675), Highlands Ranch (630 Plaza Dr., Suite 100, (720) 470-0578), Lakewood (8805 W. 14th Ave., (720) 414-1456), Northglenn (11698 Huron St., Building 5, Suite 106, (720) 381-0264), and Parker (18801 E. Mainstreet, Suite 180, (720) 727-1738).

Services offered:

• Center-based ABA at five Denver-area clinics
• In-home ABA
• Programming from birth to 18

Pros:

• Five metro locations (Aurora, Highlands Ranch, Lakewood, Northglenn, Parker) cover most quadrants of Denver.
• Both center-based and in-home delivery are available.
• BlueSprig accepts Health First Colorado.
• The age range covers birth through 18.

Cons:

• Colorado locations operate under the Trumpet Behavioral Health brand, which can confuse families verifying insurance.
• Wait times and availability vary clinic to clinic.

Best for: Families across the metro who want Medicaid-accepting ABA with a choice between center-based and in-home, and who want a provider that can serve a child from preschool through high school.

7. Firefly Autism

Firefly Autism is headquartered at 2001 Hoyt St., Lakewood, CO 80215, and reachable at (303) 759-1192. Firefly serves ages 3 to 70+ through both center-based and in-home/outreach services and accepts Medicaid plus most major commercial plans. Programs are divided by age: Early Childhood (3-7), School Age (3-21), and Transition/Vocational (18+). Firefly is one of the few Denver-area providers with strong programming for autistic adults.

Services offered:

• Center-based ABA in Lakewood
• In-home and community outreach services
• Age-specific programs: Early Childhood, School Age, Transition/Vocational
• Adult programming for clients 18+

Pros:

• Firefly is one of the only Denver providers with established programming for autistic adults.
• Firefly accepts Health First Colorado and most major commercial plans.
• Delivery combines a center-based model with in-home and community outreach services.
• Firefly is a well-established nonprofit with deep roots in the Lakewood community.

Cons:

• A single physical location in Lakewood is inconvenient for east-metro families.
• Adult-program slots are limited and demand for them is high.

Best for: Families on the west side of the metro, and any family who needs continuity of care for a child who will continue to need support into adulthood.

8. Soar Autism Center

Soar Autism Center provides early-intervention ABA, speech, and OT using the Early Start Denver Model (ESDM) for children ages 18 months to 6 years. Soar is center-based only and accepts Medicaid. The main phone number is (720) 706-3396, and Denver-area locations include Central Park (3401 Quebec St., Suite 110), Aurora/Southeast Denver (2170 S. Parker Rd., Suite 100), University Park (1777 S. Harrison St., Suite 200), and Capitol Hill (899 Logan St., Suite 600).

Services offered:

• Early-intervention ABA using the Early Start Denver Model
• Speech therapy
• Occupational therapy
• Integrated multidisciplinary care at one clinic

Pros:

• The Early Start Denver Model is a research-supported early-intervention approach for young children.
• ABA, speech therapy, and occupational therapy are delivered together at one location.
• Four Denver-area locations cover Central Park, Aurora/SE Denver, University Park, and Capitol Hill.
• Soar accepts Health First Colorado.

Cons:

• The age cap at 6 means children older than that are not served.
• Care is center-based only, with no in-home or virtual option.

Best for: Families of a child under 6 who want an integrated early-intervention program combining ABA, speech, and OT under one roof using ESDM.

OT, Speech, and Mental Health

For occupational therapy, speech therapy, and mental health providers accepting new patients in Denver, CHCO's referral line (720-777-6630) can direct families to appropriate specialists within the Children's Hospital network. Psychology Today's Denver therapist directory can be filtered by specialty (autism, developmental disorders), insurance, and age range served, and is updated regularly by individual providers.

School Support and IEPs in Denver

Every public school district in Colorado is required to evaluate children suspected of having a disability and provide appropriate services at no cost through the IEP process. Contact your district's special education or Child Find office to request an evaluation in writing. The district has 60 days to respond.

For Denver Public Schools families, the DPS Special Education department handles IEP development and placement across the district's schools, including ASD center programs for students who need more intensive support. BVSD, Jeffco, Cherry Creek, and Douglas County all operate similar ASD-specific programs alongside general special education services.

When the district's offered placement doesn't meet your child's needs, you have the right to request an independent educational evaluation and, if necessary, pursue an out-of-district placement funded by the district. The right approach for strong IEP goals for autism often determines whether services hold up over time.

Insurance, Medicaid, and Colorado Waivers

Most Denver families fund autism services through one of three paths: Health First Colorado (state Medicaid) via the EPSDT benefit, the Colorado Medicaid Buy-In for higher-income families with a disabled child, or the Children's Extensive Support (CES) waiver for kids with significant medical or behavioral needs. The sections below cover each and how to apply in Denver County.

Health First Colorado (Colorado Medicaid)

Health First Colorado covers ABA therapy, speech therapy, and OT for autistic children under 21 at no cost to the family through the federal EPSDT benefit. Your child needs a formal autism diagnosis and a physician's referral. Coverage is managed through your assigned MCO. The prior authorization process and what each MCO covers is laid out in Colorado Medicaid ABA coverage. Families with higher support needs may also qualify for Community First Choice through Colorado Medicaid.

Colorado Medicaid Buy-In

For families who earn too much to qualify for standard Medicaid but have a child with a disability, the Colorado Medicaid Buy-In for Children program lets families pay a monthly premium to access Medicaid coverage. This is particularly useful for families whose employer-sponsored insurance has high out-of-pocket costs for autism services.

Children's Extensive Support (CES) Waiver

The CES waiver funds intensive supports for children with developmental disabilities who require constant supervision due to significant medical or behavioral needs. As of 2026, there is no state waitlist for the CES waiver in Colorado. Eligible children can access services without waiting, though the program has a capped number of slots. Eligibility criteria are strict, so confirm with your case manager before applying.

In Denver, the CES waiver is managed by Rocky Mountain Human Services (RMHS), the designated Community Centered Board (CCB) for Denver County. RMHS is located at 9900 E. Iliff Ave., Denver, CO 80231. Main line: (303) 636-5600. Case Management Contact Center: (844) 790-7647. Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM.

For families in Arapahoe, Douglas, or Elbert counties (including the City of Aurora), Developmental Pathways serves as the CCB. Located at 14280 E. Jewell Ave., Suite A, Aurora, CO 80012. Main number: (303) 360-6600. Early Intervention referrals: (303) 360-6600, extension 3.

One planning note: children on the CES waiver must transition to an adult waiver program by age 18, and some adult waivers carry significant waitlists. Families are advised to begin transition planning with their case manager around age 16.

Denver Suburbs and the Front Range

Families in suburban Denver have access to most of the same providers listed above, as Soar, BlueSprig, ACES, Behavioral Innovations, and Action Behavior Centers all operate clinics across the metro in Aurora, Centennial, Lakewood, Littleton, Highlands Ranch, Northglenn, and Parker. Firefly's Lakewood location serves families throughout Jefferson County and the western suburbs. For families further along the Front Range, Alpaca's virtual ABA option is available statewide regardless of location. More providers and programs beyond the metro are listed in the Colorado autism resources directory.

Camps, Activities, and Community Programs

Denver has a growing number of sensory-friendly and autism-inclusive programming options. The venues and series below run year-round or on rotating calendars, so check each site for current 2026 dates before planning a visit.

• AMC Theatres Sensory Friendly Films: AMC partners with the Autism Society to offer monthly sensory-friendly movie screenings with adjusted lighting and sound. Current schedules at Denver-area locations are on the AMC sensory-friendly films page.
• Denver Museum of Nature and Science (DMNS): DMNS offers accessibility accommodations including quiet spaces and sensory guides through the DMNS accessibility page.
• Children's Museum of Denver: The Children's Museum hosts Low Sensory Evenings with reduced crowds, adjusted lighting, and quieter environments on the Low Sensory Evenings schedule.
• Denver Zoo: A Certified Autism Center, with sensory guides, quiet spaces, and accommodations available throughout the zoo per the Denver Zoo accessibility page.
• Denver Center for the Performing Arts (DCPA): Relaxed performances are scheduled for some productions on the DCPA website.
• Denver Art Museum: Sensory-friendly morning events are listed on the Denver Art Museum calendar.
• Autism Society of Colorado: Community programming, support groups, and family events are on the Autism Society of Colorado events calendar.
• Be Like Buddy: Be Like Buddy Colorado promotes autism inclusion through community events and awareness programming.

For a broader roundup of sensory-friendly venues and events, the Macaroni Kid Denver sensory-friendly guide stays current for 2026.

Adult and Transition Resources

Autism support in Denver doesn't stop at age 21. Several organizations serve autistic adults and transition-age young people, with programming ranging from social groups to vocational training.

REVEL supports adults with developmental disabilities in building independent, community-connected lives in the Denver area. Contact REVEL directly through their website for current programming and eligibility.

Firefly Autism Adult Groups offers structured social groups and vocational programming for adults 21 and older through Firefly's Lakewood center. This is one of the most established adult autism programs in the Denver metro. Contact Firefly at (303) 759-1192 for current group schedules and enrollment.

Aurora Mental Health and Recovery Autism and IDD Counseling Center provides mental health counseling, case management, and support services for autistic individuals and those with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Aurora Mental Health is reachable at (303) 617-2300 or through their website.

Project SEARCH Denver is a transition-to-employment program for young adults with developmental disabilities, hosted at Children's Hospital Colorado. The program provides internship rotations and job skills training for participants in their final year of high school eligibility. Reach out to Children's Colorado directly or the Project SEARCH national site.

Start ABA in Denver Without the Waitlist

Alpaca matches Denver families with independent BCBAs in under 24 hours with no waitlist. Providers work in every setting your child needs: at home, in school, in the community, or via telehealth statewide. Alpaca is in-network with Health First Colorado and 100+ commercial plans and handles prior authorization and insurance coordination directly. Every Alpaca BCBA in Denver is listed in one place. Start your intake to begin care this week.

Frequently Asked Questions About Denver Autism Resources

Where can I get my child diagnosed with autism in Denver?

The fastest paths to a diagnosis in Denver are private psychology practices. Mountain Vista Psychology (720-583-9332), Birch Psychology (303-834-1026), The Catalyst Center (720-675-7123), and Insights Denver (303-935-5307) all offer autism evaluations with shorter wait times than hospital-based programs. CHCO Developmental Pediatrics is the most thorough option but carries a wait that frequently stretches a year or longer. Child Find evaluations through your school district are free for children 3 and older and run on a separate, faster timeline than clinical evaluations.

How long is the wait for an autism evaluation in Denver?

Hospital-based programs like CHCO often run a year or longer. Private psychology practices in Denver can often schedule evaluations within a few weeks to a couple of months depending on the provider and the type of assessment. Child Find evaluations through the school district must begin within 60 days of a written request. Wait times shift, so confirm with the clinic before applying.

Does Health First Colorado cover ABA therapy in Denver?

Yes. Health First Colorado covers ABA therapy for autistic children under 21 at no cost through the federal EPSDT benefit. Coverage is managed through your assigned MCO and requires prior authorization. The prior authorization process is laid out in Colorado Medicaid ABA coverage, and Alpaca handles authorization paperwork directly for families it matches.

What is the CES waiver and how do I apply in Denver?

The Children's Extensive Support waiver funds intensive supports for children with developmental disabilities who require constant supervision. In Denver, applications are managed through Rocky Mountain Human Services at (303) 636-5600. There is currently no state waitlist, but program slots are capped. Eligibility criteria are strict and focus on children with significant medical or behavioral support needs.

How do I start the IEP process in Denver?

Send a written request to your child's school principal or special education director asking for a special education evaluation. The district has 60 days to respond. You do not need a clinical diagnosis to request an evaluation, though having one strengthens the request. Effective IEP goals for autism are the difference between an IEP that holds up and one that doesn't.

Are there sensory-friendly activities for autistic children in Denver?

Yes. AMC Theatres runs monthly sensory-friendly film screenings, the Children's Museum hosts Low Sensory Evenings, the Denver Zoo is a Certified Autism Center, and DMNS and the Denver Art Museum both offer sensory-friendly programming. The Autism Society of Colorado events calendar and the Macaroni Kid Denver sensory guide are the most current public resources for upcoming dates.

What ABA providers in Denver accept Health First Colorado?

ACES ABA, Action Behavior Centers, Autism Learning Partners, Behavioral Innovations, Blue Sprig, Firefly Autism, Soar Autism Center, and Alpaca Health all accept Health First Colorado for eligible clients in the Denver metro. Verify your specific MCO and plan before starting services, as acceptance can vary by managed care organization.

How do I find ABA therapy in Denver without a long waitlist?

Alpaca matches families with a local BCBA in under 24 hours and starts care through in-home, virtual, or in-school delivery without the typical clinic waitlist. The full process is laid out in no-waitlist ABA in Denver, or begin your intake directly.