Who qualifies for early intervention in Colorado?

Colorado’s Early Intervention program supports infants and toddlers with developmental delays or disabilities. The Colorado Early Intervention program explains that services are available to all eligible children, regardless of income, and that referrals can be made by parents, doctors, or caregivers.

A child may qualify through:

• A significant developmental delay
• A diagnosed condition with a high probability of causing delay

Developmental areas include communication, motor skills, cognition, social-emotional development, and adaptive skills. Families can begin the process through the Colorado Early Intervention referral page, where evaluations are completed at no cost.

Autism can qualify a child for Early Intervention, either through a diagnosis or through qualifying delays. Families who want to better understand early development can use the CDC developmental milestones resource.

If a child is eligible, the next step is an Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP), which outlines goals and services. Services may include speech therapy, occupational therapy, physical therapy, and developmental support, and they continue until the child turns 3.

Colorado families may also be aware of recent funding discussions. Alpaca’s article on whether the Colorado Early Intervention budget will be cut explains what was proposed and what it means for families today.

Early intervention and ABA therapy are separate services, and many families access both. Alpaca helps families navigate coverage, reduce administrative burden, and connect with providers quickly. Start an ABA intake with Alpaca Health.