ABA Therapy Centers in Colorado

Health First Colorado pediatric behavioral therapies

Health First Colorado covers behavioral therapy for children when it is medically necessary, and your child does not need an autism diagnosis to qualify. A contracted Medicaid provider assesses your child, writes a treatment plan and files a Prior Authorization Request (PAR). Each approved PAR lasts up to six months, then the provider files a new one. If a PAR is denied, you can ask for a hearing by sending a written appeal to the Office of Administrative Courts within 30 calendar days of the denial notice.

• Pick a provider from the HCPF list of contracted pediatric behavioral therapy providers.
• A PAR is denied if the reviewer does not receive requested documents within four business days.

Colorado's autism insurance law (SB 15-015)

C.R.S. 10-16-104(1.4) requires health benefit plans issued or renewed in Colorado to cover assessment, diagnosis and treatment of autism spectrum disorders for a child. Senate Bill 15-015 added autism to Colorado's mental disorder parity provision, and the legislature declared that autism coverage cannot contain limits on the number of services or visits. The act applies to plans issued, delivered or renewed on or after January 1, 2017. Ask your plan which ages it covers and confirm the plan was issued in Colorado.

CES and CHRP waivers

The Children's Extensive Support (CES) waiver serves children under 18 with a developmental disability who live in the family home and need direct human intervention at least once every two hours during the day. The Children's Habilitation Residential Program (CHRP) waiver serves ages 0 to 20 with intensive behavioral or medical needs that put them at risk of out-of-home placement. Children on either waiver stay eligible for Health First Colorado services that do not duplicate waiver services. HCPF notes that some programs have waitlists. Apply through your local Case Management Agency or the HCPF Member Contact Center at 1-800-221-3943.

Early Intervention Colorado, birth through age 2

Early Intervention Colorado gives developmental supports to families with children from birth through age 2. Local agencies, often Community Centered Boards, deliver services in each area. A parent, doctor, relative or child care worker can contact the local program, and you can call the statewide line at 1-888-777-4041. For children ages 0 to 21, the Colorado Department of Education also publishes special education information for families.

Colorado's 2026 ABA licensing law (HB26-1425)

The governor signed HB26-1425 on June 2, 2026. It creates the Colorado behavior analyst licensing board in the Department of Regulatory Agencies and bars unlicensed ABA practice from July 1, 2028. Assistant behavior analysts must be supervised by a licensed behavior analyst. The Department of Human Services must also publish licensing standards for ABA clinics, and Medicaid must reimburse services delivered by certified behavior technicians.