10 Best ABA Therapy Providers in Commerce City, CO (2026)
Compare 12 ABA providers serving Commerce City. Explore the full ranked list and find a provider that feels right for your child.
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Other ABA Providers in Commerce City
Blue Hive ABA - Colorado
VerifiedABA therapy in Denver, CO from Blue Hive ABA. Blue Hive ABA in Denver, CO provides personalized ABA therapy for children and young adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder, delivered in the home, in schools, and at our Denver center. Our Denver team offers applied behavior analysis (ABA), speech therapy, in-home and in-school therapy, parent training, and school consultations.
- In-home
- School-based
- Medicaid
- Telehealth
SoaringHigh ABA - Denver Metro
VerifiedSoaringHigh ABA provides applied behavior analysis therapy in Englewood and throughout Colorado for children and teens ages 2 to 21 on the autism spectrum. Our team delivers individualized ABA in the home, at school, in the community, and in clinic, with telehealth available for parent support and coaching. Each program is built around the learner's own goals, and families are partners in every plan. We accept most commercial insurance plans and Colorado Medicaid, and we are currently accepting new clients.
- Center-based
- In-home
- Medicaid
- Telehealth
Commerce City family guide
ABA Therapy in Commerce City, CO: What Families Should Know
ABA therapy in Commerce City usually means choosing between in-home teams that come to the house and clinics a short drive away in the north Denver metro, plus caregiver coaching. Under-3s are referred to North Metro Community Services, the Adams County early intervention program, and at 3 a child gets a no-cost Child Find evaluation through Adams 14 in historic Commerce City or 27J Schools in the northern neighborhoods. Health First Colorado covers ABA for members 20 and under with prior authorization, Colorado’s autism mandate covers ABA on state-regulated commercial plans, and military families near Buckley Space Force Base use TRICARE.
ABA therapy options in Commerce City
In-home ABA
Many families in Reunion, Second Creek, and the older neighborhoods around Derby start with in-home ABA to avoid daily trips on I-270 or I-76. Ask each provider whether it staffs your ZIP code today, since teams that cover Thornton or Brighton do not always reach south Commerce City.
Center-based ABA
Clinics serving Commerce City families sit across the north and east metro, from Thornton and Brighton to Aurora and Denver. Map the drive at the session hour on US-85, Vasquez Boulevard, or E-470, and ask whether the clinic has afternoon openings or only school-day slots.
School and daycare support
With the program’s permission, some providers can support a child at preschool or daycare. Tell the ABA team whether your child attends Adams 14 or 27J, so goals line up with the right district’s IEP team.
Telehealth parent coaching
Video caregiver sessions help when shift schedules or a long drive make extra in-person visits hard. Ask for Spanish-speaking coaching if that fits your family, and get parent goals written into the treatment plan.
Autism evaluations
Children’s Hospital Colorado’s main campus in Aurora is the closest major pediatric evaluation center for most Commerce City families, and JFK Partners assessments are scheduled through its Developmental Pediatrics line. Request a referral from your pediatrician as soon as you have concerns.
How to start ABA therapy in Commerce City
- 1
Confirm the diagnosis and coverage
Insurers and Colorado Medicaid authorize ABA after a licensed physician or psychologist diagnoses autism. Call the member number on your card and ask whether ABA needs prior authorization.
- 2
Compare Commerce City providers
Use the provider list on this page to check settings, ages served, and insurance. Shortlist two or three that fit your schedule and location.
- 3
Ask the intake questions that matter
Ask about current intake timing, in-network status for your exact plan, who writes the treatment plan, and how parent training works.
- 4
Get matched if you want help
Tell us your child's age, coverage, and preferred setting. We share options in and around Commerce City that fit. It is free for families.
Does insurance cover ABA therapy in Commerce City?
Medicaid in Adams County
Health First Colorado covers ABA through its Pediatric Behavioral Therapies benefit for members 20 and under when it is medically necessary. A contracted provider assesses your child and sends a Prior Authorization Request to the state’s utilization management vendor; approvals last up to six months and must be renewed. Adams County members belong to Region 4 of the Accountable Care Collaborative, run by Colorado Access (800-511-5010), for care coordination. Call the Health First Colorado Member Contact Center at 800-221-3943 about eligibility or enrollment.
Private insurance
Under C.R.S. 10-16-104(1.4), Colorado-regulated health plans must cover the assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of autism for a child, including applied behavior analysis. Self-funded employer plans answer to federal ERISA rules instead, so confirm your plan type with HR before ABA intake.
Plans Commerce City families often ask about:
- Health First Colorado (Colorado Access, Region 4)
- Kaiser Permanente Colorado
- Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield Colorado
- UnitedHealthcare
- Cigna
- Aetna
- TRICARE West
Colorado’s autism insurance law (C.R.S. 10-16-104(1.4))
What state-regulated insurers cannot do
- Exclude autism treatment, including ABA, from a state-regulated health plan.
- Deny, refuse to renew, or restrict coverage because a child has an autism diagnosis or uses autism services.
- Set dollar limits, deductibles, or coinsurance for autism care that are less favorable than those for physical illness generally.
- Add authorization requirements that work to exclude autism treatment.
- Count therapy that is medically necessary for autism against the general 20-visit therapy limit in C.R.S. 10-16-104(1.7).
What still applies
- A licensed physician or licensed psychologist must prescribe or order treatment, based on a treatment plan from a comprehensive evaluation.
- Plans can still review medical necessity and require prior authorization that applies to other care.
- Your plan’s normal deductibles, copays, and coinsurance still apply.
- Self-funded employer plans follow federal ERISA rules, not the Colorado mandate.
Getting an autism diagnosis in Commerce City
Commerce City’s split school boundary matters once a child turns 3, so start by confirming your district. Before age 3, every Adams County family goes through the same early intervention program. After 3, the school district handles educational evaluations, and Children’s Hospital Colorado in Aurora is the nearest major option for the medical autism diagnosis most insurers want.
Under age 3
North Metro Community Services Early Intervention (Adams County)
North Metro Community Services has held the Early Intervention contract for all of Adams County since July 1, 2024, covering evaluations, service coordination, and direct services for children from birth to their third birthday. Start with its online referral form (English and Spanish) or the statewide 833-REFER-EI line. NMCS offices are in Westminster and Brighton (303-457-1001).
Evaluation
Children’s Hospital Colorado Developmental Pediatrics
Developmental and autism evaluations for children from infancy through adolescence, with the main campus in Aurora. Ask your pediatrician whether a referral is required and request a spot on the cancellation list.
Evaluation
JFK Partners at CU Anschutz (Aurora)
Interdisciplinary evaluations focused on autism, for toddlers through adults, on the CU Anschutz campus. Diagnostic assessments are scheduled through Children’s Colorado Developmental Pediatrics at 720-777-6630.
School districts serving Commerce City families
Public schools evaluate children from age 3 at no cost through Child Find. ABA providers can coordinate with your child's IEP team. Compare special needs schools in Commerce City too.
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Adams 14 School District Child Find (historic Commerce City)
Serves children ages 3 through 5 who may have a developmental delay, at no cost to families. Anyone can make the referral, including doctors and childcare programs, and parental consent is not required to refer. Call the Child Find Department at 303-853-5680.
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27J Schools Child Find (northern Commerce City)
27J covers northern Commerce City along with Brighton. Its Child Find team offers free screening and evaluation for children not yet in kindergarten; families, doctors, or childcare providers can refer by calling 303-655-2946 or emailing childfind@sd27j.net.
Autism in Commerce City by the numbers
- 1 in 31
- 8-year-olds identified with autism across 16 CDC monitoring sites
- About 4,250
- Estimated autistic children in Adams County
- 19,037
- Children under 18 living in Commerce City
- 6.1%
- Commerce City children under 18 with a disability
- 97.4%
- Commerce City children under 19 with health insurance
- 26.5%
- Commerce City residents age 5 and up who speak Spanish at home
- $111,972
- Median household income in Commerce City
- 13.9%
- Commerce City children under 18 living below the poverty line
CDC Autism and Developmental Disabilities Monitoring Network, 2022 data published in 2025.
An estimate: 131,839 county residents under 18 divided by 31, not a count of diagnoses.
Census disability questions cover hearing, vision, cognitive, mobility, self-care, and independent living, so this is broader than autism.
Ask providers whether they have Spanish-speaking BCBAs or technicians.
Many of these children qualify for Medicaid or CHIP, which cover ABA.
Sources: CDC ADDM Network (2022 surveillance year, MMWR April 2025); U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates (tables B01001, B18101, B27010, C16001, B19013, B17020) for Commerce City city and Adams County. The county autism figure is an estimate, not a count.
Commerce City local numbers
What ABA therapy costs in Commerce City
Private-pay ABA in Colorado typically runs $135 to $200 an hour. The table multiplies that range by weekly hours (hours x 52 weeks / 12 months) to show a monthly bill before insurance. This is an illustration, not a quote: your bill depends on authorized hours, the mix of technician and BCBA time, and what your plan pays.
| Hours per week | At $135/hr | At $200/hr |
|---|---|---|
| 10 hours | $5,850/mo | $8,667/mo |
| 20 hours | $11,700/mo | $17,333/mo |
| 30 hours | $17,550/mo | $26,000/mo |
Estimate your cost with insurance using your deductible, coinsurance, and out-of-pocket maximum.
Colorado Medicaid ABA rate
Colorado Medicaid pays an ABA provider $17.20 for each 15-minute unit of technician-delivered ABA (CPT 97153), or $68.80 an hour, and $25.80 per unit when a BCBA or other qualified professional adjusts treatment (CPT 97155). This is what Medicaid pays providers, not a price families pay.
- 97153 per 15 minutes (One statewide rate)
- $17.20
- 97155 per 15 minutes (One statewide rate)
- $25.80
- Effective
- Oct 1, 2025; unchanged on the July 1, 2026 fee schedule
Fee-for-service rate from the Health First Colorado fee schedule, July 2026. Managed care plans negotiate their own rates with providers. Compare states in our Medicaid ABA spending and rates by state report.
How long is the ABA wait in Colorado?
In January to March 2022, TRICARE families in Colorado waited an average of 7 days from a verified referral to their first ABA appointment, 21 days shorter than TRICARE's 28-day access standard for specialty care. This figure covers military families only, comes from one 2022 snapshot, and does not promise a wait for any family today. See every published ABA wait time.
Source: Defense Health Agency, TRICARE Comprehensive Autism Care Demonstration report to Congress, Table 3 (April 2023; data January 1 to March 31, 2022).
Commerce City kids compared with Colorado and the US
| Measure | Commerce City | Colorado | United States |
|---|---|---|---|
| Children under 18 with a disability | 6.1% | 3.9% | 4.9% |
| Children under 19 with health insurance | 97.4% | 94.8% | 94.5% |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 13.9% | 11.1% | 16.1% |
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates (ACS 2024 5-year), tables B18101, B27010, and B17020, via Census Reporter. Census disability questions cover hearing, vision, cognitive, mobility, self-care, and independent living, so the disability rate is broader than autism.
Colorado autism identification vs the US
Colorado public schools served 10.30 children per 1,000 ages 5 to 21 under the IDEA autism category in 2024-25, about 1 in 97, below the national rate of about 1 in 64. School identification counts only children served in special education under the autism category, so it runs lower than the CDC's clinical estimate of 1 in 31 eight-year-olds. Compare autism rates in every state.
Source: U.S. Department of Education, IDEA Section 618 child count, school year 2024-25, divided by Census Bureau Vintage 2025 population ages 5 to 21.
Commerce City autism resources for families
Advocacy & navigation
PEAK Parent Center
Colorado’s Parent Training and Information Center. Free help understanding Child Find, IEPs, and special education rights, including which district serves your address.
Early intervention
North Metro Community Services
Adams County’s early intervention program for children under 3 and its local developmental disability agency. Main office at 1001 W. 124th Avenue, Westminster, with a second office in Brighton.
Diagnosis & evaluation
Children’s Hospital Colorado Developmental Pediatrics
Developmental and autism evaluations in Aurora and other Children’s Colorado sites, including JFK Partners assessments.
Autism support
Autism Society of Colorado
Statewide nonprofit for family support, events, and resource referrals. Call to schedule time with staff.
Medicaid
Colorado Access (Health First Colorado Region 4)
The regional organization for Adams County Health First Colorado members. Call for care coordination and help finding behavioral health providers.
Medicaid
Health First Colorado Member Contact Center
Eligibility, enrollment, and benefit questions for Health First Colorado members.
More questions about ABA therapy in Commerce City
Which school district evaluates my Commerce City preschooler?
It depends on your address. Adams 14 serves the historic core of Commerce City, and 27J Schools covers the northern part of the city, including newer neighborhoods, along with Brighton. Adams 14 Child Find takes calls at 303-853-5680, and 27J Child Find at 303-655-2946. Both evaluate at no cost to families. Check your address with the district before sending a written request.
Can Commerce City military families use TRICARE for ABA?
Yes. TRICARE covers ABA for eligible children through its Autism Care Demonstration, and Colorado sits in the TRICARE West Region managed by TriWest Healthcare Alliance. Families stationed at Buckley Space Force Base in nearby Aurora should confirm that each ABA provider is TRICARE-authorized before joining its waitlist, and keep the referral and diagnosis paperwork ready.
Who coordinates Health First Colorado care for Adams County children?
Colorado Access runs Region 4 of the Accountable Care Collaborative, which includes Adams County, and handles care coordination for members. ABA approval does not come from the regional organization: your ABA provider submits a Prior Authorization Request to the state’s review vendor, and each approval lasts up to six months. Call Colorado Access at 800-511-5010 for help finding providers.
How many hours of ABA therapy does a child need each week?
It depends on the treatment plan. Focused programs that target a few skills often run 10 to 25 hours a week, while comprehensive programs for young children can run 30 to 40 hours. The supervising BCBA recommends hours after an assessment, and your insurer or Medicaid plan authorizes them.
What is the difference between a BCBA and an RBT?
A Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) holds a graduate degree, assesses your child, writes and adjusts the treatment plan, and supervises the team. A Registered Behavior Technician (RBT) delivers most one-to-one sessions under that BCBA's supervision.
How long does ABA therapy take to show results?
Families often see early changes in the first few months, and the BCBA reviews progress data against goals at least every six months, which is also when most insurers reauthorize hours. Ask any provider how they share progress data with parents.
Do I need a referral to start ABA therapy?
Most plans require an autism diagnosis and a prescription or referral for ABA from a physician or psychologist, followed by prior authorization. Some commercial plans skip the referral step, so check your policy before your first intake call.
Reviewed 2026-10-22 against linked state and provider sources.
Planning guides
Plan your next ABA provider call in Commerce City
Use these guides before you ask about intake, insurance, school coordination, parent training, or waitlists.
Colorado Medicaid ABA therapy guide
How Health First Colorado covers pediatric behavioral therapy, the PAR process, and how to find a contracted provider.
Colorado CES Waiver guide
Waiver eligibility, covered services, and how to apply through a case management agency.
How to choose an autism therapy center
Questions to ask about BCBA supervision, intake, setting, parent training, and waitlists.
ABA therapy cost by state
Private-pay ranges, insurance mandates, and current Medicaid ABA rules for every state.
IEP process guide
Use this when therapy decisions overlap with school evaluations, supports, or placement.
Working in ABA?
See current ABA therapy jobs in Colorado on Special Needs Jobs, our job board for RBTs, BCBAs, and behavior technicians.
Why Choose ABA Therapy in Commerce City?
Commerce City families looking for ABA therapy for children with autism usually weigh clinics in the north Denver suburbs against in-home providers who cover Adams County. Most children here qualify for one of two payers: Health First Colorado, which covers ABA through age 20, or a private plan. Two school districts, Adams 14 and 27J, serve the city, and Spanish-language intake is available at two public entry points.
Comprehensive Autism Therapy Services in Commerce City
Three public systems sit alongside private ABA in Commerce City. North Metro Community Services handles early intervention referrals for Adams County, Adams County School District 14 runs Child Find from Kearney Middle School, and School District 27J serves other Commerce City addresses. Nearby options include ABA therapy in Brighton and ABA therapy in Denver.
When exploring special needs educational programs alongside behavioral therapy, families in Commerce City often find that coordinated services produce the best outcomes.Understanding Insurance Coverage for ABA Therapy in Commerce City
Colorado's autism insurance law, first enacted in 2009 as SB 09-244 and now codified at C.R.S. 10-16-104(1.4), requires all health benefit plans issued or renewed in Colorado to cover the assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of autism spectrum disorder for children. Covered treatment includes applied behavior analysis, behavior training and behavior management, psychiatric, psychological, and pharmacy care, and speech, occupational, and physical therapy from qualified autism services providers. A licensed physician or licensed psychologist must prescribe or order the treatment, under a treatment plan built from a comprehensive evaluation. The statute bars dollar limits, deductibles, or coinsurance for this coverage that are less favorable than those for physical illness generally, and plans may not exclude autism or add authorization requirements that operate to exclude it. Coverage is in addition to any services a child receives through an IFSP or IEP. Self-funded employer plans follow federal ERISA rules instead, so confirm your plan type with your employer. Health First Colorado, the state's Medicaid program, covers ABA as a pediatric behavioral therapy for members 20 and younger when the services meet the EPSDT medical necessity criteria. Denver-area and statewide therapy centers assist with prior authorization and claims. Families seeking additional support may find valuable resources through Colorado's special needs resource directory.
Colorado Autism Support Programs and Regulations
Early Intervention Colorado, run by the Colorado Department of Early Childhood, is the state's IDEA Part C program for children from birth through age two with developmental delays or disabilities. Anyone with a concern can make a referral, and the local early intervention program arranges an evaluation and, for an eligible child, an Individualized Family Service Plan. As the third birthday approaches, the team plans the move to preschool special education. For children three through five, the local school district's Child Find team handles screening and evaluation under Colorado Department of Education rules, and eligible preschoolers receive services through an IEP. Colorado Universal Preschool, also run by the Department of Early Childhood, offers free preschool hours in the year before kindergarten. Many Denver and Front Range ABA providers coordinate with early intervention and school districts so handoffs to school-based services go more smoothly. When exploring specialized educational programs to complement ABA therapy, Commerce City families have access to a comprehensive network of support services.
Selecting the right ABA therapy provider in Commerce City is an important decision that can significantly impact your child's progress. The 12 therapy providers serving the Commerce City area each bring unique strengths, from specialized early intervention programs to school-based services and intensive behavioral support. Many Commerce City providers offer comprehensive parent training, ensuring that therapeutic strategies extend seamlessly into daily life. With Colorado's strong insurance protections and regulatory framework supporting autism treatment, families in Commerce City can confidently access high-quality, evidence-based ABA therapy services designed to help children reach their full potential.
Frequently Asked Questions About ABA Therapy in Commerce City
What ages does ABA therapy serve in Commerce City?
How do I get Health First Colorado to pay for ABA?
Can we find Spanish-speaking ABA and intake?
How long are ABA wait lists for Commerce City families?
Does private insurance cover ABA for my child?
Where can a Commerce City child be evaluated for autism?
Where do we start if our child is under 3?
Is my Commerce City address in Adams 14 or 27J?
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