10 Best ABA Therapy Providers in Denver, CO (2026)
Compare 29 ABA providers serving Denver. Explore the full ranked list and find a provider that feels right for your child.
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Other ABA Providers in Denver
Behavior Buffet LLC
VerifiedWith nearly 20 years of experience in behavior analysis and trauma-assumed care, we are proud to work directly with individuals and families to provide compassionate, individualized support for children with developmental disorders, neurological disabilities, and mental health challenges.
- In-home
- School-based
- Medicaid
- Telehealth
BehaviorSpan
VerifiedWe specialize in center-based Early Intervention ABA for children. We have spent the last 10 years highly focused building the best clinical model in Denver, and as a result we are able to teach children very quickly and effectively.
- School-based
- Medicaid
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
Budding Futures ABA Therapy - Denver
VerifiedBudding Futures provides specialized, evidence-based ABA therapy in Denver and all of Colorado, for children with autism spectrum disorder aged 18 months to 18 years. Sessions happen at home and in school, inside the daily routines where your child actually lives and learns. Care is play-based and assent-based, using Natural Environment Teaching (NET), with a BCBA supervision target of 20%. We specialize in early intervention for toddlers, serving families in Denver and throughout Colorado.
- In-home
- School-based
- Medicaid
- Telehealth
ContextABA
VerifiedWe are a Denver-based early intervention clinic providing thoughtful, play-based, neurodiversity-affirming ABA therapy rooted in science, guided by compassion, and shaped by context. ContextABA serves children ages 18 months to 8 years in a setting designed to feel like a preschool, not a clinic. Led by clinical director Larisa Sheperd, MA, BCBA, and PhD candidate in Applied Behavior Analysis.
- Center-based
- School-based
- Medicaid
Play to Learn Therapies
VerifiedThose who have tried us "feel" the difference right away. We are a mission-driven, locally-owned, woman-owned firm that takes the time to always prioritize the quality and effectiveness of our care. We are extremely naturalistic and have intense, specialized (early development) training regimens for our team. All of our RBTs are certified and hold relevant bachelors degrees in addition to our intensive training. In community/In home.
- In-home
- School-based
- Medicaid
- Telehealth
Soar Autism Center — 6 locations
VerifiedWe specialize in ESDM-based, play-based therapy for young children with autism, delivered by an integrated in-house team of BCBAs, RBTs, speech, occupational, and mental health therapists plus medical support. With one of the highest numbers of ESDM-certified BCBAs in the U.S., we pair evidence-based care with strong family partnership, caregiver coaching, regular care-team meetings, and parent consultations to support progress at home.
- Medicaid
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
Sunbird ABA
VerifiedAt Sunbird ABA, we believe every child deserves care that is as unique as they are. We provide individualized, BCBA-led ABA therapy in the comfort of your home and, when appropriate, in daycare settings. Our approach focuses on building meaningful communication, social, and everyday living skills while celebrating each child's progress. We work closely with parents through ongoing communication, caregiver training, and practical strategies that fit naturally into family routines. Our goal is to
- In-home
- School-based
- Medicaid
- Telehealth
Triumph ABA - Colorado
VerifiedWe specialize in home-based ABA for children, adolescents, and young adults, parent coaching, school readiness support, and regular BCBA communication.
- In-home
- School-based
- Medicaid
- Telehealth
Action Behavior Centers - Montbello
ListedOur Montbello center on Paris Street has no waitlist, which means children in Montbello, Green Valley Ranch and across the Denver metro can start ABA right away. We take a strengths-based approach, starting from what your child already does well to build communication, social and daily living skills. The center serves autistic children ages 18 months to 8 years, with group therapy areas for collaborative learning, reading corners for focus and calm, crafting areas for hands-on projects and indoor play spaces for sensory exploration. Each plan is written and supervised by our board-certified analysts, and Registered Behavior Technicians teach one-on-one every session. A BCBA also meets with parents twice a month for Family Guidance. We are proud to accept Medicaid in Colorado for ABA services, and Colorado law places no age or dollar caps on autism care. Commercial options include Aetna, Cigna, UnitedHealthcare, Anthem and CHAMPVA, along with UMR, Medica and Cofinity. Need answers first? Our no-cost autism evaluations, including the ADOS-2, are open to children 18 months to 6 years. As kids reach school age, ABC Academy, offered in Colorado, gives children 5 to 12 a structured bridge to the classroom.
- Center-based
- In-home
- Medicaid
- Evaluations
BehaviorSpan - Denver
ListedOur Denver center on South Dahlia Street provides intensive, one-to-one center-based ABA for children with autism ages 1 through 6. The program can provide up to 40 hours each week. Behavior analysts and registered behavior technicians track progress daily and update plans weekly. The center is open Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. BehaviorSpan also operates a separate center in Aurora. We accept Medicaid and private insurance.
- Center-based
- Medicaid
- Early intervention
ACES - Denver
ListedOur only ACES center in Colorado is at 1330 Quail Lake Loop, Suite 120, in Colorado Springs, where we provide ABA therapy for children with autism.
- In-home
- Center-based
- Telehealth
Step Forward ABA - Denver
ListedStep Forward ABA provides ABA therapy in Colorado for children with autism. We deliver therapy at home and at school, along with one-on-one parent training.
- In-home
- School-based
- Medicaid
- Behavior Intervention
Denver family guide
ABA Therapy in Denver, CO: What Families Should Know
ABA therapy in Denver is offered in clinics, in family homes, and through caregiver coaching, and most families compare a mix of center-based and in-home providers across the metro. Children under 3 start with Early Intervention Colorado, which Rocky Mountain Human Services delivers for Denver residents, and children 3 and older can get a free school evaluation through Denver Public Schools Child Find. Health First Colorado covers ABA for members 20 and under with prior authorization, and Colorado law requires state-regulated commercial plans to cover ABA for children with autism.
ABA therapy options in Denver
Center-based ABA
Denver clinics run structured sessions with peers, on-site BCBA supervision, and set schedules. Map the drive or transit trip at the real session time, since a clinic across town can add a long commute several days a week.
In-home ABA
In-home teams work on routines where they happen, such as meals, bedtime, and sibling play. Ask whether the provider has staff covering your neighborhood right now and how it handles canceled sessions.
School and daycare support
Some providers can observe or support a child at preschool or daycare with the program’s permission. Ask how the team will share goals with your child’s Denver Public Schools teacher or IEP team.
Telehealth parent coaching
Caregiver training sessions can happen by video between in-person visits. Look for a provider that writes parent coaching goals into the treatment plan rather than treating it as optional.
Autism evaluations
An autism diagnosis and a physician or psychologist order usually come before insurance approves ABA. Ask your pediatrician for a referral early, because developmental evaluation schedules in Denver can run long.
How to start ABA therapy in Denver
- 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 Denver 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 Denver that fit. It is free for families.
Does insurance cover ABA therapy in Denver?
Medicaid in Denver County (the City and County of Denver)
Health First Colorado covers ABA under its Pediatric Behavioral Therapies benefit for members 20 and under when it is medically necessary. A contracted provider assesses your child, writes a treatment plan, and submits a Prior Authorization Request to the state’s utilization management vendor; each approval lasts up to six months. Denver County members belong to Region 4 of the Accountable Care Collaborative, run by Colorado Access since July 1, 2025, for care coordination. Members enrolled in Elevate Medicaid Choice (Denver Health) should call Elevate at 855-281-2418 to confirm how their plan handles ABA.
Private insurance
Colorado’s autism mandate, C.R.S. 10-16-104(1.4), requires state-regulated health plans to cover assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of autism for a child, including applied behavior analysis. Self-funded employer plans follow federal ERISA rules instead, so ask HR whether your plan is fully insured or self-funded.
Plans Denver families often ask about:
- Health First Colorado (Colorado Access, Region 4)
- Elevate Medicaid Choice (Denver Health)
- 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 Denver
Denver families take one of two paths depending on age. Children under 3 go through Early Intervention Colorado, which handles referral and evaluation at no cost to families. Children 3 and older usually need a medical diagnostic evaluation for insurance, and can get a separate, free educational evaluation through Denver Public Schools Child Find.
Under age 3
Early Intervention Colorado (Rocky Mountain Human Services for Denver)
Refer a child under 3 who lives in the City and County of Denver by calling EI Colorado (833-REFER-EI) or using its online referral form. Rocky Mountain Human Services then provides the evaluation and early intervention services at no cost to the family.
Evaluation
Children’s Hospital Colorado Developmental Pediatrics (with JFK Partners)
Developmental pediatrics evaluates social communication and autism. JFK Partners diagnostic assessments at CU Anschutz are scheduled through this same line. Ask your pediatrician about a referral and ask to be placed on a cancellation list.
Evaluation
Rocky Mountain Human Services Children’s Clinical Team
Offers autism diagnostic testing for children and teens when the family’s insurance contracts with RMHS. Email DiagnosticTesting@rmhumanservices.org to ask about eligibility and scheduling.
School districts serving Denver 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 Denver too.
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Denver Public Schools Child Find (ages 3 to 5)
Screens and evaluates children ages 3 to 5 who are not yet enrolled in a public or charter school, at no cost to families. Call Child Find at 720-423-1410 or complete the online intake form; anyone can make the referral.
-
Denver Public Schools special education (school-age students)
For a child already enrolled in a DPS or DPS charter school, put your evaluation request in writing to the school’s special education team and keep a dated copy. Child Find can point you to the right contact.
Autism in Denver by the numbers
- 1 in 31
- 8-year-olds identified with autism across 16 CDC monitoring sites
- About 4,180
- Estimated autistic children in Denver County
- 129,515
- Children under 18 living in Denver
- 94.3%
- Denver children under 19 with health insurance
- 21.6%
- Denver households with one or more children under 18
- 16.7%
- Denver residents age 5 and up who speak Spanish at home
- $94,718
- Median household income in Denver
- 16.0%
- Denver children under 18 living below the poverty line
CDC Autism and Developmental Disabilities Monitoring Network, 2022 data published in 2025.
An estimate: 129,515 residents under 18 divided by 31, not a count of diagnoses.
Ask providers whether they have Spanish-speaking BCBAs or technicians.
Sources: CDC ADDM Network (2022 surveillance year, MMWR April 2025); U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates (tables S0101, S2701, S1901, S1701, DP02) for Denver city and Denver County, Colorado. The county autism figure is an estimate, not a count.
Denver autism resources for families
Advocacy & navigation
PEAK Parent Center
Colorado’s federally funded Parent Training and Information Center. Call for free help with IEPs, Child Find, and special education rights.
Early intervention
Early Intervention Colorado
Statewide referral line for children under 3, run by the Colorado Department of Early Childhood. Denver referrals are served by Rocky Mountain Human Services.
Early intervention
Rocky Mountain Human Services
Denver’s early intervention provider. If your child does not qualify for early intervention but you still have concerns about development, RMHS can talk through next steps.
Diagnosis & evaluation
Children’s Hospital Colorado Developmental Pediatrics
Developmental and autism evaluations for children, including JFK Partners assessments. Call to ask about referral requirements.
Autism support
Autism Society of Colorado
Statewide nonprofit offering family support, events, and resource referrals. Call or email to schedule time with staff.
Medicaid
Health First Colorado Member Contact Center
Questions about Health First Colorado eligibility, your Region 4 assignment, or how to find a contracted behavioral therapy provider.
More questions about ABA therapy in Denver
What ABA therapy services can Denver families find?
Denver providers offer center-based ABA, in-home ABA, caregiver training, and in some cases support at preschool or daycare. Many also coordinate with speech and occupational therapists. Services and staffing differ by provider, so ask each one which settings it can staff for your child now and how often a BCBA supervises in person.
How long does a Health First Colorado ABA approval last?
Each approved Prior Authorization Request for behavioral therapy is valid for up to six months. Your provider must submit a new request to continue services after that. If a request is denied, your provider can ask for a reconsideration, and you can file a written appeal with the Office of Administrative Courts within 30 calendar days of the denial notice.
Does Colorado insurance cover ABA for teenagers in Denver?
Colorado’s autism mandate, C.R.S. 10-16-104(1.4), requires state-regulated plans to cover autism treatment, including ABA, for a child, and it does not set a specific cutoff age. Ask your plan in writing how it applies that to a teenager, because coverage still depends on medical necessity and your plan’s normal cost sharing. Self-funded employer plans set their own terms under federal ERISA rules, so confirm with your plan.
Are ABA clinics or in-home ABA more common in Denver?
Both are widely available across the Denver metro, and many families use a mix. Clinics suit children who benefit from peers and structured space; in-home ABA suits families who want routines practiced at home or who face a long cross-town drive. Compare the weekly hours each option can staff before choosing.
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 2026-10-09 against linked state and provider sources.
Nearby therapy options
Compare ABA therapy near Denver
Families often compare nearby cities when commute, availability, services, or age fit differ.
Planning guides
Plan your next ABA provider call in Denver
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 Denver, CO on Special Needs Jobs, our job board for RBTs, BCBAs, and behavior technicians.
Why Choose ABA Therapy in Denver?
Compare ABA therapy in Denver by asking which program matches your child's age, communication needs, and daily schedule. A clinic appointment, an in-home assessment, and a staffed treatment start are different steps, so get a clear answer about each. Denver Public Schools also offers a Child Find intake route for preschool developmental concerns. Families can explore that educational process alongside private therapy intake without assuming that a school evaluation establishes insurance eligibility or that an ABA program replaces preschool services.
Comprehensive Autism Therapy Services in Denver
A Denver provider comparison should cover the proposed setting, the supervising clinician, caregiver coaching, and the way progress will be discussed with you. For a clinic, check the trip at the planned session time and ask how skills will be used at home. For in-home care, verify address coverage and staff availability. Bring existing evaluations or school plans to intake and ask which documents the provider can use, which assessments it still requires, and how it coordinates with other teams. When exploring special needs educational programs alongside behavioral therapy, families in Denver often find that coordinated services produce the best outcomes.
Understanding Insurance Coverage for ABA Therapy in Denver
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, Denver families have access to a comprehensive network of support services.
Selecting the right ABA therapy provider in Denver is an important decision that can significantly impact your child's progress. The 29 therapy providers serving the Denver area each bring unique strengths, from specialized early intervention programs to school-based services and intensive behavioral support. Many Denver 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 Denver 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 Denver
Where should a Denver family start if a child is under three?
How do parents request a school evaluation in Denver?
Can school supports and private ABA be considered at the same time?
What makes an ABA schedule workable for a Denver family?
What should we confirm before accepting ABA hours in Denver?
How do I compare ABA providers in Denver?
Does Health First Colorado cover ABA therapy services in Denver?
What is a practical way to organize Denver ABA intake documents?
Can Denver preschool evaluation and ABA intake happen alongside each other?
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