Our directory lists 13 ABA providers based in Colorado Springs. This guide covers who to call for an evaluation in El Paso County, how school support works across the city’s several districts, what Medicaid and TRICARE families should know and what’s available in Fountain, Monument and Pueblo.
Getting an evaluation in El Paso County
For babies and toddlers under 3, Early Intervention in El Paso County is run by The Resource Exchange. Evaluations are free and anyone can refer, including parents and pediatricians. Call Colorado’s statewide Early Intervention referral line at 833-733-3734 and you’ll be routed to the local team.
From age 3, school districts take over evaluations through Child Find (more on that below).
For a medical diagnosis, ask your pediatrician for a referral. Children’s Hospital Colorado’s Developmental Pediatrics program evaluates children at clinics across its system; call 720-777-6630 to ask where your child can be seen. Children’s Colorado also has a hospital in Colorado Springs at 4090 Briargate Parkway. Our statewide evaluation guide explains how Early Intervention, Child Find and a medical diagnosis fit together.
School support: which district are you in?
Colorado Springs is split among several school districts, and Child Find runs through each one. Find your district by address, then contact its Child Find team. The largest districts in and around the city include:
- Colorado Springs School District 11, central Colorado Springs
- Academy District 20, the north side
- Harrison School District 2, southeast Colorado Springs
- District 49, the eastern edge of the city and Falcon
- Fountain-Fort Carson School District 8, Fountain and Fort Carson
- Lewis-Palmer School District 38, Monument
Child Find evaluations are free and don’t require enrollment in the district. A Child Find evaluation decides eligibility for school services; it’s separate from the medical diagnosis your insurer may want before approving ABA. If you need help with IEP meetings, PEAK Parent Center supports Colorado parents with special education rights.
Medicaid families
6 of the Colorado Springs providers in our directory say they accept Health First Colorado. See Medicaid ABA providers in Colorado Springs.
Health First Colorado covers ABA for members 20 and younger when it’s medically necessary. Your provider requests prior authorization, and approvals last up to six months before renewal. Our Medicaid ABA guide covers the process and what to do after a denial.
For children who need intensive support at home, the Children’s Extensive Support (CES) waiver can add services such as respite care. In El Paso County, you apply through The Resource Exchange, which is also the county’s Case Management Agency.
Military families and TRICARE
With Fort Carson, Peterson Space Force Base and the Air Force Academy nearby, many Colorado Springs families use TRICARE. TRICARE covers ABA through its Autism Care Demonstration, which has its own referral and authorization rules. Ask any provider whether they’re a TRICARE-authorized ABA provider before you start intake.
To see which local providers list TRICARE, filter the Colorado Springs directory by TRICARE and nearby Fountain. If you expect to transfer, ask providers how they handle a move, and ask your new provider to start the authorization process before you arrive.
In-home or center?
Colorado Springs families have both options. Our directory lists 4 providers offering in-home ABA in Colorado Springs and 1 offering center-based ABA. In-home teams set travel limits, so if you live in Falcon, Black Forest or out toward Peyton, confirm a provider reaches you. Our guide to choosing in-home or center-based ABA covers the tradeoffs.
Fountain, Monument and Pueblo
Families just outside the city have local options too:
- Fountain: providers based in Fountain in our directory: 2. ABA therapy in Fountain.
- Monument: providers based in Monument in our directory: 1. North-side families often compare Colorado Springs providers too. ABA therapy in Monument.
- Pueblo: providers based in Pueblo in our directory: 3. In Pueblo County, Early Intervention is run by Colorado Bluesky Enterprises, and The Resource Exchange is the Case Management Agency. ABA therapy in Pueblo.
Questions to ask Colorado Springs providers
- Are you taking new clients, and how long is your wait right now?
- Do you serve my part of town, and do you offer in-home sessions there?
- Do you accept Health First Colorado or TRICARE, and who handles authorization?
- Who is the BCBA on my child’s case, and how often will they see my child?
- Have you applied for your Colorado ABA license under HB26-1425?
Start comparing: all ABA providers in Colorado Springs.