ABA therapy in Fort Collins: Northern Colorado guide

Finding ABA therapy in Fort Collins starts with your child’s age and your county. In Larimer County, which covers Fort Collins and Loveland, Foothills Gateway runs Early Intervention for children under 3 and is also the Case Management Agency for Medicaid waivers. Children 3 to 5 get a free evaluation through their school district’s Child Find program. In Greeley, Early Intervention comes from Envision and waivers go through Weld County’s own agency. ABA providers based in each city in our directory: Fort Collins, 3; Loveland, 3; Greeley, 2.

The short version

Under age 3: call the statewide Early Intervention referral line at 833-733-3734. You will be routed to Foothills Gateway (Larimer) or Envision (Weld). Federal rules set 45 days from referral to the first service plan meeting.
Ages 3 to 5: contact the Child Find office of your school district. In Fort Collins that is Poudre School District, in Loveland Thompson School District and in Greeley the Greeley-Evans district.
Medical diagnosis: Children’s Hospital Colorado’s public wait-time chart has no Northern Colorado row and posts no wait for Developmental Pediatrics anywhere (July 2026). Ask your pediatrician for a referral early.
Health First Colorado covers medically necessary ABA for members 20 and under with prior authorization. An autism diagnosis is not required.
ABA clinics must hold a state license by August 1, 2027 under HB26-1425.

Who do I call in Fort Collins, Loveland and Greeley?

City	County	Early Intervention (under 3)	Child Find (ages 3 to 5)	Case Management Agency (waivers)
Fort Collins	Larimer	Foothills Gateway	Poudre School District	Foothills Gateway, 970-226-2345
Loveland	Larimer	Foothills Gateway	Thompson School District	Foothills Gateway, 970-226-2345
Greeley	Weld	Envision	Greeley-Evans School District 6	Weld County Case Management Agency, 970-400-6950

School district boundaries do not always follow city limits, so confirm your district by address before you call.

How do I get an evaluation for a toddler?

Early Intervention Colorado serves children from birth through age 2 with a developmental delay or a condition likely to cause one. Anyone can refer, including parents and pediatricians. Call 833-733-3734 or email GetStartedwithEI@state.co.us, and the state connects you to Foothills Gateway in Larimer County or Envision in Weld County.

Federal rules bar charging families for the evaluation and require the evaluation, assessment and first Individualized Family Service Plan meeting within 45 days of the referral, except in documented exceptional family circumstances. An Early Intervention evaluation is not an autism diagnosis, but it can start services while you wait for one.

How does Child Find work for preschoolers?

From age 3, school districts evaluate children for free through Child Find, and a child does not have to be enrolled in the district. Poudre School District’s Child Find serves ages 3 through 5, and its coordinator can be reached at 970-490-3040 or childfind@psdschools.org. Thompson School District’s Child Find serves preschool-aged children who live in the district, and a parent, doctor or other agency can make the referral.

After you give written consent, federal rules give the district 60 days to finish the initial evaluation, and 30 days after an eligibility decision to write the IEP. Put your referral in writing and return the consent form quickly, because the clock runs from your consent. A Child Find evaluation decides school eligibility. It is separate from the medical diagnosis many insurers want before approving ABA.

Where do Northern Colorado families get a medical diagnosis?

Start with your pediatrician and ask for a developmental screening and a referral. Children’s Hospital Colorado’s Developmental Pediatrics program evaluates children at clinics across its system, and its scheduling line is 720-777-6630. Its public wait-time chart, updated July 2026, lists only Denver Metro and Southern Colorado, shows no figure for Developmental Pediatrics in either and acknowledges continued access challenges. Private psychologists also evaluate children, so ask whether they are in your plan’s network and whether the report will meet your insurer’s requirements.

Get on more than one list, ask about cancellation lists and keep a log of who you called. Our statewide evaluation guide explains how Early Intervention, Child Find and a medical diagnosis fit together.

How do Medicaid and private insurance cover ABA here?

Providers in our directory that say they accept Health First Colorado: Fort Collins, 1; Loveland, 0; Greeley, 1. Compare Medicaid ABA providers in Fort Collins or statewide.

On Health First Colorado, ABA is covered for members 20 and younger when it is medically necessary. A physician, physician assistant, nurse practitioner or licensed psychologist writes the referral, the provider assesses your child and submits a prior authorization request, and approvals last up to six months. Families do not pay for covered sessions. A denial can be appealed in writing to the Office of Administrative Courts within 30 calendar days of the notice. Our Medicaid ABA guide covers each step.

State-regulated private plans have to cover medically necessary autism treatment, including ABA, under C.R.S. 10-16-104(1.4). Many large employers pay claims themselves, and those self-funded plans generally follow federal rules instead, so ask your plan administrator which type you have.

For children who need intensive support at home, the Children’s Extensive Support (CES) waiver can add services such as respite. In Larimer County you apply through Foothills Gateway, 301 Skyway Drive, Fort Collins. In Weld County you apply through the Weld County Case Management Agency in Greeley.

Should we choose in-home or center-based ABA?

Both exist in Northern Colorado. In-home teams set a travel radius, so a provider based in Fort Collins may or may not reach Wellington, Windsor or Berthoud. Ask about your address before intake. For center-based care, test the drive at the hour you would actually go, especially on I-25 or in snow. Browse in-home ABA statewide or see our guide to choosing in-home or center-based ABA.

Ask how many direct hours a week the plan calls for. The Council of Autism Service Providers describes focused treatment as about 6 to 15 hours a week and comprehensive treatment for young children as 30 to 40.

What is changing for Northern Colorado clinics?

Under HB26-1425, ABA clinics must be licensed by the Colorado Department of Human Services by August 1, 2027, and behavior analysts must be licensed by DORA by July 1, 2028. Technicians do not need a state license. Until the licenses exist, check a BCBA’s national certification on the Behavior Analyst Certification Board’s registry.

Questions to ask Northern Colorado providers

Are you taking new clients, and how long is your wait right now?
Do you serve my address, and how far does your in-home team travel?
Do you accept Health First Colorado or my exact commercial plan, 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 clinic license?

Start comparing: ABA therapy in Fort Collins, Loveland and Greeley.

Frequently asked questions

How many ABA providers are in Fort Collins?

Providers based in each city in our directory: Fort Collins, 3; Loveland, 3; Greeley, 2. Providers based elsewhere may also serve your area, so ask about your address.

Who runs Early Intervention in Larimer County?

Foothills Gateway. Call the statewide line at 833-733-3734, and the state routes Larimer County referrals to Foothills Gateway. Weld County referrals go to Envision.

Do I need a diagnosis for Child Find or Early Intervention?

No. Early Intervention eligibility is based on a developmental delay or qualifying condition, and Child Find evaluates children with a suspected delay. A medical diagnosis is what most private insurers ask for before approving ABA.

Does Medicaid cover ABA in Fort Collins?

Yes, for members 20 and younger when it is medically necessary, with a referral and prior authorization. An autism diagnosis is not required, and families do not pay for covered sessions.

How long is the wait for an autism evaluation in Northern Colorado?

No one publishes a local figure. Children’s Hospital Colorado’s wait-time chart has no Northern Colorado row and shows no Developmental Pediatrics wait in any region. Ask several clinicians and get on more than one list.

Where do I apply for the CES waiver in Larimer or Weld County?

In Larimer County, Foothills Gateway is the Case Management Agency (970-226-2345). In Weld County, it is the Weld County Case Management Agency (970-400-6950).

Sources

Checked October 2026. HCPF pages were read from archived copies of the current pages because HCPF blocked automated access.

ABA therapy in Fort Collins, Loveland and Greeley: a Northern Colorado guide