A sudden $4 million budget shortfall is forcing Colorado’s Early Intervention program to scale back services for young children with developmental delays, leaving families scrambling and providers outraged. The cuts, which could begin immediately, will hit Medicaid-enrolled families the hardest—limiting vital therapy access for some of the state’s most vulnerable children.
Colorado’s Early Intervention program, which currently serves more than 11,000 children under age 3, is a lifeline for families navigating speech, occupational, physical, and behavioral challenges. But with the end of COVID-era federal funding and fewer children qualifying for Medicaid, the state is tightening its belt. That means families who previously relied on a multidisciplinary approach—often combining several therapies weekly—will now be restricted to just four hours of service a month.
Which Services Are Getting Cut—and Who Will Be Left Out?
The most significant change affects children on Medicaid, who will now be limited to services Medicaid directly reimburses. This includes speech, physical, and occupational therapy—but not developmental interventions, behavioral support, or other specialized services like audiology, mental health support, or vision therapy. Historically, those services were covered through state dollars or alternative funding. Now, they’re simply being dropped.
This abrupt change forces families to make impossible choices: Should they prioritize speech therapy over physical therapy? Wait for months on a provider waitlist? Or simply go without? For many lower-income and medically fragile children, this could mean the difference between meaningful progress and long-term setbacks.
Why This Matters for Long-Term Outcomes
Research has long shown that early intervention is critical for a child’s developmental trajectory. By identifying and treating delays early, children have a better chance of succeeding in school, forming relationships, and eventually gaining independence. With fewer services available, especially for high-need families, we risk reversing years of progress in early childhood development.
For children who need support across multiple areas—speech, motor skills, behavior, and emotional regulation—reducing services to just four hours a month is not just insufficient; it’s negligent. Providers have warned that the backlog will grow, waitlists will swell, and many children will enter preschool unprepared, placing additional pressure on special education systems later on.
Supporting Families Beyond Colorado
Supporting Families Beyond ColoradoWhile we continue to support families in Colorado during this critical time, we also recognize that similar challenges are emerging nationwide. At Spirit ABA, we remain committed to providing high-quality, accessible ABA therapy in New York and across all our service areas.
If your child is facing developmental delays or behavioral challenges, early intervention is still possible—and essential. We specialize in tailored autism services that prioritize your child’s unique needs, backed by evidence-based care and compassionate providers.
Get in Touch Today
If you’re seeking support and consistency in your child’s therapy, we’re here to help. Our dedicated team is ready to guide you through every step—from evaluation to ongoing care. Whether you’re based in New York or another region we serve, our mission remains the same: helping children thrive through expert, individualized support.
Get in touch today to schedule a consultation, understand your options, and ensure your child doesn’t miss the services they deserve.
