After years of closures and reduced access, Colorado is turning a new chapter in supporting students with significant behavioral, emotional, and developmental challenges. This school year, four new specialized facility schools have opened across the state, reversing a long downward trend and offering renewed hope to families who have spent years on waitlists or struggling to find the right educational fit.
These schools are designed to serve students with the most complex needs—ranging from autism and intellectual disabilities to trauma and severe emotional disorders. Their emergence follows the passage of a 2023 state law aimed at boosting support and resources for facility schools. The results are already showing: more than 100 new seats for students in critical need have been created.
The Rise, Fall, and Revival of Facility Schools
In 2004, Colorado had 80 facility schools. By 2023, fewer than 30 remained due to chronic underfunding, staffing shortages, and outdated licensing models. But the new law changed that trajectory.
It introduced a “specialized day school” designation and funding grants that have enabled schools to pool resources and attract qualified educators. The change made it possible for programs like TACT (Teaching the Autism Community Trades) and Joshua Early Childhood Center to become officially designated facility schools, opening the doors to students in need of specialized instruction and care.
Filling the Gaps for Students with Autism and Other Neurodiverse Needs
Students with autism often require structured environments, consistent therapeutic supports, and individualized education plans that traditional schools struggle to provide. Facility schools are often the only settings equipped to meet those needs.
With schools like TACT focusing on vocational training for neurodiverse teens and Joshua Early Childhood Center serving young children with autism, Colorado is finally expanding meaningful options for these students. But while progress is being made, the need remains great—particularly in rural areas of the state, where services are still few and far between.
How This Shift Reflects a Broader Movement Toward Inclusive Support
Colorado’s investment in facility schools underscores a wider recognition: students with autism and complex learning needs deserve tailored support that prepares them for meaningful lives—not just academic survival.
This is especially important during transition periods, like the shift from high school to adulthood. That’s where therapeutic services like ABA therapy in Colorado come in. We provide individualized, evidence-based ABA therapy to help children with autism build the communication, behavior, and life skills they need to thrive both inside and outside of the classroom.
Our Commitment to Supporting Families Across Colorado
At Spirit ABA, we know how critical it is to have reliable, accessible, and high-quality therapy services for children with autism. That’s why we’re proud to be part of Colorado’s growing support system for neurodiverse students. As the state invests in specialized education, we stand ready to support families through consistent and compassionate care.
Contact us today to learn more about how our ABA therapy in Colorado can support your child’s unique path. Whether you’re navigating a new facility school placement or exploring early interventions, we’re here to walk with you—step by step. Our expert team will help you understand your options, create a custom care plan, and connect you to resources that make a difference.
