Teen & Young Adult Treatment in Colorado
Colorado has 240 listed addiction treatment centers, 119 of them open to young adults, spread from Denver and the Front Range to Fort Collins, Boulder, and the Western Slope. The vast majority run outpatient care — 223 centers — so most teens and young adults can start a Colorado rehab program without leaving school or moving away from family.
Explore Treatment Centers in Colorado
Not Sure Where to Start?
Browse the directory or call to talk through options for your teen or young adult.
Treatment for Young People in Colorado
Colorado treatment centers cover the ASAM continuum: 123 run intensive outpatient tracks, 35 hold residential beds, and 24 offer partial-hospitalization day programs for young people who need daily structure but not overnight care. Under ASAM's adolescent criteria, teen intensive outpatient can begin around six hours a week — lighter than the 9-to-19-hour adult standard — so students often stay in class throughout treatment. Alcohol is still the most common reason families call, with 186 centers treating alcohol use disorder, followed by marijuana dependence, stimulant use, and prescription drug misuse. These often arrive alongside the anxiety or depression that dual diagnosis programs handle in one plan.
- 55 Colorado centers accept adolescents specifically, so placing a client under 18 usually doesn't mean sending them out of state
- Denver, Boulder, and Fort Collins have active young-adult sober communities — regular meetings, alumni events, and sober-living homes that ease the step down from residential care
- A single statewide crisis line answers every county, so the first call works the same from Grand Junction as from Aurora
- 126 centers set fees on a sliding scale, giving families without generous insurance a realistic in-state option
Health First Colorado — the state's Medicaid program — expanded under the Affordable Care Act, so many young adults qualify on income alone, and 176 of Colorado's 240 listed centers accept it. Child Health Plan Plus (CHP+), Colorado's CHIP program, covers kids and teens in families earning just above the Medicaid line. Most centers also bill Blue Cross Blue Shield, Aetna, and UnitedHealthcare plans; for families paying out of pocket, 126 centers offer sliding-scale fees tied to household income.
Types of Treatment Available in Colorado
Medical Detox
Safe, closely monitored withdrawal with medical support around the clock
Residential Treatment
Live-in care with daily therapy and a steady routine for young people
Partial Hospitalization (PHP)
Full-day treatment with medical oversight, evenings back home
Intensive Outpatient (IOP)
A flexible schedule that fits around school, work, and family life
Standard Outpatient
Weekly therapy and support groups to keep recovery on track
Sober Living
Transitional housing with peer support and shared accountability
Expert Tips for Colorado
Accepting Health First Colorado isn't the same as taking your specific managed-care plan — ask admissions which plans they are in-network with before you schedule an assessment.
High-country programs vary in what the daily rate covers; ask for a written list of what gets billed separately, like family weekends or wilderness intensives, before committing.
To start now, call Colorado Crisis Services at 1-844-493-8255 — it's free, staffed 24/7, and can point your family toward youth-capable programs near you.
Official state agencies and organizations that help families find treatment in Colorado.
Colorado Behavioral Health Administration
Colorado's lead agency for coordinating public behavioral health and substance use care
1-844-493-8255Colorado Crisis Services
Round-the-clock crisis line with walk-in centers and mobile response teams across the state
1-844-493-8255National Resources
Federal resources and hotlines available 24/7 for addiction support.
Free, confidential, 24/7, 365-day-a-year treatment referral and information service
Find treatment facilities in your area
Provides 24/7 free and confidential support for people in distress
Research and information on drug use and addiction
What Parents Ask About Treatment in Colorado
This website provides general information about addiction treatment facilities. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you are experiencing a mental health crisis, please call 988 (Suicide & Crisis Lifeline) or 911 for immediate assistance. For substance abuse help, call SAMHSA at 1-800-662-4357.
Data sourced from SAMHSA Treatment Locator, state licensing databases, and facility submissions.
