LGBTQ Addiction Treatment in Colorado

Treatment rules and programs in Colorado

Who oversees treatment

The Behavioral Health Administration (BHA), part of the Colorado Department of Human Services, serves as the State Single Authority for substance abuse services and also oversees licensing and designation of behavioral health providers.

Prescription monitoring

The Colorado PDMP is run by the Division of Professions and Occupations within the Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA); it is the state's system for tracking controlled substance prescriptions.

Public coverage for treatment

Colorado's Medicaid program is Health First Colorado, which covers substance use treatment across levels of care, including outpatient care, withdrawal management, residential treatment and medication-assisted treatment.

Overdose Good Samaritan law

Colorado's 911 Good Samaritan statute gives immunity from arrest and prosecution for certain drug and alcohol possession offenses to a person who reports an overdose in good faith or helps the person in need, and to the person who overdosed, if they stay and cooperate with responders.

Court-ordered treatment

Colorado has a civil process under C.R.S. 27-81-111 and 27-81-112 with two stages: emergency commitment to a withdrawal management program, and court-ordered involuntary commitment to treatment as a last resort. The state page uses these formal terms rather than a common nickname.

Featured IOP and day programs in Colorado

Family, rejection and recovery

Many LGBTQ people carry experiences of family rejection or strained relationships into treatment. Research on LGBTQ young people has linked family rejection with higher rates of substance use and depression, while family acceptance is protective.

Good programs make room for chosen family and offer family sessions when they help. Our guide on family rejection and recovery covers this in more depth.

How IOP and PHP work

Day and evening programs let you keep a job, school or caregiving while getting structured treatment. They are also the usual step down after residential care. Ask programs near Colorado whether their LGBTQ group meets on the same days as the core program.

LGBTQ Addiction Treatment by city in Colorado

Smaller towns are covered on the page for their nearest larger city.

• Denver
• Colorado Springs
• Aurora
• Fort Collins
• Lakewood
• Pueblo
• Thornton
• Grand Junction
• Greeley
• Boulder
• Arvada
• Westminster
• Centennial
• Highlands Ranch
• Longmont
• Lafayette
• Loveland
• Broomfield
• Castle Rock
• Commerce City
• Parker
• Littleton
• Brighton
• Security-Widefield
• Northglenn
• Englewood
• Dakota Ridge
• Firestone
• Ken Caryl
• Pueblo West
• Wheat Ridge
• Fountain
• Windsor
• Cañon City
• Erie
• Columbine
• Montrose
• Evans
• Johnstown
• Louisville
• Golden
• Clifton
• Durango
• Silverthorne
• Sherrelwood
• Cimarron Hills
• Welby
• Sterling
• Greenwood Village
• Fort Carson
• Steamboat Springs
• Black Forest
• Frederick
• Fruita
• Fort Morgan
• Superior
• Lone Tree
• Federal Heights
• Cherry Creek
• Glenwood Springs
• Berkley
• Woodland Park
• Rifle
• The Pinery
• Castle Pines
• Alamosa
• Wellington
• Fort Lupton
• Gunbarrel
• Craig
• Edwards
• Evergreen
• Monument
• La Junta
• Carbondale
• Lamar

Paying for treatment

Most private health insurance plans cover addiction treatment, including detox, residential care and outpatient programs, though coverage depends on your plan and whether the program is in network. Ask about prior authorization before you go, and see our insurance guides.

Other treatment in Colorado

LGBTQ RehabGay & Gay-Friendly RehabLGBTQ-Friendly RehabLGBTQ Drug RehabLGBTQ Alcohol RehabLGBTQ DetoxLGBTQ Dual Diagnosis Treatment