Last updated: March 9, 2026

ABA Programs in Colorado (2026)

Colorado is one of roughly 11 states with no behavior analyst licensure — but that hasn't slowed demand. Three University of Colorado system programs, including UCCS's ABAI-accredited option, prepare graduates for BCBA certification in a state where the credential alone lets you practice.

Taylor Rupe

Founder & Editor

B.A. in Psychology, University of Washington — Seattle

ABA Programs in Colorado (2026)

Key Takeaways

  • CU Denver offers a 30-credit fully online M.A. in ABA — with BACB-verified coursework, asynchronous delivery, and tuition ranging from $464 to $643/credit depending on residency.
  • The University of Colorado Colorado Springs (UCCS) holds ABAI accreditation — the only accredited ABA program in Colorado — delivering an on-campus experience with strong clinical partnerships in the Pikes Peak region.
  • The University of Northern Colorado provides a fully online M.A. in ABA at competitive pricing, adding a third public university option for Colorado residents.
  • Colorado has no state licensure for behavior analysts. A 2020 DORA Sunrise Review concluded that licensure was not recommended at that time — meaning BCBA certification through the BACB is the sole credential needed to practice.
  • Despite no licensure, Colorado's ABA job market is thriving — the BLS reports 13,290 employed in related behavioral health roles, with BCBA-certified professionals in Denver earning $65,000–$85,000.

Colorado offers three strong public university ABA programs, led by UCCS's ABAI-accredited program in Colorado Springs. UCCS is the only program in the state to hold ABAI accreditation, making it the top choice for students who want the strongest credential for post-2026 BACB requirements. CU Denver's online M.A. provides maximum flexibility for working professionals, and the University of Northern Colorado adds another online option.

The elephant in the room is licensure — or rather, the lack of it. Colorado is one of approximately 11 states that do not regulate behavior analysts through state licensing. A 2020 DORA Sunrise Review examined whether licensure was needed and concluded it was not recommended at that time. This means BCBA certification from the BACB is the only credential you need to practice ABA in Colorado — no state application, no state fees, no state continuing education beyond BACB requirements.

For many practitioners, this is actually an advantage: lower barriers to entry, fewer bureaucratic hurdles, and the ability to start practicing immediately upon BCBA certification. The trade-off is less consumer protection oversight and potentially less leverage for insurance reimbursement compared to licensed states. Colorado's ABA job market — particularly in the Denver metro and Colorado Springs — remains robust regardless of the licensure situation.

CU Denver, UCCS & UNC: Colorado's Three ABA Programs Compared

School Tuition (In-State) Format Length Accreditation
University of Colorado Colorado Springs — M.A. in Applied Behavior Analysis $500–$600/credit (~$15,000–$18,000 total, 30 credits) On-campus 2 years ABAI-Accredited; BACB-Aligned
University of Colorado Denver — M.A. in Applied Behavior Analysis (Online) $464/credit (~$13,920 total, 30 credits) Fully online (asynchronous) 2 years BACB-Verified; BACB-Aligned
University of Northern Colorado — M.A. in Applied Behavior Analysis (Online) $525/credit (~$15,750 total, 30 credits) Fully online 2 years BACB-Aligned

University of Colorado Colorado Springs — M.A. in Applied Behavior Analysis

Colorado Springs

In-State Tuition

$500–$600/credit (~$15,000–$18,000 total, 30 credits)

Out-of-State

$900–$1,100/credit (~$27,000–$33,000 total)

Format

On-campus

Full-Time

2 years

Field Hours

1,500 supervised experience hours (practicum integrated into curriculum)

Concentrations

Applied Behavior Analysis — behavioral health, autism spectrum disorders, developmental disabilities, organizational behavior management

  • Only ABAI-accredited ABA program in Colorado — the strongest credential for post-2026 BACB certification
  • Helen and Arthur E. Johnson Beth-El College of Nursing and Health Sciences — interprofessional health context
  • Practicum placements integrated into the curriculum — supervised fieldwork built into your degree timeline
  • Colorado Springs' lower cost of living compared to Denver makes the on-campus experience more affordable
  • Strong clinical partnerships with Pikes Peak region providers for diverse practicum experiences
  • Small cohort model ensures close faculty mentorship and individualized training
Visit Program Website → GRE: Not required · Min GPA: 3.0

University of Colorado Denver — M.A. in Applied Behavior Analysis (Online)

Denver (Online)

Online Available

In-State Tuition

$464/credit (~$13,920 total, 30 credits)

Out-of-State

$643/credit (~$19,290 total)

Format

Fully online (asynchronous)

Full-Time

2 years

Field Hours

1,500 supervised experience hours (completed separately)

Concentrations

Applied Behavior Analysis — behavioral assessment, intervention, ethics, research methods

  • Fully online, asynchronous delivery — maximum flexibility for working professionals anywhere
  • CU Denver's School of Education and Human Development — public university quality with online convenience
  • In-state tuition of $464/credit puts total cost under $14,000 — exceptional value for an online program
  • Out-of-state rate of $643/credit (~$19,290 total) is still competitive nationally
  • Lower GPA requirement (2.75) than most ABA programs — more accessible admissions
  • 30-credit program meets all BACB coursework requirements efficiently
Visit Program Website → GRE: Not required · Min GPA: 2.75

University of Northern Colorado — M.A. in Applied Behavior Analysis (Online)

Greeley (Online)

Online Available

In-State Tuition

$525/credit (~$15,750 total, 30 credits)

Out-of-State

$695/credit (~$20,850 total)

Format

Fully online

Full-Time

2 years

Field Hours

1,500 supervised experience hours (completed separately)

Concentrations

Applied Behavior Analysis — behavioral assessment, intervention design, professional practice

  • UNC's College of Education and Behavioral Sciences — strong teacher preparation tradition applied to ABA
  • Fully online delivery with flexible pacing — complete coursework on your schedule
  • Third Colorado public university option — provides pricing competition and choice
  • Focus on practical, applied skills for immediate use in clinical and educational settings
  • UNC has a strong reputation in Colorado for educator preparation — beneficial for school-based ABA careers
  • Graduates can practice immediately in Colorado with BCBA certification alone — no state license required
Visit Program Website → GRE: Not required · Min GPA: 3.0

Why Colorado Has No Behavior Analyst License (And What That Means)

No State Licensure Required

Issued by: Colorado does not license behavior analysts (as of 2026)

  • Colorado has NO state licensure for behavior analysts — BCBA certification alone is sufficient to practice
  • A 2020 DORA Sunrise Review examined licensure and did not recommend it at that time
  • BCBA certification from the BACB is the sole credential needed for independent ABA practice in Colorado
  • No state application fee, no state renewal, no state-specific continuing education requirements
  • Colorado is one of approximately 11 states without behavior analyst licensing
  • Some advocacy groups continue to push for licensure — the situation may change in future legislative sessions

Renewal

No state renewal required. Maintain your BCBA certification through the BACB, including completing the required continuing education units per the BACB's certification cycle.

Visit Licensing Board →

BCBA Pay in Denver, Colorado Springs & the Front Range

BLS Median

$58,240

Entry Level

$40,000–$48,000

Experienced

$65,000–$85,000 (BCBA-certified, Denver metro)

Top Earners

$90,000–$115,000+ (clinical directors, private practice owners)

Colorado's BLS median of approximately $58,240 for the broader behavioral health counselor category tracks near the national average. BCBA-certified professionals in the Denver metro typically earn $65,000–$85,000, with clinical directors and multi-site supervisors exceeding $90,000. Colorado Springs salaries trend 5–10% lower than Denver but come with significantly lower housing costs. Colorado's cost of living has risen sharply in recent years — particularly in Denver and Boulder — but remains below San Francisco, New York, and Seattle levels. The lack of state licensure means no state renewal fees, effectively adding to your net take-home.

ABA Careers Along Colorado's Front Range

BLS Employment

13,290

Projected Growth

19% nationally through 2034; Colorado growth likely mirrors or exceeds national rate

Top Employers

Firefly Autism, Trumpet Behavioral Health (headquartered in Lakewood), Behavioral Healthcare, Children's Hospital Colorado, JFK Partners (CU Anschutz)

Colorado's Front Range — stretching from Fort Collins through Denver to Colorado Springs — concentrates the vast majority of ABA positions. Trumpet Behavioral Health, headquartered in Lakewood (a Denver suburb), is one of the largest ABA providers nationally and a major local employer. Firefly Autism in Denver is a well-known clinic specializing in intensive ABA services. Children's Hospital Colorado on the Anschutz Medical Campus employs behavior analysts in pediatric clinical and research roles, and JFK Partners at CU Anschutz is a Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental and Related Disabilities (LEND) program. The absence of state licensure actually simplifies the employment process — out-of-state BCBAs can begin working immediately without waiting for a state license application to process.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes. Colorado is one of approximately 11 states that do not license or regulate behavior analysts at the state level. A 2020 DORA Sunrise Review evaluated the need for licensure and did not recommend it. Your BCBA certification from the BACB is the only credential needed for independent practice. This makes Colorado one of the easiest states to start practicing in — no state application, no state fees, no state-specific CE requirements.
It depends on your priorities. The advantage: fewer bureaucratic barriers, lower costs, and immediate ability to practice upon BCBA certification. The disadvantage: less formal consumer protection, potentially fewer insurance mandates specific to ABA, and some states may not recognize Colorado "experience" the same way they recognize licensed-state experience if you relocate. For most BCBAs practicing in Colorado long-term, the lack of licensure is a non-issue — employers and insurance companies look at your BCBA certification, not a state license.
UCCS is the only ABAI-accredited ABA program in Colorado. Starting in 2026, the BACB's new attestation system makes ABAI accreditation the most streamlined path to certification. If accreditation is your priority, UCCS is the clear choice — but it requires on-campus attendance in Colorado Springs. If you need online flexibility, CU Denver's BACB-verified online program is the best alternative.
CU Denver is fully online and cheaper ($464/credit in-state vs. ~$500–$600 at UCCS), making it the better choice for working professionals or out-of-state students. UCCS is on-campus with ABAI accreditation and integrated practicum — better for students who want structured clinical training and the strongest credential. Both are within the CU system, so the brand recognition is comparable. Choose based on your need for flexibility vs. accreditation.
Colorado is excellent for early-career BCBAs. Strong demand along the Front Range (especially Denver and Colorado Springs), no licensure barriers to starting practice, multiple affordable program options, and a growing autism services market all work in your favor. The main downside is Denver's rising cost of living — but BCBA salaries of $65,000–$85,000 still provide comfortable purchasing power, particularly in Colorado Springs, Greeley, or Fort Collins.