Home / Colorado guide
The Colorado services guideColorado's system, in plain language.
SLS, CFC, IHSS, CDASS, CMA, PCSP… Colorado's disability services are generous — and full of acronyms. This guide explains what matters for families who want care from people they trust.
This guide explains Colorado programs generally. A program appearing in this guide does not mean giv.care is currently enrolled or available to provide every service under that program. See our Case Managers page for current giv.care services and availability.
Supported Living Services (SLS)
A Health First Colorado waiver for adults 18 and older with intellectual or developmental disabilities who live in their own home, with family, or in another community setting, and who do not require access to services 24 hours a day.
Colorado does not keep a waitlist for SLS. Colorado eliminated it in 2014, so anyone who qualifies can enroll. Program eligibility does not guarantee immediate provider or staffing availability. giv.care confirms its current capacity during intake. Eligibility, services and authorization are determined through the person's Case Management Agency and person-centered planning process.
giv.care status: Accepting appropriate referrals
Services SLS can include
Each member's services are limited by a yearly Service Plan Authorization Limit (SPAL) based on their support level. Source: HCPF — SLS waiver.
Developmental Disabilities (DD) Waiver
The DD waiver is a Health First Colorado program for adults age 18 and older with intellectual or developmental disabilities who require access to services and supports 24 hours a day. The waiver may include residential habilitation along with authorized day, community, employment and other supports.
A person's Case Management Agency determines eligibility, helps develop the person-centered service plan and coordinates enrollment. DD enrollment is subject to a state-managed waiting list and state availability.
Source: HCPF — HCBS waivers.
Children's Extensive Support (CES)
A Health First Colorado waiver for eligible children from birth through age 17 with intellectual or developmental disabilities and significant support needs, who live at home with their families.
Many children also receive personal care, homemaker and related services through Community First Choice. For children, paid care covers support that goes beyond what's typical for a child the same age.
Services CES can include
Source: HCPF — CES waiver. Your case manager confirms which services fit your child's plan.
Community First Choice (CFC)
A Medicaid State Plan benefit under the federal 1915(k) option — not a 1915(c) waiver. Since July 1, 2025, CFC covers personal care, homemaker and related attendant services for eligible Health First Colorado members, including many people enrolled in the SLS and CES waivers.
When CFC launched, several services moved out of the waivers and into CFC. If someone is on SLS, they can use CFC for personal care and homemaker services and keep SLS for things like respite, mentorship and community connections — as long as services don't overlap.
Services under CFC
Source: HCPF Operational Memo 25-030. The DD waiver is not part of CFC.
IHSS and CDASS
Colorado offers two self-directed ways to receive in-home care. Both let you choose your caregiver — including family.
| Provider agency | IHSS | CDASS | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Who's the employer? | The agency | IHSS agency (member directs) | The member or their representative |
| Choose your caregiver? | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Payroll & taxes | The agency | IHSS agency | Financial Management Services vendor |
| Training & compliance | The agency | Shared | Mostly the member or their representative |
| Best for | Families who want choice and hands-off administration | Members who want to direct care with agency backup | Members who want full employer control |
Who can be paid?
Colorado uses the term Legally Responsible Person (LRP): the parent of a minor child, or a spouse. LRPs follow special rules. Almost everyone else can generally be hired and paid.
| Relationship | Can be paid? |
|---|---|
| Parent of an adult (18+) | Generally yes — not an LRP |
| Sibling, grandparent, other relative | Generally yes |
| Friend or neighbor | Generally yes |
| Spouse | In some programs (e.g., IHSS, CDASS) for "extraordinary" care — LRP rules apply |
| Parent of a minor | Often — for care beyond what's typical for the child's age; LRP rules and limits apply |
| Authorized Representative | Generally cannot also be the paid attendant |
Source: 10 CCR 2505-10 §8.7500–8.7528. Rules change often — we'll confirm what applies to you.
From first call to first shift.
Call your CMA
Your Case Management Agency starts a Level of Care Screen.
Assessment and plan
The Colorado Single Assessment leads to your Person-Centered Support Plan.
Choose your provider
For SLS services, you can choose giv.care and bring the DSP you trust.
Who to call, county by county.
Since Colorado's Case Management Redesign, one Case Management Agency (CMA) in each area handles eligibility, assessments and service plans for all waivers and Community First Choice.
Stylized, not to scale.
Other counties: see the HCPF Case Management Agency directory.
Every acronym, decoded.
- Health First Colorado Medicaid
- Colorado's Medicaid program. People enrolled are called "members."
- HCPF "hick-pick"
- Colorado Department of Health Care Policy & Financing — the state agency that runs Health First Colorado.
- HCBS
- Home and Community-Based Services — support that helps people live at home and in their communities instead of institutions.
- SLS Supported Living Services Waiver
- An HCBS waiver for adults age 18 and older with I/DD who do not require access to services 24 hours a day. Services are based on assessed needs and the person-centered service plan.
- DD waiver Developmental Disabilities Waiver
- An HCBS waiver for adults age 18 and older who require access to services and supports 24 hours a day. It may include residential habilitation and other authorized community-based supports. Enrollment is coordinated through the person's Case Management Agency and is subject to state availability.
- CES Children's Extensive Support Waiver
- An HCBS waiver for eligible children from birth through age 17 with developmental disabilities and significant support needs. Inclusion in this guide does not indicate that giv.care currently provides CES services.
- CFC Community First Choice
- A Medicaid State Plan benefit under the 1915(k) option. It is not a 1915(c) waiver. CFC includes selected home and community-based attendant services for eligible Health First Colorado members.
- IHSS In-Home Support Services
- A way to receive CFC services where the member directs care through a certified IHSS agency.
- CDASS
- Consumer-Directed Attendant Support Services — the member or representative hires and manages attendants directly.
- CMA Case Management Agency
- The agency that determines eligibility, completes assessments and authorizes services in your area.
- CCB Community Centered Board
- The former name for I/DD case management organizations before Case Management Redesign (completed July 2024).
- PCSP
- Person-Centered Support Plan — your plan listing goals, services and authorized hours.
- CSA Colorado Single Assessment
- The assessment used to understand your needs and build your support plan.
- SPAL
- Service Plan Authorization Limit — the yearly budget for SLS services, based on support level.
- LRP Legally Responsible Person
- The parent of a minor or a spouse. Special rules apply to paying LRPs.
- AR Authorized Representative
- Someone designated to help direct a member's self-directed services.
- PASA
- Program Approved Service Agency — a provider approved by CDPHE to deliver I/DD waiver services like SLS.
- CDPHE
- Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment — licenses and surveys provider agencies.
- QMAP
- Qualified Medication Administration Person — training required for staff who give medications to SLS members.
- CAPS check
- A Colorado Adult Protective Services background check required for caregivers of at-risk adults.
- EVV Electronic Visit Verification
- Electronic check-in and check-out that confirms when and where in-home services happen. Required for many Colorado home and community-based services.
- DSP Direct Support Professional
- The professional who provides day-to-day support. At giv.care, a DSP may be a family member, friend or other trusted person who meets employment requirements.
- PAR Prior Authorization Request
- The authorization that approves specific services, units and dates before a provider can deliver and bill for them.
- PEAK
- Colorado's online portal for applying for Health First Colorado and other benefits.
- Respite
- Short-term care that gives the usual caregiver a break.
- Mentorship
- An SLS service that helps members build skills and confidence toward their goals.
- Supported Community Connections
- An SLS service supporting participation in community life — activities, relationships, volunteering.
No matches. Ask our team — we're happy to explain.
Good people to know.
Independent organizations and state resources for Colorado families. giv.care is not affiliated with these organizations.
Colorado PEAK
Apply for Health First Colorado online and check your application status.
StateHCPF waivers
Official information on every Colorado HCBS waiver and Community First Choice.
AdvocacyColorado DD Council
Policy, advocacy and leadership programs for Coloradans with developmental disabilities.
AdvocacyThe Arc of Colorado
Statewide advocacy, with local chapters in every county we serve.
LegalDisability Law Colorado
Colorado's Protection & Advocacy agency for disability rights.
FamiliesPEAK Parent Center
Training and support for families of children and youth with disabilities.
RespiteColorado Respite Coalition
Respite resources and grants for family caregivers.
SavingsColorado ABLE
Tax-advantaged savings accounts that don't affect Medicaid eligibility. Eligibility expanded in 2026 to disability onset before age 46.
HelpColorado 211
Dial 2-1-1 for housing, food, utility and other local assistance.