Colorado ABA – 2025 Annual Report – Inside Behavior Analysis

By Rebecca Urbano Powell

Colorado Association for Behavior Analysis (COABA) Update: A Year of Advocacy, Progress, and Future Plans

As we reflect on the past year, the Colorado Association for Behavior Analysis (COABA) is proud to share our significant accomplishments and outline our ambitious plans for the year ahead. With our commitment to advocating for behavior analysts and the individuals we serve, COABA has made notable strides in policy, education, and professional development.

Advocacy and Policy Successes

One of COABA’s major achievements over the past year has been securing sustainable Medicaid reimbursement rates in Colorado in February 2024. Given the financial challenges facing many healthcare systems, these rates were at risk of being reduced recently. However, through strategic advocacy and direct engagement with policymakers, COABA successfully defended these rates, ensuring continued access to high-quality ABA services for individuals in need.

Additionally, we have made significant progress in expanding access to ABA services in public schools under HB 22-1260. This legislation enables behavior analysts to provide services within public school settings. While we have successfully placed providers in several school districts, our work is not yet complete. COABA remains dedicated to pushing for 100% adherence to this policy across all school districts in Colorado.

Finally, we have formed a partnership with Juniper to secure needed data on network adequacy and insurance rates across CO providers.

Educational Outreach and Professional Development

Over the past year, COABA has hosted a series of town halls and webinars to educate and support behavior analysts in understanding and implementing HB 22-1260. These sessions have covered topics such as:

What school-based ABA services look like in practice
Effective collaboration with school teams
Assessing medical necessity for school-based treatment

Additionally, COABA has provided webinars on emerging and relevant topics within the field, including Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Behavior Analysis, Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (DEIA) initiatives, and other critical issues shaping the practice of ABA.

Looking Ahead: Conferences and Workshops

COABA remains committed to offering high-quality professional development opportunities for behavior analysts. This year, we are excited to host our annual conference from November 6-8, 2025. The event will feature a diverse range of topics designed to advance the field and equip practitioners with cutting-edge research and practical strategies as well as continue to offer a free RBT Workshop.

In addition to our annual conference, COABA is organizing a summer workshop focused on two key areas:

Advocating for HB 22-1260 in Schools – Equipping behavior analysts with the knowledge and tools to navigate school-based ABA implementation and policy advocacy.
Scope of Competence in School-Based Treatment – Ensuring that BCBAs understand the unique competencies required for effective and ethical school-based practice.

Join COABA: Benefits of Membership

COABA invites all behavior analysts, students, and professionals in related fields to become members and contribute to the advancement of ABA in Colorado. Membership benefits include:

Access to exclusive webinars and training sessions
Advocacy updates and involvement in shaping state policy
Networking opportunities with fellow professionals
Discounts on COABA events, including our annual conference and workshops
Free access to Juniper data re: insurance rates across CO

Conclusion

COABA is proud of the progress we have made over the past year and remains steadfast in our mission to advocate, educate, and support behavior analysts across Colorado. As we move forward, we encourage all ABA professionals to get involved—whether through advocacy, professional development, or community engagement. Together, we can continue to make a lasting impact on our field and the individuals we serve.

For more information about membership, upcoming events, and advocacy initiatives, visit our website or reach out to us directly. We look forward to another year of growth, collaboration, and meaningful change!