Expert Insights
I recently learned that Colorado has a recovery high school in Denver, serving kids with substance use disorders. I think it’s a brilliant idea that someone who has recovered from addiction is now the director of recovery at 5280 High School. He’ll have the lived experience necessary to be able to tell students his own experiences of addiction. I believe there is great power in the words “me too,” because you feel like you’re not alone. Had I experienced a mentor like that in school I don’t think my addiction would’ve gotten so bad or lasted until my 30s, when I eventually hit a rock bottom. These kids have a new lease of life before the real damage of addiction takes hold and I think that’s a really great thing!
How We Rank Listings
Every Denver facility profile in our directory is built from licensed-provider data and verified against public records. We surface facilities based on the level of care offered, accepted payment types, accreditation status, and the specialty programs each center runs. Listings are not paid placements, and we do not rank facilities by advertising relationships.
Our team reviews directory entries against the Colorado Behavioral Health Administration license registry, SAMHSA’s national treatment locator, and the accrediting bodies listed for each facility (Joint Commission, CARF, LegitScript, NAATP). We prioritize transparency about cost, insurance, and clinical services so people in Denver can compare options on the criteria that matter most to them and their families. When a facility’s information changes, we update the profile within our regular review cycle.
Rehab in Denver: What to Know
Denver, the consolidated City and County of Denver, anchors a metro area of more than 2.9 million people along the Front Range and serves as the primary behavioral health hub for the Rocky Mountain region. Our directory currently lists 94 addiction treatment providers in the city, ranging from hospital-based detox programs to community outpatient clinics and sober living homes. People searching for care in Denver can also compare options across the broader Colorado rehab directory for facilities outside the city proper.
The local treatment landscape is shaped by a few large public-system providers and a wide network of private clinics. Denver Health operates the city’s safety-net hospital and runs Denver CARES, a 100-bed clinically managed withdrawal management and residential program, alongside an Addiction Recovery Center, an opioid treatment program offering methadone and buprenorphine, and a specialty Recovery Program for Women and Families. WellPower, the city’s community mental health center, runs the 24/7 Walk-In Crisis Center on East Colfax Avenue and integrates substance use care with behavioral health services. The Rocky Mountain Regional VA Medical Center in nearby Aurora handles substance use disorder treatment for veterans across the Eastern Colorado Health Care System.
Denver has invested heavily in expanding addiction treatment options over the past several years. The Caring for Denver Foundation, funded by a voter-approved sales tax, has awarded more than $129 million to community-based nonprofits working on mental health and substance misuse since its launch. The city has also directed a share of Colorado’s $750 million-plus opioid settlement funds toward Denver-specific projects, with $7 million in 2024 alone going to 15 initiatives focused on overdose education, treatment access, and harm reduction.
The overdose crisis remains the defining public health story for the city. Denver recorded a record 598 drug overdose deaths in 2023, fell to 483 in 2024, and saw numbers climb again in 2025 according to preliminary Denver Office of the Medical Examiner data. Fentanyl remains the most common substance involved in overdose deaths, though for the first time in 2024 methamphetamine-involved fatalities matched or briefly exceeded fentanyl-involved ones, reflecting the city’s growing stimulant problem. Treatment demand is highest for opioid use disorder, alcohol use disorder, and co-occurring mental health conditions.
Cost of Rehab in Denver
Treatment costs in Denver track closely to Colorado’s statewide averages, which the National Center for Drug Abuse Statistics places near the middle of the national range. Colorado ranks 11th nationwide for treatment affordability, with an average overall cost of $56,413 for a 30-day rehab stay without insurance. Within Denver, prices vary widely based on level of care, facility type, length of stay, and amenities. Luxury and executive programs in the foothills can run well above the state average, while community-based outpatient and county-funded programs are often available at a fraction of that cost or at no out-of-pocket expense for eligible residents.
Because Denver sits at the higher end of Colorado’s cost of living, in-city programs often price at or slightly above these state averages, particularly for residential inpatient care. People comparing facilities should ask each provider for a written estimate, request the all-inclusive daily rate, and confirm whether items like medication, lab work, and aftercare planning are billed separately. Most private health plans sold in Colorado, including marketplace plans through Connect for Health Colorado, are required to cover substance use disorder treatment as an essential health benefit, and verifying rehab benefits before admission is the single most effective way to control out-of-pocket cost.
How to Pay for Rehab in Denver
Of the 94 treatment providers in our Denver directory, most accept multiple forms of payment. Self-pay is the most widely accepted option, but private health insurance, Health First Colorado (the state’s Medicaid program), and Medicare are also accepted at a substantial share of facilities. Programs that offer sliding-scale fees, financial assistance, or financing further widen access for people without comprehensive coverage.
Coverage rules and out-of-pocket exposure vary significantly by payment type. The breakdown below summarizes what each option typically covers in Denver and how to confirm benefits before admission.
Medicare
Medicare covers medically necessary substance use disorder treatment for people who are 65 or older or who qualify through disability. Part A covers inpatient hospital and inpatient rehab stays, Part B covers outpatient counseling and medication management, and Part D covers prescription medications including those used in medication-assisted treatment. Medicare Advantage plans bundle these benefits, often with their own network rules. About 14 facilities in our Denver directory accept Medicare directly.
Medicaid (Health First Colorado)
Colorado’s Medicaid program, Health First Colorado, covers the full continuum of substance use disorder treatment for eligible members. Benefits include outpatient counseling, intensive outpatient programs, partial hospitalization, residential treatment, inpatient hospital care, medical withdrawal management, and medication-assisted treatment with methadone, buprenorphine, or naltrexone. Members do not need a referral or pay a copay for behavioral health services. Health First Colorado is accepted at 42 facilities in our Denver directory, including Denver Health’s full slate of addiction programs.
Military Benefits
Veterans living in Denver can access substance use disorder treatment through the Rocky Mountain Regional VA Medical Center in Aurora and the VA Eastern Colorado Health Care System’s community-based outpatient clinics. The VA offers detox, residential rehabilitation, outpatient programs, and medications for opioid use disorder, often at no cost for eligible veterans. Active-duty service members and dependents enrolled in TRICARE can use benefits at 10 Denver-area facilities that accept the plan. Families navigating the system can find more guidance through our rehab resources for veterans and military page.
Insurance and Private Pay
Private health insurance is accepted at 49 facilities in our Denver directory. Colorado enforces the federal Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act through the Division of Insurance, which means substance use disorder benefits must be comparable to medical and surgical benefits in the same plan. Major in-state carriers each maintain provider networks across Denver, and verifying in-network status is the most important step in controlling cost.
- Aetna
- Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield
- Cigna
- Denver Health Medical Plan
- Humana
- Kaiser Permanente
- Rocky Mountain Health Plans
- UnitedHealthcare
Other Low-Cost Options
27 Denver-area facilities offer sliding-scale fees adjusted to household income, and 24 provide some form of financial assistance. An additional 13 offer financing or payment plans for people paying out of pocket. Sliding-scale and assistance terms vary by provider, so it is worth asking each facility’s intake team directly about eligibility and required documentation.
Free Treatment Programs
Two facilities in our Denver directory offer fully free treatment for eligible clients. Free care in Denver is most commonly delivered through grant-funded community programs, Caring for Denver Foundation grantees, opioid settlement-funded initiatives, and Denver Health’s safety-net services for uninsured residents. People who do not qualify for Medicaid but cannot afford treatment may also be able to access rehab scholarships through individual facilities or nonprofit organizations.
Levels of Care Available in Denver
Denver’s 94 providers span the full clinical continuum, from acute medical detox to long-term sober living. Our directory includes 34 detox facilities, 33 inpatient rehab programs, and 75 outpatient clinics, with smaller numbers of partial hospitalization programs, dual diagnosis programs, and sober living homes.
Medical Detox
Medical detox is typically the first step for people who are physically dependent on alcohol, opioids, or benzodiazepines. Denver’s detox capacity includes hospital-based units like Denver Health’s Community Detox program and Denver CARES, as well as private freestanding detox centers. A typical medical detox lasts five to seven days, during which clinical staff monitor vital signs and manage withdrawal symptoms with medication when appropriate.
Inpatient Rehab
Inpatient or residential treatment provides 24-hour structured care in a licensed facility, typically lasting 30 to 90 days. Programs combine individual and group therapy, psychoeducation, medication management, and aftercare planning. The 33 inpatient programs in our Denver directory include a mix of standard residential centers, executive and luxury programs, and gender-specific tracks.
Partial Hospitalization Programs (PHP)
Partial hospitalization is a step down from residential care. Clients attend treatment six or more hours a day, five days a week, while living at home or in sober living. Denver has 5 PHP providers in our directory. PHP treatment is often used as a bridge between inpatient rehab and outpatient care, or as a standalone program for people whose home environment is stable enough to support recovery.
Outpatient Treatment
Outpatient programs let people continue working, attending school, or caring for family while receiving treatment. Denver has 75 standard outpatient clinics in our directory, including intensive outpatient programs that meet nine to twelve hours per week and traditional weekly counseling. People can compare formats through our broader outpatient rehab guide.
Dual Diagnosis (Co-Occurring Disorders)
71 Denver facilities are equipped to treat co-occurring substance use and mental health conditions, the highest concentration of any specialty in the city. Common conditions treated alongside addiction include depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, bipolar disorder, and co-occurring anxiety disorders. Integrated dual-diagnosis care has been shown to produce better outcomes than treating addiction and mental health separately.
Sober Living
Sober living homes provide alcohol- and drug-free residential environments for people transitioning out of formal treatment. Denver has 11 sober living homes in our directory, ranging from peer-run recovery houses to clinically supported transitional residences. Most sober living homes work in coordination with outpatient programs and recovery community organizations as part of rehab aftercare.
Specialty Programs in Denver
Many Denver facilities run dedicated tracks for specific populations or substances. Specialty programming can improve engagement and retention by matching the clinical environment to a person’s identity, life stage, or primary substance of concern.
Free and Low-Cost Rehab Resources in Denver
Denver has one of the most developed networks of free and reduced-cost behavioral health resources in the Mountain West, supported by Caring for Denver Foundation funding, opioid settlement dollars, and Denver Health’s safety-net mission. The resources below cover crisis support, county services, harm reduction, veteran-specific care, and Medicaid-funded treatment.
Crisis Lines
- 988 Colorado Mental Health Line — Call or text 988, or chat at 988colorado.com. Free, immediate, 24/7 support for mental health, emotional, and substance use concerns. As of July 1, 2025, the legacy Colorado Crisis Services number routes into 988 Colorado. More information on crisis support and suicide prevention resources.
- WellPower Walk-In Crisis Center — 4353 E. Colfax Ave., Denver. Open 24/7/365 for in-person crisis support, information, and referrals. No insurance or ability to pay required. Phone: (303) 504-7900.
- SAMHSA National Helpline — 1-800-662-HELP (4357). Free, confidential, 24/7 treatment referral service in English and Spanish.
- Veterans Crisis Line — Call 988 then press 1, or text 838255. Connects veterans and their families to VA crisis counselors.
County Health Department
- Denver Department of Public Health and Environment (DDPHE), Community and Behavioral Health Division — 101 W. Colfax Ave., Denver. Coordinates Denver’s overdose prevention, naloxone distribution, fentanyl test strip distribution, and substance misuse strategy. Main line: (720) 913-1311. Website: denvergov.org.
- Roads to Recovery Program — A Denver-led initiative connecting people who use drugs to treatment, peer support, and harm reduction services. Referrals available through DDPHE.
Community and Nonprofits
- Denver CARES (Denver Health) — 1155 Cherokee St., Denver. 100-bed, 24/7 clinically managed withdrawal management and residential program. Accepts Medicaid and uninsured residents. Substance Treatment Services: (303) 436-3500.
- WellPower — Denver’s community mental health center providing outpatient mental health, substance use, and co-occurring care across multiple Denver locations. Access line: (303) 504-7900.
- Advocates for Recovery Colorado — Peer recovery community organization offering recovery coaching, support groups, and Telephone Recovery Support for Denver-area residents. Phone: (303) 487-0876. Website: advocatesforrecovery.org.
Harm Reduction
- Harm Reduction Action Center (HRAC) — 231 E. Colfax Ave., Denver. Syringe access, naloxone distribution, fentanyl test strips, HIV/HCV/STI testing, and treatment referrals. Hours: Monday-Friday, 9 a.m. to noon for direct services. Phone: (303) 572-7800. Website: harmreductionactioncenter.org.
- Access Point Denver (Colorado Health Network) — Syringe access, naloxone, fentanyl testing strips, and walk-in behavioral health services. Denver location and hours listed at coloradohealthnetwork.org.
- NEXT Distro Colorado — Mail-based naloxone and harm reduction supply program for Colorado residents who cannot reach an in-person service. Website: nextdistro.org.
VA and Military
- Rocky Mountain Regional VA Medical Center – SUD Enrollment Clinic — 1700 N. Wheeling St., Aurora. Substance use disorder enrollment, outpatient treatment, residential rehabilitation, and MAT for eligible veterans. Phone: (720) 723-6952. Hours: Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. to noon.
- VA Eastern Colorado Health Care System – Community-Based Outpatient Clinics — 11 outpatient clinics across the region, including the Golden CBOC at 1020 Johnson Rd. Find locations at va.gov/eastern-colorado-health-care.
Government and Medicaid
- Health First Colorado (Colorado Medicaid) — Member Contact Center: 1-800-221-3943 (State Relay 711). Enrollment and benefits information at healthfirstcolorado.com.
- Colorado Behavioral Health Administration (BHA) — State agency overseeing substance use and mental health treatment access. Information at bha.colorado.gov.
- Colorado 211 — Dial 2-1-1 or text your ZIP code to 898-211. Statewide referral service for treatment, housing, food, and basic-needs resources.
Faith-Based
- Salvation Army Adult Rehabilitation Center – Denver — 4751 Broadway, Denver. Free long-term residential rehabilitation for men. Phone: (303) 294-9080.
- Catholic Charities of Denver — Provides emergency assistance, housing support, and counseling referrals. Phone: (303) 742-0828. Website: ccdenver.org.
University and Student Services
- University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus – CeDAR (Center for Dependency, Addiction and Rehabilitation) — Residential and outpatient addiction treatment affiliated with UCHealth. Phone: 1-877-999-0538. Website: cedarcolorado.org.
- Denver Health STEP Program (Substance Treatment, Education and Prevention) — Outpatient psychiatric and substance treatment for adolescents and young adults ages 12 to 21. Phone: (303) 436-3500.
Drug and Alcohol Use Statistics in Denver
Denver remains at the center of Colorado’s overdose crisis. After a record 598 drug overdose deaths in 2023, the Denver Office of the Medical Examiner reported 483 deaths in 2024, a roughly 20 percent year-over-year decline that mirrored a national drop in overdose mortality. Preliminary 2025 data shows the trend reversing, with deaths climbing back toward the 2023 high. For the first time in 2024, methamphetamine-involved deaths in Denver matched or briefly exceeded fentanyl-involved deaths, reflecting the rapid growth of stimulant use alongside the ongoing fentanyl crisis. National context for these figures is available in our overview of national substance use statistics.
Overdose remains the leading cause of death among people experiencing homelessness in Denver, a pattern the Denver Department of Public Health and Environment has cited in its overdose prevention strategy and naloxone distribution programs. Between 2022 and 2023, Denver residents received more than 16,000 naloxone kits and fentanyl test strips through DDPHE-funded distribution channels, and the city has expanded harm reduction access through opioid settlement-funded grants to organizations including the Harm Reduction Action Center and Colorado Health Network’s Access Point program.
Resources
- Denver Office of the Medical Examiner. (2025). Denver Overdose Dashboard and Annual Reports. denvergov.org.
- Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment. (2025). State Unintentional Drug Overdose Reporting System (SUDORS). cdphe.colorado.gov.
- Denver Department of Public Health and Environment. (2024). Community and Behavioral Health Division Overdose Prevention Programs. denvergov.org.
- Colorado Department of Health Care Policy and Financing. (2024). Health First Colorado Substance Use Disorder Benefits. hcpf.colorado.gov.
- Colorado Attorney General. (2024). Colorado Opioid Abatement Council Grant Announcements. coag.gov/opioids.
- Caring for Denver Foundation. (2024). Grant Announcements and Annual Report. caring4denver.org.
- Denver Health. (2024). Behavioral Health Services and Denver CARES Program Information. denverhealth.org.
- U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Eastern Colorado Health Care System. (2024). Rocky Mountain Regional VA Medical Center Substance Use Disorder Services. va.gov.
- Colorado Behavioral Health Administration. (2025). 988 Colorado Mental Health Line Implementation. bha.colorado.gov.
- Harm Reduction Action Center. (2024). Denver Syringe Access and Naloxone Distribution Program. harmreductionactioncenter.org.
- National Center for Drug Abuse Statistics. (2024). Colorado Addiction Treatment Cost Data.
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2024). Overdose Prevention Funding – Colorado. cdc.gov/injury.
