Denver Schools Expanded Autism Programs Following Enrollment Rise

The district opened 28 new classrooms as the number of students needing autism services surged nearly 75% in five years.

Updated on Oct. 2, 2026 in Autism

Isometric editorial illustration of orderly school desks and modular learning stations, representing a city school district's program expansion. — Denver Public Schools added 28 center-based autism programs over two years as enrollment for specialized educational services grew by 75 percent. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Should your local school district prioritize funding for specialized autism classrooms over other budget needs?

Denver Public Schools opened 28 new multi-intensive autism center-based programs over the past two years to accommodate a sharp increase in enrollment. The number of students requiring special education services grew from 1,315 in 2021 to 2,280 last year.

Why it matters

District officials attribute the rise in diagnoses to better screening and a widened definition of autism. Additionally, changes in Medicaid rules have led more children to seek services within public schools rather than through full-time external therapy.

Denver Public Schools budgeted $44.3 million for center-based programs and $29.1 million for paraprofessionals this school year. Each individual classroom costs more than $230,000 annually to operate.

The players

Denver Public Schools

This is the public school district serving the city of Denver, Colorado, currently managing shifting special education needs.

The details

To manage the growth, the district has increased its paraprofessional count by 28% since 2019 while teacher numbers dropped by 2%. Paraprofessionals provide one-on-one or small-group support, with placement in center-based programs decided by each student's special education team.

Between 2019 and 2025, teacher counts fell by 2% while paraprofessional staff rose by 28%.
In 2021, the district served 1,315 students with autism.
Last year, the number of students needing special education services reached 2,280.
Over the past two years, 28 new autism classrooms were opened.
Voters will consider a tax increase for special education in November 2026.

The Big Picture

Denver's expansion follows the pattern set by the national trend of increased autism diagnoses resulting from widened clinical definitions. This trend has created sustained pressure on urban school districts to adapt their instructional capacity and staffing models accordingly.

Families requiring special education can now access 28 additional center-based program locations throughout the district. Parents should coordinate with their child's special education team to determine if these expanded center-based services are appropriate for their student.

The takeaway

The district is shifting toward a model relying more heavily on paraprofessionals to meet rising student needs as teacher numbers contract. Families should review local school board updates to monitor how future tax measures may impact the continuity of these support services.

What happens next

Voters in the district will consider a proposed tax increase that includes a $2 million earmark for special education during the election in November 2026.