Horizons Specialized Services (Horizons) was created in 1975 to provide services to persons with developmental disabilities in five northwest Colorado counties (Grand, Jackson, Moffat, Rio Blanco, and Routt).  The administration office for Horizons is located in Steamboat Springs.  Residential services to adults are primarily located in Routt and Moffat Counties.  Services to families and children are both home- and center-based in Moffat, Rio Blanco and Routt Counties.  Services to families are primarily home-based in Grand and Jackson Counties.

In general, a developmental disability is one which is attributed to mental retardation, cerebral palsy, epilepsy, autism, or a neurological impairment which may originate during the developmental period, can be expected to continue indefinitely, and constitutes a substantial handicap.

Horizons is a 501©3 tax-exempt, not-for-profit corporation and is one of twenty community-centered boards in the State of Colorado designated by the Division for Developmental Disabilities (DDD) to provide services within a specified catchment area,.  The relationship is defined through the legislative charge of Title 27, Article 10.5, C.R.S.  As one of twenty community-centered boards, Horizons is the “single point of entry” into state-funded services for persons with developmental disabilities with the exception of the public schools.

The primary goal of the agency is to provide support to persons with developmental disabilities in order for them to reach their potential within the least restrictive environment possible.  It is also the goal of the agency to provide programs in integrated settings, both socially and physically.  To accomplish this goal the agency offers a variety of programs primarily through direct services.  Horizons is committed to working closely with other local agencies and professionals in developing resources to best meet the needs of both the persons receiving services and their families.