Special Education

The basis of special education is a federal law (IDEA) that requires states to provide a free and appropriate education for all children with disabilities. Click here to view special education legislation and rules on the Colorado Department of Education website.

NW BOCES provides mandated special education services to over 650 students with disabilities in Northwest Colorado, at no cost to parents. We are responsible for special education in our member school districts, and we provide oversight to ensure compliance with state and federal laws and regulations.

Our special education director and assistant special education director supervise NW BOCES special services providers working in all of the schools in our member school districts, from preschool to 12th grade. Our Director of Special Education is Courtney Lincoln and she can be reached at [email protected].

Together, our special education team provides the following services:

• Child Find - identification of special education students through early screenings, referrals and evaluations
• Occupational Therapy
• Physical Therapy
• School Psychology
• Speech Language Pathology
• Services for low-incidence disabilities, including vision or hearing impairment
• Extended School Year Program - summer services for eligible special education students
• Support for school districts to provide Transition services for eligible young adults with special needs, ages 18-21
• Support for parents of special education students 
• Advice and assistance for district principals and superintendents in special education matters
• Review of IEPs (Individualized Education Plans)
• Maintenance of IEP records and support of the IEP process
• Support for district special education teachers
• Services for students with disabilities in county jails