Founded in 1979, Community Living Alternatives (CLA) has been a trusted leader in person-centered services for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) across Colorado.
We believe everyone deserves a safe home, meaningful daily engagement, and a place to belong. For more than four decades, CLA has partnered with individuals and families to make that vision a reality.
We provide:
Residential Services — through host home and family caregiver models, matched carefully to each person’s needs and lifestyle.
CLASS Day Program — where participants build skills, explore creative interests, make friends, and connect with their communities through inclusive activities.
CLA is intentionally right-sized, which means we can provide truly individualized care. Many of our staff and providers have been with CLA for over 10 years, ensuring strong relationships, stability, and responsive support.
With your support, CLA continues to create homes and programs where adults with I/DD can live meaningful, connected, and fulfilling lives.
CLA's mission is to enhance the life of each person with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (I/DD) towards fulfillment of their life goals through choice and support in homes and community.
Community Living Alternatives (CLA) was founded in 1979, during a national movement to transition people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) out of large institutions and into inclusive community settings.
CLA began with a groundbreaking idea: that adults with I/DD could live in family homes — not facilities — surrounded by care, connection, and belonging. With support from the ARC of Denver, we launched Colorado’s first host home program, serving 35 individuals across four counties.
Over the years, CLA expanded thoughtfully to meet the evolving needs of the people we serve. In the 1980s and 1990s, we added supported living options and community engagement programs, always with a focus on quality over quantity. In 2005, we launched the CLASS Day Program, creating new opportunities for skill-building, creativity, wellness, and community involvement.
For more than four decades, CLA has remained intentionally right-sized to provide individualized care, maintain low staff turnover, and build lasting relationships. Many participants, providers, and staff have been with CLA for decades — a testament to our stability, trust, and deep community roots.
Today, CLA continues to uphold its founding values: person-centered support, strong partnerships with families, and a commitment to helping every individual live a meaningful, connected life in their community.
Organization name
Community Living Alternatives, Inc.
other names
CLA
1981
Tax id (EIN)
84-0838882
Category
Human Services
Organization Size
Large Organization
Address
14252 E. Evans AveHeadquarters
14252 E. Evans AveOther
1770 S. Helena StArapahoe County, CO, US
Denver, CO, US