Temple Grandin Equine Center at Colorado State University
Fort Collins, Colorado
The Temple Grandin Equine Center (TGEC) is part of the College of Agricultural Sciences at Colorado State University. It offers equine-assisted services at two locations, the CSU Foothills Campus in Fort Collins and the CSU Spur campus in Denver. According to its website, services fall into three areas: therapy led by licensed professionals, equine-facilitated learning, and adaptive horsemanship.
- Physical, occupational and speech therapy in an equine environment (hippotherapy)
- Equine-assisted psychotherapy (Denver)
- Therapeutic and adaptive riding
- Adaptive equine sport, driving and interactive vaulting
- Equine-facilitated learning
- Annual Exceptional Rodeo for children with special needs
- Volunteer opportunities
- Children and adults with disabilities
- Children with autism, cerebral palsy and Down syndrome
- Veterans with PTSD
- Seniors with Alzheimer's or other dementias
- At-risk youth
More about this center
About the Program
TGEC says its therapy services are delivered by licensed therapy professionals who include horses in treatment to work toward individual goals. Its intake form describes physical, occupational and speech therapy in an equine environment as "often called hippotherapy." The Denver location also lists equine-assisted psychotherapy.
Services are provided by therapist-contractors and independent partners. The Fort Collins page names My Heroes Therapy and Front Range Exceptional Equestrians as partners. Learning programs are led by teachers, and horsemanship activities such as adaptive riding and vaulting are described as non-therapy.
Getting Started
New participants fill out an intake questionnaire on the TGEC website that asks for contact details, preferred location, services of interest and weekday availability. Participants and volunteers sign waivers before taking part.
History
CSU began a Denver outreach program in early 2017 at the National Western Complex. The Fort Collins facility opened in February 2021. In January 2025, according to a CSU news release, TGEC hosted the annual PRCA Exceptional Rodeo for Denver children with special needs at CSU Spur.
Location
TGEC's Fort Collins campus is on CSU's Foothills Campus, mailing address 725 S. Overland Trail, Fort Collins, CO 80523-1669. Its Denver location is at CSU Spur; a CSU news release places its arena in the Vida building, 4817 National Western Dr., Denver.
From public records, not yet reviewed by the center · Last updated Oct 2026 Suggest an edit
Common Questions
Answered from the center’s own website and public records.
How do I enroll in equine-assisted services?
Complete the New Participant Intake Questionnaire on the TGEC services page, or call (970) 491-1651 or email cas_tgec@mail.colostate.edu.
How much do sessions cost?
Call (970) 491-1651 to ask about current rates, and see our guide to equine therapy costs.
When are sessions held?
The intake form offers weekday morning (9 a.m. to 1 p.m.) and afternoon (1 to 5 p.m.) availability options. No set schedule is published.
Can I volunteer?
Yes. The Fort Collins campus page lists volunteer roles as horse leader, side walker, barn chores and office tasks. Volunteers must be at least 14 and pass a background check.
Location
Fort Collins, Colorado 80523-1669
Questions to Ask When You Call
The center is the best source for these answers.
- Are you running now, and taking new riders?Start here. We couldn’t confirm a current schedule.
- Which ages and needs do you work with?Ask about experience with your rider’s specific condition.
- Is a licensed PT, OT or speech therapist involved?Therapist-led hippotherapy is usually the only kind insurance may cover.
- What does a session cost, and are there scholarships?Many nonprofit programs offer sliding scales or sponsored spots.
- Do you have a mounting ramp or lift?Important for riders who use a wheelchair or need help mounting.