Colorado AIDS Project

Colorado AIDS Project | About | History

Before the first cases of what we now call AIDS were diagnosed in Colorado, a group of citizens concerned about the yet unnamed health threat met to formulate a local response. By 1983, with only 17 documented cases of the disease in Colorado, this group incorporated as Colorado AIDS Project (CAP). CAP's history is one of tremendous community support, initiative and dedication.

Since its inception, Colorado AIDS Project has served over 8000 men, women and children living with HIV/AIDS in the state of Colorado. Statewide, there have been over 12,000 documented cases of HIV infection or AIDS since 1982.

As the epidemic has grown and changed, so too have the programs and services offered by CAP. From its beginnings as a volunteer-staffed, grassroots response to HIV/AIDS to the current state of serving over 1,800 clients per year, CAP takes pride in being flexible and responsive.

Initially, CAP's services consisted of a fledgling food pantry, a part-time case manager and a volunteer "Buddy" program. Today, the Client Wellness Resource Center programs includes case management, mental health and substance abuse counseling, an award winning food bank, transportation services, housing services, legal referrals, a massage program, an employment center, and client education programs.

As information about the nature and transmission of HIV/AIDS grew, it became clear CAP could have its greatest impact by preventing HIV infection in the first place. Prevention Education has been another primary focus of the agency as knowledge about HIV infection has grown over the years.

Over the past number of years, the AIDS epidemic saw a new kind of crisis. New drug advances helped decrease the number of AIDS-related deaths, but also caused a misconception that the disease was cured. Hope was confused with victory. In reality, infection rates continued to rise. And while medical advancements helped the epidemic become more manageable, allowing clients to live longer, more and more new clients still arrived at CAP's door. The result: more clients at CAP than ever, at a time when national funding was down 20%.

CAP also saw its client base increasingly diversify as the century drew to a close. A growing number of adolescents, heterosexuals and people of color became infected.

Today, Colorado AIDS Project is the oldest and largest non-profit, community-based HIV and AIDS service and education agency in Colorado. Any HIV-positive person in metro Denver is eligible for CAP’s services and referrals, although some services may have financial eligibility requirements as defined by funders.

In 2006, CAP’s case managers served 1,800 people, connecting more than 34,000 times; extended professional counseling support to more than 250 clients and devoted 3,400 hours to mental health and substance abuse counseling with individuals and groups. Last year, CAP’s food bank received more than 16,000 visits from clients, providing food for 112,000 meals. In addition, CAP assisted 800 people with affordable housing, including helping to secure subsidized housing and provide a home to persons through its housing facilities. CAP also reached out to 30,000 people with education about preventing the spread of HIV.

In 2007, Colorado AIDS Project will be celebrating the 20^th anniversaries of our two largest fundraising events: AIDS Walk Colorado and Art for AIDS. AIDS Walk Colorado will take place on September 9, 2007 at Cheesman Park. Art for AIDS will be held on June 2, 2007 at Mile High Station.


	Colorado AIDS Project \| About \| History Before the first cases of what we now call AIDS were diagnosed in Colorado, a group of citizens concerned about the yet unnamed health threat met to formulate a local response. By 1983, with only 17 documented cases of the disease in Colorado, this group incorporated as Colorado AIDS Project (CAP). CAP's history is one of tremendous community support, initiative and dedication. Since its inception, Colorado AIDS Project has served over 8000 men, women and children living with HIV/AIDS in the state of Colorado. Statewide, there have been over 12,000 documented cases of HIV infection or AIDS since 1982. As the epidemic has grown and changed, so too have the programs and services offered by CAP. From its beginnings as a volunteer-staffed, grassroots response to HIV/AIDS to the current state of serving over 1,800 clients per year, CAP takes pride in being flexible and responsive. Initially, CAP's services consisted of a fledgling food pantry, a part-time case manager and a volunteer "Buddy" program. Today, the Client Wellness Resource Center programs includes case management, mental health and substance abuse counseling, an award winning food bank, transportation services, housing services, legal referrals, a massage program, an employment center, and client education programs. As information about the nature and transmission of HIV/AIDS grew, it became clear CAP could have its greatest impact by preventing HIV infection in the first place. Prevention Education has been another primary focus of the agency as knowledge about HIV infection has grown over the years. Over the past number of years, the AIDS epidemic saw a new kind of crisis. New drug advances helped decrease the number of AIDS-related deaths, but also caused a misconception that the disease was cured. Hope was confused with victory. In reality, infection rates continued to rise. And while medical advancements helped the epidemic become more manageable, allowing clients to live longer, more and more new clients still arrived at CAP's door. The result: more clients at CAP than ever, at a time when national funding was down 20%. CAP also saw its client base increasingly diversify as the century drew to a close. A growing number of adolescents, heterosexuals and people of color became infected. Today, Colorado AIDS Project is the oldest and largest non-profit, community-based HIV and AIDS service and education agency in Colorado. Any HIV-positive person in metro Denver is eligible for CAP’s services and referrals, although some services may have financial eligibility requirements as defined by funders. In 2006, CAP’s case managers served 1,800 people, connecting more than 34,000 times; extended professional counseling support to more than 250 clients and devoted 3,400 hours to mental health and substance abuse counseling with individuals and groups. Last year, CAP’s food bank received more than 16,000 visits from clients, providing food for 112,000 meals. In addition, CAP assisted 800 people with affordable housing, including helping to secure subsidized housing and provide a home to persons through its housing facilities. CAP also reached out to 30,000 people with education about preventing the spread of HIV. In 2007, Colorado AIDS Project will be celebrating the 20^th anniversaries of our two largest fundraising events: AIDS Walk Colorado and Art for AIDS. AIDS Walk Colorado will take place on September 9, 2007 at Cheesman Park. Art for AIDS will be held on June 2, 2007 at Mile High Station.