EDS Specialists in Denver: A Complete Local Guide

If you are looking for EDS specialists in Denver, the city offers more resources than you might expect. The Denver metro area is home to an Ehlers-Danlos Society Center of Excellence at Children's Hospital Colorado, experienced adult providers specializing in EDS and related conditions, and 19 listed specialists in Denver proper — with 54 across the state. Finding the right provider still takes effort and patience, but the options here are real. This guide covers what is available and how to navigate it.

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A quick overview of EDS

Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome is a group of 13 inherited connective tissue disorders that affect collagen — the structural protein that holds together joints, skin, blood vessels, and organs. When collagen is faulty, the effects are body-wide: joints that dislocate or subluxate easily, chronic pain, fragile or stretchy skin, digestive dysfunction, fatigue, and in some subtypes, serious cardiovascular risks.

The most common form is hypermobile EDS (hEDS), accounting for 80–90% of cases. There is no genetic test for hEDS — diagnosis is clinical, based on the 2017 international criteria. There is no cure; treatment focuses on managing symptoms, protecting joints, and building a care team that understands the condition.

We cover the condition in more detail in our articles on EDS treatment and management and what type of doctor treats EDS.

Types of EDS specialists in Denver

Because EDS affects so many body systems, most patients need a multidisciplinary care team rather than a single doctor. Here are the types of providers commonly involved in EDS care, along with what is available in Denver:

Rheumatologists specialize in joint and connective tissue conditions and are often the first specialist to evaluate a suspected EDS case. For hypermobile EDS — where no genetic test exists — a knowledgeable rheumatologist can diagnose the condition clinically using the 2017 criteria. Rheumatology is the most represented specialty in our Colorado listings, with 12 providers statewide. Our directory lists rheumatologists across the state.

Medical geneticists and genetic counselors can confirm your EDS subtype, order genetic testing (available for 12 of the 13 types), and rule out serious subtypes like vascular EDS. Colorado has 2 genetics providers in our directory. Waitlists for geneticists are often long — a knowledgeable rheumatologist can begin the diagnostic process in the meantime. For more on the testing process, see our article on genetic testing for EDS.

Physical therapists are widely considered the cornerstone of EDS management. An EDS-aware PT designs safe strengthening programs focused on stabilizing joints rather than increasing flexibility — a critical distinction, since standard stretching protocols can make hypermobile joints worse. Colorado has 10 physical therapists in our directory. See our detailed article on physical therapy and exercise for EDS.

Neurologists manage EDS-related neurological complications including nerve pain, headaches, Chiari malformation, and dysautonomia. Colorado has 2 neurologists in our listings.

Pain management specialists address the chronic pain that is often the most debilitating aspect of EDS. Our directory lists pain management specialists in Colorado.

Cardiologists are important for monitoring heart and blood vessel health, particularly for patients with POTS or those who need baseline echocardiograms. For patients with vascular EDS — the most serious subtype — cardiology involvement is urgent. We cover the EDS-POTS connection in detail in EDS and POTS: What's the Connection?.

Mental health providers are the fourth-largest category in our Colorado listings, with 6 providers. Living with a chronic, often invisible condition takes a real psychological toll, and some therapists who specialize in EDS also live with the condition themselves.

Gastroenterologists help manage the digestive symptoms that are extremely common in EDS — including gastroparesis, reflux, motility disorders, and chronic nausea.

You can browse all Colorado providers by specialty in our directory.

Where to find EDS specialists in Denver

Children's Hospital Colorado — Special Care Clinic

The most significant EDS resource in the Denver metro area is the Special Care Clinic at Children's Hospital Colorado in Aurora. This clinic is an officially designated Ehlers-Danlos Society Center of Excellence — one of only a handful worldwide. The center was established in November 2019 with support from The Sprout Foundation and received its formal EDS Society designation in 2023.

The clinic is led by Dr. Ellen Roy Elias, MD, who serves as both the Medical Director of the Special Care Clinic and the Director of the Ehlers-Danlos Center of Excellence at CU Anschutz. The program offers a multidisciplinary team including specialists in genetics, neurology, gastroenterology, cardiology, orthopedics, and physical therapy — all focused on EDS care. As a children's hospital, the clinic primarily serves pediatric patients, though some young adults may also be seen.

For families with a child who has EDS or suspected EDS, this is one of the strongest starting points in the entire country. Being seen at a Center of Excellence means receiving care from a team that has been formally vetted by the Ehlers-Danlos Society for clinical quality, education, and research commitment.

Center for Multisystem Disease — Dr. Jill Schofield

For adult EDS patients in Denver, Dr. Jill R. Schofield, MD at the Center for Multisystem Disease (8101 E. Lowry Blvd., Suite 250, Denver, CO 80230) is one of the most well-known local providers. Her practice specializes in recognizing and diagnosing EDS along with the conditions that frequently co-occur — dysautonomia, Mast Cell Activation Syndrome, and autoimmune disease. Dr. Schofield is listed in the Ehlers-Danlos Society's provider directory and uses the 2017 International Classification criteria for hEDS diagnosis.

The practice operates on a cash-only basis. New patient consultations are comprehensive, all-day appointments — a model that is incompatible with standard insurance reimbursement but allows for the kind of thorough evaluation that EDS patients often need. The practice provides a superbill for patients to seek out-of-network reimbursement from their insurance. Subsequent visits may be conducted via telehealth.

National Jewish Health

National Jewish Health in Denver has a Division of Rheumatology that treats connective tissue disorders. While they do not have a dedicated EDS program, their rheumatologists see patients with hypermobility disorders and are well-regarded for connective tissue conditions, particularly those with autoimmune or pulmonary involvement. For patients who need a rheumatology evaluation and may have overlapping autoimmune issues alongside EDS, National Jewish is worth exploring.

Denver Health

Denver Health has multiple rheumatologists experienced with connective tissue diseases. For patients on Medicaid or without insurance, Denver Health may be a more accessible entry point to specialist care than private practices.

The EDS Clinic (telehealth)

The EDS Clinic (eds.clinic) is one of the largest EDS-focused practices in the United States and serves Colorado patients via telehealth. They are a participant in the Ehlers-Danlos Society's Centers of Excellence program. For patients who face long wait times for in-person appointments or are located outside the Denver metro area, a telehealth evaluation from an EDS-focused provider can get the diagnostic process started while you wait for local availability. The clinic does not currently accept insurance.

Ehlers-Danlos Society Healthcare Directory

The Ehlers-Danlos Society maintains a global healthcare professionals directory at ehlers-danlos.com. You can filter by location to find providers in Denver and surrounding areas who have self-identified as knowledgeable about EDS. This is one of the most trusted patient-facing resources for finding EDS-aware providers.

Browsing the directory

Our directory currently lists 19 EDS specialists in Denver proper, with 54 providers across 19 cities in Colorado. The largest concentrations outside Denver are in Boulder (4 providers), Colorado Springs (4), Arvada (4), Aurora (3), Littleton (3), Wheat Ridge (3), Fort Collins (3), and Englewood (2). Rheumatology is the most represented specialty statewide (12 providers), followed by physical therapy (10) and chiropractic care (8).

You can browse all Colorado providers on our Colorado state page or search by specialty using our directory categories.

What to look for in a provider

Not every doctor who treats joint pain will be experienced with EDS. When evaluating a potential provider in Denver:

• Ask about the 2017 diagnostic criteria. The internationally accepted framework for EDS diagnosis is the 2017 International Classification. A provider who is unfamiliar with it may be working from outdated information.
• Look for experience with related conditions. Knowledgeable EDS doctors understand the conditions that frequently co-occur — POTS, Mast Cell Activation Syndrome, Chiari malformation, and chronic fatigue. If a provider is surprised by these associations, they may lack EDS-specific experience.
• Ask about their approach to coordination. EDS management works best when specialists communicate with each other rather than treating symptoms in isolation. A provider committed to a team approach is a strong sign.
• Be cautious with surgery recommendations. Experienced EDS specialists are typically conservative about recommending elective surgery, since connective tissue issues can complicate recovery and healing.
• Verify insurance and payment policies upfront. Some of Denver's best EDS practices operate on cash-pay or out-of-network models. Confirm this before booking to avoid surprises.

Challenges in finding EDS care in Denver

Even in a city with the medical resources of Denver, finding EDS care has real obstacles.

Diagnostic delays remain the norm. A study published in Genetics in Medicine Open found that hEDS patients wait an average of 10 years and see roughly 15 clinicians before receiving a correct diagnosis. A separate 2025 study found that 94.4% of hEDS patients were initially misdiagnosed, with many told their symptoms were psychological in origin. Common misdiagnoses include fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, and anxiety.

hEDS has no genetic test. The most common form of EDS — hypermobile EDS — cannot be confirmed with a blood test or genetic test. Diagnosis is purely clinical, which means it depends heavily on the individual provider's knowledge of EDS. This is a significant barrier in a medical system where many doctors receive little to no training on the condition.

Geneticists have long waitlists. Waitlists for medical geneticists can stretch months to over a year in the Denver area. A knowledgeable rheumatologist or primary care doctor can often begin the diagnostic process in the meantime — do not let the genetics waitlist delay the rest of your care.

Insurance coverage varies. Some leading EDS practices in Denver operate outside of insurance networks. The Center for Multisystem Disease, for example, is cash-only. Colorado Medicaid does cover genetic testing for connective tissue disorders with documented medical necessity, but it is always worth confirming coverage before scheduling specialty appointments.

Provider awareness gaps. Most primary care providers receive little to no education on EDS during medical school. Patients often need to bring their own information to appointments and advocate for themselves — a frustrating reality, but one that is common across the EDS community nationwide.

Tips for Denver patients

Start with your primary care doctor. Ask them to evaluate your joint hypermobility using the Beighton Score and provide a referral to a rheumatologist or medical geneticist. A PCP who is willing to learn about EDS can become a valuable care coordinator.

Use the directories. Our Colorado state page and the Ehlers-Danlos Society directory are the best starting points for finding providers who have identified themselves as EDS-knowledgeable.

Prepare thoroughly. Before specialist appointments, compile a symptom timeline, past diagnoses, test results, medications, and family medical history. EDS appointments are complex and time-limited — coming organized makes a significant difference.

Connect with the Colorado EDS community. The Ehlers-Danlos Colorado Support Group on Facebook has over 1,500 members from across the state and is listed as an official affiliate on the Ehlers-Danlos Society website. Peer recommendations from patients who have navigated the same system are often the most reliable way to find providers who truly understand EDS.

Consider telehealth as a bridge. If you cannot get a quick in-person appointment, The EDS Clinic (eds.clinic) offers telehealth evaluations for Colorado residents. A virtual consultation can get you started with expert guidance while you wait for local availability.

Bring a family member or advocate. Long, complex EDS appointments can be overwhelming. A trusted person can help take notes, remember what was discussed, and advocate for your needs.

Do not attribute every symptom to EDS. While EDS affects many body systems, new symptoms should always be evaluated on their own merits. A good provider will investigate new complaints rather than automatically filing them under EDS.

When to seek care

Reach out to a doctor if you or a family member experience frequent or unexplained joint dislocations, very stretchy or fragile skin, unexplained bruising or unusual scarring, fainting or dizziness when standing, chronic pain without a clear explanation, digestive problems that do not respond to standard treatment, or a family history of EDS or similar connective tissue conditions.

Seek urgent care if there is any family history of unexplained aortic aneurysm, arterial rupture, or sudden death. These may be signs of vascular EDS, the most serious subtype, which requires immediate specialist evaluation.

Getting started

Denver offers more EDS resources than the majority of cities — a Center of Excellence at Children's Hospital Colorado, an experienced adult provider in Dr. Jill Schofield, a solid rheumatology community, and telehealth options for patients who face long waits. The key is knowing where to look and being prepared to advocate for yourself. Start with the directories, connect with the Colorado EDS community, and build your care team one provider at a time. Whether you are newly suspected, recently diagnosed, or have been managing EDS for years, quality care in Denver is within reach.

If you are looking for EDS specialists in Denver, you can browse providers by location and specialty here:

Browse EDS specialists in Denver →

You can also view all providers statewide on the Colorado state page or search the Ehlers-Danlos Society's Healthcare Professionals Directory.

Frequently asked questions

How many EDS specialists are in Denver? There are currently 19 listed specialists in Denver proper, with 54 providers across 19 cities statewide. The Denver metro area also includes providers in Aurora, Englewood, Littleton, Arvada, and Wheat Ridge.

Is there an EDS Center of Excellence in Denver? Yes. The Special Care Clinic at Children's Hospital Colorado in Aurora is an officially designated EDS Society Center of Excellence, with a multidisciplinary team led by Dr. Ellen Roy Elias.

What kind of doctor should I see first? Start with your primary care doctor for a referral. From there, a rheumatologist or medical geneticist is typically the first specialist for a formal diagnosis.

Does insurance cover EDS specialist visits in Denver? Most plans, including Colorado Medicaid, cover specialist visits and genetic testing with documented medical necessity. Some leading EDS practices operate on a cash-only basis, so always verify before scheduling.

Can I see an EDS specialist through telehealth in Colorado? Yes. The EDS Clinic (eds.clinic) serves Colorado patients via telehealth and is part of the EDS Society's Centers of Excellence program.

Is there an EDS support group in Colorado? Yes. The Ehlers-Danlos Colorado Support Group on Facebook has over 1,500 members and is an official affiliate listed on the Ehlers-Danlos Society website.

Sources

• Malfait F, et al. "The 2017 International Classification of the Ehlers-Danlos Syndromes." American Journal of Medical Genetics Part C, 2017.
• Lee C, Chopra P. "The Incidence of Misdiagnosis in Patients with Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome." Children (Basel), 2025; 12(6):698.
• Halverson CME, et al. "Comorbidity, misdiagnoses, and the diagnostic odyssey in patients with hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos syndrome." Genetics in Medicine Open, 2023.
• The Ehlers-Danlos Society. Centers and Networks of Excellence.
• The Ehlers-Danlos Society. Healthcare Professionals Directory.
• The Ehlers-Danlos Society. Ehlers-Danlos Colorado Support Group.
• MedlinePlus Genetics. Ehlers-Danlos syndrome.