NCAP was founded in 1986 to address the needs of a new and growing epidemic. In its early years, NCAP focused on providing emotional and social support for people at the end stages of their lives while the organization advocated for clients to receive access to appropriate health care. As the disease spread and treatment options developed, NCAP expanded to include a broader geographic area and became an integrated service delivery system.
NCAP’s primary goal is to help all people in northern Colorado living with HIV/AIDS gain access to the special medical care and medications that they need. Alongside HIV/AIDS care, NCAP offers access to many support services for individuals living with HIV/AIDS. NCAP is not a medical clinic, but facilitates access to specialized medical care.
NCAP’s Fort Collins office houses the only Syringe Exchange Program in the region. This Larimer County Board of Health-approved-and-contracted program provides needs-based services for people who inject street drugs. Services include sterile syringes, new injection equipment (cottons, cookers, etc.), hazardous waste disposal, risk reduction counseling, and referrals for substance use treatment/mental health services. NCAP Syringe Exchange Program services are provided anonymously at no cost to program participants.