Aging in Colorado: Research & Resources

Coloradans are living longer. That’s welcome news for our families, our neighborhoods, and our state. As we age, we share with our loved ones and communities a lifetime of momentum built and energy to contribute. Our collective longevity is also reshaping Colorado. As one of the fastest aging states in the country, the changes affect all of us regardless of age. What does this mean for you and your loved ones? Check out our Aging Roadmap to learn more.

The good news is we have the resources, talent, and much of the infrastructure needed to create sustainable systems supportive of healthy aging. By taking stock of our collective needs and resources, developing innovative solutions, and applying sustained effort we can create an environment which allows all Coloradans to age in a way they find meaningful. Still, there is much work to do.

Below, we have curated much of our work on this issue to create a one-stop shop for all things aging. Is there something you think needs more of our attention? Let us know by sending us an email or sharing your thoughts on what we should include in our actionable aging policy agenda.

Actionable Aging Policy Agenda

Colorado must act now to create the age-friendly policies our state needs. These recommendations offer a meaningful, community-informed path forward.

Older Adults in Colorado's Workforce

In a new brief, we explore the importance of older adults in the workforce and opportunities to bolster this part of Colorado's economy.

Respite Coverage & Private Insurance

This brief explores innovative solutions that can increase access to respite and help foster a healthier, more supportive, and robust Colorado.

Colorado's Unpaid Caregivers

Providing unpaid care for older adults is often hidden work, overlooked by our state, our businesses, and even unpaid caregivers themselves.

Colorado's Direct Care Workforce

As Colorado ages, demand for these workers is growing. Counterintuitively, wages remain abysmally low despite the importance of these roles.

Healthy Aging & Promising Practices: A State Scan of Long-Term Care Policies

To truly see the benefits of our older population, we must address gaps preventing healthy aging. This report highlights specific state programs across the country Colorado can learn from.

2020 Policy Proposals: Sanders on Long-Term Care

The way older Coloradans pay for long-term services and supports isn't working. Sen. Bernie Sanders thinks there's a way to fix that.

Policymaking With the Whole Family in Mind

When we embrace policies that reflect the diversity of our families, we create an environment that allows Coloradans across our state to thrive.

Help Us Create an Actionable Aging Policy Agenda

State action needs to ensure Coloradans can age in a way they find meaningful. That's why we're creating an aging policy agenda and want your feedback.

Career Ladders for Long-Term Care Workers

Long-term care workers are often underpaid, under trained, and lacking important benefits and career advancement opportunities.

Our Caring Workforce: Who Are Colorado's Long-Term Care, Direct Service Workers?

The long-term care, direct service workforce is growing rapidly. We look at who these workers are, what they do, and why their work matters.

Caring for Our Caring Workforce: A Stronger Direct Service Workforce

There’s increasing acknowledgement we must do more to support our direct care workers. We explore several promising ways to do this.