Insights
As federal and state budget cuts loom, maintaining and building upon the progress Colorado has made to support older adults will require more intentionality and dedication to creating an inclusive state where everyone has the ability to age in the way they’d prefer.
Data gaps significantly limit our understanding of economic security for all older adults, including our understanding of this demographic’s financial realities and our ability to create policies that meet their diverse needs.
Too many Coloradans struggle to attain economic security. If left unaddressed, Colorado’s policy decisions will continue to perpetuate wealth inequality and hinder a more fair and prosperous state.
Despite the CFPB’s critical achievements, the agency’s protections are being rolled back, its employees are being fired, and its ongoing enforcement actions are being halted by the current administration.
The Colorado state government receives a significant amount of federal money. The proposed federal budget cuts of up to $1.5 trillion over the next 10 years would inevitably have massive impacts in our state.
Colorado is one of the fastest aging states, and 70 percent of older adults will need some form of direct care to help with activities of daily living. What this means is that direct care for older adults will become ever more important.
The Bell has developed a Home Care Cost Model for older adults, an important tool for researchers, advocates, and decision makers, as they strive to understand the implications of policy choices on the care economy, its workers, and the older Coloradans who rely upon it.
Investing in both paid and unpaid care will support older adults in need of care and support those who dedicate themselves to caregiving, creating a more sustainable and effective care ecosystem.
Several local governments are asking their voters to opt out of the revenue cap imposed by TABOR and redirect some of the funds from lodging taxes to address child care and affordable housing needs in these communities.
A number of pending bills in the state legislature could expand housing opportunities and slow the increase of housing and rent prices in Jefferson County.
Financial empowerment among caregivers is a critical issue that determines the well-being of informal caregivers in Colorado who provide care across the lifespan to the young and older Coloradans.
The Office of Financial Empowerment (OFE) is making valuable progress in building the statewide infrastructure necessary to ensure the financial well-being of Colorado families and communities.
A number of pending bills in the state legislature could expand housing opportunities and slow the increase of housing and rent prices in Jefferson County.
Jeffco residents want more affordable housing. Local governments recognize the need and want to fil it. Housing developers are incentivized to fill this gap. But prohibitive factors stand in their way.
Addressing and taking steps to reduce child poverty through a refundable credit will benefit Colorado’s children and families, while also creating a stronger, more equitable state.
Property taxes have been growing across the state, with legislators offering relief using the most available tools. However, we could better target relief through income tax and we could ensure adequate funding through alternative revenue sources.
Add-on costs and fees are a growing concern for Coloradans and they’re beginning to appear in more and more places. These additional charges quickly add up and exacerbate financial challenges for consumers.
