Community resources

Senior community resources, housing assistance, and support services across Colorado

Finding the right assistance for an older adult can be surprisingly complicated. A family may begin by searching for transportation, affordable housing, home-delivered meals, caregiver relief, or help understanding Medicare, only to discover that several agencies and eligibility systems are involved.

Colorado’s aging-services network is designed to make that process more manageable. The state supports 16 regional Area Agencies on Aging, commonly called AAAs, serving every Colorado county. These agencies connect adults age 60 and older, caregivers, families, and people with disabilities with local services and support organizations. Depending on the region and available funding, assistance may include transportation, nutrition programs, caregiver support, in-home services, legal assistance, benefits counseling, health and wellness programs, and long-term-care advocacy.

Housing assistance is handled through a separate network of housing authorities, nonprofit organizations, county programs, and state and federal resources. Available help may include affordable senior apartments, Housing Choice Vouchers, rental assistance, eviction prevention, foreclosure counseling, home repairs, accessibility modifications, utility assistance, and support for aging safely at home. Housing availability and waiting lists can change quickly, so residents should contact programs directly before applying or visiting.

Rather than attempt to list every senior center, meal site, housing property, and transportation provider—which would become outdated fairly quickly—this guide identifies the primary agencies responsible for connecting residents with current local resources in each Colorado county. A regional Area Agency on Aging is generally the best place to begin.

Statewide senior and housing resources

Aging and Disability Resources for Colorado
Call 1-844-265-2372 for help locating aging, disability, caregiver, and long-term-support services anywhere in Colorado.

Colorado Association of Area Agencies on Aging
Use the statewide directory and map to identify the Area Agency on Aging serving your county. Every Colorado county is covered by an AAA.

Colorado 2-1-1
Dial 211 or search online for local food, transportation, housing, utility, healthcare, caregiver, disability, and emergency-assistance programs.

Colorado County Human Services Directory
County human services departments help qualifying residents access programs such as SNAP, Medicaid, Old Age Pension, cash assistance, Adult Protective Services, and energy assistance. Colorado operates a state-supervised, county-administered human-services system.

Colorado PEAK
Apply for or manage medical, food, cash, and other public benefits online.

Colorado Housing Connects
Call 1-844-926-6632 for free assistance with rental questions, eviction prevention, foreclosure prevention, housing counseling, and other non-emergency housing concerns.

CHFA Affordable Rental Housing Search
Search for affordable rental properties and review additional Colorado housing resources.

HUD Colorado Housing Resources
Find information about public housing, Housing Choice Vouchers, housing counseling, rental assistance, and local public housing agencies.

Colorado State Long-Term Care Ombudsman
Provides free advocacy for residents of nursing homes and licensed assisted-living residences and helps residents and families address concerns about care, rights, and living conditions.

Colorado senior resources by county

Colorado’s 64 counties are divided among 16 regional Area Agencies on Aging. The county assignments below follow Colorado’s current statewide aging-services network.

A–C

D–H

J–M

O–R

S–Y

What to ask when contacting a senior resource organization

When speaking with an Area Agency on Aging, housing provider, or county office, be prepared to explain the older adult’s location, age, living situation, income concerns, transportation needs, health limitations, and whether a family caregiver is involved. This helps the organization identify services for which the individual may qualify.

Ask whether the organization provides the service directly or refers residents to another agency. It is also useful to ask about service-area boundaries, eligibility requirements, required documents, fees, waiting lists, transportation limits, and whether help is available completing applications.

No single organization provides every service an older adult may need. Beginning with the county’s Area Agency on Aging, county human services department, Colorado 2-1-1, or Colorado Housing Connects usually provides the clearest route to appropriate local assistance.