Name: Advocates call for action as COs older population grows
Uploaded: 2025-11-15T03:49:44.797Z
Duration: 3 min 5 s
Description: With Colorado’s population of older adults projected to surge nearly 30% by 2035, advocates gathered Friday at the State Capitol to discuss the biggest problems facing the fastest growing demographic in our state.

With Colorado’s population of older adults projected to surge nearly 30% by 2035, advocates gathered Friday at the State Capitol to discuss the biggest problems facing the fastest growing demographic in our state.

Denver

Advocates in Colorado are pressing state lawmakers to address the growing needs of the state's aging population. With the Colorado Fiscal Institute projecting a nearly 30% increase in residents aged 65 and older by 2035, advocates warn that costs for healthcare, housing, and support services will continue to rise unless action is taken.

Current funding, including $22 million in annual federal support since 2021, is seen as insufficient to meet increasing demand. Advocates are concerned about potential future budget cuts, especially with anticipated state shortfalls, and are urging for more collaboration and increased funding to ensure older adults are not left without essential services.

Advocates call for action as CO's older population grows

when colorado seniors are pushing state lawmakers for change. Some of them met this afternoon in front of the state capitol saying costs for older adults will rise in areas like health care and housing unless something is done in its latest report on aging. The colorado fiscal institute estimates that the state population 65 and older will rise by nearly 30% between 2024 and 2035. Number seven is Colin Riley working to get answers tonight about the solutions the advocates want. Solutions are difficult to identify at the state capitol on friday. Advocates like Emily Peterson are working to ensure older adults in colorado don't fall through the cracks. Some solutions include collaboration between like minded mission centered organizations. One of the biggest issues is funding for support services. In 2023 over 50,000 older coloradans were supported with nutrition, transportation and more. According to the colorado fiscal institute, these programs face rising demand and insufficient funding as our population continues to age. How is funding keeping up with that? Is it keeping up with that? There's no way it's going to call on a lot of private individuals, foundations, businesses even to help with some of that. The majority of these services rely on state and federal dollars. Since 2021 colorado has received 22 million in federal funding each year. Advocates say it's not enough and they worry about future cuts. The state of colorado is going to have after a billion dollar shortfall in 25 probably about a billion dollar shortfall in 26 and they're going to have to look at the biggest line items on their budget including Medicaid. How is this uncertainty rippling through older adults communities? One of the things that hurts me the most is when a senior tells me I'm afraid to make a change even if it's a change for the better because of uncertainty, they're not sure if their government benefit will be there next year. Advocates hope to shine a brighter light on our older adults pushing state lawmakers to devote more funds to social service programs. This year the state released a plan to combat the issue and identify solutions. This might be the opportunity to make it work. I can't really say I do know that more and more people are getting engaged. Advocates are hopeful for urgent and meaningful change. I think it's really important for people to pay attention to what's going on and notice you know your neighbors in Denver. Let's not leave our vulnerable seniors in the shadows when they have earned the right to live in the sunshine. Colin Riley for Denver seven Colin works to highlight issues that are older population in colorado cares about. If you have an idea for him, scan the QR code or you can email him at Colin dot Riley at Denver seven dot com. Medicare services are back online now that the government's reopened. The government funding bill restored telehealth waivers for services including therapy, mental health and hospice. The bill also restored the Medicare part B work payment floor through the end of january. That sets a 14 day deadline to pay out electronic claims 29 days for paper once

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