Lifelong Colorado Initiative starts with Age-Friendly Designation

Colorado designated as the third age-friendly state in the nation by AARP. The news kicks off the state’s Lifelong Colorado Initiative designed to address the challenges of a growing older population. It aims to significantly increase the number of cities and counties that are “age-friendly” in the state.

HIGHLIGHTS

Lifelong Colorado is a growing collaboration among Colorado’s Governor’s Office, the Department of Local Affairs (DOLA), the Denver Regional Council of Governments (DRCOG), AARP, Colorado Counties Inc., the Colorado Municipal League, and several communities around the state. It will be co-chaired by Colorado’s Chief Operating Officer and Lieutenant Governor Donna Lynne and John Suthers, mayor of Colorado Springs.

The AARP designation means a city or state will work to become a great place to live with features such as walkable streets, affordable housing, transportation, access to key services and civic engagement opportunities for residents as they age.

Currently, eight cities and counties in Colorado have received the designation by AARP. Denver was awarded in 2014, Colorado Springs and Larimer County in 2015, Boulder and Fruita in 2016. Manitou Springs, Pitkin County, and Eagle County gained the designation in 2017.

The AARP Network of Age Friendly States and Communities was formed in 2012 to help cities and states prepare for their own growing population of older adults. Members become part of a global network of communities committed to providing older adults with the opportunity to live rewarding, productive and safe lives.

Recommended Resource: Learn more about Lifelong Colorado and efforts underway to make the state more age-friendly.

AARP

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