Lifelong Colorado Initiative launches

On Sept. 18 Colorado became the third state in the nation to be designated as age-friendly, joining AARP’s Network of Age-Friendly States and Communities. The recognition comes as part of the state’s introduction of Lifelong Colorado, an initiative that addresses the challenges of a growing population of older Coloradans. It aims to significantly increase the number of age-friendly cities and counties in Colorado.

Lifelong Colorado is a growing collaboration among Colorado’s Governor’s Office, the Department of Local Affairs (DOLA), 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. 

DRCOG's Boomer Bond program played a large role in the designation and the formation of the state's initiative, as communities throughout the region have gone through the assessment process to examine how they might improve conditions for residents who wish to age in place.

Lifelong Colorado will provide a statewide umbrella of resources for communities, identify and encourage best-practices, empower and facilitate local and regional efforts, and coordinate common public information strategies. The state’s Senior Advisor on Aging will assess the efforts and advance the initiative so that it is sustainable in the years to come. 

Find more information about Lifelong Colorado here.