MPA's History
Background
The United States is aging, and Colorado is aging quickly. Historically, Colorado has been home to a relatively small population of older adults. In the 1970s, Colorado experienced significant in-migration of people in their 20s and 30s. Those residents raised families, built careers and enjoyed all of the beauty and recreation Colorado has to offer. Now, 50 years later, Colorado is home to over 1.3 million people over the age of 60. Currently, that represents approximately 15 percent of the state’s population. Over the next 25 years, the State Demographers Office estimates more than a quarter of the state’s population will be over the age of 60.
With the demographic shift Colorado anticipates, there is a growing need for the intentional development of infrastructure that supports and empowers older Coloradans. In 2022, the Colorado Department of Human Services and the General Assembly recognized this need and passed House Bill 22-1035, the Modernization of the Older Coloradans Act. This plan builds on that shared recognition and aims to expand upon Colorado’s successes.
To meet the requirements of the law (HB22-1035) and address the needs of older adults, the Colorado Department of Human Services has created this Multi-Sector Plan on Aging (MPA). It’s a 10-year plan to support older people in our state. Colorado’s MPA features five Strategic Goals to ensure all Coloradans are supported as we age.
How did we get here?
Over the last decade, Colorado has prioritized strategic planning and resourcing for older residents. Below are some steps the State has taken.
Colorado Aging Framework
In July 2015, the Colorado Department of Human Services and the Colorado Commission on Aging published the Colorado Aging Framework: A Guide for Policymakers, Providers, and Others for Aging Well in Colorado (Adobe PDF). This framework reviewed the strategies and initiatives to strengthen services for older adults. The framework provided goals and recommendations and highlighted strengths and gaps in service. The intent of the framework was to promote aging in community, streamline costs and leverage the strengths of local communities and economies to forge partnerships to support older Coloradans.
Strategic Action Planning Group on Aging
In 2015, the Colorado General Assembly established the Governor-appointed Strategic Action Planning Group on Aging (SAPGA) through HB15-1033 (Adobe PDF). The Planning Group consisted of members from: government; nonprofit; small business; consumers; long-term care; etc.
The group was tasked with developing a Strategic Action Plan on Aging, including: researching demographic shifts; identifying fiscal/economic impacts of aging population; aggregating demographic data regarding older adults; and making recommendations to state of Colorado to address findings.
SAPGA revised the recommendations annually until the sunset of the group in 2022.
Lifelong Colorado Initiative
In September 2018, Gov. John Hickenlooper announced membership to AARP’s Age Friendly States network. The state launched the Lifelong Colorado Initiative to promote age friendly communities. At the time, seven cities/counties were designated age friendly. Today, 37 Colorado cities/counties are designated as age friendly.
Modernization of the Older Coloradans Act
In 2022, the Colorado legislature passed The Modernization of the Older Coloradans Act in order to better position the state of Colorado to realize the goals of the Strategic Action Planning Group on Aging and the Lifelong Colorado Initiative. This law makes it easier for different parts of the state government to work together on policies for older adults than the original Older Coloradans Act, passed in the 1960s.
Learn more about the Modernization of the Older Coloradans Act