(1) The general assembly finds and
declares that:
(a) Older Coloradans constitute a fundamental resource of this state. Often,
their competence, experience, and wisdom are underutilized, and a means must be
found to effectively use their abilities for the benefit of all Coloradans. The number
of persons in this state sixty years of age or older is increasing rapidly, and, of these
persons, the number of women, people of color, and persons seventy-five years of
age or older is expanding at an even greater rate.
(b) A state that is well-adapted for aging is one where all individuals can
thrive and are adequately supported: A Colorado for all. Colorado must support a
high quality of life for older Coloradans and their families by promoting health and
well-being; supporting affordable, high-quality, and sustainable long-term services
and supports; fostering workforce development and self-sufficiency; creating
livable communities; and integrating aging policy and programs across state
government.
(c) To ensure that Colorado is the best state in which to grow old, the
following goals must guide aging and aging services in Colorado:
(I) Older Coloradans are able to live and fully participate in their communities
of choice for as long as possible;
(II) Older Coloradans are able to stay engaged in the labor force or volunteer
sector for as long as they want or need;
(III) Older Coloradans and their families are financially secure and prepared
to meet the challenges of aging;
(IV) Coloradans are prepared for the challenges of caring for aged loved
ones and are able to do so without endangering their own physical, behavioral, and
financial health or well-being or the health and well-being of their loved ones;
(V) Trained workers are skilled, educated, and paid commensurate to their
abilities and training to meet the needs of employers and industries serving an
increasing population of older Coloradans;
(VI) Older Coloradans can stay healthier longer through access to quality
and affordable person-centered and culturally appropriate care that aligns with
their preferences and values;
(VII) The state can meet its commitment to support older Coloradans and
their families; and
(VIII) Colorado can empower and protect older Coloradans from abuse,
neglect, exploitation, and other harmful acts;
(d) Colorado faces a historic demographic shift over the next fifty years that
will create opportunities and challenges. This shift will result in an unprecedented
number of older workers remaining in the workforce and older Coloradans shifting
into retirement. The demographic changes will result in wide-ranging economic and
social impacts on the workforce, housing, transportation, long-term services and
supports, and health care. The state must act to capitalize on the opportunities and
address the challenges.
(e) To ensure that older Coloradans are prepared to address aging-related
opportunities and challenges, it is critical that the state empower and educate
residents from an early age to prepare for the realities of a long life. The state
should encourage residents to engage in retirement planning, health and wellness
preservation activities and services, lifelong learning, cross-generational
collaboration, and civic engagement.
(f) Aging is a personal experience that varies from person to person.
Coloradans will age differently, with some remaining mentally and physically
capable until they die and others experiencing mental and physical disabilities
earlier in life. As a result, older Coloradans and their families are presented with
varying opportunities and challenges across their lives. Some older Coloradans will
continue to live independently in their own homes while others will require long-term skilled nursing care. In coordination with state department subject matter
experts, area agencies on aging, local governments, and community stakeholders,
it is a priority of the general assembly to examine the complexity of these issues
and develop policies that support communities and families across Colorado. The
aging process is further impacted by historical disparities, including but not limited
to structural racism, sexism, and ageism. The social and health problems of older
Coloradans are compounded by limited preparation for an increase in life
expectancy and lack of access to services, or the unavailability of services,
throughout the state. It is of profound importance for all Coloradans that older
Coloradans maintain self-sufficiency and personal well-being, have access to
necessary services and supports, and realize their maximum potential as creative
and productive individuals.
(2) (a) Therefore, the general assembly finds that it is Colorado's policy to:
(I) Empower and protect older Coloradans from abuse, neglect, exploitation,
and other harmful acts;
(II) Meaningfully involve older Coloradans in the planning and operation of all
programs and services that may affect them;
(III) Encourage agencies at all levels of government, as well as the private
sector, to develop alternative services and forms of care that provide a range of
services to be delivered in the community and home that support independent living
and prevent unnecessary institutionalization;
(IV) Reduce health disparities and support aging across an individual's
lifespan;
(V) Prioritize planning services and programs for older Coloradans with the
greatest economic or social needs;
(VI) Acknowledge and remove barriers to ensure programs, services,
projects, policies, procedures, and resources are inclusive of all older Coloradans,
particularly those who are most underserved;
(VII) Recognize that preparing all Coloradans for the different facets of a
longer life is part of the state's responsibility; and
(VIII) Facilitate and encourage joint program planning and policy
development among state, regional, and local government to promote innovation,
efficiency, and maximize resources;
(b) In order to support older Coloradans, the general assembly finds that a
citizen-led, multidisciplinary stakeholder commission, comprised of representatives
from both the public and private sectors, is needed to coordinate and contribute to
guiding state programs, services, projects, policies, procedures, and resources in
the area of aging.