By Thelma Grimes | Colorado Politics
Funding for community-based programs to help Colorado’s older residents receive daily necessities, such as meals and transportation services, is dwindling, and the future looks bleak, advocates said.
The Colorado Association of Area Agencies on Aging (AAA) provides services to more than 56,000 seniors over 60 annually. The federal Older Americans Act and the Colorado Department of Human Services State Unit on Aging support the program.
Statewide, there is a growing waiting list of older residents in need of services with AAA, which estimated it needs an annual budget of about $29.5 million just to maintain current levels.
The state’s AAA program operated using a $15 million homestead grant between 2019 and 2023, which is now expiring. The American Rescue Plan Act funds that have filled gaps since 2020 will also expire this year.