Colorado seniors face uphill battle to access state resources

by Colin Riley | Denver 7 News

DENVER — As the demographics of Colorado shift, the state faces a pressing challenge: an increasing number of older adults who are finding it difficult to access essential resources.

The 2020 U.S. Census revealed that nationwide, approximately one in six individuals is now 65 or older, a dramatic rise from one in 20 in 2010. By 2030, almost 20% of Colorado’s population is projected to be 60 or older, intensifying the demand for state assistance.

Denver7 sat down with residents, advocates, and nonprofits to listen to the obstacles many older adults face in securing state resources. The stories that emerged depict a pattern of frustration and a feeling of being invisible to lawmakers.

One participant, Jane Black, an 86-year-old Thornton resident, shared her urgent situation.

“I have an eviction notice on my door,” she said.

Black relies solely on Social Security, which she finds insufficient to cover her basic living expenses, especially with her monthly rent at $1,150.

“I make decent money, but I don’t have enough to pay my rent,” she said.

Roger Boehner, a 69-year-old Thornton resident, has similar frustrations.

“There is absolutely no resource for the person that planned a little ahead to live through their retirement ages,” he said.

The group collectively voiced their concerns about the complexity of assistance programs that often leave seniors feeling overwhelmed.

“I’ve called Jefferson County, and I’ve gotten the runaround so much that I just hung up,” said Lori Koch, a Lakewood resident. “It’s like dead ends everywhere I go.”

Cathy Lichty, another Thornton resident, highlighted the challenge of navigating the digital world. For many seniors who are not proficient with technology, this creates a barrier.

“Everything now you have to access through your computer — your banking, your healthcare, your taxes, any interactions with the county or the state,” she explained. “They don’t look at it from the viewpoint of someone who is somewhat having some challenges to understand how to access and make it work for them.”

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