Like other states, Colorado confronts realities of the ‘silver tsunami’

When looking at the fastest-growing state populations for residents 60 and older, Colorado is not at the top of the list, but it’s close. Outstripped only by Alaska and Wyoming, respectively, Colorado and Oregon have seen their shares of older residents increase by 1.9% between 2013 and 2023.

This has led some state residents to a reckoning point about what to do with their housing situations, according to a profile published this week in the Colorado Sun newspaper.

“Colorado finds itself coming to grips with a demographic shift that projects more than a quarter of the state’s population will be over the age of 60 by 2050,” the story explained. “Already, the state’s 60-plus population increased 22.4% between 2013 and 2023 — the most recent data available — with the median age for those residents at 69.6 — up from 68.3 a decade earlier.”

The trends echo those taking place across the country.

Smaller communities may have challenges in providing appropriate services to older residents. Homes that people want to age in place in may not have the proper features for living in later life. And state leaders are increasingly sounding the alarm over a lack of preparedness to properly serving an aging population.

The Sun profile solicited perspectives from homeowners navigating these questions on a personal level, as well as state leaders who aim to coordinate a response.

Colorado’s current plans, according to the report, focus on things like homelessness prevention and some type of property tax relief in a “multi-sector” aging plan.

Kristine Burrows, a senior aging specialist for the Colorado Department of Human Services who helped create the plan, said that aging in place could be a cost-effective solution for the state.

“The research question we’re looking to solve for is: If we can put more funding into services that help people age in place, will that save people in Colorado money in the long run, and what’s the return on investment?” she told the outlet. “We think it’s probably pretty significant.”

Despite the ability for officials to plan for potential solutions, personal complexities for residents — including confronting the possibility of leaving the security of a familiar home or neighborhood — can make the actual change a difficult process to navigate.

“I consider myself an expert in this space,” Burrows told the Sun. “And the emotions kind of overcome the expertise.”

Older Coloradans often express frustration at the confluence of rising costs, limited inventory and a lack of options that check all of their proverbial boxes. Navigating this and finding the next-best options can be guided by principles and an appreciation of older residents’ community value.

“We can create a better sense of the value that people bring to a community, regardless of age,” Burrows said. “I think if we have a movement to reduce that ageism, we can get a little unstuck.”