Colorado Fiscal Institute and AgeWise Colorado urge lawmakers to address unsustainable pressures on aging services amid federal cuts and state fiscal constraints

DENVER—Colorado’s older adult population is growing fast—much faster than the systems designed to support them. A new report released today by the Colorado Fiscal Institute (CFI) and AgeWise Colorado, The Cost of Aging in Colorado, reveals an urgent need to rethink how the state plans for the future. With Weld County facing the steepest increase in its older adult population—projected to grow by more than 46% by 2035—and the state’s aging-related costs skyrocketing, the report delivers a clear warning: without action, Colorado’s aging population will face greater risk of unmet needs, housing instability, and healthcare shortfalls.

The report finds that the number of Coloradans aged 65 and older will rise nearly 30% over the next decade, while state revenue growth slows, partly due to the spending habits and lower tax liabilities of older adults. At the same time, the demand for Medicaid-funded long-term services and support is projected to surge—requiring an additional $419 million by 2035, and over $688 million by 2050.

Meanwhile, cuts at the federal level and new eligibility restrictions for Medicaid and SNAP introduced through the federal OBBBA law are making it harder for aging Coloradans to access the basic support they need to live with dignity.

“We are sounding the alarm,” said Kathy White, Executive Director of the Colorado Fiscal Institute. “Coloradans are getting older, and the math doesn’t lie. Needs are growing. Revenues are not. And thanks to TABOR, we’re operating under a constitutional straitjacket that limits our ability to invest in healthcare, housing, and community-based services that aging Coloradans rely on.”

TABOR, the state’s constitutional revenue cap, remains a critical barrier to adequately funding public programs, especially as demand for aging services grows and costs escalate. Colorado’s aging-related services—such as Medicaid long-term care, nutrition, and in-home support—are already strained. The expiration of pandemic-era federal support, rising housing costs, and stagnant program funding are exacerbating the problem.

“What this report makes clear is that we’re not just facing a demographic shift—we’re facing a policy failure,” said Bob Brocker, President of AgeWise Colorado. “Older adults want to remain in their homes and communities, but without stronger support systems and sustainable funding, that will be out of reach for too many. We must act now before the gap between need and capacity becomes unbridgeable as it already is.”

Key findings from the report include:

• Weld County will see a 46% growth in its 65+ population by 2035, the fastest in the state.
• Medicaid long-term care costs will rise by nearly $850 million statewide by 2050.
• More than half a million older adults may be housing cost-burdened by 2030.
• Federal cuts and red tape have already pushed hundreds of thousands off Medicaid, many of them likely still eligible.
• Major aging-related programs have faced stagnant or declining state funding over the last decade.

As Colorado lawmakers prepare for the 2026 legislative session, CFI and AgeWise Colorado are calling on them to take the findings of this report seriously.

“We need long-term planning, targeted investments, and the political courage to confront structural barriers like TABOR and federal disinvestment. If we don’t act, we will leave thousands of older Coloradans behind,” added White.

Reach out to bring this data to your board, coalition, or event
CFI and AgeWise Colorado will be hosting presentations of the report findings for community members, advocates, and lawmakers. To schedule a briefing or learn more, contact Shana McClain at mcclain@coloradofiscal.org.

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About the Colorado Fiscal Institute
The Colorado Fiscal Institute is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization that provides credible, independent, and accessible information and analysis of fiscal and economic issues facing Colorado. CFI believes in people-centered, fiscal, and economic policies that advance equity and widespread prosperity in Colorado. Learn more at www.coloradofiscal.org.

About AgeWise Colorado
AgeWise Colorado is a nonprofit initiative dedicated to helping Coloradans thrive as they age. Through education, outreach, and resource coordination, AgeWise connects older adults and their caregivers with trustworthy information and services that support aging in place. Learn more at www.agewisecolorado.org.

Contact
Hannah Morris, Communications Manager
morris@coloradofiscal.org