Below is a collection of updates on goals in the Age Friendly Action Plan. All of the work is exciting as we contribute to creating a more supportive community for people of all ages. Check back often to keep up to date on Age Friendly community wins and opportunities to participate.
Outdoor Spaces
Goals 1 & 2: PlanCOS- New City Comprehensive Plan
PlanCOS is now the City of Colorado Springs Comprehensive Plan. The plan supports older adults and aging in place by advocating for Accessory Dwelling Units and ADA standards. Read the full plan here.
Goal 3: Redevelopment of highly utilized parks and community spaces
Work has been completed at Nancy Lewis Park and Memorial Park is a current project undertaken by the Parks, Recreation, and Cultural Services Department.
Improvements to Memorial Park are well underway, thanks to a grant of $926,000 from the Colorado Springs Health Foundation. We are particularly excited about the Age Friendly walking paths and fitness stations that incorporate universal design.
The Legacy Loop, a 10-mile trail, looping around downtown is a vision that has been slowly coming to fruition since it was first proposed by General William Jackson Palmer, founder of Colorado Springs. This highly accessible trail was meant to loop around the outside of Colorado Springs (in the early days), but circles from just south of downtown to just south of Fillmore street. Check out this great article on The Legacy Loop written by J. Adrian Stanley for the Independent!
Panorama Park, located in Southeast Colorado Springs, will soon receive the largest neighborhood park renovation in city history thanks to grants from Great Outdoors Colorado, The Colorado Health Foundation, the Colorado Springs Health Foundation and Transforming Safety Colorado.
IIAC is proud to partner with Colorado Springs’ Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services Department and Bike COS to support the goals of increasing access to a multitude of transportation options.
Transportation
Transportation consistently poses significant challenges for older adults, so we are delighted to encourage and monitor the efforts of Mountain Metro Transit as they work to become more accessible and convenient for elders in our communities. They are currently offering half-priced fares for seniors and marketing the Senior Ambassador program, which pairs novice riders with experienced seniors to help new bus-goers feel more comfortable navigating public transit.
Goal 1.1: Real-time technology for bus arrivals.
Mountain Metro Transit recently introduced the new program My Next Bus. Through the Google maps app, riders can get real time information on bus stops and departure times. This will save tons of time!
Click here to find more detailed information on how to use this new tech.
Goal 2.1: Older Adult Heat Map
The Commission on Aging has requested the development of a map with different overlays including mode of travel, senior services, housing, parks, key senior designations, and more to identify hot spots of senior activity.
Goal 3.1: Downtown Terminal Relocation Built Accessibly
IIAC is working with local partners and the Commission on Aging to monitor the construction of the new Downtown Transit Terminal to ensure that it is universally accessible to people of all ages and mobilities.
Housing
As one of the most important challenges facing older adults in our region, we are committed to addressing the shortage of accessible, affordable housing. As we work to find broader, systemic solutions to the housing shortage we would also like to offer information on the housing options that are currently available for older adults. This is only a rudimentary list, please contact us if you have an addition or update.
- A list of affordable HUD housing, for both families and single elders is available here
- Information on a range of housing assistance programs offered through Colorado Springs Housing Authority can be found here
- The Senior Living Guide for Colorado Springs can be accessed here
- A list of assisted living facilities in Colorado Springs is here
- Continuing care retirement homes in Colorado Spring are listed here
- Independent living communities are listed here
- Finally, other resources for finding senior living can be found here
Goal 4.1: Commission on Aging
The Commission on Aging is up and running with meetings on the first Wednesday of every month from 3 to 5 p.m. at Transit Services, 1015 Transit Drive, Conference Room A148.
The purpose of the Commission is to provide ongoing and embedded advocacy for older adults in the municipal government of Colorado Springs; advise the City Council on special issues and opportunities relating to the City’s aging population; make recommendations to the City Council and Mayor during the annual municipal budget process; and review legislation that affects older adults and make recommendations to the City Council and Mayor on positions.
Goal 4.2: Affordable Housing, In-Fill, and Creative Approaches
IIAC is monitoring legislation, code changes, and innovative approaches to alternative housing options. In other cities, alternative dwelling units (ADUs) have contributed to solving affordable housing crises. We are actively advocating for the expansion of code to allow for ADUs. Innovations in Aging will support a citizen group working on this exploration and advocacy and coordinate efforts with the Commission on Aging.
Goal 4.3-4.5: Monitoring with partner organizations
IIAC has partnered with a number of local, housing-focused organizations to establish the Age Friendly Housing Domain Committee. Want to be updated on this group? Send your request and information to info@innovationsinaging.org
Social Participation
Goal 1: Senior Wellness Activities
Innovations in Aging Collaboration is also monitoring the implementation and expansion of programs focused on senior wellness in local YMCAs, and community centers around the region. This is an important element of Age Friendly Colorado Springs, as it addresses many different priorities, including the physical health and well being of older adults, as well as increasing their social participation and sense of community, both of which have been consistently linked to happier, healthier, and more meaningful lives.
Goals 2 & 4: Create a Senior Information Portal
IIAC is working with a group of partners to develop a website to act as a centralized resource for Older Adults and their networks. Have insight you would like to share? Send a note to info@innovationsinaging.org
Goal 3: Intergenerational Activities
We are currently gathering information about intergenerational programming across the city.
Community Support and Health Services
Goal 3.1: Support the development and further implementation of Silver Key Senior Outreach Services program.
Silver Key has fully adopted and expanded the program that is now called Silver Key Senior Outreach Services (Silver Key SOS)
Goal 3.4: Support the development of Transitional Care Group Portable Patient Information
Goal 4: Lead the Colorado State coalition for Banksafe
IIAC is working with National AARP to develop a robust training curriculum for local banks and credit unions around the state to combat financial abuse of older people.
Respect and Social Inclusion
Goal 1.1: Commission on Aging
The Commission on Aging is up and running with meetings on the first Wednesday of every month from 3 to 5 p.m. at Transit Services, 1015 Transit Drive, Conference Room A148.
The purpose of the Commission is to provide ongoing and embedded advocacy for older adults in the municipal government of Colorado Springs; advise the City Council on special issues and opportunities relating to the City’s aging population; make recommendations to the City Council and Mayor during the annual municipal budget process; and review legislation that affects older adults and make recommendations to the City Council and Mayor on positions.
Goal 1.2: Project Visibility
This is a wonderful program supporting LGBTQIA+ Older Adults that was developed by the Boulder County Area Agency on Aging. IIAC has held one training and the next step is to hold a “train the trainer session” in Colorado Springs.
Civic Participation and Employment
Goal 2.1: Create an Age-Friendly Business Designation
IIAC is proud to work with the Better Business Bureau of Southern Colorado to present the Age Friendly Business Designation. This certification, offered to eligible BBB accredited businesses, evaluates a number of different factors that impact the experience of older adults and makes suggestions for improvements. The Age Friendly Business Designation will encourage more businesses to consider the needs of older adults, which will be an economic boon to the businesses and increase the quality of life for elders in our community who require goods and services. Find the Age Friendly Certified Businesses Directory HERE.
If your business is interested in becoming Age Friendly, please contact the Better Business Bureau at (719) 636-1155 or go to their website.
Communication and Information
Goal 1 & 3: Senior Information Portal
IIAC is working with a group of partners to develop a website to act as a centralized resource for Older Adults and their networks. Have insight you would like to share? Send a note to info@innovationsinaging.org
Goal 2: Create a Commission on Aging.
The Commission on Aging is up and running with meetings on the first Wednesday of every month from 3 to 5 p.m. at Transit Services, 1015 Transit Drive, Conference Room A148.
The purpose of the Commission is to provide ongoing and embedded advocacy for older adults in the municipal government of Colorado Springs; advise the City Council on special issues and opportunities relating to the City’s aging population; make recommendations to the City Council and Mayor during the annual municipal budget process; and review legislation that affects older adults and make recommendations to the City Council and Mayor on positions.
