Second Regular Session
Seventy-third General Assembly
STATE OF COLORADO
ENGROSSED
This Version Includes All Amendments Adopted
on Second Reading in the House of Introduction
LLS NO. 22-0284.01 Alana Rosen x2606
HOUSE BILL 22-1035
House Committees Senate Committees
Public & Behavioral Health & Human Services
A BILL FOR AN ACT
C
ONCERNING MODERNIZATION OF THE "OLDER COLORADANS' ACT".101
Bill Summary
(Note: This summary applies to this bill as introduced and does
not reflect any amendments that may be subsequently adopted. If this bill
passes third reading in the house of introduction, a bill summary that
applies to the reengrossed version of this bill will be available at
http://leg.colorado.gov.)
The bill updates the "Older Coloradans' Act" (act). The purpose of
the act is to support older Coloradans through community planning, social
services, health and well-being services, and strategies to prepare the
state's infrastructure for an increasing older population of Coloradans.
The bill updates include:
! Reorganizing the commission on the aging (commission)
and increasing membership from 17 to 19 in order to
coordinate and implement the strategic action plan on aging
HOUSE
Amended 2nd Reading
February 11, 2022
HOUSE SPONSORSHIP
Young and Bradfield,
SENATE SPONSORSHIP
Ginal and Rankin,
Shading denotes HOUSE amendment. Double underlining denotes SENATE amendment.
Capital letters or bold & italic numbers indicate new material to be added to existing statute.
Dashes through the words indicate deletions from existing statute. (plan) and to make recommendations;
! Appointing a state department of human services (state
department) liaison to act as the primary contact for the
commission in order to coordinate commission-related
duties with the state department and other state agencies;
! Convening a technical advisory committee (committee)
comprised of key state agency representatives to direct the
implementations of the plan and the commission's
recommendations; and
! Creating the lifelong Colorado initiative within the state
department's state office on aging to coordinate strategies
and implementation of the plan with the commission,
committee, and key state agencies.
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Colorado:1
SECTION 1. In Colorado Revised Statutes, amend 26-11-100.22
as follows:3
26-11-100.2. Legislative declaration. (1) The general assembly4
hereby
finds and declares that:5
(a) Older Coloradans constitute a fundamental resource of this6
state. Often, their competence, experience, and wisdom are underutilized,7
and a means must be found to
EFFECTIVELY use their abilities more
8
effectively for the benefit of all Coloradans. The number of persons in9
this state sixty years of age or older is increasing rapidly, and, of these10
persons, the number of women, minorities PEOPLE OF COLOR, and persons11
seventy-five years of age or older is expanding at an even greater rate.12
Among those persons seventy-five years of age or older, there is a higher13
incidence of functional disability. The social and health problems of older14
people are compounded by the lack of access to existing services and by15
the unavailability of a complete range of services in all areas of the state.16
The ability of older people to maintain self-sufficiency and personal17
well-being with the dignity to which their years of labor entitle them and18
1035-2- to realize their maximum potential as creative and productive individuals1
are matters of profound importance and concern for all Coloradans.2
(b) A
STATE THAT IS WELL-ADAPTED FOR AGING IS ONE WHERE ALL3
INDIVIDUALS CAN THRIVE AND ARE ADEQUATELY SUPPORTED : A4
C
OLORADO FOR ALL. COLORADO MUST SUPPORT A HIGH QUALITY OF LIFE5
FOR OLDER COLORADANS AND THEIR FAMILIES BY PROMOTING HEALTH6
AND WELL-BEING; SUPPORTING AFFORDABLE, HIGH-QUALITY, AND7
SUSTAINABLE LONG -TERM SERVICES AND SUPPORTS ; FOSTERING8
WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT AND SELF-SUFFICIENCY; CREATING LIVABLE9
COMMUNITIES; AND INTEGRATING AGING POLICY AND PROGRAMS ACROSS10
STATE GOVERNMENT.11
(c) T
O ENSURE THAT COLORADO IS THE BEST STATE IN WHICH TO12
GROW OLD, THE FOLLOWING GOALS MUST GUIDE AGING AND AGING13
SERVICES IN COLORADO:14
(I) O
LDER COLORADANS ARE ABLE TO LIVE AND FULLY15
PARTICIPATE IN THEIR COMMUNITIES OF CHOICE FOR AS LONG AS POSSIBLE ;16
(II) O
LDER COLORADANS ARE ABLE TO STAY ENGAGED IN THE17
LABOR FORCE OR VOLUNTEER SECTOR FOR AS LONG AS THEY WANT OR18
NEED;19
(III) O
LDER COLORADANS AND THEIR FAMILIES ARE FINANCIALLY20
SECURE AND PREPARED TO MEET THE CHALLENGES OF AGING ;21
(IV) C
OLORADANS ARE PREPARED FOR THE CHALLENGES OF22
CARING FOR AGED LOVED ONES AND ARE ABLE TO DO SO WITHOUT23
ENDANGERING THEIR OWN PHYSICAL , BEHAVIORAL, AND FINANCIAL24
HEALTH OR WELL-BEING OR THE HEALTH AND WELL -BEING OF THEIR25
LOVED ONES;26
(V) T
RAINED WORKERS ARE SKILLED , EDUCATED, AND PAID27
1035
-3- COMMENSURATE TO THEIR ABILITIE S AND TRAINING TO MEET THE NEEDS1
OF EMPLOYERS AND INDUSTRIES SERVING AN INCREASING POPULATION OF2
OLDER COLORADANS;3
(VI) O
LDER COLORADANS CAN STAY HEALTHIER LONGER4
THROUGH ACCESS TO QUALITY AND AFFORDABLE PERSON -CENTERED AND5
CULTURALLY APPROPRIATE CARE THAT ALIGNS WITH THEIR PREFERENCES6
AND VALUES;7
(VII) T
HE STATE CAN MEET ITS COMMITMENT TO SUPPORT OLDER8
C
OLORADANS AND THEIR FAMILIES ; AND9
(VIII) C
OLORADO CAN EMPOWER AND PROTECT OLDER10
C
OLORADANS FROM ABUSE , NEGLECT, EXPLOITATION, AND OTHER11
HARMFUL ACTS;12
(d) C
OLORADO FACES A HISTORIC DEMOGRAPHIC SHIFT OVER THE13
NEXT FIFTY YEARS THAT WILL CREATE OPPORTUNITIES AND CHALLENGES .14
T
HIS SHIFT WILL RESULT IN AN UNPRECEDENTED NUMBER OF OLDER15
WORKERS REMAINING IN THE WORKFORCE AND OLDER COLORADANS16
SHIFTING INTO RETIREMENT. THE DEMOGRAPHIC CHANGES WILL RESULT17
IN WIDE-RANGING ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL IMPACTS ON THE WORKFORCE ,18
HOUSING, TRANSPORTATION, LONG-TERM SERVICES AND SUPPORTS, AND19
HEALTH CARE. THE STATE MUST ACT TO CAPITALIZE ON THE20
OPPORTUNITIES AND ADDRESS THE CHALLENGES .21
(e) T
O ENSURE THAT OLDER COLORADANS ARE PREPARED TO22
ADDRESS AGING-RELATED OPPORTUNITIES AND CHALLENGES , IT IS23
CRITICAL THAT THE STATE EMPOWER AND EDUCATE RESIDENTS FROM AN24
EARLY AGE TO PREPARE FOR THE REALITIES OF A LONG LIFE . THE STATE25
SHOULD ENCOURAGE RESIDENTS TO ENGAGE IN RETIREMENT PLANNING ,26
HEALTH AND WELLNESS PRESERVATION ACTIVITIES AND SERVICES ,27
1035
-4- LIFELONG LEARNING, CROSS-GENERATIONAL COLLABORATION , AND CIVIC1
ENGAGEMENT.2
(f) A
GING IS A PERSONAL EXPERIENCE THAT VARIES FROM PERSON3
TO PERSON. COLORADANS WILL AGE DIFFERENTLY , WITH SOME REMAINING4
MENTALLY AND PHYSICALLY CAPABLE UNTIL THEY DIE AND OTHERS5
EXPERIENCING MENTAL AND PHYSICAL DISABILITIES EARLIER IN LIFE . AS6
A RESULT, OLDER COLORADANS AND THEIR FAMILIES ARE PRESENTED7
WITH VARYING OPPORTUNITIES AND CHALLENGES ACROSS THEIR LIVES .8
S
OME OLDER COLORADANS WILL CONTINUE TO LIVE INDEPENDENTLY IN9
THEIR OWN HOMES WHILE OTHERS WILL REQUIRE LONG -TERM SKILLED10
NURSING CARE. IN COORDINATION WITH STATE DEPARTMENT SUBJECT11
MATTER EXPERTS,
AREA AGENCIES ON AGING, LOCAL GOVERNMENTS, AND12
COMMUNITY STAKEHOLDERS , IT IS A PRIORITY OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY13
TO EXAMINE THE COMPLEXITY OF THESE ISSUES AND DEVELOP POLICIES14
THAT SUPPORT COMMUNITIES AND FAMILIES ACROSS COLORADO. THE15
AGING PROCESS IS FURTHER IMPACTED BY HISTORICAL DISPARITIES ,16
INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO STRUCTURAL RACISM , SEXISM, AND17
AGEISM. THE SOCIAL AND HEALTH PROBLEMS OF OLDER COLORADANS ARE18
COMPOUNDED BY LIMITED PREPARATION FOR AN INCREASE IN LIFE19
EXPECTANCY AND LACK OF ACCESS TO SERVICES , OR THE UNAVAILABILITY20
OF SERVICES, THROUGHOUT THE STATE. IT IS OF PROFOUND IMPORTANCE21
FOR ALL COLORADANS THAT OLDER COLORADANS MAINTAIN22
SELF-SUFFICIENCY AND PERSONAL WELL -BEING, HAVE ACCESS TO23
NECESSARY SERVICES AND SUPPORTS , AND REALIZE THEIR MAXIMUM24
POTENTIAL AS CREATIVE AND PRODUCTIVE INDIVIDUALS .25
(2) (a) The general assembly further declares that it is the policy26
of this state: To protect older Coloradans from abuse, neglect, or27
1035
-5- exploitation; to involve older Coloradans in the planning and operation1
of all programs and services that may affect them; to encourage agencies2
at all levels of government, as well as in the private sector, to develop3
alternative services and forms of care that would provide a range of4
services to be delivered in the community and in the home and that would5
facilitate access to other services which support independent living and6
prevent unnecessary institutionalization; to give priority in planning7
services and programs to those older Coloradans with the greatest8
economic need or the greatest social need; and to facilitate and encourage9
joint program planning and policy development among state and local10
agencies which recognize and strengthen the community and personal11
support networks to which people belong and on which they depend and12
which administer programs and deliver services to the older population.13
T
HEREFORE, THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY FINDS THAT IT IS COLORADO'S14
POLICY TO:15
(I)
EMPOWER AND PROTECT OLDER COLORADANS FROM ABUSE ,16
NEGLECT, EXPLOITATION, AND OTHER HARMFUL ACTS;17
(II) MEANINGFULLY INVOLVE OLDER COLORADANS IN THE18
PLANNING AND OPERATION OF ALL PROGRAMS AND SERVICES THAT MAY19
AFFECT THEM;20
(III) E
NCOURAGE AGENCIES AT ALL LEVELS OF GOVERNMENT , AS21
WELL AS THE PRIVATE SECTOR, TO DEVELOP ALTERNATIVE SERVICES AND22
FORMS OF CARE THAT PROVIDE A RANGE OF SERVICES TO BE DELIVERED IN23
THE COMMUNITY AND HOME THAT SUPPORT INDEPENDENT LIVING AND24
PREVENT UNNECESSARY INSTITUTIONALIZATION ;25
(IV) R
EDUCE HEALTH DISPARITIES AND SUPPORT AGING ACROSS AN26
INDIVIDUAL'S LIFESPAN;27
1035
-6- (V) PRIORITIZE PLANNING SERVICES AND PROGRAMS FOR OLDER1
C
OLORADANS WITH THE GREATEST ECONOMIC OR SOCIAL NEEDS ;2
(VI) A
CKNOWLEDGE AND REMOVE BARRIERS TO ENSURE3
PROGRAMS, SERVICES, PROJECTS, POLICIES, PROCEDURES, AND RESOURCES4
ARE INCLUSIVE OF ALL OLDER
COLORADANS, PARTICULARLY THOSE WHO5
ARE MOST UNDERSERVED ;6
(VII) R
ECOGNIZE THAT PREPARING ALL COLORADANS FOR THE7
DIFFERENT FACETS OF A LONGER LIFE IS PART OF THE STATE 'S8
RESPONSIBILITY; AND9
(VIII) F
ACILITATE AND ENCOURAGE JOINT PROGRAM PLANNING10
AND POLICY DEVELOPMENT AMONG
STATE, REGIONAL, AND LOCAL11
GOVERNMENT TO PROMOTE INNOVATION , EFFICIENCY, AND MAXIMIZE12
RESOURCES;13
(b) I
N ORDER TO SUPPORT OLDER COLORADANS, THE GENERAL14
ASSEMBLY FINDS THAT A CITIZEN-LED, MULTIDISCIPLINARY STAKEHOLDER15
COMMISSION, COMPRISED OF REPRESENTATIVES FROM BOTH THE PUBLIC16
AND PRIVATE SECTORS, IS NEEDED TO COORDINATE AND CONTRIBUTE TO17
GUIDING STATE PROGRAMS, SERVICES, PROJECTS, POLICIES, PROCEDURES,18
AND RESOURCES IN THE AREA OF AGING .19
SECTION 2. In Colorado Revised Statutes, amend 26-11-101 as20
follows:21
26-11-101. Commission on aging - created - definition.22
(1) (a) There is hereby
created in the state department the Colorado23
commission on the aging, referred to in this article ARTICLE 11 as the24
"commission", which shall consist of seventeen members appointed by25
the governor, with the consent of the senate. Two members shall be26
appointed from each congressional district of the state, one of whom shall27
1035
-7- be from each major political party, and, after July 1, 1976, and thereafter1
when a vacancy occurs, one of such members shall be from west of the2
continental divide. A vacancy on the commission occurs whenever any3
member moves out of the congressional district from which he or she was4
appointed. Any member who moves out of such congressional district5
shall promptly notify the governor of the date of such move, but such6
notice is not a condition precedent to the occurrence of the vacancy. The7
governor shall fill the vacancy as provided in subsection (2) of this8
section. Appointments made to take effect on January 1, 1983, shall be9
made in accordance with section 24-1-135, C.R.S. No more than nine10
members of the commission shall be members of the same major political11
party. One member shall be appointed from the state at large, one member12
shall be appointed from among the membership of the senate, and one13
member shall be appointed from among the membership of the house of14
representatives. Appointments to the commission shall comply with the15
requirements of the rules and regulations of the United States department16
of health and human services promulgated pursuant to Public Law 93-29,17
known as the "Older Americans Comprehensive Services Amendments18
of 1973", as such rules and regulations appear in section 903.50 (c) of19
title 45 of the code of federal regulations. In making appointments to the20
commission, the governor is encouraged to include representation by at21
least one member who is a person with a disability, a family member of22
a person with a disability, or a member of an advocacy group for persons23
with disabilities, provided that the other requirements of this subsection24
(1) are met FOR THE PURPOSE OF COORDINATING AND GUIDING THE25
IMPLEMENTATION OF THE STRATEGIC ACTION PLAN ON AGING , DEVELOPED26
PURSUANT TO SECTION 24-32-3406, AND OTHER STRATEGIES THE27
1035
-8- COMMISSION MAY IDENTIFY THAT SUPPORT OLDER COLORADANS. THE1
COMMISSION SHALL CONSIST OF NINETEEN MEMBERS WHO MUST BE2
APPOINTED AS FOLLOWS:3
(I) O
NE MEMBER FROM THE COLORADO SENATE, APPOINTED BY4
THE PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE;5
(II) O
NE MEMBER FROM THE COLORADO HOUSE OF6
REPRESENTATIVES, APPOINTED BY THE SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF7
REPRESENTATIVES; AND8
(III) S
EVENTEEN MEMBERS APPO INTED BY THE GOVERNOR , WITH9
THE CONSENT OF THE SENATE, AS FOLLOWS:10
(A) O
NE MEMBER FROM EACH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT OF THE11
STATE;12
(B) O
NE MEMBER WHO IS A REPRESENTATIVE OF HIGHER13
EDUCATION OR THE COLORADO COMMUNITY COLLEGE SYSTEM ;14
(C) O
NE MEMBER WHO IS A
DIRECTOR OF AN AREA AGENCY ON15
AGING, AS DESCRIBED IN SECTION 26-11-204;16
(D) O
NE MEMBER WITH EXTENSIVE KNOWLEDGE OF WORKFORCE17
ISSUES IMPACTING OLDER COLORADANS;18
(E) O
NE MEMBER WHO REPRESENTS A LONG -TERM RESIDENTIAL19
CARE SETTING;20
(F) O
NE MEMBER WHO REPRESENTS COLORADANS LIVING WITH21
DEMENTIA;22
(G) O
NE MEMBER WHO REPRESENTS AN ORGANIZATION PROVIDING23
HOME- AND COMMUNITY-BASED SERVICES;24
(H) O
NE MEMBER WITH EXTENSIVE KNOWLEDGE OF OR25
EXPERIENCE WITH TRANSPORTATION INFRASTRUCTURE AND SERVICES ;26
(I) O
NE MEMBER WHO REPRESENTS THE HOUSING SECTOR ; AND27
1035
-9- (J) ONE MEMBER OF THE PUBLIC POLICY OR ELDER LAW1
COMMUNITY WITH EXTENSIVE KNOWLEDGE OF AND EXPERIENCE WITH2
AGING POLICY OR ELDER RIGHTS ISSUES.3
(b) I
N MAKING APPOINTMENTS PURSUANT TO SUBSECTION4
(1)(a)(III)
OF THIS SECTION, THE GOVERNOR SHALL APPOINT NO MORE5
THAN A MINIMUM MAJORITY OF COMMISSION MEMBERS AFFILIATED WITH6
THE SAME POLITICAL PARTY. IN MAKING APPOINTMENTS, THE GOVERNOR7
SHALL SELECT:8
(I) M
EMBERS WHO REPRESENT DIVERSE RACIAL , CULTURAL,9
SOCIOECONOMIC, GENDER, AND ABILITY
GROUPS, AND INDIVIDUALS10
RECEIVING COMMUNITY-BASED SOCIAL OR MEDICAL SERVICES THAT11
SUPPORT INDEPENDENT LIVING;12
(II) F
OR THE CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT MEMBERS , AT LEAST ONE13
MEMBER WHO IS SIXTY YEARS OF AGE OR OLDER , OR WHO IS A PERSON14
LIVING WITH A DISABILITY, OR WHO HAS A FAMILY MEMBER LIVING WITH15
A DISABILITY;16
(III) A
T LEAST ONE MEMBER WHO REPRESENTS RURAL OR17
FRONTIER AREAS OF THE STATE;18
(IV) A
T LEAST ONE REPRESENTATIVE FROM A LOCAL19
GOVERNMENT; AND20
(V) A
T LEAST ONE REPRESENTATIVE OF THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY21
IN ORDER TO CONSIDER THE POTENTIAL FOR INITIATIVES DEVELOPED IN22
THE PRIVATE, FOR-PROFIT SECTOR.23
(c) A
PPOINTMENTS TO THE COMMISSION MUST COMPLY WITH THE24
RULES PROMULGATED BY THE UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH25
AND HUMAN SERVICES PURSUANT TO THE FEDERAL "OLDER AMERICANS26
C
OMPREHENSIVE SERVICES AMENDMENTS OF 1973", PUB.L. 93-29, AS27
1035
-10- AMENDED.1
(2) (a) All members of the commission shall be appointed for2
terms of four years each, commencing July 1 in the year of appointment.3
Appointments to fill vacancies shall be for the unexpired term of the4
vacated office and shall be made in the same manner as original5
appointments. Whenever a member of the senate or house of6
representatives serving as a member of the commission ceases to hold his7
office in the senate or house of representatives, a vacancy on the8
commission shall occur, and the governor shall fill the vacancy by the9
appointment of a similarly qualified person who at the time is holding10
office, as the case may be, in the senate or house of representatives. A11
MINIMUM MAJORITY OF THE COMMISSION MEMBERS SHALL BE APPOINTED12
FOR AN INITIAL TERM OF TWO YEARS EACH AND THE REMAINING13
COMMISSION MEMBERS SHALL BE APPOINTED FOR AN INITIAL TERM OF14
THREE YEARS EACH. THE GOVERNOR SHALL INDICATE WHETHER THE15
APPOINTED PERSON IS SERVING A TWO -YEAR TERM OR A THREE -YEAR16
TERM. APPOINTMENTS MADE AFTER THE EXPIRATION OF THE INITIAL TERM17
ARE THREE-YEAR TERMS. IF A VACANCY ON THE COMMISSION OCCURS , THE18
GOVERNOR SHALL APPOINT A NEW MEMBER FROM THE APPROPRIATE19
REPRESENTATIVE GROUP TO SERVE THE REMAINDER OF THE MEMBER 'S20
TERM. NO MEMBER MAY SERVE MORE THAN TWO FULL CONSECUTIVE21
TERMS.22
(b) T
HE TERMS OF PRESENT MEMBERS APPOINTED PURSUANT TO23
THIS SECTION EXPIRE ON AUGUST 31, 2022. THE GOVERNOR SHALL24
APPOINT NEW MEMBERS PURSUANT TO SUBSECTION (1)(a) OF THIS SECTION25
AND THE APPOINTMENTS ARE EFFECTIVE SEPTEMBER 1, 2022.26
(3)
AS USED IN THIS SECTION, "MINIMUM MAJORITY" MEANS THE27
1035
-11- LOWEST NUMBER OF MEMBERS THAT IS MORE THAN HALF OF ALL1
COMMISSION MEMBERS.2
SECTION 3. In Colorado Revised Statutes, amend 26-11-102 as3
follows:4
26-11-102. Organization of commission. (1) The commission5
shall elect
AN EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE from its membership, INCLUDING6
a chairman
CHAIR, a vice-chairman VICE-CHAIR, and such other officers7
as it deems necessary. The vice-chairman VICE-CHAIR shall act as8
chairman CHAIR in the absence OF or disability AT THE DIRECTION of the9
chairman CHAIR. The commission shall meet IN PERSON OR VIRTUALLY on10
call of the chairman CHAIR but not less than once every three months A11
MONTH. A majority of the members of the commission shall constitute12
CONSTITUTES a quorum for the transaction of business. THE EXECUTIVE13
COMMITTEE IS RESPONSIBLE FOR COORDINATING WITH THE STATE OFFICE14
ON AGING ESTABLISHED IN SECTION 26-11-202, RELEVANT STATE15
AGENCIES, AND MEMBERS OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY .16
(2) (a) T
HE COMMISSION MAY ESTABLISH STANDING17
SUBCOMMITTEES TO SUPPORT THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE STRATEGIC18
ACTION PLAN ON AGING, DEVELOPED PURSUANT TO SECTION 24-32-3406,19
AND WORK RELATED TO THE LIFELONG COLORADO INITIATIVE20
ESTABLISHED IN PART 3 OF THIS ARTICLE 11. THE SUBCOMMITTEE TOPICS21
MAY INCLUDE, BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO:22
(I) W
ORKFORCE OPPORTUNITIES FOR OLDER COLORADANS;23
(II) T
HE DIRECT-CARE WORKFORCE;24
(III) H
OUSING OPTIONS FOR OLDER COLORADANS;25
(IV) A
GE-FRIENDLY, AFFORDABLE, AND LIVABLE COMMUNITIES;26
(V) H
EALTH CARE;27
1035
-12- (VI) CHRONIC DISEASE PREVENTION AND MAINTENANCE ;1
(VII) B
EHAVIORAL HEALTH;2
(VIII) L
IFELONG LEARNING;3
(IX) R
ETIREMENT SECURITY;4
(X) L
EGISLATIVE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS ;5
(XI) T
RANSPORTATION;
6
(XII) DISPARITIES AMONG OLDER COLORADANS;7
(XIII) ELDER RIGHTS; AND8
(XIV) INNOVATION AND TECHNOLOGY .9
(b) E
ACH STANDING SUBCO MMITTEE MUST BE CHAIRED BY A10
MEMBER OF THE COMMISSION BUT MAY INCLUDE MEMBERSHIP BEYOND11
COMMISSION MEMBERS , INCLUDING MEMBERS OF THE GENERAL PUBLIC12
WHO VOLUNTEER TO PARTICIPATE IN A SPECIFIC SUBCOMMITTEE .13
N
ONCOMMISSION MEMBERS MAY BE CO -CHAIRS OR VICE-CHAIRS. THE14
MEMBERSHIP SELECTION PROCESS MAY BE DETERMINED IN THE15
COMMISSION BYLAWS.16
SECTION 4. In Colorado Revised Statutes, amend 26-11-104 as17
follows:18
26-11-104. Director - liaison and staff. (1) Pursuant to section19
13 of article XII of the state constitution, the executive director shall20
appoint the director of the commission and such clerical and professional
21
staff as may be necessary to carry out the purposes of this article. The22
director of the commission shall be the chief administrative officer for the23
commission and shall be a person who is professionally qualified to24
assume the responsibilities of the position A STATE DEPARTMENT LIAISON25
TO THE COMMISSION AND ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF AS NECESSARY TO26
CARRY OUT THE DUTIES OF THE POSITION . THE STATE DEPARTMENT27
1035
-13- LIAISON MUST BE PROFESSIONALLY QUALIFIED TO ASSUME THE1
RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE POSITION, BE THE PRIMARY CONTACT FOR THE2
COMMISSION, AND COORDINATE COMMISSION -RELATED DUTIES WITH THE3
STATE DEPARTMENT AND THE COMMISSION 'S EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE4
DESCRIBED IN SECTION 26-11-102 (1).5
(2) S
UBJECT TO AVAILABLE APPROPRIATIONS, THE COMMISSION,
IN6
COORDINATION WITH THE STATE DEPARTMENT , MAY CONTRACT WITH A7
THIRD-PARTY ORGANIZATION TO SERVE AS INDEPENDENT STAFF TO THE8
COMMISSION IN ORDER TO COORDINATE WITH THE STATE DEPARTMENT9
LIAISON AND THE LIAISON'S STAFF, PROVIDE ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT10
FOR THE COMMISSION'S PURPOSE AND DUTIES, AND CARRY OUT OTHER11
FUNCTIONS THE COMMISSION ASSIGNS .12
(3) THE COMMISSION MAY SEEK, ACCEPT, AND EXPEND GIFTS,13
GRANTS, OR DONATIONS FROM PRIVATE OR PUBLIC SOURCES FOR THE14
PURPOSES OF THIS SECTION TO SUPPORT GENERAL OPERATIONS, SPECIAL15
PROJECTS, RESEARCH, AND STAFFING NEEDS.16
SECTION 5. In Colorado Revised Statutes, amend 26-11-105 as17
follows:18
26-11-105. Duties of commission - report. (1) The commission,19
through its director EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE DESCRIBED IN SECTION20
26-11-102
(1); IN COORDINATION WITH THE STATE DEPARTMENT LIAISON21
TO THE COMMISSION, APPOINTED PURSUANT TO SECTION 26-11-104; AND22
IN COORDINATION WITH INDEPENDENT STAFF , CONTRACTED PURSUANT TO23
SECTION 26-11-104, shall carry out the following purposes
DUTIES:24
(a) S
ERVE AS THE PRINCIPAL ADVOCACY BODY IN THE STATE ON25
BEHALF OF OLDER COLORADANS, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO26
PARTICIPATING AS AN ADVISOR IN THE DEVELOPMENT AND27
1035
-14- CONSIDERATION OF LEGISLATION, AND REGULATIONS MADE BY STATE AND1
FEDERAL DEPARTMENTS AND AGENCIES , RELATING TO PROGRAMS AND2
SERVICES THAT AFFECT OLDER COLORADANS;3
(b) C
OORDINATE AND IMPLEMENT THE STRATEGIC ACTION PLAN ON4
AGING RECOMMENDATIONS , DEVELOPED PURSUANT TO SECTION5
24-32-3406,
AND ADDITIONAL RECOMMENDATIONS THE COMMISSION6
MAKES;7
(a)
(c) Conduct, and encourage other PRIVATE AND NONPROFIT8
organizations
AND
STATE, REGIONAL, AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT AGENCIES9
to conduct, studies of the problems of the state's older people CONDUCT10
RESEARCH AND ANALYSIS RELATED TO THE STATE 'S AGING POPULATION;11
(b) (d) Assist governmental and private agencies to coordinate12
their efforts on behalf of the aging and aged OLDER COLORADANS in order13
that such efforts be effective and that duplication and waste of effort be14
eliminated;15
(c) (e) Promote and aid in the establishment of FEDERAL, STATE,16
REGIONAL, AND local POLICIES, programs, and services for the aging and17
aged THAT SUPPORT AND EMPOWER OLDER COLORADANS AND THEIR18
CAREGIVERS, WHO ARE EITHER PAID OR UNPAID. The commission shall19
assist governmental and private agencies by designing surveys that may20
be used locally AT THE LOCAL, REGIONAL, OR STATE LEVEL to determine21
needs of older people; by recommending the creation
OR MODIFICATION22
of
POLICIES, PROGRAMS, AND services TO MEET IDENTIFIED NEEDS; by23
collection and distribution of information on aging; and by assisting24
public and private organizations in all ways the commission may deem25
appropriate.26
(d)
(f) Conduct promotional activities and programs of public27
1035
-15- education on problems of the RELEVANT TO aging;1
(e) (g) Review existing programs for the aging and make2
recommendations to the governor and the general assembly for3
improvements in such programs; REVIEW EXISTING POLICIES AND4
PROGRAMS ACROSS STATE AGENCIES , AND ON OR BEFORE SEPTEMBER 1,5
2023,
AND ON OR BEFORE SEPTEMBER 1 EACH YEAR THEREAFTER, DRAFT6
AN ANNUAL REPORT OF ISSUES AND RECOMMENDATIONS DEVELOPED BY7
THE COMMISSION THAT SUPPORT THE IMPLEMENTATION OF STRATEGIES IN8
ALIGNMENT WITH THE STRATEGIC ACTION PLAN ON AGING DEVELOPED9
PURSUANT TO SECTION 24-32-3406, THE LIFELONG COLORADO INITIATIVE10
CREATED PURSUANT TO SECTION 26-11-302, AND OTHER11
RECOMMENDATIONS THAT THE COMMISSION MAKES . THE COMMISSION12
SHALL SUBMIT THE ANNUAL REPORT TO THE GOVERNOR , EXECUTIVE13
DIRECTORS OF IMPACTED AGENCIES , AND THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY .14
(f)
(h) Advise and make recommendations to the state department15
and the state office on aging, created pursuant to part 2 of this article, on16
the problems of and programs and services for the aging and aged.17
I
DENTIFY AND MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS TO IMPACTED STATE AGENCIES18
ON ACUTE CONCERNS IMPACTING OLDER COLORADANS THAT ARISE DUE TO19
PUBLIC HEALTH EMERGENCIES , NATURAL DISASTERS , HISTORICAL20
DISPARITIES SUCH AS RACISM, OR OTHER ISSUES TIED DIRECTLY TO21
CURRENT EVENTS THAT REQUIRE IMMEDIATE PROBLEM SOLVING AND22
ADVOCACY;23(g) (i) (I) Study and make recommendations to ensure that people24
who are released from prison who are sixty-five years of age or older are25
able to access health insurance after release, including:26
(A) Health insurance options that might be available, including27
1035
-16- medicare, medicaid, social security, the old age pension fund, or any other1
potential options for health-care insurance, and any eligibility criteria that2
may uniquely impact a formerly incarcerated population;3
(B) Enrollment processes for each health insurance option and the4
cost for each option;5
(C) Processes the department of corrections would need to have6
in place, both prior to release and after release, to ensure people sixty-five7
years of age or older are able to enroll in affordable health insurance upon8
release;9
(D) Potential challenges, gaps, or resources needed to ensure that10
inmates sixty-five years of age or older have health insurance upon11
release; and12
(E) Any other recommendations relevant to improving health-care13
access for people sixty-five years of age or older after release from14
prison.15
(II) On or before January 1, 2022, the commission shall provide16
a report with its findings and recommendations pursuant to this17
subsection (1)(g) to the judiciary and health and insurance committees of18
the house of representatives and the judiciary and health and human19
services committees of the senate, or any successor committees. The20
department of human services shall post the report on the Colorado21
commission on aging's website. 22
(i) CONTRIBUTE DIRECTLY TO ADDITIONAL AND ONGOING23
ANALYSIS AND IMPLEMENTATION OF THE STRATEGIC PLAN ON AGING24
DEVELOPED PURSUANT TO SECTION 24-32-3406 AND ALIGNED WITH THE25
LIFELONG COLORADO INITIATIVE ESTABLISHED IN PART 3 OF THIS ARTICLE26
11;
AND27
1035
-17- (j) DEVELOP LEGISLATIVE AND ADMINISTRATIVE PROPOSALS IN1
COORDINATION WITH STATE DEPARTMENT LIAISONS AND LEGISLATIVE2
DESIGNEES AND COORDINATE ADVOCACY EFFORTS WITH APPROPRIATE3
COMMUNITY STAKEHOLDERS .4
5
SECTION 6. In Colorado Revised Statutes, 26-11-201, amend6
(6) as follows:7
26-11-201. Definitions. As used in this part 2, unless the context8
otherwise requires:9
(6) "Greatest social need" means the need caused by noneconomic10
factors, which include physical and mental disabilities, language barriers,11
and cultural or social isolation, including that caused by racial and ethnic12
status, NATIONAL ORIGIN, RELIGION, SEX, SEXUAL ORIENTATION, GENDER13
IDENTITY, GENDER EXPRESSION, OR HIV STATUS, which THAT restrict an14
individual's ability to perform normal daily tasks or which THAT threaten15
his AN INDIVIDUAL'S capacity to live independently.16
SECTION 7. In Colorado Revised Statutes, amend 26-11-203 as17
follows:18
26-11-203. Duties of the state office. (1) In addition to such19
other duties and functions as the executive director may allocate to the20
state office, the state office shall have the following duties and functions:21
(a) T
O BE THE LEADER CONCERNING AGING ISSUES ON BEHALF OF22
ALL OLDER COLORADANS WHILE ACTING IN COORDINATION WITH OTHER23
STATE DEPARTMENTS AND AGENCIES , AS APPROPRIATE;24
(b) T
O CARRY OUT A WIDE RANGE OF FUNCTIONS RELATED TO25
ADVOCACY, PLANNING, COORDINATION, INTERAGENCY COLLABORATION ,26
INFORMATION SHARING, AND MONITORING AND EVALUATING TO DEVELOP27
1035
-18- AND ENHANCE A COMPREHENSIVE AND COORDINATED STATE - AND1
COMMUNITY-BASED SYSTEM TO ASSIST OLDER COLORADANS TO LEAD2
INDEPENDENT, MEANINGFUL, AND DIGNIFIED LIVES IN THE RESIDENTIAL3
SETTINGS OF THEIR OWN CHOICE;4
(a) (c) To develop and administer a state plan on aging, which5
includes input from area agencies on aging DEVELOPED IN6
ACCORDANCE WITH FEDERAL GUIDELINES, WITH ADDITIONAL CONTENT TO7
THE PLAN TO BE DETERMINED COLLABORATIVELY BETWEEN THE STATE8
OFFICE, THE COMMISSION, AND THE TECHNICAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE9
CONVENED IN THE STATE OFFICE PURSUANT TO SUBSECTION (1)(k) OF THIS10
SECTION. THE ADDITIONAL CONTENT TO THE PLAN REFLECTS THE11
COMPREHENSIVE IMPACTS AND PLANNING ASSOCIATED WITH COLORADO'S12
DEMOGRAPHICS. 13
(b) (d) To establish a process that encourages local, regional, and14
statewide participation in the development stages of the state plan on15
aging, which shall be coordinated with the area agencies on aging, the16
commission established under PURSUANT TO part 1 of this article ARTICLE17
11, and other persons or entities involved in programs for older persons;18
(c) (e) To assist public and nonprofit private agencies AND THE19
FOR-PROFIT SECTOR in planning and developing programs to facilitate a20
statewide network of comprehensive, coordinated services and21
opportunities for older persons COLORADANS, giving priority to those22
agencies, programs, services, and activities that support independent23
living,
PREPARE COLORADANS FOR THEIR LATER YEARS , AND EMPOWER24
OLDER COLORADANS TO BE SELF-RELIANT AND INDEPENDENT , WHICH25
INCLUDES FOSTERING PUBLIC-PRIVATE PARTNERSHIPS WHEN APPROPRIATE ;26
(d)
(f) To study those aspects of the problems of aging necessary27
1035
-19- to accomplish the purpose of state policy through such activities as1
conducting research, computing statistics, and EVALUATING EMERGING2
TECHNOLOGIES AND INNOVATIONS , holding hearings, AND DRAFTING3
POLICY RECOMMENDATIONS ;4
(e) (g) To maintain a clearinghouse of information related to the5
interests and needs of older persons COLORADANS and act as a referral6
service for the dissemination of said THE information;7
(f) (h) To assess the need for services to be provided to the older8
population within the state and determine the extent to which the state's9
service delivery system serves said THAT population, with particular10
emphasis on older persons COLORADANS with the greatest economic and11
social needs,
AS WELL AS EMPOWERING OLDER COLORADANS TO PLAN FOR12
THE NEEDS OF INCREASED LIFE EXPECTANCY ;13
(g)
(i) To encourage and support the involvement of volunteers14
and seek ways to utilize the private sector to assume greater responsibility15
in meeting the needs of older persons; and CAPITALIZE ON THE16
OPPORTUNITIES TO SUPPORT OLDER COLORADANS AND THEIR FAMILIES ;17
(h) (j) To designate area agencies on aging to assist the state office18
in carrying out its functions in specified geographic areas within the state;19
(k) T
O CONVENE AND COORDINATE A TECHNICAL ADVISORY20
COMMITTEE COMPRISED OF KEY STATE DEPARTMENT REPRESENTATIVES ,21
INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES ,22
DEPARTMENT OF LABOR AND EMPLOYMENT , DEPARTMENT OF HIGHER23
EDUCATION, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH CARE POLICY AND FINANCING ,24
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION , DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH AND25
ENVIRONMENT, AND DEPARTMENT OF LOCAL AFFAIRS TO DIRECT THE26
IMPLEMENTATION OF RECOMMENDATIONS AND STRATEGIES PROVIDED IN27
1035
-20- THE STRATEGIC ACTION PLAN ON AGING DEVELOPED PURSUANT TO1
SECTION 24-32-3406 AND RECOMMENDATIONS THE COMMISSION MAKES2
AS SET FORTH IN SECTION 26-11-105; AND3
(l) T
O COORDINATE WITH THE TECHNICAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE4
AND COMMISSION TO DEVELOP , MAINTAIN, AND MAKE PUBLICLY5
AVAILABLE ON THE STATE DEPARTMENT 'S WEBSITE A COLLECTION OF6
AVAILABLE DATA SETS; METRICS SPECIFIC TO THE IMPLEMENTATION OF7
STRATEGIES IN ALIGNMENT WITH THE STRATEGIC ACTION PLAN ON AGING8
DEVELOPED PURSUANT TO SECTION 24-32-3406 AND THE LIFELONG9
C
OLORADO INITIATIVE CREATED PURSUANT TO SECTION 26-11-302; AND10
OTHER RECOMMENDATIONS THAT THE COMMISSION MAKES AS SET FORTH11
IN SECTION 26-11-105.12
SECTION
8. In Colorado Revised Statutes, add part 3 to article13
11 of title 26 as follows:14
PART 315
LIFELONG COLORADO INITIATIVE16
26-11-301. Definitions. A
S USED IN THIS PART 3, UNLESS THE17
CONTEXT OTHERWISE REQUIRES :18
(1) "E
XECUTIVE COMMITTEE" MEANS THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE19
ELECTED BY THE COMMISSION IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 26-11-102.20
(2) "L
IFELONG COLORADO INITIATIVE" MEANS THE LIFELONG21
C
OLORADO INITIATIVE CREATED IN SECTION 26-11-302 TO LEAD THE22
DEVELOPMENT AND IMPLEMENTATION OF STATE , REGIONAL, AND LOCAL23
STRATEGIES THAT SUPPORT AGING AND ASSIST OLDER COLORADANS TO24
LEAD INDEPENDENT , MEANINGFUL , AND DIGNIFIED LIVES IN25
AGE-APPROPRIATE AND AFFORDABLE HOUSING WITHIN THEIR26
COMMUNITIES.27
1035
-21- (3) "STATE OFFICE" MEANS THE STATE OFFICE ON AGING WITHIN1
THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES CREATED IN SECTION 26-11-202.2
(4) "S
TRATEGIC ACTION PLAN ON AGING" MEANS THE STRATEGIC3
ACTION PLAN ON AGING DEVELOPED PURSUANT TO SECTION 24-32-3406.4
(5) "T
ECHNICAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE " MEANS THE TECHNICAL5
ADVISORY COMMITTEE CONVENED IN THE STATE OFFICE PURSUANT TO6
SECTION 26-11-203.7
26-11-302. Lifelong Colorado initiative - created - reporting.8
(1) T
HERE IS CREATED THE LIFELONG COLORADO INITIATIVE WITHIN THE9
STATE OFFICE. THE PURPOSE OF THE LIFELONG COLORADO INITIATIVE IS10
TO:11
(a) R
EPRESENT STATE, REGIONAL, AND LOCAL STRATEGIES THAT12
SUPPORT AGING AND ASSIST OLDER COLORADANS TO LEAD INDEPENDENT ,13
MEANINGFUL, AND DIGNIFIED LIVES IN THEIR OWN HOMES AND14
COMMUNITIES;15
(b) R
EPRESENT THE CONTINUED GOALS , PRIORITIES, AND16
STRATEGIES ALIGNED WITH THE STRATEGIC ACTION PLAN ON AGING AND17
OTHER STRATEGIES DEVELOPED THROUGH ONGOING WORK IN THE PUBLIC ,18
PRIVATE, AND NONPROFIT SECTORS THAT SUPPORT OLDER COLORADANS;19
(c) L
EAD THE DEVELOPMENT OF AGE -FRIENDLY, LIVABLE20
COMMUNITIES; AND21
(d) A
LIGN THE STATE DEPARTMENT'S POLICY DEVELOPMENT AND22
IMPLEMENTATION THROUGH A DEMOGRAPHIC LENS THAT SUPPORTS AGING23
ACROSS AN INDIVIDUAL'S LIFE.24
(2) P
URSUANT TO SECTION 26-11-203 (1)(k), THE STATE OFFICE25
SHALL CONVENE THE TECHNICAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE NO LATER THAN26
S
EPTEMBER 1, 2022, AND MEET AT LEAST QUARTERLY. THE DUTIES OF THE27
1035
-22- TECHNICAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE INCLUDE , BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO:1
(a) I
DENTIFYING STATE DEPARTMENT PRIORITIES THAT OVERLAP2
WITH THE GOALS AND STRATEGIES PROVIDED IN THE STRATEGIC ACTION3
PLAN ON AGING AND RECOMMENDATIONS THE COMMISSION MAKES AS SET4
FORTH IN SECTION 26-11-105;5
(b) C
OORDINATING WITH RESPECTIVE
STATE AGENCIES AND6
STAKEHOLDERS TO INITIATE POLICY DEVELOPMENT AND IMPLEMENTATION7
OF APPROPRIATE STRATEGIES;8
(c) D
EVELOPING TRACKABLE GOALS AND METRICS FOR STRATEGIES9
AND PROGRAMS AND REPORTING ON PROGRESS , WHICH MUST BE MADE10
PUBLICLY AVAILABLE PURSUANT TO SECTION 26-11-203 (1)(l); AND11
(d) S
UPPORTING THE STATE OFFICE AND COMMISSION WITH12
REPORTING REQUIREMENTS AND TRACKING IMPLEMENTATION AND13
PROGRESS OF THE GOALS AND STRATEGIES PROVIDED IN THE STRATEGIC14
ACTION PLAN ON AGING AND RECOMMENDATIONS THE COMMISSION MAKES15
AS SET FORTH IN SECTION 26-11-105.16
(3) THE TECHNICAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE, IN COORDINATION17
WITH RESPECTIVE STATE AGENCIES AND THE COMMISSION , SHALL IDENTIFY18
APPROPRIATE POLICY STAFF WITHIN THE GOVERNOR 'S OFFICE FOR ONGOING19
COORDINATION AND REPORTING NEEDS .20
(4) T
HE STATE OFFICE, IN COLLABORATION WITH THE COMMISSION21
AND TECHNICAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE , SHALL COORDINATE WITH THE22
STATE DEPARTMENT TO INCLUDE IN ITS REPORT TO THE COMMITTEES OF23
REFERENCE, PURSUANT TO THE "SMART MEASUREMENT FOR24
A
CCOUNTABLE, RESPONSIVE, AND TRANSPARENT (SMART)25
G
OVERNMENT ACT" HEARING REQUIRED BY SECTION 2-7-203,26
INFORMATION FROM THE STATE OFFICE REGARDING THE PROGRESS AND27
1035
-23- BARRIERS SPECIFIC TO THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE STRATEGIC ACTION1
PLAN ON AGING.2
(5) T
HE STATE OFFICE; THE TECHNICAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE ;3
THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE ; AND THE STATE DEPARTMENT LIAISON4
APPOINTED PURSUANT TO SECTION 26-11-104 SHALL MEET QUARTERLY TO5
ENSURE THAT THE PERSPECTIVES OF OLDER COLORADANS AND THE6
STATE'S PERSPECTIVE REMAIN ALIGNED TO COORDINATE PROGRESS IN THE7
DEVELOPMENT OF STATE PROGRAMS AND POLICY .8
SECTION
9. In Colorado Revised Statutes, 26-11-205, amend9
(1) introductory portion as follows:10
26-11-205. Area agency on aging advisory council. (1) Each11
area agency on aging, designated pursuant to section 26-11-203, (1)(h),12
shall designate an advisory council consisting of a representative body of13
laypersons and service providers which WHO represent the interests of14
older persons within the planning and service area. Said THE advisory15
council shall:16
SECTION 10. In Colorado Revised Statutes, 26-11-205.7,17
amend (2) as follows:18
26-11-205.7. Community long-term care study - older19
Coloradans study cash fund - strategic plan - authority to implement.20
(2) If the study conducted pursuant to paragraph (a) of subsection (1)21
SUBSECTION (1)(a) of this section concludes that increasing funding for22
community-based services as provided in the older Coloradans program23
would result in cost savings, by July 1, 2011, subject to the receipt of24
sufficient moneys MONEY pursuant to paragraph (b) of subsection (1)25
SUBSECTION (1)(b) of this section, the state department shall report to the26
members of the health and human services committees of the senate and27
1035
-24- house of representatives, or any successor committees, and to the1
members of the joint budget committee a long-term strategic2
implementation plan, developed in cooperation with the area agencies on3
aging designated pursuant to section 26-11-203, (1)(h), that identifies the4
expected needs for services and recommends potential funding sources.5
SECTION 11. Safety clause. The general assembly hereby finds,6
determines, and declares that this act is necessary for the immediate7
preservation of the public peace, health, or safety.8
1035
-25-