Memory Care in Colorado

“Colorful Colorado,” as it is often called by the locals, is home to gorgeous natural landscapes, ranging from the Great Plains in the east to the majestic Rocky Mountains, which tower over much of the state. Denver, known as the Mile High City, is the state’s capital and offers all of the comforts and conveniences of a major metropolitan city. Outside of its more urban areas, Colorado is a mountainous paradise filled with beautiful sights to see and explore – an excellent retirement setting with endless opportunities for activity.

Currently, A Place for Mom partners with more than 280 senior living communities in Colorado that provide memory care. The median monthly cost of memory care in Colorado is about $5,900.

Memory care facilities in Colorado are licensed and regulated by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE). Colorado regulates memory care facilities as assisted living residences (ALRs) with additional requirements for assessments, care planning, staff training, and provisions regarding the management of a secure environment.

Guidelines for memory care facilities in Colorado include the following:^[01]

• Memory care facilities must complete a preadmission assessment to determine an individual’s need for a secure environment before they move in.
• Residents of memory care facilities must be reassessed every six months to determine continued need.
• Memory care facilities must create enhanced care plans that highlight an individual resident’s behavioral characteristics, wandering risks, and additional care needs.
• Memory care facilities must provide staff with a minimum of six hours training and education on providing care and services for residents with dementia.
• Residents are permitted to go outside the secure area with staff supervision, unless it’s detrimental to the resident’s health, safety, or welfare.
• All memory care facilities must have a secure outdoor area that has a comfortable seating area and protection from weather.
• Memory care facilities must have a multipurpose room for dining, group and individual activities, and family visits.

To review additional regulations visit our overview of assisted living in Colorado. The complete list of regulations for assisted living residences (ALRs) can be viewed on the CDPHE’s Code of Colorado Regulations page.

The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment performs unannounced inspections or surveys of assisted living residences annually. CDPHE also investigates resident or family complaints and facility reported occurrences.

Inspections address the following:^[01]

• Completion of memory care training
• Resident care and quality of life
• Accident prevention
• Care planning
• Facility safety
• Care services

The state’s find and compare facility tool offers families the opportunity to compare facilities by reviewing information about inspections, complaints, and facility-reported occurrences.

To search for facilities using the tool, use the following steps:

1. Either enter the facility’s name and address, facility type (assisted living residence), county or city.
2. Click on the facility’s name, and review the information.

For more information on how to read the different aspects of a facility report review the helpful tips on the Assisted living residence consumer resources page.

Colorado Department of Health contact information

Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment
4300 Cherry Creek South Drive
Denver, CO 80246

Phone: 303-692-2000

Colorado resources for seniors

Colorado State Unit on Aging
1575 Sherman St.
Denver, CO 80203

Phone: 303-866-5700