If you couldn’t make it to the Colorado Center for Aging’s (CCA) July 28th Advocacy Committee Meeting (ACM), don’t worry—we’ve got you covered with a recap, slides, and the recording!
The session featured a presentation by Kristine Burrows (email), Senior Specialist on Aging for the State of Colorado, who walked us through Colorado’s newly launched Multi-Sector Plan on Aging (MPA). Officially released on July 2, this 10-year plan is a big deal—it’s Colorado’s blueprint for how we support aging well in every corner of the state.
A Plan Built by and for Coloradans
Kristine emphasized that the MPA is not a top-down government directive—it’s a collaborative effort built on community input and designed to bring together public, private, and nonprofit partners. With feedback from stakeholders across the state, the plan aims to meet local needs while addressing broad challenges tied to aging in Colorado.
Five Strategic Goals to Guide the Way
The MPA is organized around five big-picture goals:
- Support age-friendly, connected communities – Ensuring neighborhoods work for people of all ages, focusing on both the physical environment and social inclusion.
- Develop a healthcare system that supports older adults – Expanding access to geriatric care, disease prevention, and advocating for benefits like hearing aids.
- Develop a healthcare system that supports older adults – Supporting caregivers, collecting better data, and developing alternative funding models.
- Develop a healthcare system that supports older adults – Tapping into the potential of older workers and increasing digital access for all.
- Prioritize economic security for older Coloradans – Tackling housing affordability, food access, and the benefits cliff that affects too many older adults.
Get Involved—Your Voice Matters
Kristine outlined a number of ways for advocates and community members to get involved, from piloting a local age-friendly framework to helping shape a decision-making tool for long-term care. She also noted the importance of advocacy as future policy and budget discussions unfold.
While some initiatives may move more slowly due to budget constraints, Kristine left us with a hopeful message: the MPA is a living plan, and its success depends on all of us stepping up to help shape Colorado’s future as an age-friendly state.
To learn more or join a working group, visit the Colorado MPA website or connect with Kristine Burrows directly via email.
You can access the slides from the ACM here: Colorado Multi Sector Plan on Aging Presentation
You can view the recording here: https://us02web.zoom.us/rec/play/3twyzNnnklFjEoynkSincyhICG7BhzabygVuLt2HYT4C1l2S4t29CwquZITBZ5W3zMstbQ7mDk0GmXGK.Xth4KFPITnoc4u3X