Forums on Issues Facing Older Coloradans
Three virtual forums are planned in October that will focus on issues important to older Coloradans. Topics will include cost of housing on the Western Slope, cost of living, and workforce issues.
AARP Colorado, Colorado Center for Aging, Changing the Narrative, and the Bell Policy Center will host the three virtual town halls in October intended to engage older residents and candidates for political office in issues important to older Coloradans.
The hour-long events will cover the specific ways in which older Coloradans are affected by workforce dynamics, housing issues, consumer protections and economic security.
AARP Colorado State Director Bob Murphy will host the events, which are open to the public. Candidates for public office are specifically invited to attend, but will not present their views on the issues. Rather, the events are intended to afford candidates a window on issues and views that are important to older Coloradans, and they will give residents an opportunity to present their views and opinions.
The dates and times of the events are:
Western Colorado, 10 a.m. Oct. 4. | Registration Info https://actionnetwork.org/events/colorado-candidate-forum-older-adult-policy-west
Colorado Springs & Southern Colorado: 10 a.m. Oct. 6 | Registration Info https://actionnetwork.org/events/colorado-aging-advocates-pressing-issues-across-our-state-colorado-springs-and-southern-colorado-event
Metro Denver, Northern Colorado, and the Eastern Plains: 1 p.m. Oct. 6. | Registration Info https://actionnetwork.org/events/colorado-aging-advocates-pressing-issues-across-our-state-metro-denver-northern-colorado-and-the-eastern-plains-event
“Our hope is to give everyday Coloradans a forum to speak to the realities of what they’re experiencing so that elected officials and those who aspire to elected office can hear first hand what their constituents are experiencing,” said Murphy. “We hope that connection will make an impact in ways that are positive for everyone.”
The three events each will have a focus specific to pressing issues in each region:
Western Colorado: The cost of housing in certain parts of the area have grown significantly. For instance, in Mesa County, housing costs grew nearly $60,000 year-over-year between May 2021 and May 2022.
Colorado Springs/Southern Colorado: Over the past several years, Colorado Springs has seen record high increases in the cost of living. This spike has been steeper than other cities in Colorado.
Metro Denver counties: Older Coloradans are the fastest growing segment of the workforce.
