Colorado Springs joined the Network of Age Friendly States and Communities, a program of AARP and the World Health Organization, in March of 2016. Since then, Innovations in Aging Collaborative has worked to implement the Age Friendly Colorado Springs Action Plan, and to create a community that is welcoming and open to people of all ages, abilities and mobilities.
The purpose of Colorado Springs joining the network of AARP Age Friendly States and Communities is to serve as a catalyst to educate, inspire, and promote improvements that Colorado Springs and El Paso County can implement to make our community known as a remarkable place in which to age. Age-Friendly Colorado Springs is a partnership between governmental agencies, nonprofits, businesses, committed volunteers and funders, and is administered on behalf of the City of Colorado Springs by Innovations in Aging Collaborative. Age Friendly Colorado Springs serves as the driving force to educate local leaders, both elected officials and engaged residents, and encourage them to implement the types of changes that make communities more livable for people of all ages, abilities, and mobilities, especially older adults.
An age-friendly city enables people of all ages to actively participate in community activities and treats everyone with respect, regardless of their age. It is a place that makes it easy for older people to stay connected to people that are important to them. And it helps people stay healthy and active even at the oldest ages and provides appropriate support to those who can no longer care for themselves.
People of all ages benefit from the adoption of policies and programs that make neighborhoods walkable, feature transportation options, enable access to key services, provide opportunities to participate in community activities, and support housing that’s affordable and accessible. Well-designed, age-friendly communities foster economic growth and make for happier, healthier residents of all ages.
At the end of 2019, there were over 400 age friendly communities across the country! Learn more about Age Friendly here: https://www.aarp.org/livable-communities/network-age-friendly-communities/.
