Colorado will soon have a senior adviser to the governor who is focused solely on issues related to aging.
Gov. John Hickenlooper on Tuesday announced that he will use grant money to create the new position. The grant comes from the NextFifty Initiative, a nonprofit created from the proceeds of the sale of the senior-care company InnovAge. The grant provides $450,000 to fund the position over three years.
Nearly one out of every five Coloradans will be over the age of 65 in 2040, according to the State Demography Office. In 2010, slightly more than one out of every 10 Coloradans was over 65.
The adviser will coordinate the state government’s efforts to address aging-related issues, such as health care, transportation, housing and safety. The adviser will also work on policy with the Governor’s Executive Council on Aging and seek out help from the private sector.
“It’s crucial that we keep care for our seniors a priority,” Hickenlooper said in a statement.
Hickenlooper said the search to fill the position will begin immediately.
