Boulder, Colorado, has a history as a gold rush town and is now the home of the University of Colorado’s main campus. This mountain city is known for a rich and thriving arts and cultural scene, with plenty of local restaurants and shopping destinations. Nestled in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains, Boulder also has plenty to offer outdoor enthusiasts, with hiking in the summers and skiing and snow sports in the winters. Summers in the city are warm and sunny, and the winters are cold and often snowy, with freezing temperatures and blizzards common. Colorado offers a small tax break on retirement income, which may help seniors in Boulder afford assisted living. Individuals 65 and older number about 1 in 10 of Boulder’s population. Many of these seniors may seek accommodations in one of the area’s dozens of assisted living communities.
Assisted living facilities offer seniors residential living and assistance with daily living tasks, such as housework, meals, laundry and nonmedical personal care. According to Genworth’s 2021 Cost of Care Survey, the average cost of assisted living in Boulder is $6,275 per month, which is over $1,000 higher than both the Colorado and national medians.
The following guide to assisted living in Boulder provides cost comparisons, suggestions for how to pay for it and a list of resources in Boulder designed for older adults.
Hundreds of thousands of American seniors utilize assisted living, a figure that is only growing. For these seniors, assisted living combines residential housing,assistance in daily activities, and some healthcare. These communities also strive to provide an atmosphere that is comfortable and engaging for their residents… Read More >
COVID-19 restrictions and rules for Assisted Living Facilities are typically set by the state – to see the rules in your state, you can read our guide to Assisted Living in Colorado. Keep in mind that there may be other policies that communities put in place to protect their residents, so you should contact your local community for more information. Additionally, you can contact your local Area Agency on Aging to learn more – find contact information here.
The average cost of an assisted living facility in Boulder is $6,275 per month.
At an average of $6,275 per month, the cost of assisted living in Boulder is higher than the overall statewide average for Colorado of $4,750 and the national median of $4,500.
Boulders residents pay the most for assisted living in Colorado. Prices are lower in Denver at $5,500 per month and drop even more going further south to Colorado Springs and Pueblo at $4,663 and $3,800, respectively. Lower costs are also found near Colorado’s northern border with Wyoming in Fort Collins at $4,000 per month and near the Utah border in Grand Junction, at $4,250. Greeley residents pay a monthly average of $4,400 for assisted living, $1,850 less expensive than seniors in Boulder.
Since not everyone can afford to pay for assisted living out-of-pocket, it’s important to find alternative methods to help make assisted living more affordable. Some of these options include:
For more information about your options for making assisted living more affordable, visit our guide to Assisted Living in Colorado.
Contact | Description | |
Boulder County Area Agency on Aging | (303) 441-3570 | The agency on aging provides resources for seniors in Boulder that include outreach services and counseling, assistance applying for government benefits and an analysis of the needs of area seniors. |
Boulder Vet Center | (303) 440-7306 | This community counseling center helps military veterans and their surviving spouses with PTSD counseling, grief support groups and assistance obtaining benefits form the government. |
Boulder Older Adult Services | (303) x441-3388 | The Older Adult Services office empowers Boulder seniors through programs that offer education and counseling, nutrition, support groups, and various games and activities. |
Boulder County Legal Service | (303) 449-7575 | Seniors who meet income eligibility guidelines may receive legal help with civil cases, drafting wills, divorce and bankruptcy. |
Boulder County Long-Term Care Ombudsman (LTCO) Program | (303) 441-3570 | This free, confidential program advocates for residents of long-term care facilities. Caseworkers investigate complaints from residents in assisted living communities and their families. |
Senior Center of Boulder County | (303) 293-3320 | This community outreach program helps meet many of the needs of area seniors, offering a library and gift shop, social and educational programs, nutritional services and meal delivery, and a loan program for medical equipment. |
City of Boulder Bus System | (303) 441-3388 | Seniors aged 65 and older are eligible for a reduced fare bus pass. Paratransit services are also available. |
Assisted Living Facilities in the Boulder area are required to follow a set of rules and regulations that are determined at the state level. For an overview of those rules and regulations, see the information below. For more specific information, talk with your local community or Area Agency on Aging.