Nursing Homes in Colorado

Out of the 5,758,736 people living in Colorado in 2019, more than 840,000 (14.6%) were aged 65 or older. During the same year, just over 16,000 people lived in certified nursing facilities. Colorado has plenty to offer older adults in need of skilled nursing and other medical services. The Centennial State has 66 hospitals with a total of 8,132 staffed beds, along with 223 certified nursing facilities, giving residents access to a wide network of physicians and other healthcare providers.

Nursing homes, also known as skilled nursing facilities, provide a variety of medical and personal services to older adults who are unable to live independently. In Colorado, nursing home care costs an average of $8,517 per month for a semiprivate room and $9,733 per month for a private room.

This guide contains detailed information to help older adults and their loved ones understand their options for long-term care. It includes an overview of nursing home costs, a list of agencies that provide information and referrals to relevant resources, and an overview of the regulations Colorado nursing homes must follow.

The Cost of Nursing Home Care in Colorado

When compared to nearby states, Colorado is the most expensive when it comes to nursing home care. The average cost of care in the Centennial State, which comes in at $8,517 per month for a semiprivate room, also exceeds the national average of $7,756. Average costs vary based on several factors, including the location of the facility and the combination of services and amenities provided. With an average of $5,323 per month, Oklahoma has the lowest cost in the region by far. Aside from Colorado, New Mexico has one of the highest average costs at $7,406 per month. Kansas and Utah fall somewhere in the middle with average monthly costs of $6,692 and $6,388 per month, respectively.

The cost of nursing home care ranges from just over $8,000 to more than $9,000 per month in Colorado’s most populous cities. With an average cost of $9,064 per month, Denver is the most expensive; Boulder isn’t far behind at $9,049. Fort Collins comes in at $8,971, while Pueblo and Colorado Springs are at the lower end of the range with average costs of $8,425 and $8,289 per month, respectively.

Several types of care are available to Colorado seniors, including assisted living, adult day care, nursing home care and in-home care services. The cost of these services varies based on the provider and the amount of care provided. With monthly costs averaging $1,625 in Colorado, adult day care is the least expensive. Assisted living facilities offer assistance with some activities, but they don’t provide around-the-clock medical care, so they cost an average of $4,575 per month in Colorado. In-home care eliminates the expense of room and board; as a result, homemaker services and home health care services in Colorado have an average cost of $5,339. Nursing home care is the most expensive option, averaging $8,517 per month for a semiprivate room and $9,733 for a private room.

Does Medicaid Cover Nursing Home Care in Colorado?

In Colorado, there are over 1.5 million individuals and families enrolled in Medicaid. The program covers the cost of nursing care and medically related social services, as well as various rehabilitation therapies. Living accommodations and housekeeping fees are also paid for by Medicaid, in addition to on-site visits with a physician and prescription medications.

There are over 200 nursing homes located throughout the state, many of which accept Medicaid. In addition to nursing home care, Medicaid can also cover the cost of community-based care services and home-based services for qualifying individuals. As an alternative to institutionalized care, the state offers Medicaid home and community-based services (HCBS) waivers for seniors who want to age in place in the comfort of their own home.

Medicaid Eligibility in Colorado

For single applicants, the monthly income limit is $2,523 and they can have no more than $2,000 in assets. If one spouse is applying from a two-person household, the income limits are the same; however, under the Spousal Impoverishment Act, the non-applicant spouse can have up to $137,400 in assets. Couples who are applying together can have a monthly income of no more than $5,046 and $3,000 in assets (if applying for separate rooms) or $4,000 ( if applying for a shared room.

2022 Medicaid Income Limits for Seniors in Colorado

In addition to the financial requirements, seniors must also need skilled nursing-level care and meet a few other requirements, such as proof of age. Other qualifications include:

• Proof of U.S. citizenship
• Military discharge status
• Proof of residence in Colorado

How to Apply for Medicaid in Colorado

Seniors and loved ones can apply for Medicaid using the Health First Colorado website. Paper applications can be printed from the Apply by Mail webpage. Individuals can also apply over the phone at (800) 221-3943,or in-person at a local county office or an application assistance office. Applicants should make sure they have all the appropriate documents prepared beforehand to prevent the application from being delayed. It can take up to three weeks longer to amend and reprocess a corrected application.

Information You Will Need:

• Birth certificate 
• Medicare cards 
• Social security card, or green card for applicants born outside the United States
• Copies of life insurance policies
• Proof of bank statements for the previous 60 months from the date on the application
• Proof of earned and unearned income from the previous 60 months
• Car registration and insurance documents
• Property deeds and Proof of any real properties sold or transferred in the previous 60 months
• Preneed burial contract 
• Proof of pension, including a letter of verification from the provider
• VA discharge papers (such as DD 214), for veterans applicants
• Any other documents that support the applicant’s claim

Additional Medicaid Support & Resource in Colorado

Families applying for Medicaid may also benefit from some of the resources listed below. For those who need extra help, professional planners can be found through Medicaid Planning Assistance. Additionally, seniors who qualify for HCBS waivers have the option of receiving care services in their home, instead of long-term care facilities.

Does Medicare Cover Nursing Home Care in Colorado?

Medicare provides limited coverage for short-term stays in a skilled nursing facility following a hospital stay, but seniors must meet a number of specific requirements. This benefit is available to beneficiaries who have been hospitalized for at least three days, excluding the date of discharge, so it’s most valuable for those who are recovering from an injury, illness or surgery.

Once seniors meet the hospitalization requirement, Medicare will pay for up to 100 days of skilled nursing per benefit period. The first 20 days are covered in full. Starting on day 21, beneficiaries must pay a daily coinsurance rate. After day 100, seniors are responsible for the entire cost.

What Does Medicare Cover?

Medicare covers a number of specific services, including:

• Meals
• A semiprivate room
• Medications
• Skilled nursing
• Physical therapy
• Occupational therapy
• Speech therapy
• Audiologist care
• Medical supplies
• Medical social services
• Nutritional counseling
• Ambulance transportation

What Isn’t Covered by Medicare?

Medicare does not cover long-term custodial care that addresses seniors’ day-to-day needs. This includes help with daily activities, such as bathing, dressing and using medical equipment.

For more information about Medicare and when it covers Nursing Home Care, read our Guide to Nursing Homes.

Medicare Support and Resources in Florida

While Medicare doesn’t cover long-term care, there are resources for qualifying Medicare beneficiaries to cover out-of-pocket expenses. Additionally, seniors and families can use the official Medicare website to find professional insurance counselors and manage their benefits.

Other Financial Assistance Options for Nursing Home Care in Colorado

While Medicaid and Medicare are two of the most common programs used to pay for Nursing Home Care, there are other financial assistance options available, depending on your unique situation.

Free and Low-Cost Resources for Seniors in Colorado

Families and seniors looking for long-term skilled nursing care in Colorado may benefit from any of the listed resources, such as the state’s facility comparison tool. Additionally, long-term ombudsmen can assist seniors already residing in nursing homes with investigating complaints or just making friendly visits.

COVID-19 Rules for Nursing Homes in Colorado

The following information is based on research done on several government websites, including covid19.colorado.gov. These rules apply to Independent Living Communities and other types of senior living facilities. We’ve most recently updated this data on 2/7/2022, but since COVID-19 is a rapidly evolving pandemic, contact your local senior living facility or Area Agency on Aging for more specific and up-to-date information.

Visitation Policies

Outings & Social Activities

COVID-19 Safety Measures for Staff and Residents

Nursing Home Laws and Regulations in Colorado