Douglas County wants to hear about needs of older adults

BY ELLIS ARNOLD EARNOLD@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

If you’re an older adult who feels like you don’t have a voice, now is your chance to tell your county government about your needs.

Douglas County’s elected leaders and other local o cials want to hear from you at “listening sessions” taking place around the county.

“Your feedback is vital to helping (the county commissioners) build policies and plan services around your needs so you can continue to live in Douglas County well into retirement,” Commissioner George Teal said in a news release. “We hope you’ll make time to join us at these listening sessions.”

During a Douglas County town hall event in March about aging well, participants identi ed the following three issues as important: resource navigation, particularly regarding property taxes; the need for affordable housing; and increased safety and security, according to the county’s website.

(“Resource navigation” is a term that means helping people connect with certain resources that are right for them. To that end, the county supports Douglas County First Call, an information and referral program with trained sta and volunteers to help people access resources throughout Douglas County. First Call can be reached at 303-6607519.) e county’s 2023 Older Adult Initiative includes the “listening” events and a resident survey and will culminate in a county commissioners town hall in late fall. e feedback “will help inform decision-making of programs and services to enhance the overall well-being and quality of life of our residents,” a statement from county sta said. e remaining listening sessions take place at the following times and locations:

If you want to talk to county leaders about any issues, many opportunities to speak your mind are coming up.

• 1:30-2:30 p.m. on Aug. 10 at SECOR Cares, located at 17151 Pine Lane in Parker

• 9-10 a.m. on Aug. 16 at Parker Library, located at 20105 Mainstreet in Parker

• 1-2 p.m. on Aug. 23 at Castle

Pines Library, located at 360 Village Square Lane in Castle Pines

• 12:30-1:30 p.m. on Aug. 25 at Oakwood Apartments, located at 559 Oakwood Drive in Castle Rock

• 2-3 p.m. on Aug. 31 at e Audrey Apartments, located at 9350 Dorchester St. in Highlands Ranch

• 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. on Sept. 6 at Roxborough Library, located at 8357 N. Rampart Range Road in the Roxborough area south of Chat eld State Park e Douglas County Older Adult Initiative kicked o with the county commissioners’ town hall on aging well in March. e program aims to identify the needs, challenges and opportunities faced by the county’s aging population and is supported by the county commissioners and led by Teal, according to county sta . e executive committee consists of members from across county government and includes the Douglas County Sheri ’s O ce, the Douglas County Housing Partnership, community organizations and nonpro t committee members.

If you need help with directions, call the county at 303-660-7400.

To get emails from the county relevant to older adults — or about resources for the aging population — you can sign up at tinyurl.com/ DouglasCountyOlderAdults.