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.” 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

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.)

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