Welcome to What’s Your Agenda?, Colorado Politics’ weekly publication of trade association priorities for the state’s 2025 legislative session. 

AARP Colorado is an organization that focuses on issues affecting Coloradans 50 and older.

“Our mission is simply to enhance the quality of life for all as we age,” AARP’s mission statement reads. “We champion positive social change and deliver value through advocacy, information and service and we do it on the national and at the state level. The vision that drives us is a society in which all people live with dignity and purpose and fulfill their goals and dreams.”

In the organization’s own words, here are the AARP Colorado’s top legislative priorities for the remainder of the session.

No. 1: Caregiving

Chances are you know a family caregiver – even if they do not call themselves one. We are talking about the friends and family members who do everything from helping a loved one get to the doctor’s office to assisting with wound care after a procedure. AARP Colorado looks for legislative opportunities to make caregiving easier. Beyond helping a constituency of more than 600,000 caregivers in the state, it makes fiscal sense. Caregivers alleviate stressors on state and federal systems, including Medicaid and local Area Agencies on Aging.

No. 2: Livable Communities

Last year, AARP Colorado worked hard to make constructing accessory dwelling units – an increasingly popular alternative to long-term care – easier. Policies that improve the built environment may also give homeowners more options and help our communities thrive. AARP believes older Coloradans should be able to affordably downsize, if they choose. At AARP CO, we stand up for issues that address social isolation, increase housing security, and much more.

No. 3: Health Security & Healthy Living

Colorado is an incredibly active state, and older Coloradans fully embrace what makes our state conducive to living a healthy lifestyle. From a policy perspective, AARP’s advocacy team looks for opportunities to make great strides and bolster work that empowers older Coloradans to live healthy. This looks like defending the work of the Prescription Drug Affordability Board (PDAB), as live-saving and health-improving prescriptions only work if people can afford them. It also means that agencies providing a wide array of health services have the resources they need to be effective.

No. 4: Pocketbook Issues