Boulder's aging services are different from Denver's
Most of the Denver metro is served by DRCOG's Area Agency on Aging. Boulder County is not: it has its own Boulder County Area Agency on Aging. On top of that, the City of Boulder runs Older Adult Services for city residents 60 and older. So a Boulder resident has two layers of local help:
| Who | Serves | Useful for | Contact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boulder County Area Agency on Aging | Adults 60+ and caregivers countywide | Information and referral, options counseling, caregiver support, Medicare counseling | 303-441-1617 |
| City of Boulder Older Adult Services | City residents 60+ and their caregivers | Age Well Center programs; case management, including financial assistance for eligible clients | Case management 303-441-4388 |
The city's case managers help Boulder residents 60 and older with referrals, options counseling, short-term case management and financial assistance for those who qualify. That can be a good first call if cost is a barrier to making a bathroom safer.
The Age Well Centers
West Age Well Center
Programs for adults 60 and older, and home to the Eat Well Café run by Meals on Wheels. bouldercolorado.gov
East Age Well Center
The city has announced a renovation, with the first phase of construction scheduled to begin in early 2027 and likely to affect the facility and services; the West center is to remain fully operational. Check the city's site for relocated programs. bouldercolorado.gov
Program registration requires a city recreation account. The city's Older Adult Services guide lists classes, including fitness and balance options.
Boulder homes and bathrooms
Boulder has a wide mix: older homes near downtown and the university, mid-century neighborhoods, and condos and townhomes throughout. A few points we pay attention to:
- Older homes may have small bathrooms and narrow doors. Measure the bathroom door first.
- Condos and townhomes often have HOA rules about contractors and shared plumbing. Read them before scheduling.
- Split-levels put short flights of stairs on the delivery route.
- Hot water: compare a walk-in tub's capacity with your water heater, especially in smaller homes with small tanks.
Our fit check walks through every measurement.
Choosing well
For a bather who walks independently and enjoys a soak, a walk-in tub with a heated seat and a fast drain is a comfortable, safe choice. For someone who needs help bathing or uses a wheelchair, a roll-in shower usually serves better. In between, a low-threshold walk-in shower with a bench covers most needs. The comparison guide and the features guide explain the trade-offs.
Paying for it in Boulder
- City case management may offer financial assistance to eligible Boulder residents 60+.
- Boulder County AAA can refer you to home repair and modification programs.
- Veterans should ask the VA about the HISA benefit before signing a contract.
- Colorado Medicaid waiver members should ask their case manager about the Home Modification benefit.
- Taxes: IRS Publication 502 explains medical home improvements; consult a tax professional.
Full details on our paying-for-it guide.
Permits in Boulder
Boulder has its own building rules, separate from Denver's. Your installer handles permits where required.
Caregiver support in Boulder County
If you are the person helping a parent or partner bathe, Boulder County's Area Agency on Aging has a caregiver program that offers one-on-one help to adult caregivers of any age, free and confidential. You can reach it through the agency's main line at 303-441-1617 or by email at AgingResources@bouldercounty.gov. It is worth a call before you choose a fixture, because the right bathroom depends as much on the helper as on the bather.
The agency also serves Boulder County's mountain communities through regional resource specialists, and runs Medicare counseling appointments. If your parent lives up a canyon rather than in town, the county's Mountain Aging Services page lists the contacts.
A Boulder planning timeline
- Week 1: Call the Boulder County AAA or, for city residents, the city's case management line, and ask about assistance you may qualify for.
- Week 1 to 2: Measure the bathroom and route with our fit check, and photograph the stairs and doors.
- Week 2: Talk through tub vs. shower with the bather and, if possible, their doctor or therapist.
- Week 2 to 3: Get an itemized written quote. If you are a veteran or on a Medicaid waiver, send it to the VA or your case manager before signing.
- Install day: Most walk-in tubs and roll-in showers go in in one day. Clear the route and plan where to shower that night.
Aging Safely Baths & More has installed walk-in tubs and roll-in showers since 2012, and most installations are completed in one day.
Boulder questions
Should a Boulder resident call DRCOG?
Boulder County has its own Area Agency on Aging, at 303-441-1617. City of Boulder residents can also use the city's Older Adult Services.
Will the East Age Well Center renovation affect programs?
The city has said the first phase, scheduled to begin in early 2027, is likely to affect the facility and services, and that the West center will remain open. Check the city's announcements for details.
Do you install outside the city, elsewhere in Boulder County?
Call with your address and we will confirm.
Is a walk-in tub practical in a small Boulder condo?
Often, if the alcove and the route through the building allow it. Check your HOA rules, measure every doorway and elevator on the way in, and compare the tub capacity with your water heater, which in condos is sometimes small.
Sources
- Boulder County Area Agency on Aging. bouldercounty.gov
- City of Boulder, Older Adult Services and Programs; West and East Age Well Centers. bouldercolorado.gov
- VA Prosthetic and Sensory Aids Service, HISA. prosthetics.va.gov
- Colorado HCPF, Home Modification Benefit. hcpf.colorado.gov
Last reviewed 2026-10-10.