Do you install walk-in tubs north of Denver?
Yes. Our installers cover the whole Front Range, and Fort Collins, Timnath, Windsor and Loveland are a straight run up I-25 from Denver. Zach Wennstedt, who runs Aging Safely Baths, lived in Fort Collins for five years while attending Colorado State University, so Northern Colorado is familiar ground for us, not a far-off service area.
Larimer County is getting older along with the rest of Colorado. The Census Bureau estimates that 17.8% of the county's 374,574 residents were 65 or older in 2024, and 64.3% of homes are owner-occupied, which means most people planning a safer bathroom here own the room they want to change.
Who issues the permit: Fort Collins, Timnath or Larimer County?
This is the question that trips up most Northern Colorado projects, because the answer depends on which side of a town line your house sits on. Here is what each office publishes:
| Where the home is | Who handles permits | What it says about bathroom work |
|---|---|---|
| City of Fort Collins | Building Services, 970-416-2740 | Replacing a tub or shower needs no permit if no valves or pipes are replaced or rearranged. Work with more than one trade (for example plumbing plus electrical) goes under a remodel or alteration permit. Replacing or adding a receptacle needs a permit. |
| Town of Timnath | Timnath Building Department, (970) 224-3211, buildings@timnathgov.com | The town runs its own permit applications, with inspections by SAFEbuilt. Its application lists water heaters among permit types and asks for the plumbing and electrical contractors. |
| Unincorporated Larimer County | Larimer County Building Division, (970) 498-7700 | Most electrical and plumbing work and new or replacement water heaters need a permit; like-for-like repairs that do not affect mechanical work are exempt. |
In practice, a soaking walk-in tub that drops into the old alcove with the drain and valve left in place is the simplest job. A tub with air or water jets, an inline heater or a heated backrest usually needs a dedicated GFCI-protected circuit, and that electrical work is what turns a swap into a permitted project. Your installer handles permits where required. See our installation process for how the day runs.
How a Fort Collins or Timnath install works
- Call or send photos. We ask who will bathe, how they move today and what the bathroom looks like. Photos of the tub, the faucet wall and the doorway help.
- Recommendation and written quote. Two or three models that fit, with the tub, options and labor listed. Our walk-in tub cost guide explains what moves the price.
- Deposit and technician site visit. A technician comes to your home to measure, take photos, check the water heater and electrical, confirm the door side and answer questions.
- Delivery and install day. The old tub comes out, the new one goes in, and the door seal, fill and drain are tested. Most installs take one day.
- Walkthrough. Before the crew leaves, everyone who will use or help with the tub learns the door, controls and drain.
Newer two-story homes and older ranches
Northern Colorado has both, and they raise different questions.
Newer two-story homes
The primary bath is often upstairs with a separate shower and a large drop-in tub. If stairs are already hard, the better plan may be to change the main-floor bath. Measure the stair turn and landing before choosing a tub.
Older ranch homes
Often a single hall bath with a 60-inch tub alcove, which is the space most walk-in tubs and tub-to-shower conversions are built for. Expect to check the subfloor once the old tub is out.
Water heater size
Walk-in tubs are deep. A heater sized for showers may run out before the tub is full, so we check the tank size and suggest a tub it can handle, an inline heater or an upgrade.
Not sure whether a tub or a shower fits better? Our tub vs. shower comparison and the measuring guide walk through it.
Who helps older adults in Larimer County?
Larimer County Office on Aging
The county's Office on Aging helps with planning for the future, finding resources, help at home, caregiver support and applications for medical programs. It is a good first call if a parent needs more than a new bathroom. larimer.gov
Help paying for bathroom changes
Original Medicare generally does not cover walk-in tubs. Colorado Medicaid's Home Modification benefit, for members on certain waivers, lists a $14,000 cap and covers bathroom modifications. Eligible veterans may qualify for VA HISA: up to $6,800 lifetime for a service-connected condition (or 50%+ rating) or $2,000 for others, and it excludes spa and hot tub features. Our paying for a walk-in tub guide covers each one.
For the statewide picture, see Aging Safely Baths' Colorado walk-in tub and roll-in shower page. No bathing product eliminates the risk of falls; walk-in tubs are designed to reduce risk when installed and used properly.
Fort Collins and Timnath questions
Do you install walk-in tubs in Timnath and Fort Collins?
Yes. Aging Safely Baths installs walk-in tubs, low-threshold showers and roll-in showers in Fort Collins, Timnath, Windsor, Loveland and the rest of Larimer County from its Denver base. Most installs are done in one day once the tub arrives.
Will someone come to my home before installation?
Yes. Quotes can start by phone or from photos. Once you choose a tub and place a deposit, a technician visits to take measurements and photos, confirm options and answer questions before install day.
Do I need a permit to replace my tub with a walk-in tub in Fort Collins?
Sometimes. Fort Collins does not require a permit to replace a tub when no valves or pipes are replaced or rearranged, but work involving more than one trade, such as plumbing plus a new electrical circuit for jets or a heater, goes under a remodel or alteration permit. Your installer handles permits where required.
Who do I call in Timnath about permits?
The Town of Timnath runs its own building department at (970) 224-3211 or buildings@timnathgov.com. Homes in unincorporated Larimer County go to the county Building Division at (970) 498-7700.
Does Medicare pay for a walk-in tub in Colorado?
Original Medicare generally does not cover walk-in tubs. Some Medicare Advantage plans, Colorado Medicaid waivers and VA grants may help with part of the cost; we can help you check what applies.
Sources
- City of Fort Collins, Building Permits (Home Improvements). fortcollins.gov
- Town of Timnath, Building Permit Application. timnath.org
- Larimer County Building, Permit Requirements. larimer.gov
- Larimer County Office on Aging. larimer.gov
- U.S. Census Bureau, QuickFacts: Larimer County, Colorado (V2024 estimates; housing 2019 to 2023). census.gov
- Colorado HCPF, Home Modification Benefit. hcpf.colorado.gov
- VA Prosthetic and Sensory Aids Service, HISA. prosthetics.va.gov
- Medicare.gov, Durable medical equipment coverage. medicare.gov
Last reviewed 2026-11-03.