Next CCA Advocacy Committee Meeting is Monday, October 10 2022

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www.ColoradoCenterForAging.org

October 9, 2022

Plan to attend the Monday, October 10, 2022 CCA Advocacy Committee meeting from 9:30AM to 11:00AM.

At this meeting we will discuss:

Kristin Toombs from Colorado Department of Local Affair, Division of Housing will speak on affordable housing legislation passed last session, a status update, and also a look ahead to next session - Learn more about Division of Housing at https://cdola.colorado.gov/housing

Colorado Commission on Aging (CCOA) had their first meeting. CCA Board Member and CCOA Member, Jodi Waterhouse will tell us about the meeting - Learn more about CCOA

Advocacy Huddle - Jodi Waterhouse will share information on the Advocacy Huddle CCA is working on with the other advocacy organizations to prepare for the 2023 session.

Jeanette and Rich will share details from last week's Colorado Aging Advocates: Pressing Issues Across Our State. PowerPoints from the event are shown below.

Last week was the Conference Age-Inclusive Management Strategies Colorado Conference - we would like to hear from any of you that attended. Read an article about the event from The Colorado Sun

Reminder: Next CCA Advocacy Committee Meeting - Monday, October 24th

ZOOM link

Colorado Center for Aging is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting

Topic: CCA: Advocacy Committee Meeting

Time: Oct 10, 2022 - 9:30 AM Mountain Time (US and Canada)

Join Zoom Meeting

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/8814815119?pwd=Ym1UbU9DUXd4MnZxamZUbjVBVURnUT09

Meeting ID: 881 481 5119

Passcode: CCA2022!

One tap mobile

Passcode: 40922185

Find your local number: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/kbZvU5bskJ

Questions about CCA Advocacy Committee

Jeanette Hensley - email - 303-249-5598

Co-Chair of CCA Advocacy Committee

Rich Mauro - email - Direct: 303-480-6778

Co-Chair of CCA Advocacy Committee and Senior Policy and Legislative Analyst Regional Council of Governments (DRCOG)

News & Resources

Voices on Aging

We have a new Voices on Aging Video featuring Janine Vanderburg of Changing the Narrative speaking on Ageism. In this video, Kris Geerken, Vice President of Colorado Center of Aging interviews Janine Vanderburg about why it’s important for legislators and all Coloradans to know about ageism.

Colorado Aging Advocates: Pressing Issues Across Our State

was held last week

Colorado’s aging advocates presented on Workforce, Housing, Consumer Protection and Economic Security last week. We hope you were able to attend one of the 3 events. If you were not able below are PowerPoint presentations.

Colorado State Demographics - Older Adults in Western Colorado - CLICK HERE

Workforce - Changing the Narrative - CLICK HERE

Housing - AARP - CLICK HERE

Consumer Protection - Colorado Center for Aging - CLICK HERE

Economic Security - The Bell Policy Center - CLICK HERE

This event was co-hosted by:

AARP Colorado – https://states.aarp.org/colorado/
Colorado Alliance for Retired Americans - https://colorado.retiredamericans.org/
Colorado Association of Area Agencies on Aging (c4a) - http://www.c4a-colorado.org/
Colorado Center for Aging – https://coloradocenterforaging.org/about/
Colorado Cross-Disability Coalition - https://www.ccdconline.org/
Colorado Gerontological Society - https://www.senioranswers.org/
Changing the Narrative – https://changingthenarrativeco.org/
iAging - https://www.aging2.com/
The Bell Policy Center – https://www.bellpolicy.org/

DEADLINE TO APPLY FOR $750 COLORADO CASHBACK IS OCTOBER 17 - APPLY EVEN IF YOU DON'T HAVE TO FILE TAXES.

Shared by Colorado Gerontological Society (CGS)

All Coloradoans Age 18 and over can receive the Colorado Cashback $750 Tabor Refund. Individuals on limited income need to complete the Colorado Income tax forms DR 0104. Individuals who file federal and state income tax will automatically receive the refund, as well as those who filed the PTC 104 for 2021 prior to June 30, 2022. We are especially concerned about older adults whose only income is Social Security, Social Security Disability, Supplemental Security Income and/or Old Age Pension and who do not usually file taxes.

To receive the $750 refund, individuals must file a Colorado Income Tax form DR0104. Download the form, complete and mail before October 17, 2022.

ONCE YOU DOWNLOAD THE FORM (forms are not available in Spanish).

1. Check "full year" box

2. Complete name, address and other information on page 1

3. Put zero on Line 1, 5 and 7

4. Sign the form on page 4

5. Mail to Colorado Department of Revenue, Denver CO 80261-0005

before Oct 17th

Please share this information with your residents/clients, families and friends, and anyone over age 18. Please call 303-333-3482 if you have questions.

What’s Working: Colorado business leaders grow more

pessimistic about the local economy

"... Colorado’s median age is getting higher - 37.2 in 2020, up from 36.1 in 2010, according to the U.S. Census - and adults are working longer. The day-long Age-Inclusive Management Strategies conference tackled misperceptions of older employees and also how employers can keep them in the labor force ..." - READ MORE

Source The Colorado Sun

Events Around Colorado

Looking to Sharpen your tech Skills?

Cyber-Seniors provides FREE technology support and training for senior citizens

Founded in 2015 by the creators of the award-winning documentary film CYBER-SENIORS, this non-profit organization provides senior citizens with tech-training using an intergenerational, volunteer model. Young people are provided with lessons and learning activities to train them to act as digital mentors and senior citizens gain access to effective technology training and intergenerational communities that keep them socially connected and engaged. Visit their website to learn more.

Website: https://cyberseniors.org/

Tuesday, November 1, 2022 - 1:00 PM • Mountain Daylight Time

Age-Friendly Healthcare for Caregivers (virtual workshop)

Do you advocate for the healthcare of an older adult? Have you ever been told their symptoms were "normal for their age?" Or, have you experienced ageism in how healthcare providers respond to your concerns? This isn't just unpleasant; it can negatively impact health outcomes. But, by understanding what ageism looks like in healthcare you will be better prepared. More than 41 million caregivers provide care to older people in the U.S. This virtual workshop addresses the intersection of caregiving and ageism.

https://actionnetwork.org/events/age-friendly-healthcare-for-caregivers

Changes in CCA Staffing and Leadership

Andrew Davies steps down as CCA's Executive Director;

but he did move to the Board of Directors of the CCA

Andrew Davies was hired by the CCA in August of 2021 to be its first part-time Executive Director. Under his leadership the CCA hosted many great events (2021 Virtual Townhall; Voices on Aging Week educational seminars; Older Americans Month Legislative Breakfast, DEI Virtual Training, and an "Aging in Place" Seminar/Townhall; and Advocacy Trainings), and the CCA grew in infrastructure with online tools, platforms and databases, and also in extending its partnerships. We have appreciated his leadership and vision.

Recently, however, Andrew made a vocational move back to full-time work in a live-setting, going back to ministry as a teacher and as a Director of Spiritual Formation in northern Colorado. So he has stepped down as CCA's Executive Director; but he did move to the Board of Directors of the CCA and will stay involved through the transition to the next staffing model. His email will remain the same and can be contacted there; but replies may come from him, or from other Board members or volunteers who have responsibilities for particular areas. He is proud to have played the role he did for CCA, thankful for the opportunity, excited about the future of CCA and its potential, and happy he's still on board with the Board.

Thank you Andrew for your service and for helping to "raise the voice of older Coloradans!".

Message from Kelly Blair Roberts

It has been an honor to be a member of CCA’s Board of Directors and to serve as both Vice President and President the past several years. I am proud of the numerous webinars we offered during the pandemic which wound up helping us connect with individuals and communities throughout the state. And Colorado Center for Aging is committed to continue engaging with diverse communities statewide.

It has also been my honor to serve with the other members of the board. When the pandemic closed down the world as we knew it, we acclimated to the virtual reality and made it work - for the organization, our members, our community partners and our elected officials.

While I’m stepping away from my role with the Board of Directors, I’m not disappearing. I am joining CCA’s advisory board so I can offer my input and support on issues where my expertise may be of value.

Best wishes for CCA as we resume in-person efforts to advocate for older Coloradans. Our elected officials need to see and hear from us at the Capitol.

Kelly Blair Roberts