Carbondale Age-Friendly Community Initiative (CAFCI)
CAFCI is an ad hoc caucus of Carbondale's senior citizens, working on their own and through other organizations, to strengthen seniors' voices in and contributions to Carbondale. Goals include: ensuring the Town's seniors are visible and vocal in Town planning and civid issues, and helping the Town Trustees to better assess and understand the needs and issues of Carbondale's seniors.
For more information or with questions about content on this webpage contact CAFCI@agefriendlycarbondale.org or call (970) 366-6460.
Valley Senior Matters
Senior Matters is a 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation dedicated to an enhanced quality of life for aging people in the mountain town of Carbondale and surrounding communities in the Roaring Fork and Crystal River valleys. We serve and collaborate with seniors in nearby Basalt, Glenwood Springs, El Jebel, Emma and Aspen.
Planning Tool: The Eight Domains of Livability For its planning, CAFCI has used the Eight Domains of Livability framework developed by the World Health Organization. That framework is being used by AARP in assisting communities nationwide to become more age-friendly by focusing on areas such as housing, caregiving, community engagement, volunteering, social inclusion and combating isolation among older citizens. There are currently 8 Colorado communities that are part of AARP’s network of age-friendly communities, including nearby Eagle and Pitkin Counties and the town of Fruita. The State of Colorado joined in September of 2018, when Governor Hickenlooper announced a statewide program called “Lifelong Colorado.”
Implications for Colorado & its CountiesThe Denver-based Strategic Action Planning Group on Aging (SAPGA), which was created by the State Assembly and Governor's Office, has advised that each of Colorado's Counties develop a strategic action plan to deal with a demographic shift that is already reshaping Colorado; the State's 65-and-over population grew 29 percent between 2010 and 2015 - the third-fastest rate in the nation.
In light of projections showing exponential growth in Garfield County's senior population over the next decade (from the current 6500 to a projected 14,000 by 2030), the volunteer membership of CAFCI has begun evaluating and exploring ways to make our wonderful Town even more age-friengly.
Senior Services & Support in Carbondale
In early 2019, CAFCI volunteers did a small, informal survey of the mobility concerns of Carbondale residents, as well as non-residents who shop in Carbondale. At the same time, CAFCI discovered that a Carbondale-based list of senior support services didn't seem to exist. Hence, the following list was developed for the Town's website. Organized around the Eight Domains of Livability, the list is offered as a first step toward making the Town more supportive of its senior population. Anyone who wishes to add to or improve the list, or who has questions about it may email CAFCI@agefriendlycarbondale.org.
Outdoor Spaces & Buildings
- Carbondale Public Parks: Sopris Park, Triangle Park, Gianinetti Park, and Miners Park are available for weddings, large-group activities, or other special events. No special senior signage or accessibility features.
- Carbondale Wild West Rodeo
- John M. Fleet Swimming Pool: 685 Main Street, Carbondale, (970) 510-1275; discounted senior admission 62+
- Jail & Cabin Historical Park – Weant Blvd. at Highway 133
Transportation
Public Transportation
- Roaring Fork Transportation Authority RFTA works within ADA rules to offer ADA paratransit. The ADA Complementary Paratransit service area is within ¾ mile from the Carbondale Circulator fixed-route 7 days a week from 5:02 a.m. to 8:41 p.m.)
- RFTA Traveler: wheelchair accessible, curb-to-curb, demand responsive, driver-assisted transportation to Garfield County residents. Operates Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Call (970) 625-1366 or (970) 945-9117
- Valley Taxi of Glenwood Springs – (970) 404-5181 (Valley Taxi has a contract that allows them to transport clients who have Medicaid as Primary or Secondary Insurance. Clients must be approved for Medicaid transport by their Medicaid Case manager. Once approved, clients can be transported to any medical/dental appointment (even as far as Denver). Contact owner: Heather Hill (970) 404-5045 or heather.hill68@yahoo.com
- Epic Mountain Express – shuttles to Denver and I-70 corridor (formerly Colorado Mountain Express)
- Bustang– bus to Denver, Grand Junction, Colorado Springs
- If you are age 65 or older, you can ride RFTA regional routes and Ride Glenwood for FREE. RFTA regional routes include VelociRFTA BRT, Roaring Fork Valley Local and Rifle Hogback. For more information about senior fares see: https://www.rfta.com/fares/fares-passes/seniors/
Housing
Senior Living Facilities:
Social Inclusion
Seniors gather and enjoy social connectivity in a variety of places, and we are learning more about those not advertised.
The Arts
- Carbondale Arts: gallery, art openings, classes, fashion show, Mountain Fair, (970) 963-1860
- Carbondale Clay Center: 135 Main St. Carbondale, (970) 963-2529
- Thunder River Theatre Company: live theatre, no senior discounts but matinees are discounted; 67 Promenade, Carbondale (970) 963-8200
- Sopris Theatre: live theatre at Colorado Mountain College, offers senior discounts; 3000 County Road 114, Glenwood Springs (970) 947-8252
Places of Worship
- Aspen Jewish Congregation: Shabbat services in Carbondale on the final Friday of each month at The Orchard, 110 Snowmass Drive, Carbondale
- A Spiritual Center: Third Street Center, Carbondale
- Carbondale Community United Methodist, 385 South 2nd St.
- Crystal River Baptist: 2632 Colorado Route 133 (970) 963-3694
- Faith Lutheran: 1340 CO-133, Carbondale (970) 510-5046
- Mary of the Crown Catholic Church: 397 White Hill Rd, Carbondale (service in English and Spanish)
- Roaring Fork Society of Friends: 2755 County Rd 103, (970) 963-1314
- The Orchard: Christian, 110 Snowmass Drive, Carbondale
- Two Rivers Unitarian Universalist: Third Street Center, Carbondale
- Way of Compassion Dharma Center: (Buddhist), Third Street Center, Carbondale
Gardens
Libraries
Recreation Centers
- Carbondale Recreation Center: 567 Colorado Ave. Carbondale, CO 81623, (970) 510-1290
- Silver Sneakers Fittness Program is available at no additional cost to individuals who belong to a participating Insurance Plan. The free membership provides access to use of the equiptment and swimming pool.
- Other programs include Mar Jongg, Drop in Pickle Ball, classes, and day trips.
Recreational/Social Groups
Civic Participation & Employment
- Carbondale Age-Friendly Community Initiative https://agefriendlycarbondale.org/ an ad hoc group of seniors Ensuring that the town’s seniors are visible and vocal in town planning and civic issues, and helping the town trustees to better assess and understand the needs and issues of Carbondale’s seniors.
- Carbondale citizen issues: Residents can alert the town to an issue by going to the town website. At the top of the page, click on “I want to,” then click on “submit a citizen request,” then fill out the online form.
- Carbondale has no Senior Citizen Commission, but the nonprofit Senior Matters enjoys town sponsorship and works with local governments to improve the lives of local seniors. Senior Matters offers volunteer opportunities in multiple areas, including on its board.
- Carbondale has no governmental supports for senior employment, but Colorado Mountain College’s Go2Work Program offers instruction in basic computers, Microsoft Office, graphic design and web design to local seniors wanting to increase their basic computer skills and access social media.
- High Country RSVP: Serves as an intake point for seniors who want to do volunteer work, referring them to many other agencies. Other services include: helping prepare taxes, using Medicare, a handyman program and free classes for seniors on various subjects.
- Colorado Mountain College: offers senior discounts on many classes.
Communication & Information
Community and Health Services
Assisted Living/Nursing Care
Nutrition
- Garfield County Senior Nutrition Program: provides hot nutritious meals in a community setting for seniors 60 and over and their spouses at the “Roaring Fork & Spoon” at Crystal Meadows Senior Housing, 1250 Hendrick Dr., Carbondale. Wednesdays – 970-945-9117. For reservations, call Tuesday by noon.
- Lift-Up: pantry for those in need, Third St. Center, 520 Third St.
- Extended Table