Best Assisted Living Facilities in Denver, CO

Our Methodology: How We Chose the Best Assisted Living in Denver

Denver is a big city with many suburbs and dozens of quality assisted living options, so it was no easy task to narrow down our list to just five facilities. Our experts spent over 50 hours researching the best communities in Denver, focusing on these key factors.

• Cost: The cost of assisted living in Denver is higher than the national average, making it difficult to find an affordable community for seniors living on a fixed income. We considered this and tried to find the best assisted living communities for various budgets. Prices listed are from each community’s website or conversations with a facility representative.
• Available care: Only one community on our list solely offers assisted living. We think it is beneficial for seniors to consider communities offering multiple living and care options, such as independent living and memory care.
• Reviews: We read through dozens of reviews for every single contender and include a summary of our findings. In most cases, we see common themes regarding positive and negative feedback about each community.
• Amenities: Amenities can help an assisted living community feel like a luxury resort or a home away from home. Our research focuses on communities that offer extra perks and benefits for seniors to enjoy.
• Location: In a big city like Denver, location is very important. Since many seniors like to have certain comforts nearby, we look at communities close to parks, shopping, hospitals, museums, and other practical or entertaining points of interest.
• Staff size: We highlighted assisted living communities that offer high staff-to-resident ratios, often with a maximum of eight residents per caregiver.

How to Find the Right Assisted Living Community for You

We spent hours researching the best assisted living communities in Denver, but that doesn’t mean that all of the communities on our list would be the right choice for you. Here are a few things to consider when comparing communities for yourself or a loved one:

• Identify your needs: One community may offer different types of care than others. Prices can also vary based on the level of care that you need. This is why it’s important to speak with your doctor and evaluate your needs. You may not require a lot of help now, but what about five years from now? Try to figure out what kind of assistance you need today and anticipate potential changes in the future.
• Review your budget: Denver has a pretty high cost of living, and assisted living in Denver is particularly expensive. For this reason, you should review your budget and understand exactly how much each community charges before deciding. While analyzing your budget, remember Medicare doesn’t cover assisted living in most cases and many seniors depend on Social Security benefits, retirement savings, and long-term care insurance to cover costs.
• Read reviews: Reading reviews from caregivers, family members, and residents will give you a glimpse into the pros and cons of each community. You shouldn’t take every single review at face value, but consider online reviews to help steer you toward the right community.
• Visit communities: Always visit a community before you agree to move in! Seeing an assisted living community in person can let you know exactly how you would feel living there. Be sure to talk with residents, staff, and administrators. Don’t be afraid to ask questions!
• Check licensing and certifications: While researching a community, check that it has up-to-date licensing and certifications to operate in Colorado.
• Trust your gut: At some point, you will probably find more than one community you like. If you’re struggling to make a decision, trust what your instincts tell you. Many communities may seem similar on the surface, so going with your gut can help you avoid making a mistake.

What’s Living in Denver Like for Seniors?

Denver is a gorgeous city, surrounded by picturesque nature and filled with clean, crisp mountain air. It also features all the entertainment you would expect from a state capital and major economic hub. Below is a quick look at what life is like for older adults in Denver.

• Climate: The climate of Denver can be a challenge for older adults who dislike cold weather. The city has a semiarid climate with long, cold winters and mild summers. The upside is that Denver gets plenty of sunshine and very little precipitation.
• Health care: Colorado is among the best states in the nation for health and as the state capital, Denver has no shortage of excellent hospitals and clinics. AdventHealth, Rose Medical, and Swedish Medical are among the largest and most highly-praised hospitals in the city.
• Cost of living: While Denver isn’t the most expensive place to live in Colorado, it’s certainly not cheap. The cost of living in Denver is about 11 percent higher than the national average.
• Walkability: With the clean air, bright sunshine, and beautiful views, Denver is a great city for taking a stroll. The downtown area is particularly walkable, though you may need to arrange transportation in other neighborhoods and the surrounding suburbs. Denver has great public transportation, with a light rail system and plenty of bus routes.
• Activities: There are lots of fun things for seniors to do in Denver. In addition to the great shopping and restaurants, Denver has botanical gardens, art museums, professional sporting events, the Denver Zoo, the Denver Performing Arts Center, and many public parks.
• Safety: Denver does have some issues with violent crime, but as long as you’re not walking alone at night or taking risks while walking through traffic, it’s a pretty safe city. Crime rates also vary drastically from one neighborhood to the next.
• Tax structure: As of 2023, Colorado taxes income at a rate of 4.4 percent, which is well below the national  The state doesn’t have inheritance or estate taxes, which could have a positive impact on your estate planning.

How Much Does Assisted Living Cost in Denver, Colorado?

According to Genworth, the estimated median cost of an assisted living community in Denver is $5,150 per month in 2024. It’s a bit more affordable compared to the national average of However, the costs can vary drastically based on the chosen community and the care you require. Memory care, for example, tends to be far higher than assisted living. Fortunately, you can shop around and find communities with starting prices well below average for the city.