WHEREAS The United States and Colorado face a historic demographic shift over the next 50 years. As unprecedented numbers of workers retire and longevity increases, the percentage of the population aged 65 and older will increase rapidly and significantly; and
WHEREAS This aging of our population will have wide-ranging economic and social effects on all sectors of our society. A great many families, communities, businesses, public agencies and programs are insufficiently prepared to meet these challenges effectively; and
WHEREAS This aging of our population will place significant financial pressures on families – especially middle and lower income families who will be challenged to provide long-term services and support for loved ones. Few of these families are adequately educated about or prepared for the challenges of aging, retirement and care-giving; and
WHEREAS This aging of Colorado’s population will have a significant and long term impact on the state’s workforce, businesses and economy, including private-pay long term care services and infrastructure, creating both challenges and opportunities; and
WHEREAS This aging of our population will place unprecedented and long-term demands on public sector programs and budgets, including Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid at the federal level, Medicaid at the state level, and housing at the local level. According to a number of studies, the budget for the state department that manages Medicaid will triple by 2030 and will double the demand made on the state’s General Fund over the next 15 years; and
WHEREAS On top of increased demands on the state’s budget, this aging of Colorado’s population could significantly impact future state income and sales tax revenues, as well as local sales and property tax revenues; and
WHEREAS Current state strategic plans are limited to specific state agencies or policy areas and do not extend beyond 5 years into the future; and
WHEREAS Colorado families, communities, businesses and public agencies would all benefit from more comprehensive research into the issues related to the broad challenges of this aging population and from the development of a non-partisan, long-term strategic plan and set of recommendations for addressing those challenges; and
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that CLUB 20 supports the creation of a multi-disciplinary, private and public sector stakeholder’s commission to develop a comprehensive, 15- year strategic plan for this aging population in Colorado. In addition to its own deliberations and research, the commission should incorporate information and recommendations from past and current study groups to address the long-term effects of this aging population on Colorado’s families, communities, economy, workforce, businesses, revenues, budgets, long-term services and support, and more. The commission should have the endorsement and support of the General Assembly and the Governor, and its members should reflect the experience, interests and perspectives of the broadest possible range of Coloradans. The commission should also have adequate staffing and resources to effectively implement its charge, including engaging in an open and inclusive statewide process, developing policy recommendations for state and local elected officials, and assisting in public education and building understanding among Coloradans in general about the challenges posed by this aging population in the state; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the commission’s work, including the production and periodic updating of the strategic plan, would be funded through a combination of private and public sources, including gifts, grants and donations. The commission may use these funds to hire administrative staff and purchase contract services from subject matter experts and organizations; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that CLUB 20 strongly encourages the inclusion of appropriate geographic representation of the Western Slope and rural regions of the state.
Adopted 9/5/2014