HomeMy WebLinkAbout2023 - Senior Advisory Board - Annual Report
Annual Report
City of Fort Collins
Senior Advisory Board (SAB)
2023 Annual Report
Consistent with our Mission, the Senior Advisory Board (SAB) assumed responsibility to
serve as advisors to City Council on programs and policies that help older residents live full
and interesting lives, continuing to contribute and participate in our vibrant community. The
Board is involved in a network of various agencies and organizations for older adults so
that we may remain aware of issues, needs and occurrences that may be relevant to SAB’s
work for City Council.
Our primary focus was to provide education to our community about the aging process, to
advocate for a good quality of life and to encourage networking among the various groups
that deal with issues impacting older residents.
Our focus throughout the year was to be informed, as well as to update Council and our
city’s seniors regarding issues pertaining to their health, well -being, safety and
neighborhood livability.
In 2023 the Senior Advisory Board on balance achieved goals for our 2023 Work Plan as
indicated below.
1. EDUCATION
In 2023 the SAB hosted 17 speakers addressing matters of Neighborhood Livability,
Transportation, Safety and related well-being issues for older adults. Speakers focused on the
following topics with public participation and subsequent SAB deliberations:
a. Beth Jaeger - Fort Collins Human Relations commission on the FOCO Human
Library program.
b. Heidi O’Mara & Megan DeMasters – Senior Specialist Environmental Sustainability
Services spoke on progress made with the EJEPA grant.
c. Teresa Roche – City of Fort Collins Human Resources Executive spoke towards
volunteer appreciation.
d. Davina Lau, FC Public Engagement Specialist B oards & Commissions spoke on
B&C updates.
e. Dr. Allyson Brothers, Associate Professor, CSU, Hum. Dev. & Family Studies spoke
on the CSU Gerontology Club.
f. Rachel Washburn, President CSU Gerontology Club and Club Officers presented on
what the CSU Gerontology Club has been up to.
g. Denny Moyer, CEO, Melody Bettenhausen, COO and Amy Heath spoke regarding
EnSight.
h. Cory Schmidt Mobility Director North Front Range Metropolitan Planning
Organization (NFRMPO) and Brooke spoke on the progress of Ride NOCO in
management of transportation for seniors in Northern Colorado.
i. Tony J. Van Goor, MD, County Board of Health addressed health issues relating to
seniors.
j. Ginny Sawyer, Project Manager with City Manager’s Office discussed November
Ballot issues.
k. Senator Joann Ginal gave a comprehensive overview of the bills and legislation she
has been focusing on regarding older adults.
l. John Singleton, Chair of Affordable Housing Board , gave an overview of board
responsibilities and discussed collaborative opportunities.
m. Hanna Brown, Executive Director for Sound Affects Music (SAM) shared information
regarding the organization.
2. OUTREACH
SAB coordinated its work with a network of City, Community, County, and State departments,
agencies and organizations boards, committees and so forth, including:
o Larimer County Office on Aging
o Colorado Center for Aging
o Colorado Commission on Aging
o Colorado State University Undergraduate Gerontology Club
o PAFC Steering Committee and Priority Groups for Housing, Health and Wellness,
Transportation and Culture of Aging
o Fort Collins Housing Catalyst and Affordable Housing Board
o Fort Collins Transportation Board and Bicycle Advisory Committee
o Fort Collins Parks and Recreation
o Fort Collins Senior Center
o CSU Intergenerational Conversations Project
o CSU/Columbine Center for Healthy Aging
o Professionals for Seniors
o Senior Access Points
o Continued efforts to increase community participation in meetings
o Continued efforts to increase board members
3. Advocacy
o SAB provided the Mayor, Council and City Management with communications
throughout the year including recommendations re:
o Boards & Commissions attended the Live Involved event and promoted the Senior
Advisory Board.
o Created an Affordable Housing one -page document for board members to utilize as
a resource.
o Created a handout with board information to share with the public.
o Submitted a memo to council in support of Fare Free Transit programming in
November of 2023.
It is important that older adults are considered in decisions made by Council regarding the
community. The ‘norms’ for the older generation are changing (as family dynamics change),
older adults become an increasingly greater segment of the workforce as retirement years
last longer. Older people contribute to the City’s economy and in coming years will
represent 20% of Colorado’s population.
The SAB recognizes the important elements of our work and we will inform Council so that the City
of Fort Collins remains a healthy, vibrant community for people of all ages with active members
from the entire population.