Senior Placement vs Using a Realtor

Senior Placement vs Using a Realtor. Written plainly and without jargon, this guide lays out what to expect, the things worth watching for, and the next steps for Colorado families.

If you'd rather just talk it through, our free advisors are available at (833) 408-3968.

Key takeaways

• The right answer depends on care level, budget, family availability, and timeline — not on what a national aggregator suggests.
• Talk to a free local advisor before touring anything. This single step saves families 30–40 hours of research and prevents costly wrong-setting placements.
• Colorado-specific rules apply: HCBS-EBD waiver, CDPHE licensing under 6 CCR 1011-1 Ch. 7, and ALR terminology all differ from what you'll read on national sites.
• Most non-urgent placements happen in 7–14 days end-to-end. Hospital discharges and memory-care openings can move in 24–72 hours.

Colorado regulatory context

All Assisted Living Residences (ALRs) in Colorado are regulated by the CDPHE Health Facilities Division under 6 CCR 1011-1 Ch. 7. Key requirements that differentiate Colorado from other states:

• Colorado uses the term "Assisted Living Residence" (ALR) — not "Assisted Living Facility." This terminology appears on all CDPHE licenses and official documents.
• CDPHE conducts unannounced annual inspections. Survey reports are public record at cdphe.colorado.gov/find-and-compare-facilities.
• Colorado's HCBS-EBD waiver (Home & Community-Based Services for the Elderly, Blind, and Disabled) is the Medicaid pathway for ALR care — not the ALTCS (Arizona), NV Medicaid, or FL SMMC programs referenced on national sites.
• The Area Agency on Aging serving the 7-county Denver metro is DRCOG (Denver Regional Council of Governments), not a local county agency.

What to do next

1. Read this guide carefully — bookmark it for reference
2. Call (833) 408-3968 for a free 15-minute no-obligation conversation with a Denver-area advisor
3. If you're not ready to call, fill out the contact form on this page — we'll follow up within one business day
4. Start collecting the documents you'll need: physician's letter, CDPHE facility search results, and a basic financial summary