Douglas County proclaims May 2025 Older Americans Month, commissioners pledge new funding for senior services

The Douglas County Board of County Commissioners on May 13 adopted a resolution proclaiming May 2025 as Older Americans Month and heard remarks from senior-service organizations describing local programs, transportation services and volunteer networks.

Jennifer D’Ambrosio, community programs coordinator for Douglas County, presented the resolution at the commissioners’ meeting and said the proclamation was brought forward by the county’s Older Adult Initiative (OAI), a coalition of government, nonprofit and community members.

Speakers from senior centers and service providers described program scale and volunteer support. Ed Maddox, vice president of the Castle Rock Senior Activity Center board, said the center has more than 1,350 members, about 450 volunteers (equivalent to roughly 14 full-time staff), a fleet of 14 vehicles and provides thousands of rides annually; he said the center has recently added three vehicles with county support. Aging Resources of Douglas County’s representative, Chip Hunnings, cited examples of older residents remaining active: he described a 97-year-old resident preparing to travel cross country.

Commissioners discussed the county’s older-adult investments and next steps. One commissioner said the county budget included $1,500,000 for older-adult initiatives and staff will present a plan on how to allocate that funding to new and expanded services. Commissioners praised volunteer-led services and described recent transportation expansions, including an extension of a free ride service (the Lone Tree Link) to parts of Highlands Ranch.

The board voted to adopt the resolution; the motion carried unanimously.

What’s next: staff said they will return with a budgeted plan for dispersing the $1.5 million to specific senior programs and services.