Here in Colorado, we take care of each other. We all have a role to play in making sure that everyone in our great state is able to live a great life and succeed. And, with Colorado expecting major growth in the coming years, it’s more important than ever that we plan for a future that manages growth effectively while maintaining our Colorado quality of life—that especially matters for older Coloradans on fixed income. In fact, by 2030, the Colorado Health Institute projects that population growth among older adults is set to grow by 61 percent. To put that in perspective, Colorado has one of the fastest growing populations of older adults in the country.

We need to begin planning for the impacts this will have on services for older Coloradans now. The good news is that according to the United Health Foundation, Colorado is ranked as the 4th healthiest state for older adults. But, there’s still more to do. Too often, policies meant for older citizens neglect the importance of everyday issues such as convenient transportation and affordable housing in the overall quality of life in our later years.

I’ve been proud to fight for older adults in Congress. One of the great honors of my life was working alongside President Obama to help pass the Affordable Care Act, which expanded Medicaid, lowered the cost for prescription drugs, and increased preventive services for older adults. I’ve also rejected efforts to reduce funding for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), which provides millions of low-income older adults with access to food. And, in 2014, I voted to reauthorize the Older Americans Act in Congress, which provides funding for critical nutritional and health services to help people age with dignity. As governor, I will fight to make sure that Colorado’s older citizens aren’t left behind in all aspects of everyday life as we confront the challenges of the future.

Our state needs to refocus its local and state governmental bodies to think, legislate, and act in a way that acknowledges this age shift and confronts future challenges now. This is not a political issue, nor is it a partisan one. This is about taking care of our friends and family the best we can so that every Coloradan can age with dignity.