Assisted living in Colorado: how it is licensed.
Who licenses assisted living in Colorado, and what to check before you choose.
What Colorado calls it
In Colorado, assisted living is licensed under the term “Assisted Living Residence (ALR)”. Other states use different names, so it helps to know the exact term when you search.
Who licenses and inspects
Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, Health Facilities and Emergency Medical Services Division is the agency that licenses these communities. It is the official place to check a community’s license and inspection history. The state also lists an official facility search tool.
Paying for care
Medicare generally does not cover long term custodial care.
Colorado's Health Care Policy and Financing page says Alternative Care Facility services, provided in certified assisted living residences, are available to members enrolled in the Elderly, Blind, and Disabled (EBD) waiver. Eligibility rules apply.
Checking a community
Colorado's Find and Compare Facilities tool lets users view results of inspections within the previous 3 years, including citations and plans of correction, and occurrence results submitted within the last 3 years.
Help and complaints
Colorado State Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program (Department of Human Services) supports residents of long term care and their families.
Also worth knowing in Colorado
Per the Colorado Department of Human Services, state law requires licensed facilities to display the name and contact information of the ombudsman assigned to the facility.
Sources we checked (October 2026)
Licensing rules change. We checked the pages below. Confirm with the state agency.
Questions
Who regulates assisted living in Colorado?
Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, Health Facilities and Emergency Medical Services Division.