Golden West

Golden West, sitting at 1055 Adams Circle in Boulder, Colorado, has been around since 1965 and has always tried to give older adults an affordable place to live, even more so now since other Medicaid-assisted facilities in town have closed, leaving Golden West's Mezzanine as the last assisted living option taking Medicaid in Boulder, though the Mezzanine recently announced it will close because rising labor costs and low Medicaid payments have made it too tough to keep going, but they are giving residents two months' notice instead of just 30 days and helping with $750 for moving, which is more than they have to do. The Towers, which is their independent living building, doesn't have any plans to close, and has about 253 income-restricted apartments for folks aged 62 and up with rent starting at $1,277 per month, keeping occupancy around 94% even though COVID-19 made things trickier with lower numbers and outbreaks. There's a variety of studio, one-bedroom, and two-bedroom apartments, all with large windows looking out over the Flatirons, plus storage closets, full kitchens, and individually controlled thermostats, so people have enough space for themselves and pets, and there are common areas, a library, craft room, salons, recreation room with pool and crafts, computer labs, and a wellness center watched over by an exercise physiologist for fitness and health classes. Golden West doesn't have parking available, but it does offer walkways, gardens, patios, laundry rooms, and phone and cable TV connections in every unit, so seniors can stay connected and entertained, and there are emergency call buttons and intercoms for safety, plus a main dining room and full-service beauty salon right on-site. The Golden West Foundation helps pay for programs, equipment for residents with vision and hearing loss, and furnishes common spaces, while Boulder Housing Partners manages the property. The group has pushed to raise Medicaid reimbursement rates, and they've talked publicly about making living there affordable for those who need it. They also try to help people feel welcome, offering plenty of activities, community events, shopping trips, educational programs, library time, and a calendar packed with social chances, so residents can find something to do every day, whether they want to join a volunteer group, use the wellness center, or just enjoy the view. Golden West follows federal rules so no one can be turned away because of gender identity or orientation, and the campus has three buildings: Central Tower, South Tower, and the Mezzanine, with leasing staff and property management on hand to answer questions or set up a virtual tour, plus a resident hub for people who want to stay involved in the community. They had to stop providing meals to the Towers and Mezzanine independent living residents, so meals aren't included anymore, but overall, Golden West keeps focusing on affordable, supportive housing for seniors in Boulder through its nonprofit mission and long history in the city.