Union Printers Home was a nursing home and assisted living facility situated to the east of downtown Colorado Springs, with a long-standing history of serving the community. This institution provided care and housing for more than 100 residents, many of whom relied on its services for their day-to-day well-being. With facilities that allowed for single occupancy rooms, residents experienced a level of comfort and privacy that was considered a relative luxury among similar facilities in the area, particularly for those using Medicaid. The home was staffed by professionals who delivered care to a diverse population with varied medical and personal needs.
The final months of operation for Union Printers Home were marked by significant upheaval. The state health department took the extraordinary step of suspending the facility’s license, which triggered a sequence of events leading to its closure. The decision followed a troubling incident involving the tragic death of a female resident, Margarita Sam. She was found deceased on a bench outside of the building, which led to an independent investigation by the Colorado Springs Police Department’s Crimes Against At Risk Adults unit. Reports described that she was found without appropriate clothing, raising concerns over the adequacy of oversight and resident safety. This incident prompted the health department to cite a "lack of protective oversight" as a contributing factor to a pattern of noncompliance at the home.
The process of relocating every resident became a pressing priority in the wake of the license suspension. Professionals from Vivage Senior Living, represented by Heather Terhark, were brought in to oversee the management and ensure the welfare of each resident as they transitioned to other living arrangements. The transition posed emotional and logistical challenges, with many residents and their families forced to grapple with the uncertainty of moving and the complexities of finding new placements compatible with specific care needs and funding sources such as Medicare.
Inspection records revealed a history of ongoing issues at Union Printers Home, with 63 inspections recorded over five years and 20 occurring in the final year of operation. These inspections identified several recurring and serious deficiencies. Notably, the facility was cited for failing to provide timely treatment and accurate assessments that resulted in health complications for residents, as well as lapses in food safety and kitchen management, including improper food storage temperatures and significant sanitary hazards. Additionally, documentation revealed that nursing staff sometimes did not complete required rounds or pain assessments, and crucial changes in resident conditions were not always communicated to doctors. These numerous citations culminated in the state’s intervention and ultimately the home’s closure.
At the time of closure, the care home’s management had transitioned through various hands, but the difficulties in administration and oversight persisted. Despite challenges, many families recalled the nurses providing compassionate care to their loved ones during their tenure at Union Printers Home. The closure date was set for March 27, but the commitment was to keep the facility open and continue care until each resident had safely relocated. The closure of Union Printers Home signaled the end of an era for an institution that had contributed to the long-term care landscape of Colorado Springs, leaving families and staff to reflect on both the comforts and complications characteristic of its operations.