What is the average monthly cost for senior living in Denver, CO?

If you’re researching senior care options in the Denver metro area, you’ve probably discovered that understanding costs can feel like navigating a maze. One community quotes $4,500 per month, another says $7,000, and a third mentions “base rates” with mysterious add-on fees.

The confusion is completely understandable. “Senior living” encompasses everything from independent apartment communities to 24/7 skilled nursing care, with dramatically different price points. Care levels vary based on how much daily help someone needs.

Many communities charge separate fees for medication management, higher levels of assistance, or specialized memory care. And unlike buying a car with a fixed sticker price, senior living costs can adjust as health needs evolve.

In this comprehensive guide, we’ll give you exactly what Denver-area families need: a clear breakdown of what you’ll actually pay month-to-month for different care settings in 2026.

You’ll learn:

• Typical monthly cost ranges for each care type in the Denver metro, with current 2026 benchmarks
• What’s included in base rates versus what costs extra (and how to avoid surprise bills)
• How to pay for care through private savings, Colorado Medicaid waivers, PACE programs, VA benefits, and other resources

TL;DR: Average monthly cost for senior living in Denver

Before we dive into details, let’s establish the big picture. Senior living costs in the Denver metro vary significantly based on 3 main factors:

• The type of care provided
• The location and amenities of the community
• The specific level of support each individual needs

The following table provides typical monthly cost ranges you can expect to encounter when researching senior care options in the Denver area during 2025 – 2026.

Care Type	Typical Denver Range	Colorado / National Benchmark	Notes
Independent Living	$3,000 – $4,000/month	Denver avg. ~$3,500	Apartment with meals, housekeeping, activities; no hands-on care
Assisted Living	$4,000 – $7,000/month	Denver avg. ~$5,500; Colorado median ~$5,073	Daily help with bathing, dressing, medications; meals and social programs included
Memory Care	$5,000 – $8,000+/month	Denver avg. ~$5,750–$7,000	Typically 15 – 25% more than assisted living due to secure environment, specialized dementia care
Skilled Nursing Facility	$8,000 – $11,000+/month	Semi-private in CO ~$7,900–$10,000	24/7 nursing care, rehabilitation therapies, complex medical oversight
Adult Day Programs	$2,000 – $2,500/month	Based on 5 days/week; CO daily rates slightly above national avg.	Daytime supervision, meals, activities; seniors live at home
Non-Medical Home Care	~$5,000/month	Based on ~44 hours/week at Colorado hourly rates	Caregiver assistance with personal care, meals, light housekeeping

These ranges are approximations designed to help you set realistic budgets and compare options. They are not guaranteed quotes.

Senior living pricing varies significantly by community, individual care needs, apartment size, amenities, and other factors we’ll explore throughout this guide. Always confirm current pricing directly with communities and care providers when making final decisions.

What counts as “senior living” in Denver?

When families start researching care options, they often use “senior living,” “nursing home,” “assisted living,” and “memory care” interchangeably.

But these terms describe very different levels of care, environments, and costs. Understanding these distinctions will help you avoid comparing apples to oranges and ensure you’re matching the right setting to actual needs.

Independent living communities

Independent living communities (sometimes called active adult communities or senior apartments) offer age-restricted housing – typically apartments or cottages – designed for seniors who don’t need daily hands-on care but want the convenience of community living.

Assisted living communities

Assisted living communities (sometimes called residential care or personal care homes in Colorado) provide apartment-style housing plus personalized help with daily activities. Staff are available 24/7 to assist residents with tasks like bathing, dressing, medication reminders, and mobility.

Memory care communities

Memory care communities are specialized assisted living programs designed specifically for residents with Alzheimer’s disease, dementia, or other cognitive impairments. They offer all the services of traditional assisted living, plus enhanced safety features and dementia-specific programming.

Skilled nursing facilities

Skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) – commonly called nursing homes – provide the highest level of daily care available in residential settings.

Licensed nurses are on-site 24/7 to deliver clinical care, administer complex medications, manage medical equipment, and coordinate physician orders. Many SNFs also provide short-term rehabilitation after hospital stays.

Adult day programs

Adult day programs (also called adult day care, adult day health, or social day programs) provide daytime care and supervision in a group setting – think of it as a structured program that runs during business hours, Monday through Friday, while seniors continue living at home.

Non-medical in-home care

In-home care brings professional caregivers into the senior’s own home to provide personal care assistance, companionship, meal preparation, light housekeeping, and supervision. In Colorado, these agencies are licensed as “home care agencies” and provide non-medical services.

Average monthly cost for senior living in Denver by care type

Independent living

• Typical monthly range: $3,000–$4,000
• Denver-area average: Approximately $3,500/month

Independent living represents the entry point to senior community living. Because residents don’t receive hands-on care services, monthly fees are lower than other residential options—but you’re still paying for convenience, community, and peace of mind.

What’s usually included in this rate:

• Private apartment (studio, one-bedroom, or two-bedroom)
• Some utilities (often water, trash, sometimes basic cable)
• One or two meals per day in a common dining room
• Weekly housekeeping and linen service
• Scheduled transportation to medical appointments, shopping, and errands
• Social activities, events, fitness classes, and outings
• Building maintenance and grounds keeping
• Emergency call system and basic safety monitoring

Who benefits most:

Independent living works beautifully for active seniors who can manage their own personal care and medications but are ready to give up home maintenance, cooking every meal, and social isolation.

Many residents choose independent living proactively – before they “need” it – to establish community connections while they’re still healthy and active.

Assisted living

• Typical monthly range: $4,000 – $7,000
• Denver-area average: Approximately $5,500/month

Assisted living costs more than independent living because you’re paying for personalized care services in addition to housing and meals.

However, the range is quite broad – $4,000 to $7,000 per month – because communities differ dramatically in amenities, location, apartment size, and especially in how care levels are priced.

What’s typically included in assisted living rates:

• Private or semi-private apartment
• Three meals per day plus snacks, often with restaurant-style choices
• Personalized assistance with activities of daily living (bathing, dressing, grooming, toileting, eating, mobility)
• Medication management and reminders
• Housekeeping and laundry services
• All utilities
• Social activities, entertainment, and outings
• Scheduled transportation to appointments and shopping
• 24/7 staff availability for safety and support
• Basic cable and wifi (often included)

Who this level serves: Assisted living is appropriate when someone needs help with daily tasks but doesn’t require constant medical oversight.

Common situations include difficulty bathing safely, needing medication reminders, requiring help dressing or with mobility, benefiting from structured meals and social engagement, or when family caregivers are overwhelmed managing daily care at home.

Memory care

• Typical monthly range: $5,000 – $8,000+
• Denver-area average: Approximately $5,750 – $7,000/month
• Typical premium over assisted living: 15–25% higher

Memory care communities charge more than standard assisted living because they provide a specialized environment with enhanced safety, higher staffing ratios, and dementia-specific programming. Think of memory care as assisted living plus dementia expertise and security measures.

Why memory care costs more:

• Higher staff-to-resident ratios: More staff members per resident means more hands-on attention, better supervision, and improved safety
• Specialized staff training: Caregivers receive ongoing education in dementia care, communication techniques, managing behavioral symptoms, and creating person-centered routines
• Secure environment: Locked doors, alarmed exits, enclosed courtyards, and monitored common areas prevent wandering while maintaining dignity
• Specialized programming: Memory care activities focus on cognitive engagement, life enrichment through reminiscence, sensory stimulation, and reducing anxiety through predictable routines
• Environmental design: Calmer color schemes, clear wayfinding cues, minimal visual clutter, and thoughtfully designed spaces reduce confusion and agitation

What’s included in memory care: Everything assisted living provides (apartment, meals, personal care, activities, transportation), plus specialized dementia care, secure environment, higher supervision levels, behavioral management support, family education and counseling.

Who needs memory care:

Memory care becomes appropriate when dementia symptoms create safety risks (wandering, getting lost, confusion about surroundings, resistance to care, or behavioral symptoms like agitation or aggression).

It’s also appropriate when constant supervision and redirection are needed to maintain daily routines and wellbeing.

Skilled nursing facilities (nursing homes)

• Typical monthly range: $8,000 – $11,000+ for long-term care
• Colorado semi-private average: Approximately $7,900 – $10,000/month
•  Private room costs: Often $1,500–$3,000 more per month than semi-private

Skilled nursing facilities charge the highest monthly rates because they provide 24/7 medical care delivered by licensed nurses, plus rehabilitation therapies and clinical oversight.

These facilities must meet strict state and federal regulations and maintain higher clinical staffing levels than other residential care settings.

When skilled nursing is appropriate:

• Complex medical needs: Conditions requiring frequent nursing assessment (wound care, tube feeding, complex medication schedules, ventilator support, dialysis)
• Post-hospital rehabilitation: Short-term stays for intensive physical, occupational, or speech therapy after surgery, stroke, or serious illness (often partially covered by Medicare)
• Advanced dementia: When medical complications or behavioral symptoms exceed what memory care can safely manage
• High care requirements: Individuals who are bedbound, require total assistance with all ADLs, or need clinical monitoring throughout day and night

What’s typically included:

• Semi-private or private room
• 24/7 licensed nursing care (RNs, LPNs, CNAs)
• Rehabilitation therapies as ordered by physicians (PT, OT, speech therapy)
• All meals accommodating medical diets
• Assistance with all activities of daily living
• Basic medical supplies and clinical equipment
• Social activities and life enrichment programs
• Laundry and housekeeping

Adult day programs

• Typical Denver-area monthly range: $2,000 – $2,500/month
• National daily rate: $78 – $95/day

Adult day programs offer one of the most cost-effective senior care solutions for families managing daytime supervision needs while keeping loved ones living at home.

These programs are licensed by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment and must meet health, safety, and program quality standards.

What you get for this cost:

• Supervised care and activities Monday through Friday (typically 7am – 6pm hours available)
• Nutritious lunch and snacks
• Structured activities: cognitive games, music therapy, gentle exercise, arts and crafts, social interaction
• Help with toileting, mobility, and personal care as needed during program hours
• Medication administration or reminders
• Health monitoring and basic nursing oversight (in adult day health programs)
• Transportation to and from the center (often included or available for additional fee)

Who benefits most from adult day programs:

For seniors: Individuals living at home who need daytime supervision for safety, social engagement to combat isolation and depression, structured activities to maintain cognitive function, help with meals and medications during the day, or companionship and purposeful routine.

For family caregivers: Adult children who work full-time but want their parents to remain at home, spouses who need respite from 24/7 caregiving, families preventing premature residential placement, or anyone needing reliable daytime care while maintaining home-based living.

6 factors that change your monthly price

Now that you understand base costs by care type, let’s explore the key variables that push prices up or down within those ranges.

Factor 1: Level of care needed

This is the single biggest driver of cost in assisted living and memory care. Care levels describe how much daily help someone needs:

• Low care needs: Minimal assistance – perhaps medication reminders and help with bathing 2 – 3 times per week. Monthly cost might be at the lower end of assisted living ranges ($4,000 – $4,500).
• Moderate care needs: Regular help with multiple ADLs (bathing, dressing, toileting) once or twice daily, plus medication management. Most assisted living residents fall here ($5,000 – $6,000).
• Higher care needs: Extensive assistance with most or all ADLs multiple times daily, two-person transfers, complex medication schedules, significant supervision. This can push toward the top of assisted living ranges ($6,500 – $7,000+) or indicate that skilled nursing might be more appropriate.

Factor 2: Community type and amenities

The physical environment and amenities dramatically affect pricing:

Budget-conscious communities ($4,000–$5,000 for assisted living): Straightforward, comfortable apartments with basic dining, activities, and competent care. Clean, safe, professionally operated.

Mid-range communities ($5,000 – $6,000): Nicely appointed common areas, varied dining options, robust activity calendars, trained staff, pleasant outdoor spaces.

Luxury/upscale communities ($6,500 – $9,000+): Resort-style amenities like full-service spas, gourmet dining with chef-prepared meals, concierge services, elaborate fitness centers and pools, premium finishes in apartments, extensive grounds and landscaping. You’re paying significantly for ambiance and hospitality.

Factor 3: Apartment size and view

Size matters, financially:

• Studios (300 – 450 sq ft): Least expensive option, often $500 – $1,000/month less than one-bedrooms
• One-bedroom apartments (450 – 650 sq ft): Mid-range pricing, most popular choice
• Two-bedroom apartments (700+ sq ft): Premium pricing, often $1,000 – $2,000/month more than one-bedrooms; good for couples

View and location within building: Premium charges often apply for:

• Corner units with extra windows and light
• Top floors or specific floor preferences
• Garden/courtyard views versus parking lot views
• Apartments near elevators or common areas

Factor 4: Location in the Denver Metro

Geography significantly impacts pricing:

• Central Denver and in-demand neighborhoods: Cherry Creek, Capitol Hill, Highlands,…
• Established suburban locations: Lakewood, Aurora, Littleton, Arvada,…
• Newer suburban developments: Communities in growing areas like Broomfield, Thornton, or Parker,…
• More affordable suburbs: Communities in Commerce City, Federal Heights, or further-out

Balance location convenience (is it easy for families to visit regularly?) with budget. A wonderful community 30 minutes from your home might serve your family better than a mediocre one around the corner, especially if you’re visiting twice a week rather than daily.

Factor 5: Second occupant fees (for couples)

When couples move into senior living together, communities typically charge:

• Base rate: For the primary resident and apartment
• Second person fee: Additional monthly charge for the second occupant, usually $500 – $1,500/month depending on community and whether the second person needs care

Cost-saving benefit: Even with the second person fee, couples typically save money compared to maintaining two separate apartments in different care settings. Plus, they maintain companionship and the comfort of staying together.

Care level considerations: If one spouse needs assisted living and the other is fully independent, look for communities offering both independent and assisted living – they can live together while each receives appropriate care levels.

Factor 6: One-time fees and rate increases

Beyond monthly rates, consider:

One-time community fees: Some communities charge non-refundable “community fees” or “entrance fees” ranging from $500 to $5,000+ upon move-in. Others require refundable deposits (similar to apartment security deposits). Always ask: “Are there any one-time fees beyond the first month’s rent?”

Annual rate increases: Senior living communities typically raise rates annually, often 3–5% or more. Ask any community you’re considering:

• “What were your rate increases for the past three years?”
• “How much notice do you give before raising rates?”
• “Do you ever raise rates more than once per year?”

How to pay for senior living in Denver

Private pay, savings, and home equity

Private pay simply means using personal financial resources: retirement savings, pensions, Social Security income, investment portfolios, or current income. For many middle-income Denver families, private pay covers at least the early years of senior living.

Long-term care insurance

If you or your loved one has a long-term care insurance policy purchased years ago, now is the time it may pay benefits.

What long-term care insurance typically covers:

• Assisted living
• Memory care
• Skilled nursing care
• In-home care services
• Adult day programs (some policies)

Action step: Contact your insurance company or agent to:

• Understand your exact daily/monthly benefit amount
• Learn what documentation is needed to activate benefits
• Confirm which care types are covered and whether pre-approval is required
• Understand any waiting periods before benefits begin

Colorado Medicaid & HCBS Waivers

Colorado Medicaid (called Health First Colorado) can help pay for long-term care for individuals who meet both financial and clinical eligibility requirements.

Medicaid doesn’t pay for independent living, but can cover:

• Certain assisted living facilities (Alternative Care Facilities/ACFs)
• Skilled nursing facilities
• In-home care services
• Adult day programs
• Other community-based services through waiver programs

HCBS waivers (Home and Community-Based Services): Colorado offers several Medicaid waivers that allow individuals who qualify for nursing home level of care to receive services in less restrictive settings:

• EBD (Elderly, Blind, and Disabled) Waiver: Covers assisted living (in licensed ACFs), in-home care, adult day, case management, and other services, designed to keep seniors in community settings rather than nursing homes
• CMHS (Community Mental Health Supports) Waiver: For individuals with mental health conditions
• SLS (Supported Living Services) Waiver: For adults with developmental disabilities

Alternative Care Facilities (ACFs): In Colorado, certain assisted living residences are certified to accept Medicaid waiver residents. Not all assisted living communities accept Medicaid, but those that do (ACFs) must meet specific state requirements and can receive Medicaid payment for eligible residents.

PACE (Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly)

PACE is a unique Medicare and Medicaid program that provides comprehensive medical care and social services for seniors who qualify for nursing home level of care but want to continue living at home. It’s an all-inclusive model that can be a cost-effective alternative to residential care.

How PACE works:

• Participants must be 55+, live in a PACE service area, qualify for nursing home level of care, but be able to safely live in the community with support
• PACE provides ALL healthcare AND long-term care services through one coordinated team
• For individuals eligible for both Medicare and Medicaid (dual eligible), there is typically no premium and no copays
• For those with Medicare only, there’s a monthly premium for long-term care services

Conclusion

Understanding senior living costs is the first step toward making informed decisions for yourself or your loved one. The Denver metro offers diverse care options at different price points, from adult day programs at $2,000 – $2,500/month to full skilled nursing care at $8,000 – $11,000+/month.

Take these practical actions:

• Set a realistic budget using the cost ranges in this guide. Match the care type to actual needs.
• Explore payment options before assuming affordability. Long-term care insurance, Medicaid waivers, VA benefits, PACE programs, and home equity can all help fund care.
• Get free expert guidance from DRCOG Area Agency on Aging at 303-455-1000. They provide unbiased information, benefits screening, and connections to local resources.
• Ask detailed questions: What’s included in the base rate? How often do rates increase? What triggers additional charges?
• Consider adult day programs if your loved one can remain at home with overnight family support but needs daytime supervision, meals, and social engagement.

At Sunrise Adult Daycare, we provide professional daytime care service, nutritious meals, engaging activities, and medication assistance Monday through Friday, helping Denver families maintain home-based living while ensuring safety and social connection. Contact us at (303) 226-6882 to discuss whether our program fits your needs and budget.

Frequently asked questions (FAQs)