Routt County Backs $2 Million Expansion of The Haven Senior Facility

Lisa Schlichtman, a Hayden resident, has been waiting for over a year to get her mother into The Haven — the only facility in Routt and Moffat counties that accepts Medicaid. She's not alone — The Haven has a waitlist of 10 to 20 people at a time. This backlog is about to get some relief, thanks to a proposed expansion that Routt County commissioners are backing with a letter to U.S. Senators Michael Bennet and John Hickenlooper.

The expansion would add 12 units to The Haven campus, boosting total capacity from 20 to 32 residents. This is more than just a numbers game, it's about keeping older residents in the communities they call home. As the cost of housing continues to climb in Northwest Colorado, many older adults are feeling the squeeze. They live on fixed incomes, and roughly 18% of regional residents rely on Medicaid for their health coverage. The Haven's Executive Director, Steph Einfeld, says the facility's role goes beyond providing a roof; residents receive 24-hour supervision, medication administration, transportation, and social programming.

The proposed expansion is vital for addressing a growing need for supportive housing and care for older adults in Northwest Colorado. A regional housing market and demand study released in July found that Routt County is aging more quickly than Colorado as a whole. In 2023, Routt residents over 60 represented more than one-third of county homeowners. This demographic shift is putting pressure on local healthcare systems, and The Haven's expansion is seen as a key part of the solution.

The $2 million congressional request would cover a large portion of the project cost, though the total cost has not been finalized. Northwest Colorado Health is pursuing a "capital stack," or layered funding approach, combining potential federal, state, and philanthropic sources to minimize debt. The organization has already received donor support to complete a pre-application for a U.S. Department of Agriculture loan, which could fill remaining financing gaps after other funding mechanisms are secured.

Make no mistake - this expansion is not just about adding beds. It's about providing a safety net for older adults who need assistance with daily living but have limited financial means. As Einfeld puts it, "This project allows older adults to remain close to family and community, improves health outcomes, and reduces strain on hospitals and caregivers." The short version: this expansion will help keep older residents in their communities, rather than forcing them to relocate to other parts of the state.

The Haven's expansion is worth watching, not just for the impact it will have on local healthcare, but also for the potential ripple effects on the regional economy. As housing prices continue to rise, older adults on fixed incomes are being priced out of their own homes. This expansion could help alleviate some of that pressure, allowing older adults to stay in their communities and maintain their independence.

Read that again: The Haven is not just a place to live - it's a lifeline for older adults who need support and care. And with the proposed expansion, it's about to get a whole lot more vital. The question is, what happens next? Will the congressional request be approved, and if so, how quickly can the expansion get underway? Folks around here will be watching closely, as the fate of The Haven's expansion has significant implications for the future of healthcare in Northwest Colorado.