Denver Regional Council of Governments Area Agency on Aging

The Denver Regional Council of Governments (DRCOG) is the Area Agency on Aging for Adams, Arapahoe, Broomfield, Clear Creek, Denver, Douglas, Jefferson, and Gilpin counties. For a Denver resident, it is an entry point to services delivered by different organizations: DRCOG provides guidance, referrals, and in some cases long-term support coordination, but it is not a substitute for the provider that delivers a meal, ride, or personal care.

The Information and Assistance and Options Counseling line is (303) 480-6700; callers outside Denver can use 1-866-959-3017, with a Spanish-language option. The office is at 1001 17th Street, Suite 700. A counselor can discuss goals, safety at home, care needs, and community resources before a family chooses a path. This is useful when relatives are unsure whether the need is transportation, food, in-home help, housing, or planning around Medicaid.

The Network of Care directory gathers resources for food, medical rides, assisted housing, nursing facilities, and benefits. DRCOG also offers options counseling and case management for people age 60 and older, adults with disabilities age 18 and older, and caregivers. Its website separates specialized phone lines: case management at (303) 480-6704, Medicare and health insurance at (303) 480-6835, and the long-term-care ombudsman at (303) 480-6734. Residents with a facility-rights concern should call the ombudsman directly.

Health-insurance guidance is connected through Colorado’s SHIP program and offers support by phone, email, or appointment to understand Medicare and benefits. The guidance is not a plan sale; its purpose is to help callers understand coverage, costs, and options. Families comparing in-home care should also ask whether a service is a public benefit, a contracted provider, or a referral list because the regional page includes several models.

DRCOG also links eligible veterans of any age to Veteran Directed Care, which may help them remain in their communities with assistance for daily activities. Other services depend on age, disability, county, assessed need, and funding. When calling, begin with the exact address and ZIP code: across an eight-county region, contractors do not all serve the same area.

For a useful first consultation, describe what has recently changed, which tasks need help, how often, preferred language, and health coverage. Ask for the provider’s name, paperwork, expected wait, and follow-up process. DRCOG publishes its office and topic-specific phone lines, but not a universal promise of availability or price; each program confirms its decision and conditions.

Locations and contact points

• Oficina de DRCOG / Area Agency on Aging: 1001 17th Street, Suite 700, Denver, CO 80202 · Phone (303) 480-6700 · Directions

Official program information