Senior Community Service Employment Program

The 2010 Census found that approximately 85% of Colorado’s population lives in urban areas and 15% in rural areas. 13.7% of Coloradans 65 and older live in rural areas, and 7.9% of Coloradans 85 and older live in rural areas.

The 2000 Census altered its previous definition of "urban" to include "urban areas" and "urban clusters," which changed the classification for many communities in Colorado.

Specific Population Groups

Priority will be given to special populations in accordance with the Older Americans Act and USDOL rules and regulations. Priority will be given (based on Section 508 of the 2006 OAA Amendments) to individuals who:

1. are age 65 years or older;

2. have a disability;

3. have limited English proficiency or low literacy skills;

4. reside in rural areas;

5. are veterans or the spouse of a veteran;

6. have low employment prospects;

7. have failed to find employment after utilizing services provided under Title I of WIOA;

8. are homeless or at risk of being homeless;

9. have the greatest economic need;

10. are minority individuals; and

11. have the greatest social need.

According to the Colorado State Demographer, the number of older adults below the federal poverty level will greatly increase. The human and fiscal impacts are vast. As older adults age, their economic resources dwindle. The 2010 Census found approximately 43,000 persons 65 years and older in Colorado below the federally designated poverty level. If the same percentage (8.1%) of older adults 65 years and older are below the federal poverty level in 2020, Colorado will have more than 72,000 older adults below the federal poverty level. In 2030 more than 100,000 older adults 65 years and older may be below the federal poverty level and in 2040 close to 116,000 may be below the federal poverty level.

The 2000 Census found approximately 71,000 older adults 65 years and older in Colorado below 150% of the federally designated poverty level. In 2010, Colorado has approximately 92,000 older adults below 150% of federal poverty level. In 2020 about 150,000 older adults 65 years and older may be below^[1] 150% of the federal poverty level. In 2030 to 2040 there will be over 200,000 people 65 and older that may be below federal poverty level.

[1] U.S. Bureau of the Census, 2000 Census, Summary File 3.

Poverty is substantially more prevalent among Hispanic, Black, and American Indian older adults than for all older adults in Colorado. Poverty is only slightly more prevalent among Asian older adults than all older adults combined. Low-income minority older adults are at a higher risk of being unable to obtain housing and healthcare due to affordability, accessibility, and availability within their communities.

Colorado will experience remarkable demographic changes through the year 2017. The portion of the total population over the age of 55 will increase to 25 percent from 20.6 percent in 2007. Conversely, the portion of the population in their "prime working years" (generally considered to be between 25 and 54 years of age) will shrink to 40.3 percent from 43.6 percent today. Should the population grow at the same pace it did between 2000 and 2005, Hispanics will account for 25.2 percent of the population while non-Hispanic Whites will comprise about 67 percent of the population. Females will remain almost exactly half of the total population. Colorado SCSEP will continue to use various outreach methods to broaden local awareness in its service areas and encourage unemployed low-income people age 55 and over to apply for SCSEP.

[1] U.S. Bureau of the Census, 2000 Census, Summary File 3.