Pitkin County: Age-Friendly Initiative
FACILITATION | CAPACITY BUILDING & TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE | COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT | ACTION PLANNING | RESEARCH & ANALYSIS| REPORT CREATION | STRATEGIC PLANNING
The Ask​
Pitkin County has a long-standing commitment to supporting residents as they grow older and has been engaged in age-friendly planning for over a decade. As a member of the AARP Network of Age-Friendly States and Communities, the County sought to update its Age-Friendly Initiative Plan for 2026–2030, building on prior accomplishments while responding to evolving community needs.
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Aging Dynamics was engaged to design and facilitate a community-informed planning process that would reflect the voices of older adults across Pitkin County’s geographically and economically diverse communities. The county includes well known resort destinations such as Aspen and Snowmass Village, smaller communities like Basalt and Redstone, and rural areas spread across mountain valleys where access to services, transportation, and housing can vary significantly.
Our Approach​
We designed a participatory and inclusive community engagement and strategic planning process centered on community voice, collaboration, and data-informed decision-making. Over several months, the Roadmap was shaped through one-on-one interviews with community leaders and service providers, focus groups, community conversations, including one held in partnership with Pitkin County in the Basalt area (a city that is shared by both Eagle and Pitkin counties), and a countywide Spanish-language survey developed in partnership with Eagle County Public Health & Environment’s Campeones del Sistema program. Two advisory committees representing multi-sector organizations and agencies across the county provided ongoing guidance and cross-sector alignment.
We paired demographic research and service mapping with insights drawn from lived and living experiences shared by community members. The resulting Aging Well Roadmap is rooted in what the community identified as most important and is organized around four priority areas: Health & Well-Being, Housing, Transportation, and Social Connection. Designed to be practical and implementation-ready, the plan outlines strategies that support coordinated action across systems and communities throughout Eagle County, Colorado.
Our Deliverables​​
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Held a kickoff meeting and designed a project plan and timeline
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Prepared and conducted interviews with up to (26) community leaders
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Planned and facilitated (2) community conversations
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Planned and facilitated (3) focus groups
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Designed a countywide Spanish-language survey
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Facilitated two advisory committees through a series of work sessions
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Drafted Aging Well Roadmap (2026–2030)
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Designed an implementation plan with strategies and action steps
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Prepared a final Roadmap and public presentation to the Board of County Commissioners
