AARP grants to fund four Northern Colorado projects

Four projects in Northern Colorado are among 13 in Colorado that will share $178,075 in AARP’s 2026 Community Challenge grants.

Marking the program’s 10th anniversary, the grants are part of an $8.3 million commitment by AARP, doubling last year’s total, to fund 750 quick-action projects nationwide aimed at making communities more livable for people of all ages, especially older adults. The funds will support improvements to public spaces, transportation, housing, digital connectivity, disaster preparedness and other local priorities that help improve social connections and strengthen neighborhoods and towns of all sizes.

The Fort Collins-based North Front Range Metropolitan Planning Organization received two of the grants. In Greeley, $15,000 will be used for real-time coordination tools and an emergency ride fund that will be added to a regional mobility platform. These upgrades will reduce missed medical trips and uncertainty. And in Milliken, $2,500 will fund bilingual walk audits and placemaking activities. Community input will guide improvements that support safer movement for older adults there.

Colorado State University’s Institute for the Built Environment was awarded $24,800 for a design challenge that will produce build-ready, age-friendly additional dwelling unit plans for public use. The plans will guide adaptable housing for older residents.

The City of Fort Collins was awarded $14,220 to fund hands-on workshops covering rental property care, safety and communication skills. Participants will gain practical knowledge and strengthen landlord-tenant relations.

“Communities across Colorado are eager for solutions that boost mobility, connection and quality of life,” Marissa Volpe, AARP’s associate state director for livable communities, said in a prepared statement. “Thanks to Community Challenge grants, we’re empowering residents to implement impactful improvements that make a sizable difference.”

Since 2017, the AARP Community Challenge has awarded $639,657 through 53 grants in Colorado to nonprofit organizations and local government entities across the state. Grant projects will be funded in all 50 states plus Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Previous Community Challenge grants have delivered long-term impact in Colorado through a wide variety of initiatives and projects. On the Western Slope, All Points Transit in Montrose utilized a 2024 grant to install transit stop shelters in the community. That same year, Centro San Juan Diego in Denver utilized grant funding to implement digital literacy seminars to help Spanish-speaking older adults navigate the internet and computer software.

Some pedestrian safety initiatives will be funded with support from Toyota Motor North America and projects that expand high-speed internet access and adoption will be funded with support from Microsoft.

“America is aging, and most older adults want to stay in the communities they know and love. There are a lot of things that localities can do to support residents of all ages,” Nancy LeaMond, AARP’s executive vice president and chief advocacy and engagement officer, said in a prepared statement. “AARP Community Challenge grants help transform local ideas into real improvements —  from safer sidewalks and improved transportation options to public spaces that bring neighbors together and enhance community connections. As we celebrate the program’s 10th year, we’re proud to double our investment so even more communities can become great places to live for people at all stages of life.”

The full list of grantees and their projects is online at aarp.org/communitychallenge.

Share on Facebook on LinkedIn