2007 Colorado Transportation Survey: Aging and Mobility

Transportation is a major element in maintaining personal independence and a high quality of life. As the population ages and more persons experience barriers to driving, flexible transportation options will be essential for accessing health care services, establishing and maintaining social contacts, and preserving independence and general well being. To inform policy and strategy development, AARP Colorado commissioned this series of surveys of members' transportation use, their attitudes toward public transportation, and their health and disability status.

Key findings include the following:

• 93% of AARP members in the state are licensed to drive, and nearly all licensed drivers (97%) report that they generally drive when they need to get someplace.
• Among the 85% of members who report they have access to public transportation, 86% do not use it at all.
• Half of drivers agree that it would be difficult for them to remain in their current community if they were no longer able to drive. Nearly half of members identified two things that would help them to continue to live in their neighborhood if they were less mobile than they currently are: more driving alternatives and more delivery services for groceries, prescription drugs, and other daily necessities.
• Those members with multiple health and disability problems are the most likely to be isolated and have few transportation alternatives.

Mail surveys were completed by 3,361 randomly selected AARP members in Colorado during October 4-November 1, 2007. Separate reports present findings for the overall sample; for the cities of Denver, Fort Collins, Pueblo, and Grand Junction; and for the statewide sample of participants not living in those cities. For more information, contact Joanne Binette at 202-434-6303.