Ahead of National Family Caregivers Month, AARP Colorado Releases State-Level Data Detailing Caregiving Prevalence in Colorado

Caregiving

New AARP caregiving data released today, Caregiving in the U.S. 2025: Caring Across States, finds that 22% of adults in Colorado — approximately 1,032,000 people — are family caregivers, providing largely unpaid and unsupported care to older parents, spouses, and other loved ones. The data can be found here.

MEMBERS ONLY

“When a loved one needs help, family members, friends, and neighbors step up, that’s what we do,” said Sara Schueneman, AARP Colorado State Director. “But too often, caregivers carry this responsibility alone, often putting their finances, health and jobs at risk. As our state population ages, the demand for care will only grow. With the release of this new data and ahead of the 2026 legislative session, AARP Colorado is urging policymakers at every level to act now to help family caregivers save money, time and get the support they need.”

Family caregivers provide more than $11 billion in unpaid care each year in Colorado, helping family members live independently at home and in their communities—where they want to be. Their caregiving responsibilities range from bathing and meal prep to managing medications, arranging transportation and handling medical tasks, with little or no training.

But the toll on our family caregivers is great— financially, physically, and emotionally.

· 80% of caregivers pay out of their own pockets to help meet their loved ones’ needs, averaging $7,200 each year, or 25% of their income.

· In Colorado, 47% of family caregivers report financial setbacks— taking on debt, draining savings, or struggling to afford basics like food and medicine.

· 70% of our state’s caregivers are also juggling full- or part-time jobs. Many must reduce work hours or leave the workforce entirely due to caregiving responsibilities, jeopardizing their own long-term financial security.