Colorado Assisted Living Complaint Resources
How to report a Colorado assisted living residence (ALR). Immediate reporting tools, residents' rights, and legal advocacy for residents and families.
Reviewed by Nick Kassatly, Esq. · Published June 30, 2026 · Updated July 23, 2026
Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE), Health Facilities and Emergency Medical Services Division
Colorado Adult Protective Services
To report suspected abuse, neglect, or exploitation of vulnerable adults.
Long-Term Care Ombudsman
Serving as an advocacy program to protect the health, safety, and welfare of residents in long-term care facilities.
To report an assisted living facility in Colorado, contact Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE), Health Facilities and Emergency Medical Services Division at (303) 691-4045 or file a complaint online. Complaints can be filed anonymously. For advocacy help, the Colorado Long-Term Care Ombudsman can be reached at 303-862-3524.
If you are concerned about the care your loved one is receiving in a Colorado assisted living facility, you have the right to file a complaint with the state — and you can do so anonymously. In Colorado, assisted living facilities are licensed as Assisted Living Residences (ALRs) and are regulated separately from skilled nursing homes.
Who Regulates Assisted Living Facilities in Colorado
Assisted living residences in Colorado are licensed and inspected by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE), Health Facilities and Emergency Medical Services Division. Unlike skilled nursing homes, assisted living residences are not certified by Medicare or Medicaid, so there is no federal survey program — the state is the primary authority that sets standards, conducts inspections, and investigates complaints against ALRs.
How to File an Assisted Living Complaint in Colorado
You can file a complaint with CDPHE by calling the assisted living residences complaint line at (303) 691-4045 or toll-free at (800) 886-7689, Ext. 4045, or by emailing cdphe.hfdintake@state.co.us with “Assisted Living Residences, Complaint Intake” in the subject line. Written complaints may also be mailed to CDPHE, HFEMSD-A2, 4300 Cherry Creek Drive South, Denver, CO 80246-1530. You may file orally or in writing, and you may remain anonymous. To help investigators, provide as much detail as possible — the residence's name and address, the names of residents and staff involved, and the specific dates, times, and events you are reporting.
Memory Care and Dementia Care in Colorado
In Colorado, memory care is delivered within assisted living residences, often in a secured unit, for residents with Alzheimer's disease or other dementia who can no longer safely self-direct. These residences must meet additional requirements — including a secure outdoor area, individualized assessment and care planning, and dementia-specific staff training of at least six hours under Colorado law. Complaints about a memory care unit follow the same process: contact CDPHE using the phone number, email, or mailing address above.
ColoradoAssisted Living Regulations & Resources
How Colorado Licenses Assisted Living
Colorado licenses assisted living facilities as Assisted Living Residences (ALRs) under the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE), Health Facilities and Emergency Medical Services Division. Memory care is delivered within ALRs that operate secured units and meet additional assessment, care-planning, and dementia-training requirements.
Statute of Limitations
2 years
In Colorado, the statute of limitations for assisted living negligence claims is generally 2 years. Claims may fall under either personal injury or medical malpractice statutes, depending on the specific circumstances. It is critical to consult with an attorney as soon as possible to understand the specific deadlines that apply to your case, as missing these deadlines can permanently bar your claim.
Complaint Types Investigated
Abuse and neglect, medication errors, inadequate staffing, unsafe or unsanitary conditions, financial exploitation, improper evictions or transfers, and violations of residents' rights.
What Happens After You File
Investigation Timeline
CDPHE reviews each complaint and prioritizes it by severity. Allegations that a resident faces immediate danger receive the fastest response, while less urgent complaints are scheduled in the normal course. Timeframes vary with the nature and seriousness of the allegations.
Unannounced Inspections
CDPHE conducts unannounced inspections of assisted living residences — both routine annual surveys and complaint investigations — so that surveyors can observe the residence's normal day-to-day operations and conditions.
Complainant Notification
If you provide your contact information, CDPHE can follow up for additional details and notify you of the outcome. If you file anonymously, include as much detail as possible, because investigators will not be able to contact you for more information.
Enforcement Actions
When violations are confirmed, CDPHE may require a plan of correction and can impose enforcement actions ranging from deficiency citations and civil penalties to conditions on the license, suspension, or revocation, depending on the severity and pattern of the violations.
Anonymous Complaints
Yes, you can file an assisted living complaint anonymously in Colorado. The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) accepts anonymous complaints, and your identity as a complainant is protected. Providing your contact information allows investigators to follow up for additional details, which can strengthen the investigation.
Official Sources
- Complaint filing — Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE), Health Facilities and Emergency Medical Services Division: cdphe.colorado.gov
- Resident rights — 6 CCR 1011-1 Chapter 7, Part 13: law.cornell.edu
- Colorado Long-Term Care Ombudsman: coombudsman.org
- Mailing address — Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE), Health Facilities and Emergency Medical Services Division: CDPHE, HFEMSD-A2, Attention: Assisted Living Residences Complaint Intake, 4300 Cherry Creek Drive South, Denver, CO 80246-1530
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I file an assisted living complaint in Colorado anonymously?expand_more
What is the phone number to report an assisted living residence in Colorado, and how fast is it investigated?expand_more
What is the difference between a nursing home and an assisted living residence in Colorado?expand_more
Not Sure Where to Start?
Speak with an advocate who can guide you through the reporting process and help evaluate your family's legal options.