About Us
Our Mission
Our mission is to help aging adults who no longer can live independently remain as healthy and active as possible in familiar, supportive surroundings in the vibrant community of La Veta, Colorado.
La Veta Village History
Founded in 2015, La Veta Village Inc. helps meet needs of older adults in Huerfano County. Nearly one-third of the County’s residents are over 65, and projections are that within a few years 50% of the County’s residents will be over 60. Working with others, our goal is to help fill the gaps in programs and services for this population.
In the early years we obtained our nonprofit status, secured a building for our planned assisted living residence, started fundraising and initiated efforts to secure construction financing. In 2017-18, La Veta Village launched a Living Life Well program consisting of a series of 15 discussions and presentations. We delivered these programs countywide including such topics as getting a good night’s sleep, Medicare and Medicaid enrollment and eligibility, dealing with memory loss, hospice, and financial planning. La Veta Village volunteers and leaders from other organizations (Spanish Peaks Regional Health Center, Sangre de Cristo Community Care) delivered these sessions, reaching over 200 individuals. An updated version of this program launched in the latter half of 2021.
In times of crisis, La Veta Village stepped up to help older adults and their families with other essential needs. Following the 2018 Spring Fire in the County, we collected clothing and household items to donate to victims. In April 2020, during the Covid-19 pandemic, we launched a Food Program, providing free food boxes to over 135 families in need and grocery shopping and delivery to adults over 60.
In June 2020 we were awarded a construction loan and grant by the Colorado Department of Local Affairs (DOLA) to renovate and convert the old cheese factory in La Veta into an assisted living residence. In late 2020, we hired H.W. Houston Construction who completed construction of the residence in early 2022, providing suites for 16 residents and one staff member.
Huerfano County Commissioners signed a MOU with us, contributed financially and through in-kind support, because of our social and economic impact:
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We fill a gap in support for its aging population with the assisted living facility
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We provides additional services and support for hundreds of the County’s aging residents
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We help address a critical shortage of affordable housing for residents over age 65
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We bring over 10 new jobs to the County, roughly equivalent 10x in an urban area
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We contribute over $550,000 in annual expenditures to the local economy
Looking forward, La Veta Village and our Huerfano County Commissioners understand that a profound demographic shift is taking place in our County with nearly 50% of our residents over age 60. We seek to be part of a movement that encourages a stronger ethic of responsibility for the well-being of this population and a renewed appreciation for their contributions, both past and present.
