
Sunshine Gardens West Assisted Living
Assisted Living & Memory Care · Durango, CO
Sunshine Gardens West Assisted Living
Assisted Living & Memory Care · Durango, CO
Serving older adults in Colorado for 29 years, Sunshine Gardens West Assisted Living is a 70-bed residential community that sits in an exceptionally walkable location with a Walk Score of 97. It’s then easy for residents and visitors to access nearby services and neighborhoods on foot.
The community offers 24/7 care staffing paired with rehabilitation services and respite care for those in transition. Residents benefit from nursing support, housekeeping, laundry, and in-town transportation to handle appointments and errands. The mix of services indicates active residential support and short-term care needs. Daily life centers on restaurant-style dining, with three meals per day selected and approved by the Resident Council, giving residents a voice in their eating preferences. A dedicated Activities Director organizes a regular social and events calendar to engage residents throughout the week. Sunshine Gardens West Assisted Living also offers a therapy gym and exercise room for those wanting to stay active, plus a salon for grooming services.
The Secret Garden provides outdoor space, and the overall setting prioritizes the kind of daily ambiance and interpersonal connection that matter most when picking a home. The community, with nearly three decades of operation, offers stability and experience in assisted living care.
70-bed community Rank #265 / 526Bed count — State benchmarkedThis home is ranked 265th out of 526 homes in Colorado for bed count. Shows this facility's certified or reported bed count compared to other Colorado facilities. Larger communities may offer more amenities, programs, and on-site services for residents and families.Facilities with the same value for a metric share the same rank. Rankings are based only on facilities in Colorado that report data for that category. Facilities without available data are excluded from the ranking.Click the rank badge to see the full State ranking.Click here to see the full State ranking.
A moderately sized community that may balance personal attention with shared amenities and social activities.
29 years in operation
A longer operating history, which may indicate experience navigating regulations and delivering ongoing care.
Walk Score: 97 / 100 Rank #4 / 869Walk Score — State benchmarkedThis home is ranked 4th out of 869 homes in Colorado for walk score. Shows how walkable this facility's neighborhood is compared to the average walk score across Colorado facilities. Higher scores benefit residents, families, and staff.Facilities with the same value for a metric share the same rank. Rankings are based only on facilities in Colorado that report data for that category. Facilities without available data are excluded from the ranking.Click the rank badge to see the full State ranking.Click here to see the full State ranking.
Walker's paradise. Daily errands do not require a car, with many shops and services nearby.
BBB Rating: A+ (Not Accredited)
An independent rating from the Better Business Bureau based on factors such as complaint history, transparency, and business practices.
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About this community
Facility TypeAssisted Living Residence/alternative Care Facility (medicaid)
StatusActive
Sunshine Gardens West Assisted Living is administered by Rita Horst.
Owner NameSunshine Gardens Group LLC
Staffing
Key information about the people who lead and staff this community.
ContactMr. Robert R Hilger, President/CEO (per BBB, record updated Jul 2026)
Rehabilitation Services
Respite Care
Nursing Services
24-Hour Staffing
24 Hour Care Staff Service
Three Resident Council Approved Meals Daily
Housekeeping
In-Town Transportation
Laundry Service
Social And Events Calendar
Salon Services
Therapy Gym
Exercise Room
Secret Garden
Activities
Religious ServicesChapel available for prayer, worship, and meditation
Volunteer Program
Touring HoursMonday-Friday 8:00 am to 5:00 pm
What does this home offer?
Pets Allowed
Places of interest near Sunshine Gardens West Assisted Living
0.0 miles from city center
Estimated distance in miles from Durango's city center to Sunshine Gardens West Assisted Living's address, calculated via Google Maps.
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Compare Assisted Living around the area
Info below is compiled from the CO Dept. of Public Health & Environment (CDPHE), senior community websites & trusted data sources such as Walk Score & BBB.
Communities are listed from highest to lowest based on our ranking methodology.
| Sunshine Gardens West Assisted Living | AL MC | Durango | 70
Facility
70
CO AVG
76
Rank
#265 / 526 | Yes |
97
Facility
97
CO AVG
51
Rank
#4 / 869 | - | A+ | Rita Horst | Sunshine Gardens Group LLC |
| Hillcrest Care Center | AL MC NH SNF | Wray | 45
Facility
45
CO AVG
76
Rank
#367 / 526 | No |
57
Facility
57
CO AVG
51
Rank
#391 / 869 | - | - | Kimberly Bryant | Wray Community Long Term Care, Inc |
| Continuing Care at Wind Crest | AL IL MC NH | Highlands Ranch (Westridge) | 44
Facility
44
CO AVG
76
Rank
#375 / 526 | Yes |
31
Facility
31
CO AVG
51
Rank
#671 / 869 | - | - | Kelsey J Ficca | Wind Crest, Inc |
| Castle Peak Senior Life and Rehabilitation | AL MC NH SNF | Eagle | 44
Facility
44
CO AVG
76
Rank
#375 / 526 | No |
40
Facility
40
CO AVG
51
Rank
#572 / 869 | - | - | - | - |
| Holly Creek | AL IL MC NH SNF | Centennial (East Peakview Avenue) | 25
Facility
25
CO AVG
76
Rank
#418 / 526 | Yes |
39
Facility
39
CO AVG
51
Rank
#584 / 869 | 1 Bed / 2 Bed / 3 Bed | - | - | - |
Frequently Asked Questions about Sunshine Gardens West Assisted Living
Who is the owner of Sunshine Gardens West Assisted Living?
Sunshine Gardens West Assisted Living is legally operated by Sunshine Gardens Group LLC, and administered by Rita Horst.
Is Sunshine Gardens West Assisted Living in a walkable area?
Sunshine Gardens West Assisted Living has a walk score of 97. Walker's paradise. Daily errands do not require a car, with many shops and services nearby.
How long has Sunshine Gardens West Assisted Living been in business?
Sunshine Gardens West Assisted Living has been operating for approximately 29 years, based on available licensing and registration records.
Does Sunshine Gardens West Assisted Living have different floorplan options?
Yes — see the floorplan options available at Sunshine Gardens West Assisted Living on this page.
Are pets allowed at Sunshine Gardens West Assisted Living?
Yes, Sunshine Gardens West Assisted Living allows residents to bring their pets.
Who is the administrator of Sunshine Gardens West Assisted Living?
Rita Horst is the administrator of Sunshine Gardens West Assisted Living.
How many beds does Sunshine Gardens West Assisted Living have?
Sunshine Gardens West Assisted Living has 70 beds.
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