Best Assisted Living in Colorado

Overview of Columbine Manor Care Center

Columbine Manor Care Center is a 112-bed skilled nursing facility in Salida, Colorado, serving residents across Chaffee County with long-term care, short-term rehabilitation, and memory care. Privately owned by Amy Gaidies and currently administered by Edward Kennedy II, the facility has operated since 2013 and holds a 4-star overall CMS rating.

Columbine Manor has logged 15 health citations across 3 inspections since 2021 — 38% below the Colorado average of 24.8 total citations statewide. At 5 citations per inspection, the facility matches the state average of 5.2.

Notably, zero citations reached critical or serious severity levels, compared to Colorado averages of 0.4 and 2.1, respectively; all 15 citations were moderate, led by Infection Control (4) and Quality of Life & Care (4). The most recent inspection in October 2023 produced at least 4 citations, and all were corrected. No civil money penalties have been imposed in the past three years.

The facility’s genuine strength is its quality measure performance. Long-stay residents experience hospitalizations at 0.33 per 1,000 days — 75% better than the Colorado average of 1.30 — and fall-with-major-injury rates of 1.8%, nearly half the state benchmark of 3.3%. Antipsychotic medication use stands at 1.8% against a Colorado average of 18.8%. CMS rates both long-stay and short-stay quality measures as significantly above average.

Staffing shows a mixed result. Nurse hours run 3 hours and 56 minutes per resident per day, and the staff-to-resident ratio of 1.42:1 runs 24% below the Colorado average of 1.88:1. Payroll, however, consumes 87% of revenue — ranked 2nd out of 182 Colorado SNFs. This indicates that the facility commits the bulk of its resources to staffing despite the operating loss of $1.5M in 2023.

On-site services include 24-hour skilled nursing, in-house rehabilitation with an AlterG Anti-Gravity Treadmill, respiratory therapy, speech-language pathology, and Alzheimer’s and dementia care. Respite care is available. The facility serves a mixed population: 31% Medicaid long-term residents alongside a 48% private-pay share that trends toward shorter rehab stays.

Columbine Manor Care Center is best suited for seniors seeking post-acute rehabilitation or memory care in a rural, walkable Salida setting. Families seeking low hospitalization rates will find this community a good fit.

Overview of South Valley Post Acute Rehabilitation

South Valley Post Acute Rehabilitation is a 106-bed skilled nursing facility in Denver, Colorado, operated by Avalanche Healthcare, Inc. The facility serves residents requiring short-term rehabilitation, memory care, respite care, and long-term care, and accepts both Medicare and Medicaid.

Staffing levels are below the Colorado average in most categories: RN hours average 31 minutes per resident per day, compared with the state average of 50 minutes, and CNA hours average 2 hours 4 minutes, compared with the state average of 2 hours 12 minutes. Weekend nursing coverage averages 2 hours and 59 minutes per day, below Colorado’s average of 3 hours and 16 minutes per day. Quality measure performance tells a different story. Long-stay outcomes are rated significantly above the Colorado average, and short-stay outcomes are rated above average, suggesting that care delivery holds up despite lower staffing hours.

The facility offers 24-hour staffing and rehabilitation services. In-House Therapy and the Stay Active program are the on-site programming tracks.

South Valley Post Acute Rehabilitation fits residents seeking post-acute rehabilitation or long-term skilled nursing care in Denver, with particular orientation toward those whose payer mix includes Medicare or Medicaid and who prioritize quality-of-care outcomes over staffing hours per day.

Adara Living is a 210-bed skilled nursing community in Broomfield, Colorado, offering long-term care, memory care, short-term rehabilitation, and respite stays. Privately owned and operated by Broomfield Skilled Nursing and Rehabilitation Center LLC, the facility has been in operation for 24 years and accepts Medicare, Medicaid, and private pay.

The facility holds a 2-star overall CMS rating, roughly 37% below the Colorado average — driven primarily by its health inspection sub-rating, which trails the state by 64%. Since 2022, Adara Living has recorded 47 citations across 7 inspections, nearly double Colorado’s average of 24.8; that includes 1 critical citation and 4 serious citations in the past four years. CMS issued $61,000 in federal fines in 2023, including a $39,000 civil money penalty and a two-day payment denial in August 2023.

The facility stands out in staffing. Total adjusted nursing hours average 4 hours and 23 minutes per resident per day — 14% above the Colorado average of 3 hours and 51 minutes — ranking the facility 30th among 177 Colorado skilled nursing facilities on that measure. Nurse aide staffing in particular is 14% above state norms. Quality measures also perform above average at 21.4% above the Colorado benchmark, suggesting stronger day-to-day clinical management despite the inspection record.

On-site services include 24-hour staffing, including dietary services, social services, and activity programming. Its occupancy rate is 77%, in line with the state average.

Adara Living is best suited for residents in Broomfield County who need skilled nursing, post-acute rehabilitation, or memory care, with current availability and a staffing profile that supports higher-acuity daily care needs. However, families should carefully review the facility’s inspection and enforcement history before arranging placement.

Overview of Rock Canyon Respiratory and Rehabilitation Center

Rock Canyon Respiratory and Rehabilitation Center is a 141-bed skilled nursing facility in Pueblo, Colorado, providing short-term rehabilitation and long-term care, in-house therapy, and respite care, with a particular focus on respiratory therapy and post-acute recovery. The facility is operated by Rock Canyon Healthcare LLC. It accepts Medicare, Medicaid, and private pay.

CMS rates the facility at 2 stars overall, with staffing as the primary driver. Adjusted nurse staffing averages 2 hours and 25 minutes per resident per day, compared with the Colorado average of 3 hours and 51 minutes — placing the facility 174th out of 177 Colorado SNFs on that measure. Four of six staffing metrics fall below state averages. Quality measures are a counterpoint: the facility scores 21.4% above the Colorado average on clinical performance indicators, reflecting outcomes that outpace its staffing levels.

Across its inspection record, the facility has accumulated 42 total citations, ranking 159th of 182 Colorado SNFs for cumulative citations. CMS has issued three federal fines totaling $90,000 — roughly double the Colorado average of $40,000 and 35% more fines than the typical in-state facility. Citation severity over the past four years includes one critical finding, six serious, and 35 moderate, with noted moderate citations in abuse/neglect and infection control. The facility’s citations-per-inspection rate ranks near the middle of the state pool at 101st of 182.

The facility’s occupancy rate is above the Colorado state average, ranking 42nd of 185 Colorado nursing homes — a sign of consistent local demand for its post-acute and respiratory services.

Rock Canyon is best suited for patients requiring short-term respiratory rehabilitation or post-acute skilled nursing care in Pueblo County, particularly those whose placement decisions hinge on clinical quality-of-care outcomes rather than staffing depth. However, families should review the facility’s staffing levels, inspection history, and enforcement record before making a placement decision.

Overview of Irondale Post Acute

Irondale Post Acute is a 95-bed skilled nursing facility in Commerce City, Colorado, offering long-term care, secure memory care, rehabilitation services, and respite care to residents in Adams County. The facility is owned by West Van Buren Healthcare, Inc. and administered by Albeejohn Hummel.

CMS rates Irondale Post Acute at 2 stars overall, with 1-star ratings in both Health Inspection and Quality Measures — each substantially below Colorado averages. Across 8 inspections since 2020, the facility recorded 26 total citations, roughly in line with the state average of 24.8. However, the severity profile is a concern: 2 critical and 3 serious citations were issued, and CMS imposed $89,000 in civil money penalties between 2023 and 2025, including a payment denial for new Medicare and Medicaid admissions in December 2023. The most recent fines — $27,000 in April 2025 and $29,000 in October 2025 — both followed Quality of Care citations.

Nurse staffing averages 3 hours and 33 minutes per resident per day, about 8% below the Colorado average. Physical therapist staffing stands out at 80% above the state average, which aligns with the facility’s rehabilitation focus. Long-stay quality measures are broadly below average, with antipsychotic use at 37.8% — more than double the Colorado figure of 18.8% — and daily-activity decline rates elevated compared to state peers.

The facility’s occupancy rate is 91.2%, well above the Colorado average of 76.5%, placing it 31st out of 185 in the state. The current resident census is heavily Medicaid-weighted (88%), with an average length of stay of 192 days, reflecting a predominantly long-term population.

Irondale Post Acute is best suited for long-term Medicaid residents and post-acute rehabilitation in Commerce City, with secure memory care capacity for residents who require a locked unit. Families should review the facility’s enforcement history, antipsychotic-use rates, and quality-of-care findings before making a long-term decision.

Overview of Mapleton Post Acute

Mapleton Post Acute is a 90-bed skilled nursing facility in Lakewood, Colorado, owned by Castle Rock Healthcare, Inc. and operated under the Ensign Services umbrella. The facility offers short-term rehabilitation and post-acute skilled nursing, with in-house therapy and a Stay Active programming track supporting recovery-focused care.

Across seven years of inspections since 2019, Mapleton recorded 38 total deficiencies — 27% above the Colorado average of 30 — with recurring findings in discharge planning, medication management, and infection control. A substantiated complaint in March 2024 involved medication errors causing resident harm. The most recent inspection, in June 2025, cited two deficiencies related to Medicare non-coverage notices and discharge notification procedures.

Staffing levels fall below Colorado benchmarks across all nursing categories: RN hours average 30 minutes per resident per day, 40% below the state average; LPN hours are 34% below, and nurse aide hours are 13% below. Physical therapy hours are a counterpoint — 8 minutes per resident per day, 60% above the state average — consistent with the facility’s rehabilitation orientation. Weekend total nursing coverage averages 2 hours and 33 minutes per day, 22% below the Colorado average.

Return-to-community rates for short-stay residents are 47.7%, modestly below the state’s 50.6%, while the fall-with-major-injury rate is 0.0% compared with Colorado’s average of 0.8%.

Mapleton Post Acute is structured for short-term post-acute rehabilitation in Lakewood, particularly for residents whose primary need is in-house therapy following hospitalization. However, families should review the facility’s staffing levels and medication-management history before making a placement decision.

Overview of Westlake Care Community

Westlake Care Community is a 69-bed skilled nursing facility in Lakewood, Colorado, offering both short-term rehabilitation and long-term care. The facility is operated by W III, Inc., under the administration of Hannah Duerst and has served Jefferson County for 48 years. It accepts Medicare, Medicaid, and private pay.

The facility holds a 4-star overall CMS rating, led by a 5-star Health Inspection score that runs roughly 43% above the Colorado average. Across three inspections since 2022, the facility recorded 12 total citations — less than half the state average of 24.8 — with no critical findings and no federal fines. One serious citation appeared in that period; the remaining 11 were moderate, all corrected.

Nurse staffing averages 3 hours and 59 minutes per resident per day, modestly above Colorado’s average of 3 hours and 51 minutes per resident per day. The facility received the AHCA Silver National Quality Award in 2019 and maintains an active Resident Council, along with therapy services and a culinary and nutrition program.

The facility’s occupancy rate is 45% — well below the Colorado average of 76.5% — indicating availability across the community. The payer mix at admission skews toward private pay (45%) and Medicaid (40%), with a 15% share from Medicare and a 19-day average Medicare stay, reflecting the facility’s rehabilitation capacity alongside its longer-stay population.

Westlake Care Community suits residents seeking short-term post-acute rehabilitation or longer-term skilled nursing care in Lakewood, with current availability.

Westwood Post Acute is an 85-bed skilled nursing facility at 3185 W Arkansas Ave in Denver, Colorado, offering short-term rehabilitation, 24-hour skilled nursing, psychiatric care, hospice services, and early memory care programming to residents in Denver County. The facility is operated by North Star Healthcare, LLC, and accepts both Medicare and Medicaid.

CMS rates Westwood Post Acute at 2 stars overall, with Health Inspection performance as the primary drag — the facility ranks 182nd out of 182 Colorado SNFs on citations per inspection, the lowest in the state. Staffing runs in the opposite direction: nurse staffing averages 4 hours and 13 minutes per resident per day, sitting roughly 9% above the Colorado average of 3 hours and 51 minutes, placing the facility 45th out of 177 statewide on that measure.

Westwood’s program depth stands out for a facility of its size. Beyond standard PT, OT, and speech therapy, it offers complex wound management, psychiatric care, and Rubato Music Therapy — a program specifically designed to foster cognitive and emotional engagement. An on-site rehabilitation gym supports post-acute recovery. The facility’s occupancy rate is 91%, well above the Colorado average of 76.5%, reflecting consistent local demand.

Westwood Post Acute’s rehabilitation capacity, psychiatric services, and early memory care programming make it best suited for residents seeking short-term post-acute stays and those with complex or behavioral health needs in the Denver metro area.