Gifts to Walk in Their Shoes 2026 contribute to...
Walk in Their Shoes
Colorado is aging at an unprecedented pace. The state’s population of adults age 65 and older has grown by more than 40% over the past decade — one of the fastest growth rates in the nation. Today, nearly 1 in 6 Coloradans is 65+, and by 2030, older adults will outnumber children in many Colorado communities.
This demographic shift will reshape healthcare, housing, long-term care, workforce demands, and community design across our state.
The question is not whether Colorado will age. The question is whether we are preparing leaders who are ready.
At Metropolitan State University of Denver, the Aging Services Leadership program is building a professional Aging Simulation Experience that allows students and community members to “step into the shoes” of older adults. Through hands-on simulation, participants experience changes in mobility, vision, hearing, and dexterity — deepening empathy and strengthening leadership skills in person-centered care and inclusive design.
In past years, this experience has been made possible through personally purchased, homegrown materials. With donor support, we can replace those limited tools with professional-grade, durable equipment that will serve students, alumni, and community partners for years to come. Gifts of $200+ could help purchase a full simulation suit.
Your gift is not simply funding equipment. It is investing in:
- Experiential learning that transforms future leaders
- Workforce readiness in a rapidly aging Colorado
- Ageism awareness and inclusive leadership practices
- A sustainable simulation toolkit impacting hundreds annually
Your support will help position MSU Denver as a leader in innovative aging services education — preparing graduates who lead with empathy, design with dignity, and serve older adults across Colorado with excellence.
Together, we can ensure Colorado is not only aging — but aging well.
