Attorney General Phil Weiser announces formation of Joint Task Force for Financial Security for Older Coloradans

Apr. 24, 2019 (DENVER, Colo.)—The Office of the Attorney General announced today that it is launching a Task Force for Financial Security for Older Coloradans. This effort, which includes the Governor’s office and public and private sector stakeholders, will focus on a robust statewide consumer protection initiative that will increase the likelihood of financial security for all Coloradans so they can age with dignity and achieve maximum quality of life.

Weiser, who announced the formation of the Task Force at Senior Lobby Day at the First Baptist Church on Grant Street, reported that by 2030, the number of Coloradans over 65 is expected to roughly double, reaching 1.3 million or 20 percent of the state’s population.

“I view our changing age demographic with great optimism. It is a sign that we are a place where people are committed to tradition, and to building deep roots. And it reflects that we are increasingly considered a great place for older Americans from elsewhere in the country to come and start the next chapter of their lives,” explained Weiser. “But this change will also carry some challenges. As Colorado’s Attorney General, one of my office’s most important responsibilities is to protect older Americans from fraud, scams, and abuse. When bad actors, whether scam artists or unscrupulous companies, prey on older Americans, the Colorado Attorney General is the one who stands up to them. We’ve got your back.”

The Task Force for Financial Security for Older Coloradans will function as a way to collaborate and bring together government agencies and other stakeholders in the aging space arena of financial literacy, financial security, consumer protection and elder abuse. To achieve its goals, it is the intention of the Attorney General and the Governor that, in doing this work, the Task Force will reach out broadly to diverse groups throughout the State of Colorado to serve on special purpose work group committees.

“As our senior population continues to grow, this task force will help provide the right tools and strategies to protect older Coloradans,” said Governor Jared Polis. “We want our state to be one where people can thrive and know they will be secure in their later years.”

Financial exploitation is also associated with poorer health outcomes over time and higher utilization of government resources. The Task Force for Financial Security for Older Coloradans will be a collaborative effort to help Colorado get aging right.

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CONTACT
Lawrence Pacheco, Director of Communications
(720) 508-6553 office | (720) 245-4689 cell
Email: Lawrence.pacheco@coag.gov