Colorado Family-Led PASA Data: 2025
This summary highlights the experiences of aging caregivers in Colorado who operate their own Family-Led PASAs (Program Approved Service Agencies). These caregivers play a vital role in supporting individuals with disabilities to live independently and meaningfully in their communities. However, there is a clear and growing need for support—not just for the individuals receiving services, but for the primary caregivers who make this possible.
To explore these needs, we conducted 6 webinars with 49 participants in the Spring of 2025 across Colorado. The discussions revealed valuable insights into the lived experience of managing a Family-Led PASA, the challenges these families face, and the types of support they require. While further research is necessary for a more comprehensive understanding, this initial data provides a compelling foundation.
Notably, 100% of participants agreed that a shared “back-office” support system could help ease operational burdens through economies of scale and improve long-term sustainability for families across the state.
Distribution of Participants
The map shows the diverse distribution of participants, indicating that there is a broader demand for Our Back Office support across multiple counties in Colorado. This suggests that more targeted outreach is needed to identify county-specific needs.
85% of family caregivers will be over 60 years old in the next 10 years.
There is a growing interest, with 19% of families eager to start their own PASAs. One thing is clear—families are looking for more support in launching and managing these services.
In fact, families can spend anywhere from 3 to 16 hours per individual on administrative tasks alone. That’s a serious time investment! There’s a real opportunity to step up and provide the support families need to streamline the process and make these essential services more accessible.​
Biggest Challenges Aging Caregivers Face
86%
75%
72%
68%
Staff Recruitment and Retention
Navigating Regulations and Compliance
Administrative Workload
Long-term Continuity
61% of family PASA leaders manage these responsibilities on their own, without additional support. They shared that a significant amount of their time is spent on a wide range of administrative tasks—including staying up to date with rule changes and ensuring compliance, handling Human Resources and onboarding paperwork, overseeing daily operations of the PASA, navigating the complexities of the healthcare system, completing surveys, maintaining eligibility, and managing Medicaid billing. The time and effort required to keep up with these responsibilities can be overwhelming and adds to the emotional and physical demands of caregiving.​
Sustainability for Aging Caregivers
Caring for an adult with disabilities is a deeply personal and rewarding commitment—especially for aging caregivers who have spent a lifetime advocating for their loved ones. But as time goes on, taking care of themselves becomes just as important. Prioritizing caregiver well-being isn’t a luxury—it’s a necessity that allows families to continue providing the thoughtful, person-centered support their loved ones deserve. Supporting caregiver well-being is the foundation of a strong, sustainable future for everyone involved.
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The tabs above, identify the reported physical and mental toll operating a family PASA takes.
Nearly 9 out of 10 people said they don’t have a long-term plan in place to sustain the family PASA if something unexpected prevented them from continuing.
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Without a sustainable plan, the knowledge, relationships, and advocacy built by family caregivers are at risk of being lost—leaving the person with a disability vulnerable and unsupported.
Creating a long-term strategy is crucial and ensures that the PASA’s mission and support systems endure beyond the caregiver’s capacity to lead. A sustainability plan protects the present efforts and ensuring the ongoing empowerment and self-determination of individuals with disabilities.
Unlocking the Value of Our Back Office
Our Back Office is more than just an administrative support service, it's a catalyst for change. By relieving the burden of day-to-day administrative duties, we give families the space to focus on what truly matters: family time, overall health, and the ability to lead meaningful lives aside from supporting family members.
That relief translates into improved mental and physical well-being for those who carry the weight of running family-led PASAs.
By coming together under a unified infrastructure, we can create a platform for collective advocacy — one that amplifies aging caregivers voices’ at the policy level and ensures that the needs of family-led agencies in Colorado are not just heard, but prioritized. This collective power builds the foundation for long-term sustainability, preserving self-determination while strengthening impact.
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With Our Back Office, PASAs are positioned thrive, as part of a movement with a shared voice, shared values, and a shared future that supports caregivers and their loved ones.