On Wednesday October 7, the Partnership for Age Friendly Communities (PAFC) with the Larimer County Office on Aging (LCOA) and AARP hosted their bi-annual Candidates Forum on Zoom, where they interview each the state candidates about current senior issues. Here is the result of this online forum. CSU Professor Martin Carcasson with PAFC moderated the event on Zoom.
Martin pointed out that by 2030 there will be a 125% increase in seniors over 65 of about 1.2 million senior adults. By 2040, it will be a 19% increase. It’s evident that our senior population is constantly growing and there will be some legislative challenges on taking of this growing demographic.
The following candidates were interviewed: Rep. Jeni Arndt, House District 53 democrat unopposed, Senator JoAnn Ginal, democrat, Rep. Cathy Kipp democrat, Sally Bocella democrat, Mike Lynch Republican, Donna Walter Republican, & Yara Zokaie, democrat. Some are running for re-election and some as new candidates.
Martin began with asking this question to all candidates: How are you going to address the funding of the many Colorado senior programs?
Rep. Jeni Arndt responded this was her last year in the legislature, but will vote to increase funding for these crucial programs.
Senator Ginal indicated many senior issues are being considered including the Homestead Act, dental care, seniors living longer, seniors working longer, need more funding to the Office on Aging, and caregiving costs.
Sally Bocella said to restructure our tax policy regarding seniors, and promote all Area Agency on Aging partnerships.
Representative Cathy Kipp indicated she serves on the Education and Energy Committees. The legislature cut 25% this year, and may need to cut even more for 2021 because of the pandemic with over $1.5 Billion budgeted for next year. It’s going to be a challenge with the revised budget!
Republican candidate Mike Lynch said funding and budgets are a tough challenge, but outside partnerships are important to fund many senior programs including putting aging adults back to work!
Democratic candidate Yara Zokaie running for District 49 is a tax attorney and former caregiver for her parents agrees more funding is needed. She offered one way to do this is to cut corp loopholes, which many corporations pay no or little taxes and tax the wealthy even more!
Republican candidate Donna Walters had microphone problems and couldn’t answer this question.
Martin’s second question: How are you going to address ageism (bias) against senior during the COVID-19 pandemic?
Bocella responded with empathy.
Senator Ginal responded this gives negative connotations at nursing homes with increasing senior deaths, and younger adults being infected at CU and CSU schools.
Rep. Arndt responded ageism is illegal and should be enforced by the state’s Attorney General’s office and older adults should get more respect!
Question: How to address pandemic and keep our senior population safe in Colorado?
Yara said we need to follow public health guidelines, need more isolation, wearing masks. This is depressing on seniors who need more testing.
Lynch indicated quarantine is very important as senior deaths are too high, economy is hurting, and need to help our older adults!
Ms. Walters responded the current legislature rubber stamps all the governor’s recommendations/bills (no surprise there) as a one party system doesn’t work!
Cathy indicated that the governor is doing a good job with all the budget challenges.
Many more questions followed and the candidates answers can be seen on the video on PAFC’s Facebook page by selecting this link at Larimer County Candidates Forum Video
Article by photo-journalist Robert Larson.
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