Recognizing market potential and sustainable growth through age-inclusive strategy
DENVER (Sept. 30, 2026) - The State of Colorado has officially opened nominations for the Colorado Leadership and Longevity Awards, a new benchmark for organizations driving progress in our state’s rapidly evolving economy. As longevity reshapes the way we live and work, the most successful businesses are embracing a dual mandate of championing the dignity and independence of older Coloradans while recognizing the massive economic potential of an age-inclusive society. These awards recognize the visionaries who are transforming that mandate into action, delivering tangible solutions that strengthen our workforce, revitalize our economy and elevate the well-being of our communities.
"Longevity is transforming the way we live, work and connect in Colorado,” CDHS Executive Director Michelle Barnes said. “ By recognizing organizations that design with inclusivity and accessibility at the forefront, we are celebrating a new standard of success; one where business innovation directly improves the quality of life for our older residents and creates a more resilient, thriving economy for us all.”
Aligned with Colorado’s Multi-Sector Plan on Aging, and the state’s commitment to age-friendly, connected, healthy and economically resilient communities, these awards honor businesses, employers, public agencies, nonprofits, universities, innovators and cross-sector partners who are advancing the solutions and systems needed for a thriving, age-diverse society.
Award Categories
The program features core awards targeting key areas of longevity-ready innovation, along with special honors for multi-category impact and narrative disruption:
- Longevity-Ready Workforce Award: Recognizes organizations supporting longer careers, multigenerational workforce strategies, caregiver support, flexible schedules, financial wellness and reskilling.
- Longevity-Ready Design Award: Honors human-centered, inclusive design across housing, the built environment, hospitality, retail and public spaces.
- Longevity-Ready Health & Function Award: Highlights innovations prioritizing everyday health across the lifespan, including functional strength, mobility, disease prevention and rural health access.
- Longevity-Ready Systems, Access, and Connection Award: Celebrates innovative strategies in care coordination, food access, transportation, rural engagement and community-based support models.
- Longevity-Ready Innovation in Action Award: Recognizes startups, government entities, academic institutions, and cross-sector collaborations scaling research and pilot projects into commercialized, accessible business models.
Special Recognition
- Ageism Disruptor Award: Honors leaders and organizations actively challenging outdated narratives and reducing age bias in workforce, media, public policy, design and commerce.
Organizations across public, private, non-profit and academic sectors are eligible to apply across multiple categories. To nominate a business for the Leadership and Longevity Awards, please fill out our short nomination form by Oct. 18, 2026.
The Colorado Department of Human Services (CDHS) works with partners to empower Coloradans to thrive. CDHS oversees the state’s 64 county departments of human services, public mental health institutions, and various programs designed to support the safety and well-being of Colorado’s most vulnerable populations.
Media contact:
Julie Popp
Colorado Department of Human Services
719-788-1307