Oversight & ethics enforcementDiscrimination & civil rightsHealth & social services
DOJ found Colorado needlessly confined adults with physical disabilities in nursing homes; the state settled in 2024 without admitting a violation
Confidence: Confirmed · 3 sourcesColorado · Oct 12, 2026
Subject of this story
State of Colorado (Department of Health Care Policy & Financing)
Also named
Oversight
U.S. Department of Justice
What happened
In March 2022 the U.S. Justice Department found that Colorado was violating the ADA's integration mandate (Olmstead) by failing to give adults with physical disabilities adequate services to live at home rather than in nursing facilities. DOJ sued on September 29, 2023, and a settlement agreement was announced in late October/early November 2024. It requires Colorado to speed transitions out of nursing facilities, improve counseling and public information on home-based services, and be overseen by an independent monitor. Colorado did not concede the accuracy of DOJ's findings or admit a violation.
Sources (3)
U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Public Affairs (press release 24-1379)Colorado violates Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Supreme Court's decision in Olmstead v. L.C. by unnecessarily segregating adults with physical disabilities, including older adults, in nursing facilities.
Denver GazetteU.S. Justice Department settles lawsuit against Colorado over disabled residents in nursing homes.
Courthouse News ServiceDOJ: Colorado unnecessarily institutionalizes adults with physical disabilities in nursing homes.
Response
State of Colorado (Department of Health Care Policy & Financing)
Statement given
Contacted and responded — exact wording not on record.
What happened next (0)
No outcome recorded yet.