The 10 Worst Nursing Homes in Colorado

Updated as of March 01, 2024

A list of the ten worst skilled nursing homes in Colorado. Based on the Weighted Health Inspection Score developed by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.

Click here to see the best skilled nursing facilities in Colorado.

Compare the Worst Nursing Homes in Colorado

Every year, thousands of seniors, their families, and friends are faced with the difficult decision of choosing a skilled nursing facility, either because someone is recuperating after a hospital visit or for end-of-life care. This is usually an issue that arises suddenly, and the decision makers are not equipped with the right knowledge and information to make a good decision. Not knowing how to decide, they turn to others for recommendations. Word of mouth, along with geography, are constantly cited as the most important factors in choosing a skilled nursing facility. Choosing a facility with such limited information can lead to significant problems. Not all skilled nursing facilities are the same and the people that you trust to recommend a facility may not know enough about the facility and the alternatives to be a competent guide.

Providing the type of care that residents of skilled nursing facilities require is very difficult. The range of issues that are being treated is vast and the needs cover both people recuperating and recovering as well as those facing end-of-life issues. Residents require significant help with basic daily activities as well as supplemental needs like oxygen and 24/7 monitoring.

To help people who are facing this difficult situation, we have compiled a list of the worst Colorado skilled nursing facilities and the the best skilled nursing facilities. (We have also compiled the best and worst nursing homes by city for most cities in the United States, links are shown at the bottom on this page.) The lists are based on data provided by The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid (“CMS”) and include information gathered from detailed annual inspections, monthly reporting, complaint histories, deficiency reports and much more.

The list below calls out the worst skilled nursing facilities in Colorado. For the most part these facilities should be avoided. All the facilities have issues with cleanliness and safety and a large number of the facilities have been flagged by CMS as locations where abuse has either occurred or is highly likely.

Avoiding these facilities may not always be an option either because of geographic, monetary, or occupancy constraints. However, being in a bad nursing home does not mean that the resident will not improve. If you have a loved one in one of these facilities, we encourage you to visit often and to ask that friends and other family visit too. It is well documented that positive outcomes for skilled nursing residents is highly correlated with the number and diversity of people visiting the resident. Being there, getting to know the staff, showing the staff that the resident has people that care about him or her is critical. There may not always be a better option, but your direct involvement can make a difference.

To see a more detailed analysis of the performance on skilled nursing facilities in Colorado, including staffing, COVID-19 infections, historical occupancy levels and recent trends, look at our detailed analysis page.

Nursing Home Rating
Winding Trails Post Acute
2800 PALO PKWY
BOULDER, CO 		401.33
Bethany Nursing and Rehab Center
5301 W 1ST AVE
LAKEWOOD, CO 		322.67
/
Prestige Care Center of Morrison
150 SPRING ST
MORRISON, CO 		288.67
/
Lowry Hills Care and Rehabilitation
10201 E 3RD AVE
AURORA, CO 		282.00
/
Willow Tree Care Center
2050 S MAIN ST
DELTA, CO 		263.67
Atlas Post Acute
2611 JONES AVE
PUEBLO, CO 		238.00
Rating Not Available
Paonia Care and Rehabilitation Center
1625 MEADOWBROOK BLVD
PAONIA, CO 		236.33
/
Cherrelyn Healthcare Center
5555 S ELATI ST
LITTLETON, CO 		199.67
Mountain View Post Acute
835 TENDERFOOT HILL RD
COLORADO SPRINGS, CO 		196.50
Malley Transitional Care Center
401 MALLEY DR
NORTHGLENN, CO 		189.50

Nursing Homes with the warning icon () have been flagged by CMS for abuse.

How We Compile Nursing Home Ratings in Colorado

Every month, we rank all of the skilled nursing facilities in Colorado. These rankings are based on data provided by The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid measures ("CMS"), including the CMS 5-Star Rating System and the Health Inspection Scores. The list of the Worst Skilled Nursing Facilities in Colorado is based on the weighted overall health inspection score which is a composite of CMS's three most recent skilled nursing home inspection scores weighted to give the most recent inspection more importance.

The CMS 5-Star Rating System rates skilled nursing facilities from one to five stars, with one star being the lowest and five stars being the highest. The rating system also rates Colorado nursing homes across five different dimensions including overall rating, health inspection rating, quality measures rating, overall staffing rating, and RN staffing rating (RN is an acronym for Registered Nurse).

In addition to the 5-Star Rating System, CMS provides numerical metrics that summarize:

  • Health Inspection Domain. The health inspection rating is based on the three most recent standard surveys for each nursing home, results from any complaint investigations during the most recent three-year period, and any repeat revisits needed to verify that required corrections have brought the facility back into compliance. CMS calculates a weighted deficiency score based on points assigned to health deficiencies identified in each active provider’s current health inspection survey and the two prior surveys (including revisits), as well as deficiency findings from the most recent three years of complaint investigations. More recent surveys are weighted more heavily than older surveys: the most recent period (cycle 1) is assigned a weighting factor of 1/2, the previous period (cycle 2) has a weighting factor of 1/3, and the second prior survey (cycle 3) has a weighting factor of 1/6. The weighted time period scores are then summed to create the survey score for each facility.
  • Staffing Domain. Using multiple reporting methods, CMS calculates the amount of time that the nursing staff spends with residents. This is measured across multiple dimensions, one each for three different levels of nursing, including Registered Nurses (“RNs”), Licensed Practical Nurses (“LPNs”), and Certified Nursing Assistants (“CNAs”), plus one metric that totals all contributions. These metrics are expressed in hours per resident per day. CMS also provides state-level and national averages for the metrics to allow for additional comparisons.
  • Quality Measures Domain. A set of quality measures (QMs) has been developed from MDS-based indicators to describe the quality of care provided in nursing homes. These measures address a broad range of functioning and health status in multiple care areas. The facility rating for the QM domain is based on performance on a subset of 11 (out of 18) of the QMs. Ratings for the QM domain are calculated using the three most recent quarters for which data are available. This time period specification was selected to increase the number of assessments available for calculating the QM rating, increasing the stability of estimates and reducing the number of facilities that do not have enough data to report QM ratings.
  • Abuse Flag. Abuse is always a concern in skilled nursing facilities. To highlight the issue, CMS has extracted this feature as its own flag. Facilities with an actual abuse event or where the potential for abuse has been shown for the past two years are flagged. The Health Inspection Score is capped at 2-stars for nursing homes that have been flagged for abuse.

Skilled nursing facilities that are new and do not have at least two surveys completed are not rated by CMS. These facilities may have health inspection scores that can be used to evaluate the facility.

One complication in Colorado nursing home inspections is the COVID-19 pandemic. Although inspections should be performed every 12 months, COVID has decreased this frequency. While CMS admits that only in “rare cases” do these inspections increase to 15 months, our analysis suggests that this time frame may be even longer. This report shows that the time between inspections is now just under 500 days (more than sixteen months). There are now hundreds of skilled nursing homes in the United States that have not been inspected in more than 24 months. This list shows the skilled nursing homes with the longest period since being inspected. According to the CMS data, these homes have not been inspected since 2018!

Skilled Nursing Home Abuse in Colorado

Abuse is always going to be an issue with skilled nursing facilities. Skilled nursing facility residents need help with so many basic things and they are suffering, confused, and frustrated. If you are the friend or relative of a nursing home resident, we guarantee that you will be constantly fretting about whether your loved one is receiving proper and timely care. Abuse feels like a violation of your trust, but it happens. CMS actively monitors nursing homes not just for actual abuse but also for indicators that suggest that abuse might be occurring. Homes where abuse has either occurred or might be occurring are flagged. A very high percentage of the worst skilled nursing facilities in Colorado have been flagged for abuse. We have marked these facilities both on the list of the worst skilled nursing facilities and on the detailed page for each of the facilities.

How to Report a Nursing Homes in Colorado

If you run into an issue at a Colorado nursing home, there are a few steps you can take to make sure the issue is reported. First, speak with the immediate staff. If the problem is not solved, speak with a director or administrator, doctor, or any other employee of a high level.

As required by Medicare and Medicaid, reports and complaints must go through a grievance procedure. Per the Center for Medicare & Medicaid Services, a grievance is “an expression of dissatisfaction (other than an organization determination) with any aspect of the operations, activities, or behavior of a Medicare health plan, or its providers, regardless of whether remedial action is requested”. All grievances must be filed in writing or verbally within 60 days of the event prompting the grievance.

To report a Colorado nursing home for quality of care, go through a grievance procedure through your Medicare or Medicaid plan. You can also go through the Beneficiary and Family Centered Care-Quality Improvement Organizations (BFCC-QIO). These groups serve to help with complaints made regarding the quality of care by Medicare providers. You can also choose to go through both Medicare and a BFCC-QIO.

Worst Nursing Homes in the Largest Colorado Cities

All of the following nursing homes have been given a Weighted Health Inspection Score by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. Every year, nursing homes in Colorado go through an unannounced inspection performed by independent state examiners. These examiners look at factors such as cleanliness, hazards, and safety to perform the inspection. Points are given to nursing homes based on their deficiency in a certain category. Thus, a higher Weighted All Cycles Score means more problems and lower quality of care.

The list below ranks the homes with the highest (worst) weighted scores. The score is shown next to the facility name. The list also shows the two most recent deficiencies for each of the nursing homes.

Worst Nursing Homes in Denver

  • The Heights Post Acute (173)
    • Have approved installation, maintenance and testing program for fire alarm systems. (2024-03-29)
    • Provide properly protected cooking facilities. (2024-03-29)
  • Juniper Village - The Spearly Center (140.667)
    • Provide appropriate care for residents who are continent or incontinent of bowel/bladder, appropriate catheter care, and appropriate care to prevent urinary tract infections. (2024-01-10)
    • Honor the resident's right to be treated with respect and dignity and to retain and use personal possessions. (2023-07-15)
  • St Paul Health Center (132.167)
    • Honor the resident's right to voice grievances without discrimination or reprisal and the facility must establish a grievance policy and make prompt efforts to resolve grievances. (2024-02-23)
    • Provide safe, appropriate dialysis care/services for a resident who requires such services. (2024-02-23)
  • Brookshire Post Acute (115.5)
    • Provide appropriate care for a resident to maintain and/or improve range of motion (ROM), limited ROM and/or mobility, unless a decline is for a medical reason. (2023-11-22)
    • Timely report suspected abuse, neglect, or theft and report the results of the investigation to proper authorities. (2023-11-22)
  • Health Center at Franklin Park (103.333)
    • Develop and implement policies and procedures for flu and pneumonia vaccinations. (2023-10-23)
    • Ensure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents. (2023-09-29)
  • Hilltop Park Post Acute (93.333)
    • Develop and implement policies and procedures for flu and pneumonia vaccinations. (2023-11-17)
    • PASARR screening for Mental disorders or Intellectual Disabilities (2023-11-11)
  • Briarwood Health Care Center (89.667)
    • Ensure heating and ventilation systems that have been properly installed according to the manufacturer's instructions. (2023-06-30)
    • Meet requirements for the installation and maintenance of electrical systems. (2023-06-27)
  • Forest Street Compassionate Care Center (83.333)
    • Protect each resident from all types of abuse such as physical, mental, sexual abuse, physical punishment, and neglect by anybody. (2024-01-10)
    • Ensure the activities program is directed by a qualified professional. (2024-01-10)
  • Hallmark Nursing Center (72)
    • Ensure food and drink is palatable, attractive, and at a safe and appetizing temperature. (2023-10-26)
    • Ensure services provided by the nursing facility meet professional standards of quality. (2023-05-01)
  • Berkley Manor Care Center (70)
    • Have exits that are accessible at all times. (2024-02-07)
    • Add doors in an exit area that do not require the use of a key from the exit side unless in case of special locking arrangements. (2024-02-07)

Worst Nursing Homes in Colorado Springs

  • Mountain View Post Acute (196.5)
    • Inspect, test, and maintain automatic sprinkler systems. (2024-02-15)
    • Have properly located and lighted "Exit" signs. (2024-01-12)
  • Kiowa Hills Health and Rehabilitation Center (153.333)
    • Provide properly protected cooking facilities. (2024-03-19)
    • Install emergency lighting that can last at least 1 1/2 hours. (2024-03-19)
  • Sundance Skilled Nursing and Rehabilitation (149.333)
    • Ensure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents. (2023-11-13)
    • Provide care and assistance to perform activities of daily living for any resident who is unable. (2023-11-13)
  • Pikes Peak Post Acute (146)
    • Ensure that residents are fully informed and understand their health status, care and treatments. (2023-11-30)
    • Honor the resident's right to share a room with spouse or roommate of choice and receive written notice before a change is made. (2023-11-30)
  • Colonial Health and Rehabilitation Center (119.833)
    • Keep aisles, corridors, and exits free of obstruction in case of emergency. (2024-03-19)
    • Inspect, test, and maintain automatic sprinkler systems. (2023-11-30)
  • Falcon Heights Health and Rehabilitation Center (111.333)
    • Inspect, test, and maintain automatic sprinkler systems. (2023-09-21)
    • Have approved installation, maintenance and testing program for fire alarm systems. (2023-09-21)
  • The Healthcare Resort of Colorado Springs (102.5)
    • Have simulated fire drills held at unexpected times. (2023-12-26)
    • Install corridor and hallway doors that block smoke. (2023-12-26)
  • Springs Village Care Center (102)
    • Provide properly protected cooking facilities. (2024-01-11)
    • Add doors in an exit area that do not require the use of a key from the exit side unless in case of special locking arrangements. (2024-01-11)
  • Center at Cordera (91.833)
    • Ensure heating and ventilation systems that have been properly installed according to the manufacturer's instructions. (2023-07-31)
    • Inspect, test, and maintain automatic sprinkler systems. (2023-06-14)
  • The Center at Centennial (78.667)
    • Ensure each resident receives and the facility provides food that accommodates resident allergies, intolerances, and preferences, as well as appealing options. (2023-05-21)
    • Provide properly protected cooking facilities. (2023-05-17)

Worst Nursing Homes in Aurora

  • Lowry Hills Care and Rehabilitation (282)
    • Provide appropriate pressure ulcer care and prevent new ulcers from developing. (2023-12-08)
    • Have generator or other power source capable of supplying service within 10 seconds. (2023-04-21)
  • Hampden Hills Post Acute (166.333)
    • Provide and implement an infection prevention and control program. (2024-01-15)
    • Inspect, test, and maintain automatic sprinkler systems. (2023-11-10)
  • Aurora Nursing Center (150.833)
    • Provide appropriate pressure ulcer care and prevent new ulcers from developing. (2023-10-05)
    • Provide and implement an infection prevention and control program. (2023-02-28)
  • University Heights Rehab and Care Community (116.833)
    • Protect each resident from all types of abuse such as physical, mental, sexual abuse, physical punishment, and neglect by anybody. (2023-07-19)
    • Respond appropriately to all alleged violations. (2023-07-19)
  • Pearl of Orchard Valley (96.667)
    • Keep residents' personal and medical records private and confidential. (2023-10-05)
    • Provide care and assistance to perform activities of daily living for any resident who is unable. (2023-09-30)
  • Grove of Fox Valley,the (95.667)
    • Ensure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents. (2023-09-27)
    • Ensure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents. (2023-08-22)
  • Westfield Quality Care of Aurora (76.667)
    • Immediately tell the resident, the resident's doctor, and a family member of situations (injury/decline/room, etc.) that affect the resident. (2023-05-26)
    • Ensure each resident receives an accurate assessment. (2023-05-26)
  • Life Care Center of Aurora (74.667)
    • Provide basic life support, including CPR, prior to the arrival of emergency medical personnel , subject to physician orders and the resident?s advance directives. (2023-10-27)
    • Plan the resident's discharge to meet the resident's goals and needs. (2023-06-04)
  • Aviva at Fitzsimons (74)
    • Honor the resident's right to a dignified existence, self-determination, communication, and to exercise his or her rights. (2023-10-12)
    • Ensure smoke barriers are constructed to a 1 hour fire resistance rating. (2023-09-11)
  • Veterans Community Living Center at Fitzsimons (70.167)
    • Have generator or other power source capable of supplying service within 10 seconds. (2023-10-20)
    • Have properly located and lighted "Exit" signs. (2023-08-31)

Worst Nursing Homes in Fort Collins

  • Prestige Care Center of Fort Collins (165.333)
    • Ensure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents. (2023-07-10)
    • Ensure meals and snacks are served at times in accordance with resident?s needs, preferences, and requests. Suitable and nourishing alternative meals and snacks must be provided for residents who want to eat at non-traditional times or outside of scheduled meal times. (2023-07-10)
  • Creekside Village Health and Rehabilitation Center (130.667)
    • Make sure that a working call system is available in each resident's bathroom and bathing area. (2024-01-29)
    • Ensure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents. (2023-12-19)
  • Poudre Canyon Health and Rehabilitation Center (78.667)
    • Have a policy regarding use and storage of foods brought to residents by family and other visitors. (2023-09-29)
    • Keep aisles, corridors, and exits free of obstruction in case of emergency. (2023-09-08)
  • Center at Rock Creek, LLC (52)
    • Ensure that special areas are constructed so that walls can resist fire for one hour or have an approved fire extinguishing system. (2023-11-03)
    • Keep aisles, corridors, and exits free of obstruction in case of emergency. (2023-11-03)
  • Good Samaritan Society -- Fort Collins Village (44.667)
    • Procure food from sources approved or considered satisfactory and store, prepare, distribute and serve food in accordance with professional standards. (2024-02-09)
    • Implement a program that monitors antibiotic use. (2024-02-09)
  • Centre Ave Health and Rehab (36)
    • Have properly installed electrical wiring and gas equipment. (2023-06-19)
    • Install corridor and hallway doors that block smoke. (2023-06-09)
  • Columbine West Health and Rehab Facility (24.667)
    • Provide care by qualified persons according to each resident's written plan of care. (2022-04-01)
    • Ensure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents. (2021-05-07)
  • Lemay Avenue Health and Rehabilitation Facility (22)
    • Provide properly protected cooking facilities. (2023-12-21)
    • Install emergency lighting that can last at least 1 1/2 hours. (2023-12-14)
  • Rehabilitation and Nursing Center of The Rockies (22)
    • Install emergency lighting that can last at least 1 1/2 hours. (2024-03-09)
    • Have exits that are accessible at all times. (2024-03-09)

Worst Nursing Homes in Lakewood

  • Bethany Nursing and Rehab Center (322.667)
    • Timely report suspected abuse, neglect, or theft and report the results of the investigation to proper authorities. (2023-11-28)
    • Protect each resident from all types of abuse such as physical, mental, sexual abuse, physical punishment, and neglect by anybody. (2023-11-24)
  • Lakewood Post Acute and Rehabilitation (161.333)
    • Ensure drugs and biologicals used in the facility are labeled in accordance with currently accepted professional principles; and all drugs and biologicals must be stored in locked compartments, separately locked, compartments for controlled drugs. (2023-12-19)
    • Provide safe, appropriate pain management for a resident who requires such services. (2023-12-19)
  • Cedars Healthcare Center (160.667)
    • Provide appropriate treatment and care according to orders, resident?s preferences and goals. (2023-11-09)
    • Ensure residents do not lose the ability to perform activities of daily living unless there is a medical reason. (2023-11-09)
  • Sierra Post Acute (109.333)
    • Ensure heating and ventilation systems that have been properly installed according to the manufacturer's instructions. (2023-12-21)
    • Provide properly protected cooking facilities. (2023-12-21)
  • Crestmont North Nursing Home (79.333)
    • Give residents notice of Medicaid/Medicare coverage and potential liability for services not covered. (2022-10-14)
    • PASARR screening for Mental disorders or Intellectual Disabilities (2022-10-14)
  • Harmony Pointe Nursing Center (79.333)
    • Inspect, test, and maintain automatic sprinkler systems. (2023-06-20)
    • Have an externally vented heating system. (2023-06-15)
  • Lakewood Villa (69.333)
    • Make sure there is a pest control program to prevent/deal with mice, insects, or other pests. (2024-02-21)
    • Make sure that the nursing home area is safe, easy to use, clean and comfortable for residents, staff and the public. (2024-02-19)
  • Mapleton Post Acute (64.667)
    • Have an enclosure around a vertical opening shaft. (2023-09-25)
    • Have exits that are accessible at all times. (2023-09-25)
  • Western Hills Health Care Center (50.667)
    • Provide and implement an infection prevention and control program. (2023-02-07)
    • Provide safe and appropriate respiratory care for a resident when needed. (2022-12-29)
  • Villa Manor Care Center (48.667)
    • Ensure heating and ventilation systems that have been properly installed according to the manufacturer's instructions. (2024-10-31)
    • Ensure that special areas are constructed so that walls can resist fire for one hour or have an approved fire extinguishing system. (2024-02-02)

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