21.1 The assisted living residence grounds shall be kept free of high weeds, garbage and rubbish.
21.2 The assisted living residence grounds shall be maintained to protect residents from slopes, holes
or other hazards and shall be consistent with any landscape plan approved by the local
jurisdiction.
21.3 Exterior stairs shall be lighted at night.
21.4 Porches, stairs, handrails and ramps shall be maintained in good repair.
21.5 For new construction initiated on or after June 1, 2019, porches and exterior areas with more than
one step within a six foot linear run shall have a handrail in addition to the requirements of section
20.3. For renovation initiated on or after December 1, 2019, porches and exterior areas with more
than one step within a six foot linear run shall have a handrail in addition to the requirements of
section 20.4.
21.6 Notwithstanding section 20.3, for initial license applications and new construction initiated on or
after June 1, 2019, the total number of parking spaces shall be based solely on local
requirements and the functional need of the resident population. Notwithstanding section 20.4, for
renovation initiated on or after December1, 2019, the total number of parking spaces to be
provided shall be based solely on local requirements and the functional need of the resident
population.
21.7 The assisted living residence shall submit building plans, in the form and manner specified, to the
Department for plan review and approval.
(A) Applicants for an initial ALR license shall submit building plans for newly constructed or
existing buildings before the issuance of the initial license.
(B) Existing licensees shall submit plans for renovations, additional square footage, and
replacement buildings before beginning construction.
INTERIOR ENVIRONMENT
22.1 All interior areas including attics, basements and garages shall be free from accumulations of
extraneous material such as refuse, unused or discarded furniture and potential combustible
materials.
22.2 Combustibles such as cleaning rags and compounds shall be kept in closed metal containers.
22.3 Cleaning compounds and other hazardous substances (including products labeled “Keep out of
reach of children” on their original containers) shall be clearly labeled to indicate contents and
(except when a staff member is present) shall be stored in a location sufficiently secure to deny
access to confused residents.
(A) The ALR shall maintain a readily available list and the safety data sheet of potentially
hazardous substances used by housekeeping and other staff.
(B) Utility rooms used for storing disinfectants and detergent concentrates, caustic bowl and
tile cleaners and insecticides shall be locked.
22.4 Designated areas where smoking is allowed shall be equipped with fire resistant wastebaskets.
Resident rooms occupied by smokers, even when house rules prohibit smoking in resident
rooms, shall have fire resistant wastebaskets.
Heating, Lighting and Ventilation
22.5 Each room shall have heat, lighting and ventilation sufficient to meet the use of the room and the
needs of the residents.
22.6 All interior stairs and corridors shall be adequately lighted. Water
22.7 There shall be an adequate supply of safe, potable water available for domestic purposes.
22.8 There shall be a sufficient supply of hot water during peak usage demand.
22.9 Hot water shall not measure more than 120 degrees Fahrenheit at taps which are accessible by residents.
Common Areas
22.10 Common areas shall be sufficient in size to reasonably accommodate all residents.
22.11 All common and dining areas shall be accessible to a resident using an auxiliary aid without
requiring transfer from a wheelchair to walker or from a wheelchair to a stationary chair for use in
the dining area.All doors to those rooms requiring access shall be at least 32 inches wide.
22.12 Effective July 1, 2018, an assisted living residence that has one or more residents using an
auxiliary aid shall have a minimum of two means of access and egress from the building unless
local code requires otherwise.
Sleeping Room
22.13 No resident shall be assigned to reside in any room other than one regularly designated for
sleeping.
22.14 No more than two residents shall occupy a sleeping room.
(A) An assisted living residence initially licensed prior to July 1, 1986 is permitted to have up
to four residents per room unless the ALR undertakes renovation or changes ownership,
at which time the newer, more stringent requirement shall apply.
22.15 Sleeping rooms, exclusive of bathroom areas and closets, shall have the following minimum
square footage:
(A) 100 square feet for single occupancy, and
(B) 60 square feet per person for double occupancy.
22.16 Each resident shall have storage space, such as a closet, for clothing and personal articles.
22.17 Each sleeping room shall have at least one window of 8 square feet which shall have opening
capability.
(A) An assisted living residence initially licensed prior to January 1, 1992, is permitted to
have a window of smaller dimensions unless the ALR undertakes renovation or changes
ownership, at which time the newer, more stringent requirement shall apply.
22.18 In assisted living residences that provide furnishings for residents pursuant to a resident
agreement, each resident shall be provided, at a minimum, with the following items:
(A) A standard-sized bed with a comfortable, clean mattress, mattress protector, pad, and
pillow (Rollaway type beds, cots, folding beds, futons, or bunk beds are prohibited), and
(B) A standard-sized chair in good condition.
Bathroom
22.19 There shall be at least one full bathroom for every six residents.
22.20 A full bathroom shall contain the following:
(A) Toilet,
(B) Hand-washing station,
(C) Mirror,
(D) Private individual storage for resident personal effects; and
(E) Shower.
22.21 All bathtubs and shower floors shall have proper safety features to prevent slips and falls.
22.22 Toilet seats shall be constructed of non-absorbent material and free of cracks.
22.23 Each assisted living residence shall provide toilet paper in each resident bathroom, except where
a resident has a specific preference and agrees to supply it.
22.24 Toilet paper in a dispenser, liquid soap and paper towels or hand drying devices shall be
available at all times in each common bathroom.
22.25 In an assisted living residence that has one or more residents using auxiliary aids, the assisted
living residence shall provide at least one full bathroom with fixtures positioned so that they are
fully accessible to any resident utilizing an auxiliary aid.
22.26 Grab bars shall be properly installed at each tub and shower, and adjacent to at least one toilet in
every multi-stall toilet room in an assisted living residence if any resident uses an auxiliary aid or
as otherwise indicated by the needs of the resident population.
(A) When residents can undertake independent transfers, alternative grab bar configurations
are permitted.
Heating Devices
22.27 The assisted living residence shall prohibit the use of portable heaters in resident rooms. The use
of fireplaces, space heaters and like units that generate heat shall be prohibited in the common
areas of the assisted living residence unless the ALR is able to ensure that such devices have a
UL (Underwriters Laboratory) or similar certification label, do not present a resident burn risk, and
are used in accordance with manufacturer instructions.
22.28 The assisted living residence shall prohibit the use of electric blankets and/or heating pads in
resident rooms unless there is staff supervision or written documentation that the administrator
has assessed the resident and determined he or she is capable of using such device in a safe
and appropriate manner.
Oxygen Use, Handling and Storage
22.29 The assisted living residence’s handling and storage of oxygen shall comply with all applicable
local, state and federal requirements.
22.30 The assisted living residence shall prohibit smoking in areas where oxygen is stored and/or used
and shall post a conspicuous “No Smoking” sign in those areas.
22.31 The assisted living residence shall ensure that oxygen tanks are not rolled on their side or
dragged.
22.32 The assisted living residence shall ensure that oxygen tanks are secured upright at all times in a
manner that prevents tanks from falling over, being dropped or striking each other.
22.33 Oxygen tank valves shall be closed except when in use.
22.34 The assisted living residence shall ensure that oxygen tanks are not placed against electrical
panels, live electrical cords or near radiators or heat sources. If stored outdoors, tanks shall be
protected from weather extremes and damp ground to prevent corrosion.
Smoking
22.35 Assisted living residences shall comply with the Colorado Clean Indoor Air Act at § 25-14-201
through 25-14-209, C.R.S.
22.36 Designated outdoor smoking areas shall be monitored whenever residents are present.
22.37 Designated outdoor smoking areas shall have fire resistant waste disposal containers.
Cooking
22.38 Cooking shall not be permitted in sleeping rooms.
22.39 Residents shall have access to an alternative area where minimal food preparation is permitted.
22.40 In assisted living residences where residents have dwelling units rather than simply sleeping
rooms, cooking may be allowed in accordance with house rules.
(A) Only residents who are capable of cooking safely shall be allowed to do so and the
assisted living residence shall document such assessment.
(B) If cooking equipment is present in dwelling units, the assisted living residence shall have
a definitive way of disabling such equipment if they become unsafe for residents to use.
Electrical Equipment
22.41 Electrical socket adaptors or connectors designed to multiply outlet capacity shall be prohibited.
22.42 Extension cords are permitted for temporary use only.
22.43 Power strip surge protectors are permitted throughout the assisted living residence with the
following limitations:
(A) The power strip shall have overcurrent protection in the form of a circuit breaker or fuse,
(B) The power strip shall have a UL (underwriters laboratories) or similar certification label,
and
(C) Power strips shall not be linked together.
Personal Electric Appliances
22.44 Personal electric appliances are allowed in resident rooms only if the following criteria are met:
(A) Such appliances do not require the use of an extension cord or multiple use electrical sockets,
(B) Such appliance is in good repair as evaluated by the administrator or designee, and
(C) There is written documentation that the resident has been assessed and determined to
be capable of using such appliance in a safe and appropriate manner