Long-Time Colorado State Partner CEO Retires

Laura Landwirth, President & CEO of LeadingAge Colorado has retired after serving Colorado senior living and long term care providers for over 24 years. She will be succeeded by a familiar and accomplished leader in Deborah Lively who has served most recently as LeadingAge Colorado’s Director of Public Policy & Public Affairs. Argentum's Board of Directors, members and staff wish Laura all the best in retirement and congratulate Deborah in her new role as President & CEO of LeadingAge Colorado.

To learn more about some Laura’s fascinating career with LeadingAge Colorado and senior living please read below:

Laura was hired as the Executive Director of Colorado Association of Homes and Services for the Aging (now LeadingAge Colorado) in March of 1994. Shortly after her hiring she launched LeadingAge Colorado’s (LAC) collaboration with Argentum’s predecessor the Assisted Living Federation of America, eventually becoming an early State Partner in 1997. Since that time the Assisted Living industry has continued to grow in Colorado and LAC has expanded its assisted living membership portfolio. LeadingAge Colorado has become the leader in the senior living space, effectively representing members before the state legislature and regulatory agencies.

Some of LeadingAge Colorado’s notable legislative and regulatory successes in the 1990s and early 2000’s led by Laura include:

• Significant rate increases for Medicaid Assisted Living providers on the verge of closing; LAC has continued to advocate for rate increases over the years as the need for affordable options for seniors continues to grow.
• Approval for a legislative study of rate disparities and shortfalls in Medicaid funding with emphasis on options for Medicaid Assisted Living
• Championed legislation that required the Department of Public Health to study risk-based inspections of Assisted Living Residences and a survey process focused on outcomes of residents
• Successful negotiations to delay implementation of licensure fee increases, exempt assisted living residences from home care licensure, and implement extended survey cycles with performance incentives

More recently, LAC successes include:

• Defeated legislation that would have required taxation of food served in Assisted Living residences and Life Plan communities
• Supported a bill to broaden training opportunities for direct care staff administering medications
• Worked with the Department of Public Health to update the rules governing assisted living services
• Collaborated with the state’s strike team during the COVID pandemic to protect residents while also easing the regulatory burdens on assisted living
• Mitigated the devastating impacts of a bill with egregious enforcement measures
• Brokered an agreement with fire and life safety officials to delay a policy that would have halted current construction on new assisted living residences
• Lobbied for additional protections for employers against staffing agencies,

Prior to her work at LeadingAge Colorado, Landwirth served as the Executive Director of the Area Agency on Aging of Palm Beach & the Treasure Coast which was preceded by positions in acute and long-term care health care and public health. She is a former board member of the Florida Council on Aging, Florida Association of Area Agencies on Aging, Health & Human Services Planning Association of Palm Beach County, Colorado Society of Association Executives, and most recently served on the Board of Directors of Argentum. She has a MS from Florida State University in Nutrition and Food Science and a BS from Salem College in Nutrition. She earned the Certified Association Executive (CAE) credential in 2002.

After 30+ years leading LAC, Landwirth looks forward to having time to enjoy the great state of Colorado and all the outdoor recreation it offers, relax and adopt a slower pace, and read those books sitting on her bedside table!