Casey’s Pond Senior Living Community Saved from Closure

The Yampa Valley Community Foundation announced on Friday, August 23, 2024 that a verbal agreement has been reached with the bondholders of Casey’s Pond to secure the property and allow it to continue operating as a senior living and skilled nursing facility, and expects to finalize the contract as soon as possible.

Since Aug 7, when the City of Steamboat Springs made an emergency authorization of $2.5 million toward saving Casey’s Pond, Foundation staff, board, and its closest supporters began a quiet fundraising campaign.

“We’ve been overwhelmed by the showing of support from our generous community”, said Tim Wohlgenant, CEO of Yampa Valley Community Foundation. “In a two-week period, we secured many millions of dollars in commitments from over 70 members of our community. It’s been truly miraculous.”

A quick close and the ability to continue operating the facility as a senior living and skilled nursing facility averts the likely “transfer trauma” associated with relocating elderly residents. Further, retention of the skilled nursing facility maintains this resource as a local service for community members needing short-term care and support after surgery or a medical incident. When the agreement is in place, the Receiver will halt the process of closing the campus, and families of current residents can stop their frantic search to identify alternative living situations or facilities for their loved ones.

Northwest Colorado Health, a local, highly experienced nonprofit provider of comprehensive, affordable health services for people of all ages, will become the owner of Casey’s Pond. Northwest Colorado Health brings over 60 years of experience in the Yampa Valley, currently managing the regional home health and hospice program and operating The Haven Assisted Living in Hayden.

“The community has really stepped up and we are honored to be a part of this effort to save much-needed services for the aging population in our region”, said Stephanie Einfeld, CEO of Northwest Colorado Health. “While we’re very excited to share the news of this important milestone, it’s not over yet. The notices of closure have resulted in a decline in the campus census, and it will take time to re-fill those vacant spots. We are committed to working diligently to bringing stability back to those in need of our care.”

For the near term, Northwest Colorado Health will continue to contract with CLC-Capella, the award-winning current operator which will maintain day-to-day operations. “We are incredibly grateful to the local community for rallying around the older adults in need of housing, care and services” said Jill Vitale-Aussem, President and CEO of CLC-Cappella. “Our goal has always been to retain these critical services, and we are thrilled that a solution has been identified.”

The Yampa Valley Community Foundation will continue its fundraising efforts and is seeking to raise a minimum of $500,000 to help bridge initial operating expenses as the new Casey’s Pond strives to re-populate and re-stabilize. The campaign launched today welcomes donations of any size to help reach this shared goal.

Thanks to our generous community, we have met our goal and are no longer fundraising for this purpose.