Mission & History

Our Mission

Golden West’s mission is to provide quality housing and related services to persons aged 62 and older in an environment that is supportive of the senior residents and the local community.

Our History

Founded by the First Christian Church in Boulder, Golden West opened its 115 affordable independent living apartments in an 11-story building in 1965. It was only a few years later that Golden West realized the growing need for additional low-income, senior housing. In response, we completed a $2 million expansion in 1971 with a second 14-story tower and 140 more independent apartments. These two buildings combine to create The Towers, our affordable senior apartments.

We completed another expansion of our campus, The Mezzanine, in 1988. The Mezzanine is a four-story building that contains 56 assisted living apartments. It was designed to provide superior services to individuals who need assistance with the activities of daily living. Golden West is only one of two providers in Boulder that offers assisted living to Medicaid-eligible seniors, and we strive to maintain half of the apartments for Medicaid-eligible seniors and the other half for private-pay seniors.

Embarking on a new venture, Golden West broke ground on Flatirons Terrace in 2006 with a three-story independent living development. This addition has 54 independent living apartments, which rent for market rates. As with The Towers at Golden West, Flatirons Terrace continues to help Boulder meet the growing need for senior housing.

Although the First Christian Church is no longer involved in Golden West’s operations, its original intent to provide housing for Boulder’s seniors is still alive and well with The Towers, Flatirons Terrace and The Mezzanine. In our 40+ years, our leadership has consistently delivered. With only three executive directors in our history, Golden West is a leader in providing quality senior housing. Catherine Frank, Nancy Nystrom and now John Torres have all successfully contributed to and expanded on the mission of Golden West.