For more information about the author, click to view their website: Center for Independence
Independence looks different for everyone.
For some, it means driving down North Avenue to run errands. For others, it means navigating a grocery store confidently, managing personal care, securing employment, or advocating for accessibility in the community.
In Grand Junction and throughout Mesa County, the Center for Independence (CFI) plays a vital role in helping individuals with disabilities live self-directed, empowered lives.
Rooted in the Independent Living philosophy, CFI believes that people with disabilities are the best experts on their own needs. The organization exists not to “manage” individuals — but to support autonomy, access, and inclusion.
“Disability does not define someone’s potential,” says David Nelson of the Center for Independence. “Our mission is to remove barriers so individuals can participate fully in their communities.”
The Center for Independence is part of a nationwide network of Independent Living Centers (ILCs). These centers are community-based, non-residential organizations designed to support people of all ages and all types of disabilities.
Core services typically include:
Information and referral
Independent living skills training
Peer support
Individual and systems advocacy
Transition services
Unlike medical facilities, Independent Living Centers focus on empowerment — not treatment.
In Grand Junction, where rural access and geography can present unique challenges, this support becomes especially important.
Disability services are not limited to one age group.
CFI serves:
Young adults transitioning from school to independent living
Adults acquiring disabilities due to injury or illness
Seniors experiencing mobility or sensory changes
Veterans returning to civilian life
Mesa County’s diverse population includes individuals who require support navigating:
Accessible housing
Transportation
Employment
Public benefits
Community inclusion
The Center for Independence helps bridge these gaps.
One of the most impactful services CFI provides is peer support.
Peer mentors — individuals who also live with disabilities — offer guidance, encouragement, and lived experience.
This support may include:
Sharing strategies for independent living
Navigating local resources
Addressing social isolation
Building confidence
“There’s something powerful about speaking with someone who truly understands,” David Nelson explains. “Peer support fosters connection and possibility.”
For many individuals, practical skills make the difference between dependence and autonomy.
CFI provides training in areas such as:
Budgeting and financial literacy
Meal planning and preparation
Communication and self-advocacy
Public transportation navigation
Assistive technology use
In rural Western Colorado, learning how to navigate local systems is key.
For example, accessing transportation between Fruita, Clifton, and Grand Junction may require specific coordination knowledge. CFI helps individuals develop those skills.
Independent Living Centers also advocate for broader systemic change.
CFI works to:
Promote accessible infrastructure
Support inclusive policy development
Raise awareness of disability rights
Encourage community education
Accessibility impacts:
Public buildings
Sidewalks and transportation
Housing design
Employment practices
Grand Junction’s growth brings opportunity — and responsibility — to ensure that expansion remains inclusive.
Advocacy ensures individuals with disabilities are not left behind.
Life transitions can be complex.
CFI assists with:
Helping students with disabilities prepare for adulthood, employment, and independent living.
Supporting individuals who wish to move from nursing facilities or institutions back into community-based settings.
Helping people reconnect after hospitalization or life-altering injury.
These transitions require planning, resource coordination, and confidence-building.
Living on the Western Slope offers beauty and community — but also geographic challenges.
Barriers may include:
Long travel distances
Limited specialty providers
Transportation limitations
Housing shortages
The Center for Independence understands these realities and works locally to identify creative solutions.
David Nelson emphasizes, “Our work is rooted in the Grand Valley. We understand the landscape, the resources, and the unique needs of this region.”
Individuals of any age with a disability — physical, sensory, cognitive, or mental health-related — may qualify for services.
No. CFI is a non-residential organization focused on community-based support.
Many services are provided at low or no cost, depending on funding and eligibility.
No. The focus is empowerment, skills training, and advocacy — not clinical care.
Yes. Older adults experiencing mobility or sensory changes can benefit from independent living support.
Independence is not about doing everything alone. It’s about having access, choice, and opportunity.
The Center for Independence in Grand Junction empowers individuals with disabilities to live confidently, advocate for themselves, and participate fully in their communities.
In a region known for resilience and self-reliance, that mission resonates deeply.
If you or a loved one could benefit from disability services, peer support, or advocacy assistance, help is available locally.
👉 Visit the Center for Independence’s listing on Seniors Blue Book to learn more and connect with David Nelson and the team today.
When an older adult needs help at home and sees several clinicians, a coverage decision can affect everything from prescription refills to rides. If youre considering TRU PACE in Lafayette, start by asking how enrollment would change the care and coverage you already use. How Medicare and Medicaid Fit Into PACEPACE is the Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly. It coordinates healthcare and support for eligible adults who meet a state standard for nursing home-level care and can live safely in the community with PACE support at enrollment. Applicants must also be 55 or older and live in the programs service area. TRU PACE and Your Current CoveragePhone: 303-665-0115Medicare says people with Medicaid pay no monthly PACE premium. Medicare beneficiaries without Medicaid pay premiums for the long-term care portion and Medicare Part D drugs. Medicare also says participants owe no deductible, copayment, or coinsurance for drugs, services, or care approved by their PACE team. Ask TRU PACE for an estimate based on your individual coverage before enrolling. Doctors, Prescriptions, and Existing ServicesTRU PACE says it becomes the participants insurance provider at enrollment. Participants generally receive care through the programs provider network. Bring a list of your doctors, medications, and scheduled services. Ask which providers are in the network and how the team would coordinate any changes. Why This Matters in LafayetteIf you regularly see a clinician near home or have a specialist visit scheduled outside Lafayette, give the enrollment team the names and dates. Ask which appointments can continue and what to do about any refill due around the enrollment date. How to Get Started1. Gather Your Coverage InformationHave your Medicare and Medicaid information, if applicable, along with details of any current plan. List the appointments and prescriptions you rely on most.2. Ask for an Enrollment and Cost ReviewCall TRU PACE and ask for your expected monthly cost, when any coverage change would take effect, and who would help coordinate the transition. Related Seniors Blue Book CategoriesPACE Adult Day Services Care Management
After a death, families may have to make several decisions in a short time. Others prefer to talk through their wishes ahead of time. In either situation, it helps to separate the practical arrangements from the decisions about how to gather, remember, and say goodbye. What Funeral and Mortuary Services CoverA funeral home can help arrange transportation and care of the person who died, assist with paperwork, and coordinate burial or cremation. A family may also arrange a viewing, funeral, memorial, or private gathering. Ask which decisions need to be made immediately and which can wait. The Natural Funeral in LafayettePhone: 720-515-2344The Natural Funeral lists natural burial, flame cremation, water cremation, and terramation, also called natural organic reduction. Water cremation uses an alkaline water process, and terramation transforms remains into soil. If one of these options interests you, ask what the process involves, how long it typically takes, and what the family receives afterward. Planning a Gathering and Reviewing CostsThe Lafayette funeral home is at 102 W Chester Street in Old Town. Ask what can take place at the Lafayette location and which parts would involve another venue or a cemetery. Request a General Price List and a written breakdown of your choices so you can see which fees cover the funeral homes work and which come from outside providers. Why This Matters in LafayetteIf relatives are coming from out of town or some guests have limited mobility, ask about parking, step-free access, and how many people the gathering space can accommodate. If you plan to hold a service and burial at different locations, check how much time guests will need between them. How to Get Started1. Write Down the Persons WishesLook for written instructions and note any cultural or religious preferences. If youre planning ahead, tell a trusted person where you keep your instructions and whom to call.2. Ask for a Written PlanCall 720-515-2344 and ask what is needed on the first call. Once youve discussed options, request the expected timeline and itemized costs before approving arrangements. Related Seniors Blue Book CategoriesCounseling Hospice Advance Care Planning
When an older adult spends most weekdays alone, families may need more than a place for them to go. They may also be juggling transportation, appointments, and help at home. TRU PACE in Lafayette offers a day center as part of a program that coordinates those needs for eligible older adults. What Are Adult Day Services?Adult day services offer daytime support outside the home. Depending on the program, participants may spend time with peers, eat a meal, take part in activities, or receive help with daily needs. Some centers accept people directly. The Lafayette TRU PACE center serves people enrolled in its broader Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly. TRU PACE in LafayettePhone: 303-665-0115TRU PACEs Lafayette center is at 2593 Park Lane. The program coordinates medical and social services and arranges transportation to the day center and medical visits as needed. Ask the enrollment team what a typical center day includes, how often a participant might attend, and how the team decides what support to arrange at home. Who May QualifyPACE applicants must be at least 55, live in the programs service area, meet the states standard for nursing home-level care, and be able to live safely in the community with PACE support at enrollment. Ask how enrollment would affect access to current doctors and prescription coverage before making a decision. Why This Matters in LafayetteWhen family members already drive someone to several appointments a week, a coordinated schedule can change who needs to be available and when. Ask how pickup would work at the persons Lafayette address and who to call if a ride or appointment changes. How to Get Started1. Ask for an Eligibility ReviewCall TRU PACE. Have the participants ZIP code, current coverage, and a short list of the help they need. 2. Ask to Visit the CenterFind out what the participant might do on a center day, how transportation works, and what changes to their current care arrangements enrollment would involve. Related Seniors Blue Book CategoriesCare Management Transportation Respite Care
Center for Independence promotes community solutions and empowers individuals with disabilities to live independently. CFI is governed by people with disabilities and upholds the independent living philosophy that people with disabilities have the right to live their lives independently and with dignity to their fullest potential. CFI provides information to individuals and businesses about the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), accessibility guidelines, and other technical assistance. The Independent Living Philosophy recognizes that; all people with disabilities face many barriers in seeking to achieve personal goals, community acceptance and integration. The goal of the Center for Independence is to help consumers overcome those barriers.
Center for Independence promotes community solutions and empowers individuals with disabilities to live independently. CFI is governed by people with disabilities and upholds the independent living philosophy that people with disabilities have the right to live their lives independently and with dignity to their fullest potential. CFI provides information to individuals and businesses about the Americans with Disabilities Act(ADA), accessibility guidelines, and other technical assistance. The Independent Living Philosophy recognizes that; all people with disabilities face many barriers in seeking to achieve personal goals, community acceptance and integration. The goal of the Center for Independence is to help consumers overcome those barriers.