Fremont County runs from the Arkansas River valley floor around Cañon City and Florence up into parts of Pike National Forest and San Isabel National Forest. Houses here range from buildings in Cañon City's downtown historic district to later subdivisions like South Canon and Fireman's Bluff, with towns such as Penrose, Lincoln Park, Williamsburg and Rockvale in between.
That mix matters when you are thinking about a stair lift. A split-level in a newer subdivision, a walk-up apartment, and an older home near the historic district each put different demands on a lift. This page walks through what tends to work in Fremont County homes and which local and state programs may help with the cost.
Most homes here fall into a few types: single-family homes, townhouses, walk-up apartments, split-level homes and ranch-style homes. A single straight flight is the simplest job, and a straight rail is usually the quickest and least costly to fit.
Split-level homes are common in later 20th-century subdivisions, and they often have short half flights between levels. Sometimes one short straight lift solves the problem, and sometimes a person needs help on two separate runs. We measure each flight before recommending anything.
Older homes near Cañon City's downtown historic district, which was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1983, can have narrow or turning staircases. A turn or landing usually means a curved rail built to fit that exact stair.
Cañon City sits at 5,351 feet, just east of the Royal Gorge, and many lots in the county sit on sloped canyon or mountain ground. That often means steps from the driveway or porch to the front door, which is where an outdoor lift or a platform lift can make sense.
The valley is known as the 'Climate Capital of Colorado.' Average January highs in Cañon City are around 49.4F, but lows average 18.4F, so an outdoor unit still needs to be rated for freezing nights. Homes in the higher, more rugged parts of the county outside the valley deserve a closer look at exposure and access.
About 23.9% of Fremont County residents are 65 or older, and 75.1% own their homes. Owning the house means you can usually install a lift without asking a landlord, and staying put is often the goal.
Fremont County Veteran Services in Cañon City, at (719) 276-7400, can help a veteran sort out which VA grants apply before any work begins.
Many households here own a home that has gone up in value while monthly income stays tight. That is why it helps to check programs before paying out of pocket. None of the sources below name stair lifts directly, and the VA HISA grant specifically excludes stair glides, so ask each program about your case.
A good first call is the Upper Arkansas AAA at 3224 Independence Rd. in Canon City, (719) 275-8350. They serve residents 60 and older and can point you to vouchers, chore help and the UAACOG home repair loan. Medicaid waiver enrollees should ask about the Health First Colorado home modification benefit, which first requires a physical or occupational therapist evaluation.
Statewide, it is also worth asking about the Assistive Technology Act Program of Colorado (AT Partners) and the Colorado Senior Property Tax Exemption (Senior Homestead Exemption). The program list below gives the details we have for each local and state option.
Up to $14,000 in home modification support for people already enrolled in a qualifying Medicaid waiver, with a therapist evaluation required; the source does not list stair lifts by name. The phone listed is (719) 539-3341.
A lifetime grant of up to $6,800 or $2,000, depending on disability status, for medically necessary changes to a veteran's primary residence. It does not cover stair lifts; the VA excludes porch lifts and stair glides.
Up to $126,526 for a permanent home (2026) for veterans with certain severe service-connected disabilities. The source does not mention stair lifts.
Up to $25,350 for a permanent home (2026) for veterans with certain severe service-connected disabilities such as loss of use of both hands. Stair lifts are not listed in the source.
Loans up to $20,000 at 1% interest and grants up to $7,500 for very-low-income homeowners age 62+ in USDA rural-eligible areas, combinable up to $27,500. Stair lifts are not listed, and your address must be checked against the USDA eligibility map.
A voucher of up to $200 for residents 60+ for items like ramps and hand rails that make the home handicapped friendly; stair lifts are not named. Call (719) 539-3341.
Up to $600 for home repairs, maintenance and yard work for residents 60+; it is not a dedicated accessibility program and stair lifts are not mentioned. Call (719) 539-3341.
Affordable loans for low-income owner-occupants, with handicapped accessibility among eligible repairs; stair lifts are not named. Call (719) 269-7687.
A case-by-case grant for Colorado residents with disabilities who do not qualify for the Medicaid home modification benefit; stair lifts are not itemized. Call (719) 471-8181.
A state income tax credit of up to $5,000 for health-related home modifications completed in tax years 2019 through 2023, claimed after the work is paid for. Stair lifts are not named, and an extension past 2023 could not be confirmed.
Older adults
3224 Independence Rd., Canon City, 81212
Veterans
615 Macon Ave. Room 203, Cañon City, 81212
Not through the HISA grant, which excludes stair glides and porch lifts. The SAH and SHA grants do not mention stair lifts either way, so a veteran with a qualifying severe disability should ask Fremont County Veteran Services at (719) 276-7400.
The UAACOG aging programs start at 60, but the Health First Colorado EBD waiver includes adults 18 to 64 with a physical disability, blindness or HIV/AIDS. The Independence Center grant, (719) 471-8181, is aimed at Colorado residents with disabilities who do not qualify for the Medicaid benefit.
The valley is mild for its elevation, but Cañon City's average January low is 18.4F. Any outdoor lift we suggest should be built for freezing nights, and homes at higher elevations need an even closer look.
It may help with funding. USDA Section 504 loans and grants only apply in rural-eligible areas, and much of unincorporated Fremont County is likely eligible, though each address has to be checked on the USDA map.
Call the Upper Arkansas AAA in Canon City at (719) 275-8350. They can explain the $200 equipment voucher, chore service and the UAACOG home repair loan, which lists handicapped accessibility as an eligible repair.
Sometimes. Split-levels have short flights between levels, and the answer depends on which floors the person needs to reach. We measure each run during a home visit before suggesting a straight or curved rail.
Tell us about the stairs in your home and we will explain which lift fits, what it costs and how installation works.
