Leadville sits at 10,119 feet, the highest incorporated city in the United States, in a valley at the headwaters of the Arkansas River. Much of the town was built during the 1880s silver boom, and many Queen Anne Victorian-style houses from that era still line the streets of the National Historic Landmark District. Those homes tend to be tall, with steep interior stairs and front steps that face long, snowy winters.
Lake County also includes Leadville North, along with newer single-family homes, townhouses, split-level homes and walk-up apartments. If a parent is starting to struggle with the stairs in any of these, a stair lift can be a way to keep using the whole house. This page covers which kind of lift tends to fit local homes and which programs may help with the cost.
Leadville's mining-era houses were often built on more than one floor, and their staircases do not always run in a single straight line. A stairway that turns at a landing or winds near the top usually needs a curved stair lift, which uses a rail built to follow that specific staircase.
When we measure an older home, we look at stair width, the condition of the treads and where a rail can be anchored. A straight run with no turns is the simpler case and can take a standard straight lift. Either way, the goal is a rail that leaves room for others in the house to still use the stairs.
Split-level homes have short flights between levels, so some owners only need a lift on the one flight they use every day, such as the run up to the bedrooms. Townhouses usually have a straight flight between floors, which is often a good match for a straight lift.
Walk-up apartments are different because the stairs are often shared. A renter will need the building owner's approval before anything is installed, so that conversation is the first step.
Lake County averages 156.9 inches of snow a year and about 271.7 mornings with freezing temperatures, and a freezing morning can happen in any month. Icy porch steps are where many falls start, not just the stairs inside.
For homes with steps up to the front door, an outdoor stair lift or a vertical platform lift may be worth a look. Platform lifts are the option to consider for someone who uses a wheelchair. We plan these around snow clearing and where drifts build up, so the lift stays usable all winter.
About 68.2% of Lake County residents own their homes, and several programs below are open only to owners. The Colorado Medicaid Home Modification Benefit under the EBD Waiver and Friends of Man both list stair lifts or home modifications as covered. The local area agency on aging, USDA and VA programs do not name stair lifts, so call and ask before counting on them.
Lake County Veterans Services at 901 S Highway 24 in Leadville, (719) 221-3245, can help a veteran sort out which VA benefits apply. For aging services, the Upper Arkansas AAA office in Canon City can be reached at (719) 275-8350.
Other statewide resources worth asking about include the Assistive Technology Act Program of Colorado (AT Partners) and the Colorado Senior Property Tax Exemption (Senior Homestead Exemption).
This Medicaid waiver benefit covers home modifications, with a $14,000 lifetime maximum, for people enrolled in the EBD Waiver who need help with at least 2 of 6 Activities of Daily Living; 2026 limits are monthly income up to $2,982 and assets of $2,000 for a single applicant. Call Health First Colorado at (800) 221-3943.
Residents age 60 or older in Lake, Chaffee, Custer or Fremont County can get a voucher of up to $200 per household for items such as ramps and hand rails, with a cost estimate required first. Stair lifts are not mentioned, so call (719) 539-3341 to ask.
This service offers up to $600 for home repairs and maintenance, including yard work, for residents age 60 or older with proof of income. Stair lifts are not listed; the number is (719) 539-3341.
Very-low-income homeowners in rural areas such as Lake County can borrow up to $40,000 at 1% over 20 years, and owners age 62 or older may qualify for grants up to $10,000 to remove health and safety hazards. Stair lifts are not named; call (720) 544-2903.
Veterans with certain severe service-connected disabilities, such as loss of use of more than one limb, may receive up to $126,526 (FY2026) to adapt a home they own. The VA's examples are ramps and wider doorways and do not mention stair lifts; call (800) 827-1000.
This grant provides up to $25,350 (FY2026) for veterans with qualifying service-connected disabilities such as loss of use of both hands or severe burns. Stair lifts are not specifically listed; call (800) 827-1000.
This Colorado nonprofit helps residents of all ages with mobility equipment and home modifications, and stair lifts are among its examples. Applications must come from a referring professional such as a caseworker, social worker or clergy member; the phone is (303) 798-2342.
Older adults
3224 Independence Rd., Canon City, 81212
Veterans
901 S Highway 24, Leadville, 80461
Often, yes. Staircases that turn at a landing usually need a curved lift with a custom rail, while a single straight flight can take a straight lift. A measurement at the home is the only way to know for sure.
Friends of Man serves Colorado residents of all ages, through a referral from a professional such as a caseworker or healthcare worker. The EBD Waiver home modification benefit is also based on Medicaid enrollment and care needs rather than the age 60 rule used by the area agency on aging programs.
The EBD Waiver covers home modifications up to a $14,000 lifetime maximum for enrolled members. Call Health First Colorado at (800) 221-3943 or work with your case manager once enrolled.
With 156.9 inches of average annual snowfall and freezing mornings possible in any month, outdoor steps need planning. We place outdoor stair lifts and platform lifts with snow clearing in mind so the entry stays usable.
Start with Lake County Veterans Services at 901 S Highway 24 in Leadville, (719) 221-3245. The VA SAH and SHA grants do not name stair lifts, so it helps to have someone walk through the options.
The Upper Arkansas AAA office in Canon City, (719) 275-8350, serves Lake County. Its DME and chore programs can also be reached at (719) 539-3341.
Tell us about the stairs in your home and we will explain which lift fits, what it costs and how installation works.
