DME Loan Closets and Medical Equipment Reuse in Colorado

Last updated: 27 May 2026

Bottom line: Colorado does not have one statewide medical equipment warehouse for seniors. The best first steps are the Colorado AT Exchange, the state Colorado ADRC line at 1-844-265-2372, and local loan closets that actually hold the walkers, wheelchairs, shower chairs, commodes, and other items.

If the senior is leaving the hospital, call before you drive. In Colorado, equipment help is local. A closet in one county may have a wheelchair today, while another nearby program may have only walkers or no open pickup time.

Emergency help now

• If discharge is today: ask the hospital discharge planner for the exact item name, size, and weight limit before you start calling.
• If you need a statewide referral: call Colorado ADRC at 1-844-265-2372 and ask for the closest loan closet, Area Agency on Aging, or disability resource office.
• If you are in metro Denver: try Denver HELP at 1-720-598-6126 and South Metro at 1-720-443-2013.
• If free closets are empty: call a low-cost resale or rental option the same day. Waiting several days can cost more than buying or renting a basic item.

Quick help

Contents

• What this help is
• Best statewide starting points
• Local loan closets
• Equipment you can ask for
• How loans usually work
• Safety and fit
• Pickup and delivery
• Start without wasting time
• Phone scripts
• Backup options
• Reality checks

What this help is in Colorado

This guide is about borrowed, donated, reused, and low-cost durable medical equipment, often called DME. It covers free loan closets, reuse programs, local nonprofit equipment closets, and low-cost resale or rental options in Colorado.

This is not the same as insurance coverage. A community loan closet usually cannot bill Medicare, Medicare Advantage, or Health First Colorado. If the item is medically necessary and may be needed for a long time, start the insurance path at the same time. Our broader Colorado senior assistance page explains other help in the state, but this article stays focused on medical equipment.

Colorado’s state-level reuse tool is online. The state Assistive Technology Act program says the AT Exchange helps people find used assistive technology devices and equipment in Colorado. That can include mobility items, daily living aids, communication devices, and other tools. It is a strong search tool, but it does not replace a local closet with staff who can hand you equipment today.

Best statewide starting points

Colorado Assistive Technology Program

The Assistive Technology Program at CU Denver is the closest statewide assistive technology hub. Its AT Exchange lets people in Colorado list, request, buy, sell, donate, or reuse assistive technology. The program’s 2024 annual report said 145 devices valued at $115,456 were reutilized through AT device reuse in 2024.

Use it carefully: the AT Exchange terms say it is a user-driven classified service. The site does not inspect, certify, or guarantee the quality or safety of items. For wheelchairs, scooters, ramps, beds, lifts, and other items where fit matters, ask a doctor, therapist, or assistive technology specialist before accepting the item.

Aging and Disability Resources for Colorado

If you do not know which county office to call, use ADRC. The state says Aging and Disability Resources for Colorado helps older adults plan for long-term supports, get options counseling, and connect to information and assistance. Call 1-844-265-2372 and ask for the nearest medical equipment loan closet or Area Agency on Aging.

For more local aging office detail, use our Colorado AAA guide after you know the senior’s county. Do not use old senior-center links for this topic. Many of those paths have moved to Area Agency on Aging pages.

Caregiver support and insurance paths

If an unpaid caregiver is helping a senior stay at home, ask the local Area Agency on Aging about caregiver support. Colorado says supplemental caregiver services may include home modifications, assistive technologies, emergency response systems, and equipment or supplies, but the help is limited and varies by region.

For covered medical equipment, Medicare and Health First Colorado have separate rules. Medicare DME coverage generally requires medically necessary equipment ordered for use in the home, and the supplier rules matter. The DMEPOS manual says Health First Colorado DMEPOS must be medically necessary and prescribed by an authorized provider for an eligible member.

Local loan closets and reuse options

The table below is not every closet in Colorado. It keeps the strongest verified examples and shows where each one fits. For a broader disability path, our Colorado disability help guide may help readers who need home care, transportation, legal help, or long-term support along with equipment.

For western Colorado, Region 10 AAA serves Delta, Gunnison, Hinsdale, Montrose, Ouray, and San Miguel counties. Region 10 says it can connect older adults and caregivers to transportation, in-home services, caregiver support, material aid, and possible discounts on medical devices or home modifications.

In the Denver region, the DRCOG AAA serves Adams, Arapahoe, Broomfield, Clear Creek, Denver, Douglas, Jefferson, and Gilpin counties. The DRCOG ADRC also helps older adults age 60 and older and adults with disabilities connect to long-term supports. Family members and caregivers can call 1-303-480-6700.

What equipment can you ask for?

Inventory changes all the time. Ask for the exact item, not just “equipment.” If a therapist said “front-wheeled walker,” do not ask only for a walker. If a wheelchair seat must be 20 inches, say that before pickup.

How loans usually work

• Most are first come, first served: a program may have the item in the morning and be out by afternoon.
• Some require appointments: South Metro requires appointments for loans, returns, and donations.
• Some have age or county rules: Broomfield serves residents age 60 and older. South Metro serves adults age 18 and older. Douglas County’s closet is for Douglas County residents.
• Loan periods vary: South Metro says loans are up to 3 months. Broomfield says 2 months. Tri-Lakes Cares says loans can last as long as needed, based on availability.
• Costs vary: many local closets are free. Some ask for donations. Some, like Disabled Resource Services, rent equipment at low cost. Good Health Will sells donated items and does not bill insurance, Medicare, or Medicaid.
• Donations are not always accepted: some closets pause donations when storage is full. Call before bringing equipment.

Safety, fit, and sanitation

Used equipment can help a family save money, but it must be safe for the person using it. Bad fit can cause falls, skin problems, pain, or unsafe transfers.

• Check brakes: wheelchair, rollator, and knee scooter brakes should lock firmly.
• Check tips and wheels: cane and walker tips should not be cracked or slick.
• Check seat and frame: look for tears, bent parts, loose screws, rust, or missing footrests.
• Check power items: test the charger, battery, remote, and buttons before accepting the item.
• Ask about cleaning: do not assume a donated item has been sanitized.
• Ask about fit: for wheelchairs, beds, lifts, scooters, and ramps, get advice from a doctor, therapist, or equipment professional when possible.

If the equipment is part of a larger home safety problem, our Colorado housing help guide may be useful for home repair, accessibility, or housing support options.

Pickup and delivery issues

Pickup is the default in Colorado. That is easy for a cane. It can be hard for a hospital bed, lift, ramp, or large wheelchair.

Before you agree to pick up an item, ask whether it folds, what size vehicle is needed, whether you need two people, and whether staff can help load it. Good Health Will says its insurance does not allow employees or volunteers to load or unload equipment into your vehicle, although it does offer delivery for a fee and free pickup of some large donated items.

If transportation is the barrier, call the local Area Agency on Aging and ask about volunteer transportation, caregiver support, or a local helper network. Our senior transportation guide covers more general ride options, but the local office may know faster county-specific help.

How to start without wasting time

1. Write down the exact item: include size, seat width, weight limit, and whether it is needed for days, weeks, or months.
2. Ask the medical team: get the item name from the doctor, therapist, nurse, or discharge planner.
3. Search online first: check the Colorado AT Exchange for nearby listings.
4. Call ADRC: ask for the closest loan closet or Area Agency on Aging for the senior’s county.
5. Call local closets: start with the closest programs in the table above.
6. Start insurance too: if the item is medically necessary and long term, ask the doctor to start the Medicare, Medicare Advantage, or Health First Colorado supplier process.
7. Use a backup quickly: if the free option is empty, call a low-cost resale or rental option instead of waiting.

What to gather first

• Senior’s ZIP code and county
• Exact item name
• Seat width, height, weight limit, or ramp length if needed
• How long the item is needed
• Whether a doctor, therapist, or discharge planner recommended it
• Whether someone can pick up and load the item
• Whether the senior has Medicare, Medicare Advantage, or Health First Colorado
• Pickup deadline, such as “hospital discharge is at 2 p.m.”
• Backup towns you can drive to

If the senior also needs help with benefits, the Colorado PEAK guide can help with Colorado’s benefits portal. If Medicare costs are blocking care, see our Medicare Savings guide for Colorado.

Phone scripts

Use these short scripts when you call. Replace the details with your own.

Backup options if free closets are empty

If you cannot find a free item, move fast through backup options. Waiting for the perfect free closet may leave a senior without safe equipment at home.

• Low-cost resale: Good Health Will may be a good backup for basic equipment and supplies in northern Colorado.
• Low-cost rental: Disabled Resource Services may help when the item is temporary and the senior can use the Loveland office.
• Local charities: some churches and nonprofits help with urgent needs. Our Colorado charity guide lists broader local help, but call first because DME is not always available.
• Doctor or therapist: ask whether a covered DME supplier can deliver faster or whether a different item would be safe.
• Caregiver support: ask the local AAA whether caregiver funds can help with equipment or supplies.
• Emergency help: if a missing item makes the home unsafe right now, our Colorado emergency guide may help you find faster local support.

Reality checks

• Colorado is local first: there is no single warehouse that can promise equipment for every county.
• Volunteer programs may be slow: some closets respond quickly, but volunteers may not answer at night or on weekends.
• Bathroom items vary: one closet may carry shower chairs, while another has stopped because of space or sanitation limits.
• Large items are harder: hospital beds, ramps, lifts, scooters, and power chairs may need pickup help, delivery, or professional setup.
• Insurance takes time: covered DME may need a prescription, documentation, prior authorization, and an enrolled supplier.
• Free does not mean safe: always inspect condition and fit before using donated equipment.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Driving to a closet without calling first
• Asking for a “wheelchair” without knowing the seat width
• Waiting until discharge day to start the search
• Assuming every program serves every county or age group
• Forgetting to ask about pickup, loading, or return rules
• Taking a power item without the charger
• Using a ramp, lift, bed, or scooter without checking safety and fit
• Skipping the insurance path when the item is medically necessary and long term

What to do if delayed or overwhelmed

If the first place cannot help, do not stop there. Ask the person who answers the phone for the next best number. Many local staff know nearby closets that do not show up clearly online.

• Call ADRC again and say the first referral did not work.
• Call the Area Agency on Aging for the senior’s county.
• Ask the hospital social worker or rehab therapist to help call suppliers.
• Try a low-cost resale or rental option while the insurance request is pending.
• Ask family, a church volunteer, or a neighbor about pickup help.
• For veterans, check our Colorado veteran help guide for local veteran support paths.

Resumen en español

Colorado no tiene un solo almacén estatal de equipo médico duradero para personas mayores. La mejor forma de empezar es revisar el Colorado AT Exchange, llamar a Colorado ADRC al 1-844-265-2372 y después llamar a los clósets de préstamo de equipo en su condado o ciudad.

En el área de Denver, muchas familias empiezan con Denver HELP o South Metro. En Douglas County, Aging Resources of Douglas County tiene un clóset gratuito para residentes. En Broomfield, el programa sirve a residentes de 60 años o más. En el norte de Colorado, Good Health Will y Disabled Resource Services pueden ser opciones de bajo costo si no encuentra equipo gratis.

Antes de recoger cualquier equipo, pregunte si está disponible ahora, si está limpio, si tiene todas sus piezas, cuál es el límite de peso y cuánto tiempo puede usarlo. Si necesita una silla de ruedas, cama, rampa, scooter o equipo eléctrico, pida ayuda a un doctor, terapeuta o especialista para confirmar que sea seguro.

Frequently asked questions

Is there one statewide free medical equipment loan closet in Colorado?

No. Colorado has the Colorado AT Exchange as a statewide online reuse tool, but it is not one physical warehouse. For human help, call Colorado ADRC at 1-844-265-2372 and ask for the closest local loan closet or Area Agency on Aging.

What should I do if my parent is leaving the hospital today?

Ask the discharge planner for the exact item name, size, and safety limits. Then call ADRC and the closest local loan closets. If you are in metro Denver, call Denver HELP and South Metro right away. Also ask whether insurance should cover the item long term.

What items are easiest to find free in Colorado?

Canes, crutches, walkers, basic wheelchairs, toilet risers, commodes, and some shower chairs are usually the most realistic. Hospital beds, lifts, ramps, scooters, and power chairs are much less predictable.

Can Health First Colorado or Medicare pay for DME?

Sometimes. Medicare and Health First Colorado have separate medical-necessity, prescription, supplier, and coverage rules. If the item is needed long term, ask the doctor to start the covered DME process while you also look for a short-term loan.

Are used medical equipment items safe?

They can be, but you must check condition and fit. Test brakes, wheels, tips, batteries, remotes, and missing parts. For ramps, lifts, beds, scooters, and power chairs, professional advice is safer.

Where can I donate used medical equipment in Colorado?

Start with the Colorado AT Exchange for statewide visibility. You can also ask South Metro, Denver HELP, Erie, Good Health Will, or a local closet near you. Call first because storage limits and accepted items change.

About This Guide

This guide uses official federal, state, local, and other high-trust nonprofit and community sources mentioned in the article.

Editorial note: This guide is produced based on our Editorial Standards using official and other high-trust sources, regularly updated and monitored, but not affiliated with any government agency and not a substitute for official agency guidance. Individual eligibility outcomes cannot be guaranteed.

Verification: Last verified 27 May 2026, next review 27 August 2026.

Corrections: Please note that despite our careful verification process, errors may still occur. Email info@grantsforseniors.org with corrections and we will respond within 72 hours.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and is not legal, financial, medical, tax, disability-rights, immigration, or government-agency advice. Program rules, policies, and availability can change. Readers should confirm current details directly with the official program before acting.

Last updated: 27 May 2026

Next review: 27 August 2026