Willow Tree Care Center emerged as Delta County’s largest nursing home during the first quarter of 2026, data from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) shows.
The facility reported 80 available beds, which was 18 more than the Delta County average for the same period. Throughout the first quarter, Willow Tree Care Center supported an average daily census of 55.7 residents.
The care center received an overall CMS rating of 1 out of 5, falling short of Colorado’s nursing home average, which was 3.2.
Paonia Care and Rehabilitation Center ranked second in size countywide, providing 60 beds, while Horizons Care Center was third with 45 beds offered to residents.
The first quarter of 2026 saw Willow Tree Care Center report no fines or penalties.
There were two for-profit nursing home facilities operating in Delta County, Colorado, during this period.
U.S. Census Bureau estimates indicate that the country’s older adult population is rising while the number of younger individuals continues to drop. From 2020 through 2024, the American population 65 and older grew 13%, with those under 18 decreasing by 1.7%. The older population in the U.S. has sharply expanded over the past century, increasing from 4.9 million in 1920 to more than 61 million by 2024.
A study conducted in 2021 finds that almost half of this age segment, or approximately 28 million people, are likely to need long-term services and supports. Moreover, projections show more than a third may eventually reside in a nursing home setting.
“Living a long life is something that many of us want and could get,” said Jesse Slome, executive director with the American Association for Long-Term Care Insurance, an insurance education group. “But when we live a long life, the chances of us needing long-term care increase exponentially. But when you need that type of care, there are limited options.”
| Rank | Nursing Home | Overall Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Willow Tree Care Center | 1 |
| 2 | Paonia Care and Rehabilitation Center | 2 |
| 3 | Horizons Care Center | 3 |
Information for this report came from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. Source data is available here.
