Triangle Cross Ranch, an assisted living facility in Weld County, Colorado, was recently shut down by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment due to serious allegations of mistreatment and neglect towards its residents. Inspectors found that residents, who are adults with special needs, were intentionally humiliated, neglected, and punished by the facility. Residents were reportedly underfed and underweight, with some seen scavenging for food in the trash. One resident, Karen Peterson, who has Asperger's syndrome, experienced drastic weight loss over an 11-month period due to what she described as dietary punishments imposed by the facility.
In addition to issues with food and nutrition, the CDPHE also cited instances of residents being humiliated and punished in other ways. For example, residents were allegedly made to pick up animal feces as punishment and were denied privacy during interviews with inspectors. The facility was also found to have failed to follow proper COVID-19 requirements, including not offering the vaccine to residents and not ensuring staff wore personal protective equipment around residents. Inspectors also noted safety hazards such as excessively hot water that could scald residents.
The CDPHE initially received a complaint about the facility in April 2020, leading to a series of investigations that ultimately resulted in the suspension of Triangle Cross Ranch's license. The facility was fined but refused to pay, and efforts to correct the issues were deemed inadequate by the department. The facility now has the option to challenge the suspension in court, with an administrative hearing potentially taking up to eight months to occur. A statement from an attorney representing the ranch denied any wrongdoing on the part of the board and staff, while expressing concerns about potential unauthorized access to residents' medical records.
This case is particularly noteworthy as it represents a rare instance of a facility being shut down by the CDPHE, with only 27 assisted living facilities in Colorado facing similar consequences since 2013. The allegations of mistreatment and neglect at Triangle Cross Ranch highlight the importance of ensuring respect, dignity, and proper care for all individuals, regardless of their abilities or disabilities. The situation serves as a reminder of the need for stringent oversight and enforcement of regulations to protect the health and welfare of vulnerable populations in care facilities.