All states › Colorado › Aurora › University Heights Care Center
656 Dillon Way Aurora, CO 80011 · Arapahoe County
All 11 nursing homes in Aurora, CO (8 take Medicaid)
CMS certification number 065337 · See this home on Medicare Care Compare
Is University Heights Care Center a good nursing home? Reviews, ratings and inspection record
There are no official resident reviews of nursing homes: Medicare's Care Compare publishes inspections, staffing and quality data instead. Here is what that record shows for University Heights Care Center as of October 2026.
CMS rates it 2 out of 5 stars overall, below the Colorado average of 3.1.
Online reviews from families and residents are on Google Maps and other sites; they reflect individual experiences and aren't checked by CMS. The full inspection reports, including what inspectors observed, are on Medicare Care Compare.
Staffing
Nursing staff spend about 3.07 hours per resident per day at University Heights Care Center, below the Colorado median of 3.47 (US median: 3.72). About 0.85 of those hours are from registered nurses. On weekends it falls to 2.62 hours, 15% below its all-week average. 30.7% of nursing staff left within a year (Colorado median 46.6%). That is lower than most homes in Colorado, a sign of a steadier team.
About this nursing home
Paying for care at University Heights Care Center: Medicare and Medicaid
University Heights Care Center is certified for both Medicare and Medicaid. Medicare Part A can cover a short skilled-nursing or rehab stay here after a qualifying hospital stay of at least three inpatient days (observation days don't count), for up to 100 days per benefit period. Medicaid can pay for long-term care for residents who meet Colorado's income and asset rules. Being certified doesn't guarantee a Medicaid bed is open, so ask whether the home accepts residents whose Medicaid application is still pending.
In 2026 Medicare covers days 1–20 in full after the Part A deductible ($1,736 per benefit period); for days 21–100 you pay $217 a day; after day 100 you pay all costs. Medicare doesn't pay for long-term custodial care. Medicare's coverage rules.
Health inspections
The most recent standard inspection was on August 7, 2025 and found 11 deficiencies, plus 3 from complaint inspections in the same period. In total, inspectors issued 48 citations in the last three years.
Each citation has a scope and severity letter from A to L. A–C: potential for minimal harm. D–F: potential for more than minimal harm. G–I: actual harm. J–L: immediate jeopardy to resident health or safety.
What the inspections found
Over the last three years, inspectors issued 48 citations at University Heights Care Center across 5 inspection dates, 6 of them from complaint investigations. 2 were at the actual-harm level (G–I), most recently on September 29, 2022. The most common areas cited were quality of life and care (17) and nutrition and dietary (7). The most serious was cited under the CMS rule to "provide appropriate pressure ulcer care and prevent new ulcers from developing" (tag F0686, level G, September 29, 2022). 4 citations were under CMS's abuse, neglect and exploitation rules.
December 16, 2025 · 3 citations · includes complaint inspection
FMake sure there is a pest control program to prevent/deal with mice, insects, or other pests.
DProtect each resident from all types of abuse such as physical, mental, sexual abuse, physical punishment, and neglect by anybody.
DRespond appropriately to all alleged violations.
August 7, 2025 · 11 citations
FProvide and implement an infection prevention and control program.
DEnsure that residents are fully informed and understand their health status, care and treatments.
DEnsure residents do not lose the ability to perform activities of daily living unless there is a medical reason.
DProvide care and assistance to perform activities of daily living for any resident who is unable.
DProvide activities to meet all resident's needs.
DProvide appropriate pressure ulcer care and prevent new ulcers from developing.
DProvide appropriate care for residents who are continent or incontinent of bowel/bladder, appropriate catheter care, and appropriate care to prevent urinary tract infections.
DProvide care or services that was trauma informed and/or culturally competent.
DEnsure that residents are free from significant medication errors.
DEnsure drugs and biologicals used in the facility are labeled in accordance with currently accepted professional principles; and all drugs and biologicals must be stored in locked compartments, separately locked, compartments for controlled drugs.
DArrange for the provision of hospice services or assist the resident in transferring to a facility that will arrange for the provision of hospice services.
March 26, 2025 · 3 citations · includes complaint inspection
EProtect each resident from all types of abuse such as physical, mental, sexual abuse, physical punishment, and neglect by anybody.
DEnsure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents.
DProvide the appropriate treatment and services to a resident who displays or is diagnosed with dementia.
January 24, 2024 · 17 citations
FProcure food from sources approved or considered satisfactory and store, prepare, distribute and serve food in accordance with professional standards.
FDispose of garbage and refuse properly.
FConduct and document a facility-wide assessment to determine what resources are necessary to care for residents competently during both day-to-day operations (including nights and weekends) and emergencies.
FSet up an ongoing quality assessment and assurance group to review quality deficiencies and develop corrective plans of action.
FProvide and implement an infection prevention and control program.
FDevelop and implement policies and procedures for flu and pneumonia vaccinations.
EHonor the resident's right to a safe, clean, comfortable and homelike environment, including but not limited to receiving treatment and supports for daily living safely.
EEnsure menus must meet the nutritional needs of residents, be prepared in advance, be followed, be updated, be reviewed by dietician, and meet the needs of the resident.
EEnsure food and drink is palatable, attractive, and at a safe and appetizing temperature.
EEnsure each resident receives and the facility provides food that accommodates resident allergies, intolerances, and preferences, as well as appealing options.
DAllow residents to self-administer drugs if determined clinically appropriate.
DHonor the resident's right to voice grievances without discrimination or reprisal and the facility must establish a grievance policy and make prompt efforts to resolve grievances.
DProtect each resident from all types of abuse such as physical, mental, sexual abuse, physical punishment, and neglect by anybody.
DPASARR screening for Mental disorders or Intellectual Disabilities
DPlan the resident's discharge to meet the resident's goals and needs.
DAssist a resident in gaining access to vision and hearing services.
DProvide safe, appropriate pain management for a resident who requires such services.
September 29, 2022 · 14 citations, includes actual harm
GProvide appropriate pressure ulcer care and prevent new ulcers from developing.
GProvide enough food/fluids to maintain a resident's health.
EEnsure drugs and biologicals used in the facility are labeled in accordance with currently accepted professional principles; and all drugs and biologicals must be stored in locked compartments, separately locked, compartments for controlled drugs.
EEnsure food and drink is palatable, attractive, and at a safe and appetizing temperature.
EProvide and implement an infection prevention and control program.
DReasonably accommodate the needs and preferences of each resident.
DCreate and put into place a plan for meeting the resident's most immediate needs within 48 hours of being admitted
DProvide care and assistance to perform activities of daily living for any resident who is unable.
DProvide activities to meet all resident's needs.
DProvide appropriate treatment and care according to orders, resident’s preferences and goals.
DProvide appropriate care for a resident to maintain and/or improve range of motion (ROM), limited ROM and/or mobility, unless a decline is for a medical reason.
DEnsure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents.
DImplement gradual dose reductions(GDR) and non-pharmacological interventions, unless contraindicated, prior to initiating or instead of continuing psychotropic medication; and PRN orders for psychotropic medications are only used when the medication is necessary and PRN use is limited.
DEnsure each resident receives and the facility provides drinks consistent with resident needs and preferences and sufficient to maintain resident hydration.
Questions to ask on a tour of University Heights Care Center
- Inspectors cited the home at the actual-harm level on September 29, 2022 under the rule on quality of life and care. What changed afterwards, and can I see the plan of correction?
- CMS cited the home under its abuse and neglect rules on December 16, 2025. How are staff trained, and how are concerns reported?
- Do you have a Medicaid bed open now, and will you admit someone whose Medicaid application is still pending?
- When is the first care-plan meeting, and can family attend?
Questions come from this home's CMS data: its inspections, staffing and ownership record.
Fines and payment denials
CMS reports no fines or payment denials for this home in the last three years.
Rating history
| CMS month | Overall | Inspection | Staffing | Quality |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| October 2026 | 2/5 | 2/5 | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| August 2026 | 3/5 | 2/5 | 4/5 | 5/5 |
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Location
Hospitals near University Heights Care Center
The Medicare-certified hospitals closest to this nursing home, with their CMS data. Ask the home which hospital it usually sends residents to.
- 0.5 mi
-
1.3 mi
VA Eastern Colorado Healthcare System AuroraEmergency room ★★★★★ Medicare overall 5 of 5Median ER visit 3h 4m for patients treated and sent home
- 1.3 mi
Hospital ratings, ER visit times and more at Hospitals In Each State
Source: CMS Care Compare. Distances are approximate.
Nearby nursing homes
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Compare University Heights Care Center with the 3 closest homes side by side ›
Higher-rated nursing homes within 10 miles
- Advanced Health Care of Aurora · Aurora · 5 stars · 3.1 mi
- Life Care Center of Aurora · Aurora · 5 stars · 3.4 mi
- South Valley Post Acute Rehabilitation · Denver · 5 stars · 7.1 mi
- Beth Israel at Shalom Park · Aurora · 5 stars · 7.2 mi
Other Long Peak Operating Company nursing homes in Colorado
- Parkview Care Center · Denver · 5 stars
- Arbor View Care Center · Arvada · 3 stars
- Harmony Pointe Care Center · Lakewood · 3 stars
- Crestmoor Care Center · Denver · 3 stars
- Allison Care Center · Lakewood · 2 stars
- Devonshire Care Center · Sterling · 2 stars
Affiliation comes from CMS's affiliated-entity data, October 2026. All 8 Long Peak Operating Company nursing homes ›
Source: CMS Provider Data Catalog (provider information, health deficiencies, penalties), October 2026. Inspection citations and penalties cover the last three years. Nursing Homes In Each State is independent and not affiliated with CMS or Medicare. About the data · Report a problem with this listing. Is this your nursing home? Feature it here.