All states › Colorado › Thornton › Thornton Care Center
501 Thornton Pkwy Thornton, CO 80229 · Adams County
All 3 nursing homes in Thornton, CO (3 take Medicaid)
CMS certification number 065193 · See this home on Medicare Care Compare
Is Thornton 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 Thornton Care Center as of October 2026.
CMS rates it 1 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 3.15 hours per resident per day at Thornton Care Center, below the Colorado median of 3.47 (US median: 3.72). About 0.64 of those hours are from registered nurses. On weekends it falls to 2.69 hours, 15% below its all-week average. 41.5% of nursing staff left within a year (Colorado median 46.6%).
About this nursing home
Paying for care at Thornton Care Center: Medicare and Medicaid
Thornton 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 December 19, 2024 and found 6 deficiencies, plus 16 from complaint inspections in the same period. In total, inspectors issued 63 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 63 citations at Thornton Care Center across 8 inspection dates, 30 of them from complaint investigations. 2 were at the immediate-jeopardy level (J–L), CMS's most serious category, most recently on June 20, 2024 (complaint inspection). The most common areas cited were quality of life and care (20) and resident rights (15). The most serious was cited under the CMS rule to "provide appropriate pressure ulcer care and prevent new ulcers from developing" (tag F0686, level J, June 20, 2024). 5 citations were under CMS's abuse, neglect and exploitation rules.
August 27, 2026 · 1 citation · includes complaint inspection
DEnsure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents.
September 2, 2025 · 3 citations, includes actual harm · includes complaint inspection
GEnsure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents.
EHonor 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.
DSafeguard resident-identifiable information and/or maintain medical records on each resident that are in accordance with accepted professional standards.
April 1, 2025 · 1 citation · includes complaint inspection
DProtect each resident from all types of abuse such as physical, mental, sexual abuse, physical punishment, and neglect by anybody.
December 19, 2024 · 21 citations · includes complaint inspection
FProcure food from sources approved or considered satisfactory and store, prepare, distribute and serve food in accordance with professional standards.
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.
EHonor the resident's right to and the facility must promote and facilitate resident self-determination through support of resident choice.
EHonor the resident's right to manage his or her financial affairs.
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 that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents.
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.
EProvide each resident with a nourishing, palatable, well-balanced diet that meets his or her daily nutritional and special dietary needs.
EEnsure food and drink is palatable, attractive, and at a safe and appetizing temperature.
D1) Protect residents from being forced to work at the nursing home, or 2) let residents work if they want to.
DRespond appropriately to all alleged violations.
DNot transfer or discharge a resident without an adequate reason; and must provide documentation and convey specific information when a resident is transferred or discharged.
DPermit a resident to return to the nursing home after hospitalization or therapeutic leave that exceeds bed-hold policy.
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.
DAssist a resident in gaining access to vision and hearing services.
DProvide safe, appropriate dialysis care/services for a resident who requires such services.
DEnsure that residents are free from significant medication errors.
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.
August 7, 2024 · 1 citation · includes complaint inspection
EEnsure services provided by the nursing facility meet professional standards of quality.
June 20, 2024 · 3 citations, includes immediate jeopardy · includes complaint inspection
JProvide appropriate pressure ulcer care and prevent new ulcers from developing.
GProtect each resident from all types of abuse such as physical, mental, sexual abuse, physical punishment, and neglect by anybody.
ESet up an ongoing quality assessment and assurance group to review quality deficiencies and develop corrective plans of action.
October 26, 2023 · 11 citations, includes actual harm · includes complaint inspection
GProtect each resident from all types of abuse such as physical, mental, sexual abuse, physical punishment, and neglect by anybody.
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.
EProcure food from sources approved or considered satisfactory and store, prepare, distribute and serve food in accordance with professional standards.
D1) Protect residents from being forced to work at the nursing home, or 2) let residents work if they want to.
DKeep residents' personal and medical records private and confidential.
DEnsure services provided by the nursing facility meet professional standards of quality.
DProvide care and assistance to perform activities of daily living for any resident who is unable.
DEnsure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents.
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.
DHelp the resident with transportation to and from laboratory services outside of the facility.
July 21, 2022 · 22 citations, includes immediate jeopardy
JEnsure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents.
GProvide appropriate pressure ulcer care and prevent new ulcers from developing.
GProvide the appropriate treatment and services to a resident who displays or is diagnosed with dementia.
EAllow resident to participate in the development and implementation of his or her person-centered plan of care.
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.
EProvide care and assistance to perform activities of daily living for any resident who is unable.
EAssist a resident in gaining access to vision and hearing services.
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.
EProvide or obtain dental services for each resident.
EEnsure therapeutic diets are prescribed by the attending physician and may be delegated to a registered or licensed dietitian, to the extent allowed by State law.
ESet up an ongoing quality assessment and assurance group to review quality deficiencies and develop corrective plans of action.
DHonor the resident's right to a dignified existence, self-determination, communication, and to exercise his or her rights.
DReasonably accommodate the needs and preferences of each resident.
D1) Protect residents from being forced to work at the nursing home, or 2) let residents work if they want to.
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.
DCreate and put into place a plan for meeting the resident's most immediate needs within 48 hours of being admitted
DEnsure residents do not lose the ability to perform activities of daily living unless there is a medical reason.
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 feeding tubes are not used unless there is a medical reason and the resident agrees; and provide appropriate care for a resident with a feeding tube.
DEnsure that nurses and nurse aides have the appropriate competencies to care for every resident in a way that maximizes each resident's well being.
DProvide and implement an infection prevention and control program.
Questions to ask on a tour of Thornton Care Center
- Inspectors cited the home at the immediate-jeopardy level on June 20, 2024 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 April 1, 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
3 penalties in the last three years, including $21,483 in fines.
| Date | Type | Amount or length |
|---|---|---|
| Dec 19, 2024 | Fine | $5,684 |
| Jun 20, 2024 | Fine | $12,058 |
| Oct 26, 2023 | Fine | $3,741 |
Rating history
| CMS month | Overall | Inspection | Staffing | Quality |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| October 2026 | 1/5 | 1/5 | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| August 2026 | 1/5 | 1/5 | 2/5 | 3/5 |
Add this rating badge to your websiteFree. Shows Thornton Care Center's Medicare star rating and updates itself.
Size and colour
Preview
Paste it where the badge should appear: in WordPress, a Custom HTML block or a footer widget; on other sites, any spot that accepts HTML. The badge updates itself when CMS publishes new ratings.
Location
Hospitals near Thornton 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.
-
0.6 mi
HCA Healthone Mountain Ridge ThorntonEmergency room ★★★☆☆ Medicare overall 3 of 5Median ER visit 2h 6m for patients treated and sent home
-
2.5 mi
Centura Health-St Anthony North Hospital WestminsterEmergency room ★★★★★ Medicare overall 5 of 5Median ER visit 2h 40m for patients treated and sent home
- 2.5 mi
Hospital ratings, ER visit times and more at Hospitals In Each State
Source: CMS Care Compare. Distances are approximate.
Nearby nursing homes
More nursing homes near Thornton Care Center › All nursing homes in Thornton ›
Compare Thornton Care Center with the 3 closest homes side by side ›
Higher-rated nursing homes within 10 miles
- The Center at Northridge · Westminster · 5 stars · 3.4 mi
- Sloan's Lake Rehabilitation Center · Denver · 5 stars · 9.2 mi
- Edgewater Health and Rehabilitation · Lakewood · 5 stars · 9.8 mi
- Ridgeview Post Acute · Commerce City · 4 stars · 4.6 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.