Company Secures 100% Direct Ownership of Nursing Home Operation

In mid-May, ownership of Forest Street Compassionate Care Center (FSCCC) officially transitioned to California-based Sweetwater Care Opco LLC (SCO), a skilled nursing operator with facilities across several states. The nursing home has since been renamed City Scape Rehabilitation & Care Center (CSR).

According to the Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment (CDPHE), SCO now holds a 100% direct ownership interest in the licensed operations of the facility. SCO has a 100% direct ownership interest in the licensee City Scape Rehabilitation & Care Center LLC,” CDPHE spokesperson Gabi Johnston stated via email.

Clarifying Zion Baptist Church’s Role

Despite prior public comments, CDPHE confirms that Zion Baptist Church (ZBC), owner of the property, does not participate in the facility’s nursing care operations.

Johnston clarified: “[SCO] submitted an ownership structure chart ... It appears [ZBC] is the landlord listed on the lease agreement, but they do not have ownership in the licensed health care operations, either before or after the [change of ownership] occurred.”

As documented, the lease was formalized on March 13, with 3345 Forest Street CO LLC—registered in April 2025—listed as the landlord. ZBC is identified as the “Prime Landlord,” confirming their continued role as property owner, while City Scape Rehab is the named tenant.

Historical Ownership and Regulatory Context

Medicare records show that Forest Street LTC LLLP managed the facility from 2005 until the recent transition. Mitchell Friedman, the LLLP’s Principal and head of the Senex Foundation, also directed the nursing home’s operations during that period.

Alexandrea Kallin, another CDPHE spokesperson, noted that state ownership documentation before 2006 is no longer available. “Any earlier documents were likely paper files and are no longer available,” she said, emphasizing the State’s requirement for licensed facilities to submit updated ownership structures and to comply with regulatory oversight, including citations and inspections.

Public Communication and Stakeholder Responses

Attempts by DWN to receive further comment from Rev. Dr. Frank Davis of Zion Baptist Church were unsuccessful. Sweetwater Care’s California headquarters also declined to comment on the acquisition.

During a phone call to the newly named City Scape facility, DWN reached Emily Lynch, SCO’s Regional Director of Operations. When asked about the ownership change, Lynch stated, “Please do not call again seeking information about this acquisition,” and declined further comment.

Sweetwater’s Growing Portfolio

Founded in 2017 by CEO Aaron Chesley, Sweetwater Care Opco positions itself as a turnaround-focused operator with over 20 years of combined experience in skilled nursing management. City Scape Rehabilitation & Care Center is the latest addition to Sweetwater’s small but expanding portfolio of skilled nursing facilities. This footprint remains modest compared to the five largest nursing home chains in the United States.

SCO currently holds full or partial ownership in several other facilities, including:

Lowry Hills Care & Rehabilitation, Aurora, CO

Continental Care & Rehabilitation, Butte, MT

Park Place Transitional Care &

Rehabilitation, Great Falls, MT

Pioneer Care & Rehabilitation, Dillon, MT

Indian Canyon Post Acute, and

Joshua Tree Post Acute, Yucca Valley, CA

CMS performance data indicates that “four of Sweetwater’s facilities have below average ratings”, placing them under increased scrutiny as the company expands its footprint.

For comparison, the five largest nursing home chains by facility count, according to CMS, are:

1. The Ensign Group – 288 facilities

2. Genesis Healthcare – 222

3. Life Care Centers of America – 195

4. PACS Group – 189

5. Creative Solutions in Healthcare – 129

The change in operational leadership at the Forest Street location marks a new chapter under corporate ownership amid broader industry trends toward consolidation and franchise-style nursing home models.

Contributed by KM/DWN

‍