Golden, CO 55+ Active Adult Retirement Communities

A suburb of Denver, Golden 55+ communities are a popular retirement destination in Colorado partially because of its quaint downtown and abundance of museums. Additionally, residents enjoy numerous parks for hiking, biking, camping, kayaking, and canoeing. With its natural scenery and active community, retirees are flocking to Golden.

Climate & Geography

The city's high elevation causes it to receive nearly 73 inches of snow each year. Residents can expect warm summers with temperatures reaching the 80s as well as 242 days of sun.

Golden has a mountainous landscape at the foothills of the Rocky Mountains. The city is surrounded by parks and rivers, including Windy Saddle Park, North Table Mountain Park, and Clear Creek.

Recreation, Culture, & Entertainment

With so many nearby parks and greenspaces, residents have plenty to do outside. Popular destinations include Clear Creek White Water Park for canoeing and kayaking, Lookout Mountain Park for hiking, and Golden History Park for historic and natural attractions.

History buffs can visit the Colorado Railroad Museum, Buffalo Bill Grave and Museum, or the Colorado School of Mines Geology Museum. Downtown Golden has local boutiques and eateries, some of which overlook Clear Creek. Other popular amenities include breweries, a local arts center, and a weekly farmers market.

With Denver less than an hour away, planning a fun getaway is easy and accessible.

Cost of Living & Taxes

The cost of living in Golden is higher than the state and national averages because of high housing costs. Other factors like health care and utilities are below average.

Colorado does tax all forms of retirement income, including Social Security benefits, but the state offers large deductions. For retirees 55 to 64, the deduction is $20,000, and for retirees over 65, the deduction is $24,000. Property taxes are low, and there is a property tax relief program for retirees who have owned their home for 10 years. The sales tax in Golden is 7.5 percent.

Health Care

Residents of 55+ communities in Golden are part of the Denver metro area which scores very well on Gallup's Well-Being Index, ranking in the top 15 communities across the country.

Though there are no hospitals in Golden, there are several nearby that are rated high performing by U.S. News. These included OrthoColorado Hospital, SCL Health Lutheran Medical Center, and St. Anthony's Hospital-Lakewood, all within 10 miles of the city. Additionally, Craig Hospital in Englewood and National Jewish Health-Denver are both nationally ranked.