Overview
Windsor is a booming community in the Front Range region of Colorado. Situated on the eastern edge of the Rocky Mountains, Windsor offers active adults lots to do, whether it’s engaging in their favorite outdoor activities, or visiting one of the many local breweries. With a number of restaurants and shops available nearby, retirees will find they have plenty of entertainment options close to home.
Climate & Geography
The climate type in Windsor is classified as semi-arid, meaning residents experience all four seasons, with hot summers, cold winters and low year-round humidity. The city receives less rainfall than the national average and more snowfall.
Windsor is situated on relatively flat land, southeast of Fort Collins. The Front Range mountains and Rocky Mountain National Park are directly to the west, offering scenic views of Longs Peak, the highest mountain in the range. Windsor Lake is located in the community, and Cache La Poudre River runs through Windsor.
Recreation, Culture, & Entertainment
Windsor offers active adults many opportunities to get outdoors. Residents visit Windsor Lake for aquatic activities like fishing, boating, and swimming. Those willing to travel a bit farther can head to Horsetooth Mountain for a hike or bike ride accompanied by scenic views. Coyote Ridge Natural Area is a well known spot for wildlife viewing. Additionally, the area is home to several golf courses and country clubs, offering plenty of opportunity for locals to enjoy a round of golf.
Those looking for shopping or dining will find that the Windsor area has plenty to choose from including local and chain options. Additionally Fort Collins is less than half an hour away, and Denver is about an hour and a half from Windsor, allowing residents to spend a day enjoying a wider selection of shopping, dining, and entertainment in these cities when desired.
Cost of Living & Taxes
The overall cost of living in Windsor is above the national average, but lower than Colorado’s state average. Utilities, transportation, and health care costs in windsor are all below the national average, while the median home cost in Windsor is higher than average.
Although there are no full exemptions for retirement income in Colorado, the state offers substantial deductions on income tax for residents who are 55+. Property taxes in Colorado are on the lower end of average, and retirees may qualify for additional exclusions there as well. Sales tax in Windsor is somewhat high, at 6.85 percent, but groceries and medicine are not taxed.
Health Care
The Fort Collins area scores extremely high on Gallup’s Well-Being Index, ranking in the top seven communities in the country.
While there are no hospitals within Windsor, locals will find that there are plenty of options in surrounding cities. Banner Fort Collins Medical Center, located in Fort Collins, is rated as high performing in hip replacement by U.S. News. UCHealth Medical Center of the Rockies, in Loveland, is rated as high performing in one specialty and three procedures and conditions. McKee Medical Center, also in Loveland, is rated as high performing in knee replacement.