Report Sees Rise Of Senior Population Among Colorado Mountain Towns

A couple of years ago, CBS News ran a report on the rise of senior populations in Colorado mountain towns. At the forefront was Steamboat Springs, where a study by Newgeography showed an 80% increase in the last decade. It’s no surprise that retirees have been flocking to the Yampa Valley.

Steamboat Offers Endless Recreational Opportunities, Thriving Arts And Cultural Scene and Volunteer Opportunities About

The outdoors is a literal playground for winter sports and summer pursuits. Endless trails for hiking and biking, three public golf courses and miles of public fishing are just a few of the recreational opportunities. In 2017, Steamboat was awarded a designation as a Colorado Creative District. The town has a thriving arts and culture scene, which benefits from its own symphony orchestra, Strings Music Festival, a highly engaging library outreach program, home grown live theater and a plethora of art galleries and year-round workshops. Volunteer opportunities abound, from ski race officials at the Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club to spellbinder readers in the public school system. Getting involved and meeting people is as easy as one wants it to be.

Favorite Things To Do In The Yampa Valley

Living in a place with so many things and places to explore, comes with a certain amount of bragging rights. At least that’s what we’re told, especially from grandparents in town. It’s not a case of begging the family to come and stay, but the family begging you to make time for an onslaught of your nearest and dearest.  We asked a handful of local seniors to share their favorite things to do when family is in town:

• The Old Town Hot Springs for a soak and an impromptu contest to ring the bell on the outdoor climbing wall. 
• Time at the river, whether it’s a bike ride along the Yampa River Core Trail, fly fishing or tubing in the summer. 
• In winter, skiing or snowboarding at Steamboat Resort. In the summer, a gondola ride to the top for a picnic and a hike. Typically the offer of a ride on the Outlaw coaster will get even reluctant hikers moving. 
• A round of golf at Haymaker Golf Course or mini golf at Amaze’n Steamboat. 
• Ice cream sundaes at Lyon’s Drug and Soda Fountain. 
• Tubing at Saddleback Ranch in the winter, and when the snow melts, a horseback ride at the working ranch. 
• Treasure hunt at the Tread of the Pioneers Museum.
• A day at Stagecoach Lake or Steamboat Lake State Parks. In summer, it’s easy to punch the ultimate fun tickets by renting a pontoon boat for a few hours. 
• Hike at Fish Creek Falls to the overlook or up to the second falls for the more adventurous. 
• A hot air balloon ride over the Yampa Valley. It’s one way to get teenage guests out of bed and raring to go.