The only age-restricted community inside Denver city limits. 2,689 condos on 143 acres, 9-hole golf, 35,000 sq ft clubhouse, and Denver's most affordable 55+ entry point. Here's exactly what the high HOA covers and what buyers need to know.
Windsor Gardens is a 55+ condo community in Denver, Colorado — specifically, the only age-restricted community located within Denver city limits. Built between 1962 and 1973, it comprises 2,689 condos across 48 attached homes and a mix of two-story and four-story buildings on 143 acres of landscaped grounds.
The community wraps around the Emerald Greens Golf Course, a 9-hole par-3 course that operates as a semi-private facility — residents can access it along with non-residents. The 35,000 square foot clubhouse is the social hub: auditorium, ballroom with stage, library, fitness center, indoor pool and spa, aerobics studio, and multiple arts and crafts studios including a woodworking shop.
Denver's location advantage is straightforward — Windsor Gardens sits 20 minutes from Downtown Denver. For buyers who want genuine urban access, arts and culture proximity, and the convenience of city living within an age-restricted community, Windsor Gardens is the only option in the Denver metro that delivers this combination. Buyers who want suburban space and modern construction won't find either here; this is an urban, established, condo-lifestyle community through and through.
| HOA Fee | $600–$800/month depending on unit size |
| What HOA Covers | Heat, water, sewer, trash, exterior maintenance, building insurance, grounds, clubhouse access, golf course access |
| What HOA Does NOT Cover | Electricity, interior unit insurance (HO-6), cable/internet, interior repairs |
| Property Tax Rate | Denver County — approximately 0.70% effective rate |
| Property Tax on $225K Condo | ~$1,575/year (~$131/month) before senior exemption |
| Unit Insurance (HO-6) | ~$250–$500/year |
| Cost Item | Monthly Estimate |
|---|---|
| HOA Fee (mid-range) | ~$700 |
| Property Tax (Denver County) | ~$131 |
| HO-6 Unit Insurance | ~$31 |
| Total Non-Mortgage Monthly | ~$862/month |
The HOA is high — but Windsor Gardens is the lowest purchase price entry point in the Denver 55+ market. A buyer who purchases a $200,000 Windsor Gardens condo with a small mortgage pays less total monthly than a buyer who purchases a $650,000 Anthem Ranch home with a mortgage, even with Windsor Gardens' higher HOA. For buyers with limited purchase budget and desire for urban living, the all-in math often favors Windsor Gardens significantly.
Building age means higher special assessment risk. Windsor Gardens buildings were constructed in the 1960s and early 1970s. Capital expenditure needs are ongoing — roof replacements, elevator modernization, plumbing updates, exterior work. The HOA's reserve fund management is critical. Request the current reserve study and reserve fund adequacy ratio before making an offer on any unit. Buildings vary significantly in their financial health.
Unit sizes run smaller than modern construction. Homes built in the 1960s reflect the design standards of that era — floor plans are more compartmentalized, rooms are smaller, and storage is limited compared to newer construction. Buyers accustomed to modern open-concept layouts should tour multiple units before committing; the right buyer embraces the character; the wrong buyer finds it constraining.
Denver city proximity is genuinely undervalued here. Windsor Gardens is 20 minutes from Denver's arts district, top restaurants, cultural institutions, sports venues, and the Cherry Creek shopping district. No other Denver 55+ community offers this urban access. For buyers who plan to use Denver's cultural offerings regularly — concerts, galleries, major medical specialists, university events — Windsor Gardens' location advantage is real and compounds over a retirement.
Denver County property taxes are the highest in the metro. At roughly 0.70% effective, Denver County runs higher than Broomfield (0.55%), Arapahoe (0.60%), and Adams (0.65%). On a $225,000 condo the difference versus Aurora is modest — roughly $225/year. It's worth noting in a cost comparison but not decisive at Windsor Gardens' price points.
| Downtown Denver | ~20 minutes — best urban access of any Denver 55+ community |
| Denver Art Museum / Cultural District | ~20 minutes |
| Cherry Creek Shopping District | ~15 minutes |
| UCHealth University Hospital | ~25 minutes via I-225 |
| Denver International Airport | ~30–35 minutes via I-70 east |
| Denver Health Medical Center | ~20 minutes — major safety-net hospital with trauma center |
Connect with a specialist who knows Windsor Gardens and can help identify the right building and unit for your situation.