Denver Metro & Colorado — Market 8

The Honest Guide to 55+ Living
in Denver & Colorado

All 14 verified 55+ deed-restricted communities in the Denver metro. Real HOA fees, county-by-county property tax comparison, the Colorado hail insurance reality that most buyers miss, and what the brochures don’t tell you.

Median Sale Price
Redfin · March 2026
31 daysMedian Days on Market
4613New Listings
14Communities Covered

The Denver 55+ Market — What You Need to Know First

Denver is a smaller 55+ market than Phoenix, Las Vegas, or Raleigh-Durham. There are 14 verified deed-restricted active adult communities in the metro — not 50 or 60. The shortage of supply is real, and it has two consequences: lower competition between communities for buyers (fewer alternatives means less pressure on pricing), and a resale market that is consistently tighter than other major retirement markets.

Colorado hail insurance — the cost nobody mentions in the brochureColorado is the #2 hail-damage state in the US. Homeowners insurance in the Denver metro runs \$180–\$300/month for a \$500K–\$700K home — significantly more than NC, Nevada, or inland Florida. This is the single biggest hidden cost surprise for buyers relocating from other states. Factor it in before you compare Denver against other markets on HOA + property tax alone.
Colorado income tax — flat 4.4%, with a senior deductionColorado’s 4.4% flat income tax applies to all income including retirement distributions. However, Colorado offers a \$24,000 pension and annuity exclusion for residents 65+, plus Social Security is fully exempt. For most retirement income profiles, effective Colorado state income tax runs 2–3% of gross retirement income — lower than Virginia, higher than Nevada or Florida.

County Property Tax Comparison

On a \$600K home, the difference between the lowest and highest tax rate in the Denver metro is \$84/month (\$1,008/year). Over 20 years that’s \$20,160. County matters.

Broomfield & Weld (~0.55%) — Lowest

\$600K home, monthly tax~\$275/mo
CommunitiesAnthem Ranch, Skyestone, NorthSkye

Douglas (~0.58%)

\$600K home, monthly tax~\$290/mo
CommunitiesRegency at Montaine, Verona

Arapahoe & Adams (~0.65%)

\$600K home, monthly tax~\$325/mo
CommunitiesHeritage Eagle Bend, Heritage Todd Creek, Hilltop, Lupton

Denver County (~0.70%) — Highest

\$600K home, monthly tax~\$350/mo
CommunitiesWindsor Gardens, Fairway Villas, Reserve at GVR

Research Pages for Serious Buyers

Questions About the Denver Market?

We can run your county tax estimate, hail insurance reality check, Colorado income tax analysis, and true all-in monthly cost before you schedule any Denver tours.

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