Things for Seniors to do
Montrose is a great place for all ages, but the “Senior Scene” in Montrose, Colorado is top-notch!
The Senior Center is located at the Montrose Pavilion and is open from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. Transportation can be arranged to the Senior Center and lunch is provided by Volunteers of America (VOA) for $5 with a 2-day reservation. There is also a ballroom which is open for games and dances, a billiard room, a computer room, and a library all within the Senior Center.
The Montrose Recreation District just built a new Community Rec Center two years ago and it is quite the upgrade from the original 1988-built Aquatic Center. The facility can accommodate all ages and includes a therapy pool, a lazy river, indoor walking/jogging track, a weight room, an aerobics studio, three full basketball courts, a kiddie pool area, a lap pool, a climbing wall, and two racquetball courts. Each basketball court holds three pickleball courts and there are six outside courts. There is also a separate physical therapy clinic attached to the Rec Center.
The Senior Center and the Montrose Recreation Center have a phenomenal collaboration for senior citizens. Events are coordinated and scheduled on a monthly basis. The activities are endless but include day trips, health & wellness classes, board games, billiards, arts & crafts, and of course, pickleball.
If you want something a little less organized, you can always take part in some of these age-appropriate activities:
Golf: If you’re needing a place to swing your clubs, there are three local golf courses in Montrose where you can get your Jack Nicklaus on. Two of the courses are private, but all three offer stunning views of the San Juan Mountains and have great restaurants attached to them.
Join the Black Canyon Audubon Society: This one’s for the birds! This is one of 11 Audubon chapters in Colorado. This particular society includes Delta, Gunnison, Hinsdale, Montrose, San Miguel, and Ouray counties.
Montrose Quilt Guild: One huge summer event in Montrose is the Black Canyon Quilt Show. There are three quilt guilds in the area and they each meet monthly, sharing their love for the art of quilt making.
Montrose Regional Library: Our local library is located right in the middle of town. Many classes/clubs are offered including the Crafternoon Club which crochets and knits items for charity.
Music Scene: When it comes to live music, Montrose is the place to be. You can enjoy music from the Montrose Community Band, the Valley Symphony Association, the Black Canyon Barbershop Chorus, and many live concerts from other musicians throughout the year.
PAX: If art is your thing, you won’t be disappointed. Aside from the God-given views that surround us, Montrose has a Public Art eXperience organization which aims to keep art alive in our small town.
Ride the Bike Trails: Montrose has miles of trails! Bicyclists of all ages can enjoy themselves on the convenient bike path through town or challenge themselves on tougher terrain on the outskirts of town. It’s also common to see official bike races through town!
Visit our Museums: Montrose is home to three museums: Montrose County Historical Museum, Museum of the Mountain West, and the Ute Indian Museum. You could probably visit them often and learn something new each time. If you’re a history buff, these museums will surely offer you some joy. Some of them are even rumored to be haunted.
Visit the Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park: This park is about 12 miles outside of Montrose and requires an entrance fee in the summer months. There are restrooms and a visitor center on the Montrose side (known as the South Rim). Things to do there: fish, hike, walk, look for wildlife, snowshoe, cross country ski, and gaze at the stars.
Watch the Magic Circle Players: This is Montrose’s very own theatre! Local residents perform in plays and musicals each season inside the quaint 225 seat theatre. Now’s your chance to audition for a play or just sit back and enjoy the show.
When you relocate to another town, it’s common to check on things like schools, job opportunities, and demographics. I recommend looking into all those things, and more, before moving to a brand new town. Montrose is a great retirement community and the census proves that (seniors – 50-69 years old – are the highest age brackets in Montrose). There is also a great hospital in town, public transportation, and mild weather (for the most part).
Whatever age you are, let me be the first to welcome you to the Western Slope of Colorado! That’s what Coloradans call the part of the state west of the Continental Divide. I can’t wait to help you find your new home here!
Debbie Reed | [email protected] | 970-209-1396
For additional information on the places listed above, visit these websites: Black Canyon Audubon Society, Black Canyon Barbershop Chorus, Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park, Magic Circle Players, Montrose Community Band, Montrose County Historical Museum, Montrose Pavilion Senior Center, Montrose Rec District, Montrose Regional Library, Montrose Quilt Guilds, Museum of the Mountain West, PAX, Ute Indian Museum, Valley Symphony Association.
