Holiday Fun for Seniors in Fremont County: Get Out, Get Festive & Go Broncos!
By John Liese, Realtor® | Colorado Foothills Properties
The temperatures are dropping, the leaves are changing, and before we know it, someone will be playing Christmas music while we're still trying to finish the Halloween candy.
Welcome to fall and the holiday season in Fremont County!
For seniors in Cañon City, Florence, Penrose and the surrounding area, the next few months offer plenty of reasons to get out of the house, spend time with friends and family, and enjoy our community.
And yes, there is also another important fall activity:
Watching the Denver Broncos.
At our age, we've survived enough Broncos seasons to know that optimism is free—and there's always next Sunday.
First, Don't Hibernate!
Colorado winters can make staying home under a blanket look pretty appealing.
But staying socially and physically active is especially important as we get older. Fortunately, you don't need to drive to Colorado Springs or Denver to find something to do.
Fremont County has a surprisingly busy calendar this fall and holiday season.
🎄 Mark Your Calendar: Holiday Events Around Fremont County
November 28–29 — Fremont Frost Holiday Market
Kick off the holiday shopping season locally at the Fremont Frost Holiday Market. It's also Small Business Saturday on November 28, making this a great weekend to shop for Christmas gifts while supporting local businesses.
Bonus: You don't have to fight Denver traffic or walk three miles through a giant shopping mall just to discover you parked in the wrong lot.
November 28 — Light Up the Park in Penrose
Penrose gets into the holiday spirit with Light Up the Park. It's another good excuse to grab the grandkids, bundle up and enjoy some hometown Christmas atmosphere.
December 4–5 — 4-H Christmas Craft Fair
If you're looking for unique gifts rather than another gift card, the 4-H Christmas Craft Fair is worth putting on the calendar.
And let's face it—by a certain age, most of us already own enough coffee mugs.
December 4 — Local Art & First Friday Events
The Fremont Center for the Arts is scheduled to open its December exhibit, The Longest Night, while the Royal Gorge Art Alliance has its First Friday Winter Solstice show.
These can be especially nice activities if your idea of holiday fun involves art, conversation and staying somewhere warm.
December 5 — Cañon City Christmas Parade of Lights
This is one of Fremont County's classic Christmas traditions.
Downtown Cañon City's Parade of Lights is scheduled for Saturday, December 5, with festivities running from approximately 5–9 p.m.
Main Street fills with illuminated floats, classic cars, community organizations and plenty of Christmas spirit.
Bring a warm coat, gloves and perhaps some hot chocolate.
At this point in life, being fashionable takes a distant second place to being warm.
🚂 Take a Holiday Train Ride
Another Fremont County advantage is having one of Colorado's best-known scenic railroads practically in our backyard.
Holiday-themed train rides through the Royal Gorge are expected to operate from late November through December.
You don't have to be eight years old to enjoy Christmas lights, hot chocolate and a train ride through the canyon.
Taking the grandchildren gives you an excuse.
Going without them means you don't have to share the cookies.
Either way works.
🎁 Florence Has Plenty Going On Too
Florence will be busy as we approach Christmas.
The current community calendar includes Junktique Off Main on December 11–12, and the Florence Pioneer Museum Model Train Open House on December 19.
The Pioneer Museum event could make a particularly enjoyable outing with grandchildren—or for those of us who still secretly think model trains are pretty cool.
And don't overlook the local shops and antique stores in Florence when you're Christmas shopping. Buying locally keeps money in our community and usually makes for a much more interesting gift than clicking "Buy Now" at 11 p.m.
💃 Looking for Something to Do Every Week?
You don't have to wait until Christmas.
The Golden Age Center at 728 Main Street in Cañon City offers regular activities throughout the year.
Current activities include SilverSneakers, chair exercise, line dancing, round dancing, wood carving, Golden Needles, movie nights, Friday-night dances, pool, ping pong, darts and the weekday Koffee Klub.
Many activities are free and open to the community.
And if you haven't tried line dancing because you think you have two left feet, remember: at least you'll be surrounded by witnesses who probably won't post the video on TikTok.
The Golden Age Center also operates Fremont County Transit, which can be helpful for people who need transportation.
Florence seniors also have the Florence Senior Community Center at 100 Railroad Street, which offers lunch at noon on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays.
🏈 And Then There's Broncos Football
Fall in Colorado wouldn't be complete without Broncos football.
There are several approaches to watching a Broncos game:
The Optimist: "This is our year!"
The Realist: "Let's just get through the first quarter."
The Veteran Broncos Fan: "I've seen this before. Where's the remote?"
Regardless of which category you fall into, football is another great excuse to invite friends or family over, make some chili and enjoy a Sunday afternoon.
Go Broncos!
The Holidays Aren't Always Easy
There's also a more serious side to this conversation.
The holidays can sometimes be difficult for older adults who have lost a spouse, have family living far away, or simply don't have the social circle they once had.
That's another reason I encourage people to get involved locally.
Attend a community event.
Go to the Golden Age Center.
Try a class.
Visit a museum.
Attend a Christmas parade.
Volunteer somewhere.
Invite a neighbor over for coffee.
You don't have to fill every day of the calendar. Sometimes one regular activity each week can make a tremendous difference.
Thinking About Your Own Next Chapter?
Part of enjoying retirement is making sure your home still supports the life you want.
Maybe you love your current house and plan to stay there another 20 years.
Maybe you're tired of stairs, yard work and maintaining rooms you haven't entered since Easter.
Or maybe you're wondering whether a smaller home closer to town would give you more freedom to travel, attend activities and enjoy retirement.
There's no universal right answer.
As I've said before, I prefer the term right-sizing rather than downsizing.
The goal isn't necessarily to have less.
It's to have a home—and a lifestyle—that work better for you.
If you're a senior homeowner in Fremont County and you're wondering what your home is worth or what options are available, I'm always happy to have that conversation.
No pressure and no obligation.
In the meantime, enjoy fall, get out and experience some of what Fremont County has to offer this holiday season.
And one more thing...
GO BRONCOS! 🏈
John Liese, Realtor®
Colorado Foothills Properties
📞 719-287-0900
📧 [email protected]
Serving seniors and their families throughout Cañon City, Florence, Penrose, Fremont County, Pueblo and Pueblo West.
