From Halloween to the First Snowfall: A Senior's Guide to Surviving Winter in Fremont County

By John Liese, Realtor® | Colorado Foothills Properties

It's that time of year again in Fremont County!

The leaves are falling, Halloween decorations are appearing, and we're entering that wonderful Colorado season when you can wear shorts on Monday and shovel snow on Wednesday.

And Halloween is just around the corner!

For those of us who are a little older, Halloween has certainly changed. We used to dress up, go trick-or-treating, and stay out until somebody's parents made us come home.

Now we're perfectly happy to stay inside, hand out candy, and hope the doorbell stops ringing before 8 p.m.

And let's be truthful. We bought that giant bag of Halloween candy for the trick-or-treaters, but somehow half of it has already disappeared.

Welcome to fall in Cañon City, Florence, and Fremont County!

As we approach November, this is an excellent time for seniors to prepare their homes, think about winter activities, and perhaps ask an important question: Is my current home still the right fit for me?

1. Winter Is Coming — Is Your Home Ready?

One of the advantages of living in Cañon City and Florence is our relatively mild winter climate compared with much of Colorado.

We're fortunate to live in what's often called Colorado's "Banana Belt."

But don't let that fool you. We still get freezing temperatures, snow, and the occasional winter storm that reminds us we live in Colorado.

Before winter arrives, consider a few important home maintenance items:

• Have your furnace serviced. Finding out your furnace doesn't work at 2 a.m. in January isn't much fun.
• Disconnect garden hoses. Frozen outdoor faucets can lead to expensive repairs.
• Clean gutters. Fall leaves can block drainage and contribute to ice problems.
• Check weatherstripping. Keeping cold air outside can help lower heating expenses.
• Inspect walkways. Uneven concrete, loose steps, and icy sidewalks can become serious hazards.
• Check smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. Replace batteries when needed and follow the manufacturer's replacement schedule.

And here's one more recommendation.

If you're 70 years old, you probably don't need to be climbing onto the roof to clean your gutters.

Actually, if you're 60, you probably shouldn't be doing it either.

There are certain things in life worth paying somebody else to do.

Roof work is near the top of my list.

2. Staying Active When the Weather Gets Colder

One of the best things about Fremont County is that we have outdoor recreation available nearly year-round.

But when the mornings get colder and the days shorter, it's easy to settle into the recliner.

And while a recliner, a warm blanket, and a Broncos game make for a pretty good Sunday afternoon, they shouldn't become our entire winter exercise program.

There are plenty of options for staying active.

In Cañon City:

The Arkansas Riverwalk is a wonderful place to walk when conditions are safe. The Golden Age Center also provides opportunities for exercise, dancing, social activities, and meeting new people.

In Florence:

The Florence Senior Community Center offers social opportunities and activities. Downtown Florence is also a great place to explore antique shops, enjoy lunch, and visit local businesses.

Throughout Fremont County:

Consider indoor exercise, community classes, volunteering, or simply arranging a weekly coffee gathering with friends.

Staying socially connected is just as important as staying physically active.

And remember, walking around an antique store counts as walking.

Buying another antique you don't need is a separate issue.

3. Halloween, Thanksgiving, and the Holiday Season

The next two months can be some of the most enjoyable times of the year.

Halloween brings neighborhood activities, costumes, and the annual debate about whether candy bars have gotten smaller or we've gotten bigger.

Then comes Thanksgiving.

A holiday dedicated to family, gratitude, football, and eating enough food to require a nap.

For many seniors, however, the holidays can also be a difficult time.

Children may live out of state. Friends and loved ones may no longer be with us. Traditions change.

That's why I encourage seniors to take advantage of local activities, community organizations, churches, volunteer opportunities, and holiday gatherings.

You don't have to attend every event.

Sometimes getting together with friends once a week can make a tremendous difference.

And if you're spending Thanksgiving alone, consider inviting another neighbor or friend to join you.

There's always room for one more at the table.

Especially if they bring pie.

4. Is Your Home Becoming More Work Than Enjoyment?

Here's where I want to switch gears a little.

As a Realtor working with seniors throughout Fremont County, one conversation I hear frequently is:

"John, I love my house, but I'm getting tired of taking care of it."

Maybe you've lived in the same home for 25 or 30 years.

You've raised your family there. You've made memories. You've worked hard to pay it off.

But now there are bedrooms nobody uses, stairs that aren't getting any easier, and a yard that seems to grow larger every year.

Winter can make those challenges more noticeable.

Snow removal, frozen pipes, heating costs, and general maintenance can become increasingly frustrating.

That doesn't mean it's time to sell.

But it might be time to consider whether your home still matches your lifestyle.

I prefer the term right-sizing rather than downsizing.

Right-sizing means finding a home that works for your current needs while allowing you to enjoy the years ahead.

For some people, that's a smaller ranch-style home in Cañon City.

For others, it might be a low-maintenance property in Florence.

And for some, staying in their current home and making a few improvements is absolutely the right answer.

5. Should You Sell Your Home During the Winter?

Here's a question that comes up every year.

"John, should I wait until spring to sell?"

Not necessarily.

Spring traditionally brings more buyers into the market, but winter can offer some advantages.

There may be fewer competing homes for sale, and buyers shopping during the holidays or winter months may have a specific reason to move.

On the other hand, shorter days, holiday schedules, and winter weather can make showing a property more challenging.

The right decision depends on your home's condition, location, price range, competition, and personal circumstances.

In Fremont County, I recommend looking at current market activity before deciding whether to list now or wait.

Sometimes waiting until spring makes sense.

Sometimes it doesn't.

And sometimes the most important factor isn't the market at all.

It's what works best for your life.

6. Five Questions to Ask Yourself Before Winter

As we move toward the end of 2026, take a few minutes to consider these questions:

1. Am I comfortable maintaining my home through another winter?
2. Are stairs, snow removal, or yard work becoming more difficult?
3. Am I using most of the space in my home?
4. Would a different location make it easier to enjoy friends, family, and community activities?
5. If I were buying a home today, would I choose the one I'm currently living in?

That last question can be particularly revealing.

There's no right or wrong answer.

But it's worth thinking about.

Enjoy the Season — And Go Broncos!

Despite the colder temperatures, fall and winter can be wonderful times to live in Fremont County.

We have beautiful mountain scenery, friendly communities, relatively mild winters, and plenty of opportunities to stay involved.

So enjoy Halloween.

Get together with friends.

Prepare your home for colder weather.

And remember that retirement should be about enjoying life, not spending every weekend fixing something around the house.

Of course, we also have Broncos football to keep us entertained.

Being a Broncos fan teaches you three important lessons: patience, perseverance, and how to yell at a television that can't hear you.

GO BRONCOS! 🧡💙🏈

Thinking About Your Next Chapter?

If you're considering selling, downsizing, right-sizing, or simply wondering what your home is worth in today's market, I'd be happy to help.

I've spent nearly 20 years helping buyers and sellers throughout Southern Colorado, and I understand that deciding whether to move later in life involves much more than just real estate.

Sometimes the best decision is selling.

Sometimes it's staying exactly where you are.

Let's figure out which option makes the most sense for you.

John Liese, Realtor®
Colorado Foothills Properties
719-287-0900
[email protected]
www.coloradofoothillsproperties.com

Serving Cañon City, Florence, Penrose, Fremont County, Pueblo, and Pueblo West.