The American Association of Retired Persons, or AARP, is the largest senior advocacy organization in the U.S. Membership is open to all individuals who are at least 50 years old. Members receive discounts at more than 30 hotel chains, five major rental car companies and several tour companies. Seniors can use their AARP discounts in Denver, Colorado, for a 10 percent discount at the Sheraton Denver Downtown. The hotel is within walking distance of many downtown Denver attractions, including the Denver Art Museum, the Colorado State Capitol, the Colorado Convention Center and the Denver Pavilions shopping center, which offers dining, shopping and movie theaters. Other nearby attractions include the Denver Botanical Gardens, the Denver Center for the Performing Arts, Coors Field and Pepsi Center. The hotel offers a valet parking service, a heated outdoor pool and disability accessible rooms.
Sheraton Downtown Denver
1550 Court Place
Denver, CO 80202
303-893-3333
sheratondenverdowntown.com
If you like to ski and you're over 65, you can save money at many Colorado ski resorts. Keystone Resort offers significant discounts on tickets and passes for seniors. As of October 2010, seniors could save up to $140 on Keystone/Breckenridge multiday lift tickets. While at Keystone, save money with a senior discount at the Best Western Ptarmigan Lodge. Discounts range from 10 percent to 15 percent off the best available rates. The hotel is located six miles from Keystone, 13 miles from Copper Mountain Ski Resort, 14 miles from the Arapahoe Basin Ski Area and 15 miles from Breckenridge Ski Resort. Set on the shores of Lake Dillon, the Best Western Ptarmigan offers mountain views or lake views from all rooms and a hot tub to ease sore muscles after a day on the slopes.
Keystone Resort
P.O. Box 38
Keystone, CO 80435
970-496-2316
keystoneresort.com
Best Western Ptarmigan Lodge
652 Lake Dillon Drive
Dillon, CO 80435
970-468-2341
bestwesterncolorado.com
For a cheap vacation in the outdoors, try a state park. Colorado is home to 45 state parks, many of which offer camping and lodging. Seniors over age 64 can purchase an Aspen Leaf Pass for half the cost of a normal pass. Aspen Leaf Passes are good for 12 months and allow for unlimited access to any Colorado state park, as well as discounted camping, cabin and yurt fees on Sundays through Thursdays. As of November 2010, seniors can also purchase a lifetime Aspen Leaf Pass for $175. Seniors born before 1922 qualify for a free Aspen Leaf Pass. Stay in a yurt at Ridgeway State Park, set in the mountains near Ouray. The park features a reservoir for boating and swimming, hiking trails, picnic areas and bathrooms with pay showers. Yurts offer heat, electricity, refrigerators, microwaves and handicap accessibility.
Colorado State Parks
Ridgeway State Park
28555 Highway 550
Ridgway, CO 81432
303-470-1144
parks.state.co.us
