Highlands Ranch Senior Center November 2026 Events Guide

Located at 200 E. Highlands Ranch Parkway, Suite 100 (just east of Broadway and directly connected to the regional trail network), the Highlands Ranch Senior Center is owned and operated by the Highlands Ranch Metro District. Standard operating hours during November 2026 are Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Tuesday and Thursday from 8:30 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., and Saturday from 8:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. noon (phone: 303-791-2416; email: seniorcenterinfo@highlandsranch.org). Advance registration is required for all events, fitness classes, and free sessions via highlandsranch.org/myactivecenter or at the front desk, and nonmembers must purchase a day pass to participate.

November 2026 Veterans Recognition Series (280+ Veteran Members)

More than 280 members of the Highlands Ranch Senior Center are military veterans. Throughout November 2026, the center is hosting four dedicated programs to celebrate their service and connect veterans and spouses with Douglas County and federal benefits:

• Veterans Breakfast (Monday, November 9, 2026, from 9:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. in Multipurpose Room 1): Free homemade breakfast featuring pancakes, sausages, and bacon for military veterans who are Senior Center members, sponsored by Senior Helpers. Veterans who cannot register online in MyActiveCenter should visit staff at the front desk to update their veteran status.
• Veteran Coffee Chat (Thursday, November 12, 2026, from 8:45 a.m. to 10:15 a.m. in the South Lobby): A free morning gathering on the second Thursday of November 2026 to swap stories and build camaraderie with fellow local veterans.
• Determining When and How to Get In-Home Care — Focusing on Veterans’ Benefits (Tuesday, November 17, 2026, from 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. in the Classroom): Presenter Peter Hjelmstad of Senior Helpers covers early signs that a loved one needs in-home assistance, how to select a provider, and veteran-specific funding programs (No fee).
• Serving Those Who Served: Veteran Benefits with the Douglas County VSO (Thursday, November 19, 2026, from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. in the Classroom): Instructor Chris Maes from the Douglas County Veterans Service Office breaks down spouse and dependent benefits, VA health and disability compensation, the Colorado disabled veterans property tax exemption, and mental health support (No fee).

Thanksgiving Closure Dates, Holiday Gifting & Friends of the Senior Center Updates

• Thanksgiving 2026 Closure Dates: The Highlands Ranch Senior Center will be closed for Thanksgiving on Thursday, November 26, 2026, and Friday, November 27, 2026. The center will reopen on Saturday, November 28, 2026, at 8:30 a.m.
• Friends of the Senior Center Board Meeting & Election (November 2–13, 2026): The Friends 501(c)(3) Board meets on Monday, November 2, 2026 (9:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. in the Classroom). A free Candidates Forum takes place on Thursday, November 5, 2026 (10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.) featuring the three candidates running for Member at Large: Susan Eppard (former 20-year elementary teacher, advertising executive, and active Senior Center graphic design and event volunteer), Valeria “Ruth” Hansen (former Denver Human Services and safety operations coordinator, HRCA Sundance at Indigo Hills delegate, and regular Metro District meeting attendee), and Eileen Kirk (retired Arapahoe Libraries technology librarian who provides Friday virtual computer support). All Senior Center members may vote electronically or by paper ballot at the front desk from Monday, November 9, 2026, until Friday, November 13, 2026, at 12:00 p.m. noon.
• November Friends Thanksgiving Luncheon (Wednesday, November 11, 2026, from 11:15 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.): Sponsored by Newcomer Funeral Home, this $20-per-person traditional turkey dinner includes stuffing, mashed potatoes and gravy, glazed carrots, cranberry relish, dessert, and live bluegrass entertainment by Warren Kennison’s Rocky Mountain Boys and The Hatman. Cash or check payment (payable to Friends of the HRSC) must be submitted at the front desk by Friday, November 6, 2026.
• MyActiveCenter Holiday Gift Certificates, Letters from Santa & Program Survey: Families can purchase MyActiveCenter gift certificates in any denomination at the front desk, which load directly into the recipient’s digital wallet. Grandparents can also pick up free handcrafted Letters from Santa applications in the Friends hallway during November 2026, and members are invited to complete the evening/Saturday program feedback survey at surveymonkey.com/r/T3XFPFN.

Every special workshop, health clinic, social event, and excursion below includes its exact November 2026 (or upcoming trip) date, room location, instructor, and member versus nonmember fee so you can plan your calendar at a glance.

All weekly fitness classes at the Highlands Ranch Senior Center require single-class registration through highlandsranch.org/myactivecenter (except multi-week series marked below), with registration opening two months in advance on the first of each month at 8:30 a.m. Members carrying Renew Active (One Pass), SilverSneakers, Silver & Fit, or Active & Fit qualify for discounted class rates—just remember that you must physically check in and attend registered classes so the Senior Center is reimbursed by your insurance provider. For fitness questions in November 2026, contact Fitness and Enrichment Coordinator Katie Ireland at kireland@highlandsranch.org.

Beyond structured fitness, the Senior Center hosts more than two dozen volunteer-led clubs, card groups, and support circles every week in November 2026 (contact Guest Services and Volunteer Coordinator Lyndsey George at lgeorge@highlandsranch.org or 720-468-4824, and remember to check in at the MyActiveCenter kiosk upon arrival):

• Mondays in November 2026: Three-Mile Walking Club (8:00–10:00 a.m., meet at main entrance with Karen S.); Bridge Refresh (10:00 a.m.–noon, Game Room with Jan S.); Bocce Open Play (10:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m. at the Bocce Courts); Rummikub (1:00–4:00 p.m.); Ballroom Dance (1st & 3rd Mondays, Nov 2 & Nov 16, 1:30–3:00 p.m. in MPR 2 with Maureen H.); and two Book Clubs on the 2nd Monday, Nov 9 (2:00–3:30 p.m. in MPR 1 and No Shelf Control Book Club in the Classroom with Sharen A.).
• Tuesdays in November 2026: Morning Poker (9:00 a.m.–noon with Carole S.); Bunco (2nd & 4th Tuesdays, Nov 10 & Nov 24, 1:00–3:00 p.m. with Sue M.); Drop-In Mahjong (1st & 3rd Tuesdays, Nov 3 & Nov 17, 1:00–4:00 p.m. with Stanley Y.); Triple Play Canasta (1:00–4:00 p.m. with Joan D.); Alzheimer’s Association Caregiver Support Group (3rd Tuesday, Nov 17, 2:00–3:30 p.m. in the Classroom); Scene Stealers Acting Club (4:00–6:00 p.m. in MPR 2 with Teri D.); Karaoke (1st & 3rd Tuesdays, Nov 3 & Nov 17, 4:30–6:30 p.m. with Del M.); and Evening Chinese Mahjong Lessons (5:30–7:00 p.m. with Stanley Y.).
• Wednesdays in November 2026: Party Bridge (9:30 a.m.–1:00 p.m. with Miko H.); Grief and Loss Support Group (1st Wednesday, Nov 4, 10:00–11:30 a.m. in the Classroom with Jenny R.); Needle Arts Group (1:00–3:30 p.m. with Ellen V.); Strings & Things music group (1st Wednesday, Nov 4, 1:00–3:30 p.m. in MPR 3 with Carolyn H.); National Mahjong (1:00–4:00 p.m. with Sally K.); and Wednesday Book Club (2:00–4:00 p.m. in MPR 1 with Sharon A.).
• Thursdays in November 2026 (Closed Nov 26): Social Bridge (8:30–11:30 a.m. with Allan W.); Veteran Coffee Chat (2nd Thursday, Nov 12, 8:45–10:00 a.m. in South Lobby); Pup & Cup Coffee Chat with DCSO Deputy Ryan Falkner and his dog Leo (3rd Thursday alternating months, 8:45–10:00 a.m.); Chess Club & Cribbage Club (9:30–11:30 a.m. in Game Room); Afternoon Poker (noon–4:00 p.m. with Neal C.); Line Dance Club (1:00–2:00 p.m. in MPR 2 with Maureen H.); Board Games (1st & 3rd Thursdays, Nov 5 & Nov 19, 1:00–4:00 p.m. in South Lobby with Ida Mae C.); Triple Play Canasta (1:00–4:00 p.m. with Karen B.); and Evening Mahjong Practice (4:30–7:00 p.m.).
• Fridays in November 2026 (Closed Nov 27) & Pickleball Update: Euchre Club (9:30 a.m.–noon in Classroom with DeLynn J.); Solo and Social Group (3rd Friday, Nov 20, 11:00 a.m.–12:30 p.m. with Sally K.); Beginner Military Mahjong (1:00–4:00 p.m. with Sally K.); and Mexican Train Dominoes (1:00–4:00 p.m. with Sue M.). Note that the Senior Center Pickleball Club recently wrapped up its end-of-season tournament at the Southpark Pickleball Complex and will resume outdoor play in the spring.

A Builder & Engineer’s Take: Matching Your Home to an Active Highlands Ranch Lifestyle

Notice how several of the most popular November 2026 programs at the Senior Center—from Enhance Fitness falls-prevention training and Parkinson’s Rehab to Determining When and How to Get In-Home Care and Wills & Waffles—center on staying independent, mobile, and connected right here in Douglas County. As a Highlands Ranch Realtor, active residential builder, home rehab expert, and former electrical engineer, I work every week with longtime residents and relocating grandparents who want their home layout to work with them rather than against them across every Highlands Ranch build era:

• 2000s, 2010s & Newer Lock-and-Leave Patio Homes & Luxury Ranch Plans: Communities built in the 2000s and 2010s—including low-maintenance enclaves and 55+ and senior-friendly communities in Highlands Ranch such as Tresana, Verona, Palomino Park, and main-floor villas in Backcountry—offer wide 36-inch doorways, main-level primary suites, and exterior snow/lawn maintenance so you can travel on a Senior Center trip to Ireland without worrying about yard upkeep.
• Retrofitting 1980s & 1990s Highlands Ranch Homes for Zero-Step Living: If you love your established lot in Northridge, Eastridge, Westridge, or Southridge, you do not always have to move to eliminate hazards. When I evaluate an existing home for aging in place, we look at retrofitting primary bathrooms with zero-threshold roll-in showers, installing solid 2x10 wood blocking behind tile walls for designer grab bars, upgrading dim hallway lighting to high-CRI LED fixtures, and rebuilding steep backyard deck stairs with wider treads and maintenance-free composite railings.
• Right-Sizing to a True Single-Story Layout: When a two-story floor plan simply has too many stairs or unused bedrooms, transitioning into one of our local ranch-style homes in Highlands Ranch—especially one with an East- or South-facing driveway for natural winter snow melt and a finished walkout basement for visiting grandchildren—lets you unlock tax-free home equity while staying five minutes from your friends at the Senior Center.