Columbine Towers in Denver, CO

Pros

• Many residents are lovely, honest, helpful, fun and friendly folks.
• The on-site management changes last month are most welcome.
• The maintenance team is hardworking and does their best.
• The elevators are now working reliably, a true blessing for handicapable residents.
• There are wonderful, hardworking volunteers who help with a twice-weekly food bank in the large community room.
• Carmen and Desiree are very professional and very pleasant to be around.
• Carmen is amazing, friendly, efficient, caring and patient, always with a smile.
• There is security here, and staff are friendly and alert to everyone coming and going.
• Real nice view of Downtown and the Rocky Mountains.
• The impromptu outdoor and indoor gatherings of nice folks are a boon.

Cons

• The place is nasty with bugs everywhere, there is ongoing construction, a broken elevator, and stairs that many disabled residents cannot use.
• The landlord is rude and disrespectful.
• Tenants report bedbugs and bites, with infestations blamed on neighbors and not promptly addressed by management.
• Management's response to pest issues is described as lacking urgency, with belief often requiring photos or video.
• The building is old and plagued by plumbing problems and safety concerns, despite some improvements.
• Rent increases occur frequently and are viewed as unfair.
• The property is described as dirty, with roaches, cigarette smells, and drug activity.

Review

Columbine Towers is best suited for longtime residents who can navigate an older building's quirks and value a tight-knit, resident-driven community. It serves seniors who don't demand pristine, showroom-like conditions and who can tolerate ongoing maintenance realities in exchange for security, a familiar neighborhood feel, and on-site support. The property leans into a social, volunteer-powered ecosystem where neighbors know each other, staff are approachable, and security presence provides tangible peace of mind. For families seeking a consistently modern, elevator-faithful experience with minimal pest disruption, this community requires tempered expectations and a clear plan for managing trade-offs.

On the upside, the building has visible anchors that can quietly enhance daily life. Management has shown responsiveness, and maintenance is described as diligent in getting things fixed promptly. The on-site staff - forward-facing figures like Carmen and Desiree - earn praise for accessibility, friendliness, and patience, helping residents and families feel heard. Security is present, and a culture of volunteering supports practical amenities such as a food bank program that strengthens neighborhood ties. The views from many units - perched above Denver with sightlines to downtown and the Rockies - offer a daily, uplifting backdrop that bolsters mood and a sense of place. When social events and community outreach pick up again, the environment becomes livelier and more engaging for residents.

Yet the most persistent fault line is pest management. Bedbugs and roaches surface repeatedly in resident accounts, with reports of bites, powder-based treatments, and a sense that remediation has not always arrived with urgency. Several residents describe ongoing reliance on maintenance interventions without a durable, long-term solution, and some indicate that pest control requires constant vigilance or self-help to minimize disruption. The older plumbing and building fabric compound these issues, with occasional floods and related damage cited as ongoing stressors. These problems ripple into perceived cleanliness and comfort, coloring everyday living with a persistent sense of fragility.

There are clear reasons to consider alternatives for several households. For anyone with severe sensitivities to pests or a requirement for a spotless, turnkey living space, Columbine Towers may feel like a constant work in progress. Families prioritizing zero-traffic safety risks tied to neighbor behavior or drug activity, or those who need a 100% predictable monthly cost with minimal surprise, should scrutinize options elsewhere. Mobility-dependent residents may also want to verify elevator reliability and independent-access provisions rigorously, even if recent reports indicate improvements. In short, those seeking a dutifully modernized, fully pest-free environment should look at other communities first.

The pros and cons balance most meaningfully around community, security, and price against maintenance headaches and pests. The positive social fabric, active resident volunteers, and responsive staff can deliver meaningful quality-of-life gains for residents who invest in the social capital of the building. The upgrade trajectory - improved elevators, painting, and on-site services - signals a workable plan for progress if pest issues can be brought under durable control. For families who value companionship, safety nets, and a lived-in community atmosphere, Columbine Towers can be a practical choice when paired with transparent pest-control commitments and a clear, enforceable remediation schedule.

In the end, a decision to move here rests on tolerance for imperfection and a prioritization of community over showroom conditions. Columbine Towers offers a workable home for seniors who want connection, security, and an affordable footprint, provided there is a realistic expectation about pest management, maintenance cadence, and occasional inconveniences tied to an older building. Those who require pristine cleanliness, absolute pest-free certainty, or rock-solid rent stability should actively compare newer, better-controlled options. Prospective residents should visit with questions about pest remediation plans, elevator reliability, and current occupancy safety, then weigh those findings against the value of the strong, neighborly culture this community can deliver.

This area of Denver, Colorado offers a convenient location with a variety of amenities nearby. The numerous parks provide opportunities for outdoor recreation and relaxation. There are also several dining options ranging from fast food to more upscale restaurants, as well as cafes for coffee lovers. For medical needs, there are pharmacies, physicians' offices, and a hospital within a few miles. Additionally, there are cultural venues such as theaters and places of worship for spiritual growth. Overall, this neighborhood provides a mix of services and recreational activities that may appeal to seniors looking for a vibrant community to call home.

Parks

• Ruby Park (1.2 miles)
• Overland Pond Park (1.5 miles)
• Washington Park (3 miles)
• Pinecrest Park (3.2 miles)
• Bonnie Brae Ellipse Park (3.8 miles)
• Cheesman Park (4.2 miles)
• Sloan's Lake Park (4.4 miles)

Restaurants

• McDonald's (1.7 miles)
• Chick-Fil-A (2.6 miles)
• McDonald's (2.7 miles)
• Illegal Pete's (2.7 miles)
• McDonald's (2.7 miles)
• Cochino Taco (2.8 miles)
• Englewood Grand (2.9 miles)

Pharmacies

• The Lodge Cannabis (2.1 miles)
• Walgreens (2.5 miles)
• Walgreens (2.6 miles)
• Walgreens (2.8 miles)
• Walgreens (3.1 miles)
• Walgreens (3.1 miles)
• Walgreens (3.5 miles)

Cafes

• Stella's Coffee House (2.4 miles)
• Starbucks (2.4 miles)
• Aviano Coffee (4.5 miles)
• Starbucks (4.5 miles)
• Dutch Bros Coffee (4.5 miles)
• Starbucks (4.8 miles)
• Starbucks (4.9 miles)

Physicians

• Porter Adventist Hospital (2.8 miles)
• Colorado Surgical Arts (3.5 miles)
• Kids First Pediatrics (3.8 miles)
• Center For Advanced Dermatology (3.8 miles)
• Kaiser Permanente Lakewood Medical Offices (3.9 miles)
• Native Roots Dispensary (4.5 miles)
• Native Roots Dispensary (4.7 miles)

Hospitals

• Webb Center for Primary Care (3.3 miles)
• Cherry Creek Eye Center (5.2 miles)

Theaters

• Alamo Drafthouse Denver (4 miles)
• Regal UA Denver Pavilions 4DX & RPX (4.4 miles)

Places of Worship

• St John's Cathedral (4.4 miles)