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Nearly 450 Denver-Area Residents Bloom Into Brain Health at Botanic Gardens
AARP members and guests explored Denver Botanic Gardens, brain health
AARP Colorado
Nearly 450 Denver-Area Residents Bloom Into Brain Health at Denver Botanic Gardens
If you happened to walk past Denver Botanic Gardens on a recent morning, you may have noticed something unusual: a line of people stretching down the block before the gates even opened.
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They weren’t there for a rare orchid. They were there to learn about their brains.
Nearly 450 community members turned out for AARP Colorado’s 50-plus Free Morning at the Gardens, easily the largest single-day event AARP Colorado hosts each year.
From 9 a.m. to noon, the Freyer-Newman Center buzzed with activity as AARP volunteers and staff guided participants through a six-station Brain Health Scavenger Hunt set against the backdrop of one of Denver’s most beloved green spaces.
A Walk Through the Six Pillars of Brain Health
Each station was dedicated to one of the Six Pillars of Brain Health: Be Social, Engage Your Brain, Manage Stress, Ongoing Exercise, Restorative Sleep and Eat Right. The scavenger hunt format invited participants to explore the gardens at their own pace, turning a morning stroll into a meaningful health education experience.
The stations weren’t just informational; they were interactive.
At the sleep station, participants could take a quiz on healthy sleep habits. At the social activity station, attendees were invited to share their favorite ways to stay connected with others. That station was so popular, it caused what one volunteer called a “traffic jam.” Everyone was eager to stop, contribute and read what their neighbors had written. Responses ranged from book clubs and pickleball to Sunday dinners and neighborhood walks.
Michelle Robinson, leader of AARP's Denver Community Action Team and one of the driving forces behind the event, saw firsthand how eager people were to engage.
“The energy in the gardens that morning was remarkable," she said. "People were genuinely excited to learn and to share.”
More Than Brain Health
The event also brought together several of AARP's partner programs under one roof. Attendees had the chance to connect with experts from AARP ElderWatch, who shared tips on avoiding fraud and scams, a growing concern for older Coloradans.
Representatives from AARP Tax-Aide, Senior Planet and AARP Wish of a Lifetime were also on hand, giving participants access to a full range of resources.
For many, it was their first time learning about some of these programs. For others, it was a welcome reminder that AARP is more than a membership card.
Why This Matters
Brain health isn’t a distant concern; it’s something we can actively support every day through the choices we make. Research shows that staying socially engaged, keeping the mind active, managing stress and getting quality sleep all play a role in long-term cognitive wellness.
“Volunteering and leveraging my AARP membership to attend these events helps me check many of the boxes for the Six Pillars of Brain Health,” Robinson said. “I would encourage anyone to get involved.”
Events like the 50-plus Free Morning at Denver Botanic Gardens are designed to make that science accessible, local and fun. When nearly 450 people line up before 9 a.m. on a weekday morning, it’s a clear sign that Coloradans are ready to take charge of their health.
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Want to learn more? Visit AARP's Six Pillars of Brain Health or find upcoming events near you at aarp.org/CO.
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