7 Ideas for Making New Connections in Denver
Denver is a bustling city with plenty of opportunity to meet new people, but it can be hard knowing where to start. To promote greater connection and a sense of community, we’ve compiled a list of seven useful tips for making friends in Denver. If you live outside of the area, you can still apply these suggestions to your own life.
Remember to always practice personal safety, protect your information and avoid getting too close to others too quickly. Real friendships take time to form, so don’t get discouraged if you don’t find your new best friend the first time you head out. Keep at it, and you’ll find yourself becoming more sociable and better at getting to know others.
7 Ways to Meet New People in Denver, CO
Everyone’s personality is different, and you shouldn’t force yourself to go to places you never would normally. For example, if you’re a certified homebody who loves nothing more than curling up in bed with a good book, pretending to like sports just for the sake of meeting others probably won’t benefit you. However, loneliness can become a habit, and it’s important to push ourselves a little to try new things. You may just discover a new passion that makes life feel exciting again.
Join an Exercise Class
Fitness classes at your local gym put you close to others with the shared purpose of getting in shape. From kickboxing to Zumba, there are loads of classes to try and plenty of opportunities to meet others in between breaking a sweat. Staying active is also great for your mental health, so even if you don’t strike up any conversations right away, you’ll be doing good for your mind and body every time you head to class.
Join a Dog PlayGroup
Use Meetup to find Denver dog playgroups and meet other pet parents! Talking about your pets is the perfect icebreaker, and your pup will enjoy the chance to romp around with a new friend, too.
Join a Sports League
If you’re the active type, then a Denver sports league could be perfect for you. Check out Play Mile High to browse all the different types of leagues currently active and recruiting near you. From kickball and soccer to yoga and skeeball, there are plenty of groups taking on new members.
Check Out a New Coffee Shop
Denver is full of cozy, one-of-a-kind coffee shops that are perfect for meeting new people. Stella’s is a community favorite that often features live music nights, so you can stop by and enjoy some local talent while chatting up your neighbors. Not sure how to strike up conversation? Ask someone in line what they recommend, or consider talking to the barista about their favorite brews.
Join a Book Club
If you like to read and chat about all things literature, consider joining a book club. Many are currently still hosting weekly virtual sessions, which will return to in-person meetups when it’s safe to do so. Even if you’re chatting through video at first, book clubs give you instant conversation material with new people who love reading as much as you.
Take a Class at Colorado Free University
CFU offers tons of adult education classes, workshops and seminars on a variety of topics. Whether you want to network in a social media marketing class or improve your Spanish, there are plenty of options to choose from. Meeting new people was always easy in school because you had common ground; joining a class brings that same ease of introduction back into the mix.
Stay on Top of Local Events
Denver is a friendly city that always has something interesting going on. Just searching “Denver events this weekend” can give you plenty of information on exciting happenings near you. Denver.org routinely updates its list of events and even breaks them down into categories such as music, comedy and museums.
Keep Reaching Out
If you’re new to Denver or just want to expand your social circle, remember it takes time and effort to find quality connections. Don’t get too discouraged if you don’t manage to find your ideal person the first few times you head out. Put your enjoyment first, and you’ll be able to experience new things, make new memories and naturally connect with more people as you live more openly.
Contact Foundations Family Counseling for more information.
