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Jodie Chiffey

Senior Citizen Advocate at WizerList

Jodie is passionate about helping senior citizens, and aging adults connect with their loved ones, find the best retirement communities, understand more about pension-related schemes as well as help make informed purchases for aged care-related products, and a lot more.

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If you’re entering your retirement and you want to settle down in a new place, you could consider Colorado. With its stunning mountain scenery, warm summers and snowy winters, friendly people, and an incredible range of things to do, it could be the perfect place for you to spend your golden years. The question is: where are the best places to retire in Colorado?

Moving to a new place in retirement can be overwhelming. It can be difficult to know where to choose as a senior – there are so many questions you need to ask. Will your home be wheelchair accessible? Is the town safe? Are there a lot of other seniors living there, for example, in a retirement community? What are the political leanings of the residents?

We’ve had a look at the top-rated places in Colorado for retirees, looking at population size, crime levels, income, house prices, and reviews from residents, to bring you this list of ten great places to retire. We’ll also look at why Colorado is such a great state for retirees, as well as the main points to think about when trying to decide where to live in retirement.

Why Retire in Colorado?

Why is Colorado a good state for retirement? We’ve listed a few of the reasons below:

• Low retirement income taxes – this one speaks for itself! Colorado has one of the lowest tax rates for retirement income, which means you could be better off than you thought.
• Stunning mountain scenery – Colorado is incredibly beautiful. If you’re after mountains to hike or just to admire from your porch, lakes and rivers, and incredible national parks, you’ll find all of these at your door. Plus, it is home to beautiful wildlife, including elk and buffalo – so if you love to admire wildlife, you’ll never get bored.
• Beautiful in all seasons – you can enjoy the full range of seasons in Colorado: blossom in spring, sunshine in the summer, beautiful autumn foliage, and winter snow.
• Great healthcare – Colorado has highly rated hospitals and healthcare facilities. The proximity to so many natural beauty spots means that there is an emphasis on active healthy living, too.
• The high population of retirees – a lot of retirees live in Colorado, which may help you to feel more comfortable and at home. There are also retirement communities in Colorado if that is an option you are considering.

What Can I Do in Colorado?

So what things can you explore during your retirement in Colorado? Here are a few places you can visit:

Arts and culture

There are many art museums in Colorado, including the Denver Art Museum and Colorado Springs Fine Art Center. Cherry Creek (one of the entries on this list!) has an annual arts festival, which thousands of people travel to see. There’s also the Denver Performing Arts Complex – one of the biggest of its kind in the US – and you can also enjoy the opera, the theatre, the ballet, and many music festivals.

Food and drink

Colorado is famous for its breweries, as well as its wineries and micro-breweries. If you’re interested in that, you’ll find plenty of options in Colorado! The range of food is also incredible, including American cuisine with a Mexican twist.

Attractions

There are many things to do in Denver if you’re close to it. The Museum of Nature and Science, Denver Zoo, and Denver Botanic Gardens are just a few of the main attractions. Throughout Colorado, you’ll find hot springs, ski resorts, national parks, train rides, and gold mines. Lots to do for you (and for visiting friends and family, too).

History

Colorado has a rich history to delve into. From fossil dig sites and dinosaur museums to Colorado’s Indian heritage at their national parks to famous forts of the Wild West – there are many things to explore and discover.

Outdoors

Nature in Colorado is stunning – from the Rocky Mountains to winding rivers, serene lakes to national parks, to meadows teeming with wildlife – if you love the outdoors, Colorado could be an amazing choice for you. Also, if you want to stay active, the gorgeous scenery will force you to go outside and enjoy it!

Best Places to Retire in Denver: An Overview

Louisville, Denver

Residents love Louisville for its beautiful weather and its personality and charm. The proximity to both mountains and the city means there is plenty to do, and the area is very community-minded, with lots of events happening throughout the year. It has a high cost of living, but very low crime rates at 82% lower than the US average – so if you want to feel safe in a place with a slightly larger population, Louisville might be worth a look.

Steamboat Springs, Routt County

This is another place with a fairly high cost of living. However, the community is incredibly connected, with an overall emphasis on wellness, health, environment, and education. The beautiful trail systems through the mountains and the year-round hot springs are a great bonus, too.

Holly Hills, Denver

Holly Hills is another great choice. Again, it’s fairly expensive, but the crime rates are very low. Residents love the area, and it is close to amusement parks, museums, and shopping areas. It has a small population, which is great if you don’t like crowds.

Estes Park, Larimer County

Located in the gateway to the Rocky Mountain National Park, Estes Park is full of stunning outdoor beauty and wildlife. It’s small enough to get around on foot, with a very friendly community. There are events all year round, and although it does get busy in the summer months, the winter is very peaceful and tranquil. It’s also pretty safe, at 56% lower than the national average.

Cherry Creek, Arapahoe County

Cherry Creek has an urban feel, with many restaurants, coffee shops, stores, and parks. There’s a lot to do in terms of arts, including festivals throughout the year, including the Cherry Creek Arts Festival we mentioned earlier in this article. According to residents, the community is friendly and feels very safe. It also boasts beautiful scenery – so if you like to be outdoors but still want a lot of things to do, Cherry Creek might be a good option for you.

Inverness, Denver

Inverness is very safe – with crime rates at 84% lower than the US average. It’s also small, with a population of only 1,808. The community is very friendly, and according to residents, you can expect locals to greet you with a smile and a wave. There are restaurants, coffee shops, and beautiful parks, too.

Eaton, Weld County

Eaton is another stunning option, with lovely walking paths. It is clean and beautiful, with low crime rates. It also has plenty to do, including events, cafes, and restaurants, and it’s pretty close to several shopping areas. It’s also the cheapest in terms of cost of living on our list – so it could be a good option if you want to save money.

Durango, La Plata County

Situated in the Rocky Mountains, Durango has to offer some of the most stunning views on this list. With a river running through it and surrounded by mountain scenery, you could enjoy the natural world in Durango.  There’s a very active community with lots of events, great food, and plenty of things to do, including a running coal train and railroad. The only downside to Durango is the crime rates, which are higher than the US average.

Fort Collins, Larimer County

Larimer County has the highest population on our list, so it may not be for you if you want a tiny community. However, it has multiple complexes for those aged 55 and over. There’s also plenty to do in Fort Collins, including fishing at Poudre River, visiting the Old Town, and visiting the many restaurants and breweries. Plus, the Poudre Valley Hospital is highly rated, which is a nice bonus.

Genesee, Jefferson County

In Genesee, if you are a homeowner, you may have to pay Housing Association Dues. However, that money pays for a lot – including two clubhouses, two pools, multiple tennis courts, a playground, a fitness center, hiking trails, private patrol, snow removal, and community events. With such a tight-knit community, you’ll get to know people quickly in Genesee. Plus, it’s a night sky community, meaning that in the evenings, you’ll be able to gaze out at the stars. You might even be able to spot a buffalo or two. As you might expect with the private patrol, it’s very safe.

Things to Consider When Choosing Where to Live in Retirement

There are many things you may need to consider when trying to decide where to live:

• Proximity to loved ones: this a common deciding factor. Do you want to settle near your kids or grandkids, or other family members or friends? Having a support network near you may be very beneficial as you grow older.
• Hobbies: What do you like to do? If you love hiking, for example, there are plenty of places in Colorado that will suit you. Or, if you love the arts, you may want to pick an area that is close to museums and galleries. Retirement is a great time to pursue your own passions in life.
• Money: Another huge factor is money. The cost of living is fairly high in Colorado. However, some areas are cheaper than others, especially those with bigger populations. Make sure to consider the lifestyle you want to live in your retirement: do you want to eat out a lot? Will you be traveling frequently? Do you need to pay Home Owners Association dues in your chosen town or suburb?
• Safety. There are many places in Colorado that are very safe – quite a few on our list have a much lower crime rate than the US average. If safety is your main concern, look for an area where the police are very active in the community, or where there are private patrols.
• Healthcare. Some seniors find that their healthcare needs become greater and more complex as they grow older. Being close to a highly-rated hospital or healthcare facility could be reassuring for you. (If you’re concerned about safety in your home, take a look at our article about medical alert systems.)
• Transport. If you enjoy driving, you have many options – you could live a little further out, enjoying the scenery in the mountains whilst still having access to the city. Or, if you’re reliant on public transport, you may want to consider living somewhere more populated as they’re more likely to have good transport links.
• Climate. What’s the weather going to be like? Some people love the heat, in which case, states like Florida may seem like an attractive choice. If you like snow, Colorado is a good option – but snow could make life difficult if you are less mobile than others.

To Sum Up …

We hope you’ve found this list useful, and that if you’re considering a move to Colorado, that we’ve helped you to narrow down your choices a little. Whatever you decide, make sure you take your time to make sure it’s right for you. Retirement is a wonderful opportunity to see new places and try new things – and Colorado has a lot to offer!

If you’re in the military and still trying to decide where to go in retirement, why not check out our list of the Best States for Military Retirees?