Aerial View of Canon City in Colorado on the Arkansas River.

5 Best Towns Near Colorado Springs For Retirees

It’s no accident that Colorado is a popular place to retire. In addition to having 300 days of sunshine a year and a senior-friendly tax policy (65-plusers can earn up to $24,000 tax-free), there’s also no shortage of retiree-ready small towns to move to. And some of the most appealing options are within easy reach of Colorado Springs. These senior-friendly communities near Colorado Springs keep you busy. Florence and Trinidad boast well-preserved historic districts; Cañon City and Salida are ideal for cultural experiences. And Walsenburg is home to Colorado’s first state park. For those ready to retire and also crave mountainous scenery and a small-town lifestyle, these five communities are worth considering.

9 of the Most Welcoming Towns in ColoradoThese 9 smaller towns in Colorado welcome visitors with warm smiles and are home to historic sites and beautiful scenery.

Cañon City

Suspension bridge crossing a deep rocky canyon in Cañon City, Colorado, with steep cliffs, sparse vegetation, and a wide blue sky in the background.
Royal Gorge Bridge in Canyon City, Colorado.

Cañon City is located 45 miles southwest of Colorado Springs via State Route 115, along the eastern edge of the Wet Mountains and near the Arkansas River Valley. Home to just over 17,000 residents, its high altitude (5,332 feet) hasn’t prevented Cañon City from benefiting from a pleasant climate. In summer, you can expect temperatures to regularly hit the 80s and even 90s, while the town’s relatively mild winters see lows that rarely dip below freezing.

For those who prefer a budget-friendly retirement option, they can expect the cost of living here to be about 23 percent below the Colorado average. Home values, too, are below average, around $275,000. Healthcare is another significant consideration, and in Cañon City, the St. Thomas More Hospital provides 24-hour emergency and acute care services.

For senior activities and fellowship, the Golden Age Center runs exercise classes, quilting groups, dances, and community lunches. Several assisted living facilities also operate in the vicinity, including Canon Lodge Care Center, which offers both short-term rehabilitation and long-term care.

The town’s star attraction is the Royal Gorge Bridge and Park. In addition to its nearly 1000-foot-high suspension bridge over the Arkansas River, there’s also a gondola ride across the gorge. Other fun things to do in Cañon City include riding the scenic Royal Gorge Route Railroad, visiting the Museum of Colorado Prisons, and checking out the Royal Gorge Regional Museum and History Center, which features exhibits on mining and the railroad.

Florence

Wide street view of downtown Florence, Colorado, showing historic brick buildings, small shops, parked pickup trucks, traffic lights, and American flags along the sidewalks under a clear blue sky.
Historic downtown Florence, Colorado. Image by Jeffrey Beall, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.

Despite being just eight miles from the larger Cañon City and a quarter its size (just over 3,800 people live here), Florence is every inch its own town. It’s also one of the most affordable towns for real estate in this part of Colorado, with properties averaging about $249,000. Healthcare is provided locally by the Florence Medical Center or Thomas More Hospital in neighboring Cañon City. If you’re a retired veteran, the Bruce McCandless Veterans Community Living Center has you covered.

There’s more to Florence than its affordability, particularly its well-established reputation as a hub for antique shopping and local culture. Known as the Antique Capital of Colorado, the town is a major destination for collectors and day-trippers (sometimes the same). The Downtown Florence Historic District is home to more than 15 antique shops and co-ops, each with its own specialty.

These include places like The Mezzanine Antiques & Collectibles with its fine china, jewelry, and framed art; and Salvage, Antiques, Vintage, Etc, specializing in architectural salvage, from doorknobs to window frames. And come September, the two-day Junktique Antique Show and Flea Market takes over downtown, with dozens of additional vendors.

For cultural events, head to the Historic Rialto Theater. Built in 1923, it hosts live performances by the Red Brick Players along with a music series. The Bell Tower Cultural Center, a former First Baptist Church built in 1898, also serves as a creative hub with art exhibitions and concerts.

Salida

Aerial view of Salida, Colorado, showing a small town with houses, streets, and green fields in a broad valley, with snow-capped mountains in the distance under a clear blue sky.
Aerial view of Salida, Colorado, set in the Arkansas River Valley.

Salida is an attractive proposition for wealthy retirees. 95 miles west of Colorado Springs, its population hovers around 5,800. Many are attracted to its cultural amenities and its location in the upper Arkansas River Valley and scenic nearby mountains.

Home prices in Salida are higher than in the other towns on this list, with property values currently averaging in the mid-$600,000 range. In return, residents have access to established neighborhoods, a range of retail options, and healthcare services at the Heart of the Rockies Regional Medical Center.

Downtown Salida is also the largest National Register Historic District in Colorado. It has also been designated the state’s very first official Creative District, encompassing a 14-block stretch of historic real estate jam-packed with art studios, galleries, and creative businesses. The Salida SteamPlant, a restored 1887 steam-heating plant, serves as an events center, theater, and concert venue.

For arts and culture enthusiasts, other amenities that make this town a great place to retire in Colorado include the monthly First Friday Art Walks and the three-day ArtWalk held at the end of June. The Salida Senior Center is also worth noting, offering meals, fitness programs, and social activities for residents aged 60 and over.

Trinidad

Street view in Trinidad, Colorado, showing historic brick and stone buildings, parked cars, a First National Bank sign, and a traffic signal in a small-town downtown setting.
Historic architecture in downtown Trinidad, Colorado. Image by Akane Brooks via Shutterstock.

About 100 miles south of Colorado Springs, Trinidad offers access to outdoor recreation, including hiking and biking, as well as facilities such as the Mt. Carmel Wellness Center, which offers low- and no-cost fitness programs for seniors.

Other practical considerations, like critical and surgical care, including emergency services, are provided by Mt. San Rafael Hospital. Assisted living is available at The Legacy at Trinidad with its private apartments and 24-hour supervision. As for home prices, properties here average around $226,000, making it one of the most affordable communities in the state.

A central feature of Trinidad is the Corazon de Trinidad National Historic District, a well-preserved old commercial district in southern Colorado. Rows of late-Victorian and early-20th-century buildings line Main Street and make for a delightful stroll. Notable sites include the Trinidad History Museum and its 1870 Baca House, once owned by prominent Hispanic ranchers, and the 1882 Bloom Mansion, home to a local cattle baron.

For outdoor activities, head to Trinidad Lake State Park. Just four miles west of town, it features camping, fishing, hiking, and boating on a 900-acre reservoir. For birdwatching and wildlife, the Longs Canyon Watchable Wildlife Trail is a short drive from the lake with designated viewing points for mule deer, wild turkey, and birds of prey.

Walsenburg

People of all ages fishing along the edge of a small pond in Walsenburg, Colorado, with grassy banks, trees, and low hills in the background under a clear sky.
Fishing pond in Walsenburg, Colorado. Image by Jim Lambert via Shutterstock.

Located about 80 miles south of Colorado Springs along Interstate 25, Walsenburg has a population of just over 3,000, about the same as Florence. Housing costs are also comparable, with homes averaging around $150,000.

At an altitude of 6,182 feet at the base of the Spanish Peaks, Walsenburg began as a coal-mining town and was settled mostly by German, Italian, and Slavic immigrants in the late 1800s. That heritage is still visible around town, in its architecture, community traditions, and attractions like the Walsenburg Mining Museum. Housed in the town’s old jail, exhibits cover the town’s coal mining years and its impact on the community.

Healthcare in Walsenburg is provided by Spanish Peaks Regional Health Center, a 20-bed critical access hospital offering emergency care, outpatient services, imaging, and a rural health clinic. For assisted living or memory care services, Spanish Peaks Veterans Community Living Center is a state-operated facility that serves veterans and non-veterans alike in rehabilitation and hospice services.

Five Colorado Towns To Retire To

Geographically connected to Colorado Springs, each of these towns offers its own unique set of retirement perks. They each offer plenty of opportunities to put down roots and explore rewarding (and fun) activities that accommodate a range of preferences and tastes, from fishing in Walsenburg to cultural immersion in Salida's Creative District. Their healthcare and senior services further support their appeal as retirement options within easy reach of Colorado Springs.

10 Perfect Destinations for a Long Weekend in ColoradoThe towns on this list showcase the diversity of the state’s smaller communities, from canyon-bound streets to high-alpine settings.
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Bryan Dearsley April 13 2026 in Places

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