7 Budget-Friendly Towns In Colorado For Retirees
Colorado’s beauty and variety make it a popular place to live and retire. Leave aside the major busy cities of the state and settle down in one of the quaint, picturesque small towns that are both relatively affordable and full of attractions and activities to spend a happy and active retired life. Many of these towns also provide access to vast wilderness destinations and mountain beauty that offer walking, hiking, biking, and wildlife-watching opportunities. The lively downtown areas of these towns allow you to spend cozy evenings with friends and family. So, discover these seven Colorado towns below that are an ideal fit for a fantastic retired life.
Fort Morgan
Fort Morgan ranks high in retirability within Colorado. Fort Morgan sits on the edge of the eastern plains and is surrounded by open space and active farmland. Ft. Morgan is an active town with a homey atmosphere. For retirees with an interest in history, Ft. Morgan is located on the historic Overland Trail. Hike the trail the original settlers conquered on their way west.
Fort Morgan is also home to the Pawnee National Grasslands, the Rainbow Arch Bridge, and the Platte River. The city has a major hospital and other medical service centers and several senior living communities. For lake lovers, Jackson Lake State Park is just outside of town, where you can go boating, fishing, jet skiing, or cooling off at the swim beach.
The average cost of a home in Fort Morgan is currently $362,000.00. The cost of living for one adult comes in lower than the average annual cost at approximately $36,000.00 per year. Fort Morgan has easy access to interstate highways, making traveling across Colorado and neighboring states quick and easy. Living in Ft. Morgan puts you near the amenities of Denver, Greeley, Loveland, and Ft. Collins.
Erie
Depending on your retirement budget, Erie is a small town that boasts several amenities for retirees. Plenty of shopping and other services are within easy access by car, bus, or bike. Retirees can take advantage of the community center and several active adult programs, including the Silver Sneakers program for walkers and runners, that's free of cost at any recreation center. Erie also supports a historic downtown area that’s walkable and bikeable, with several parks that include well-maintained restrooms, shade, and park benches. The city sponsors an enjoyable farmer’s market every Thursday evening from June to October.
The median home price is $604,000.00, which is average for Colorado. Erie sits at the base of the Rockies with access to incredible views, skiing, walking, hiking, and biking trails. Erie sits fifteen minutes northeast of Boulder, providing easy access to the facilities and amenities of this major Colorado city.
Greeley
Greeley is an adorable town with a strong sense of community. On July 4, the town hosts a large annual rodeo named the Greeley Stampede, which rivals its larger competition in Wyoming and includes various competitions, a state fair atmosphere, and concerts. Greeley also runs along the Poudre River, which has long and groomed walking and road biking trails. Greeley is home to the National Senior Games Association (NSGA), which hosts national and state competitions for senior sports.
Greeley is home to a variety of businesses. The best thing about the town is that the median home value is one of the most reasonable in Colorado at $382,000.00. Greeley has two major hospitals for a variety of medical care options and supports its seniors through various activities and senior centers. As the home of the University of Northern Colorado, Greeley has a mixed generational feel and access to college home games. Additionally, there are several live music venues like the Moxi Theater and Broadway performances at the Union Colony Civic Center. For seniors wanting to experience the nearby mountains, Greeley is thirty minutes from Estes Park and Rocky Mountain National Park.
Lafayette
Lafayette was founded as an agricultural and coal mining town with a rich and colorful history. Currently, Lafayette has a historic downtown full of shops, mining museums, restaurants, and a burgeoning arts scene. The town allows food trucks in for special events and hosts weekly farmer’s markets and numerous other events throughout the year. Seniors find everything they need right in town.
For retirees, Lafayette offers several walking and biking paths with various trails around Waneka Lake or several parks. Lafayette supports two recreation centers with swimming pools, and senior activities, including senior groups that meet for lunch or games. For golfers, check out the local Indian Peaks course designed by Hale Irwin.
Lafayette is popular with seniors and offers a variety of living options. The median home price is $675,000.00. Lafayette has strong and diverse support for seniors. The proximity to Boulder, Denver, and the mountains is a plus.
Elizabeth
Elizabeth is a Colorado town with agricultural roots and a diverse community located about 40 minutes southeast of Denver. It is close to employment opportunities for retirees who plan to work part-time and a wide variety of outdoor activities. For golfers, Elizabeth includes the Spring Valley Golf Course.
A strong sense of Western history is evident in local museums, antique stores, and restaurants. Elizabeth offers retirees a bit of everything in a Western-style setting. For hikers, rock climbers, and bird watchers, Elizabeth is near Castlewood Canyon State Park.
Elizabeth hosts an annual rodeo and farm competition called the Elizabeth Stampede. The stampede includes the rodeo, antique car shows, and other exhibitions to enjoy on a pleasant summer day. The community also hosts ongoing Farmer's Markets and community garage sales. Both are great ways to get out and exercise and find a few treasures along the way.
The median price of a home in Elizabeth is $623,000.00. Elizabeth offers easy access to Denver, Colorado Springs, and Pueblo for retirees wishing to travel locally or access amenities between Elizabeth and its neighboring communities.
Grand Junction
Grand Junction sits in western Colorado at the convergence of the Gunnison and Colorado Rivers. Water abounds for water sports or simply walking or biking the local paths. Grand Junction also has the Colorado National Monument that includes beautiful rocky landscapes with trails suitable and accessible for seniors.
Grand Junction is considered an affordable retirement location with a median home value of $317,000.00. Retirees have access to a wide range of local hospitals and medical care facilities, including the Grand Junction VA Medical Center.
Retirees in Grand Junction enjoy several golf courses, fishing, and camping. There are also options for kayaking, biking, and hiking. If you enjoy wine, Grand Junction is only a few minutes from the heart of the Colorado Wine Country and various orchards in Paonia and Palisade. Enjoy wine and harvest festivals throughout the year. There are numerous wineries in the area offering a wide variety of free wine tastings and winery tours.
Pueblo
Pueblo is a literal hotspot in Colorado. Pueblo sits one hundred miles south of Denver and a hundred miles north of New Mexico. For retirees looking for an affordable and warm retirement spot, Pueblo is a solid choice. Pueblo’s median home price is $330,000.00 and the cost of living is approximately twenty percent less than the rest of the state. Pueblo supports several hospitals and quality medical services.
Pueblo has a long history as a trading post for the Apache, Arapaho, Cheyenne, Comanche, Kiowa, Pawnee, and Ute populations. The Arkansas River winds its way through all parts of Pueblo. For seniors who are boating and water enthusiasts, Pueblo also offers easy access to Lake Pueblo State Park, or opt to drive an hour south to Lake Trinidad State Park. For retirees who prefer to stay in town, there’s a beautiful riverwalk that runs along historic downtown Pueblo and includes a variety of shops and restaurants. Pueblo also has the Pueblo Zoo Weisbrod Aircraft Museum, El Pueblo History Museum, and the Rosemount Museum. For nature lovers, check out the Nature & Wildlife Discovery Center or hike or bike from the Discovery Center to Lake Pueblo on a paved path.
The state of Colorado is a retiree’s dream come true for outdoor activities, mountains, skiing, water sports, and fishing. The climate is relatively mild. Coloradoans enjoy low humidity but various amounts of winter snow. Summers tend to be hot, dry, and often windy. However, the views are incredible and if you love the mountains or the water - it’s all here in Colorado. Seniors looking for plenty of access to outdoor activities or indoor venues fit in these Colorado towns.
