7 Most Comfortable Towns On The Colorado Plateau For Seniors
Sometimes called the Four Corners Region, the Colorado Plateau boasts the greatest concentration of U.S. National Park Service (NPS) units in the United States. From Zion National Park in Utah's high plateau county to Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park, which features the craggiest spires in North America, this region’s whimsical landscape is unlike anything you have seen. Instead of traveling here every summer — and queueing with numerous other tourists — you can choose to retire here, so you can have these famed outdoor treasures to yourself, any day, any time. Discover below the 7 most comfortable towns on the Colorado Plateau for seniors.
Aztec, New Mexico
Aztec is in Northern New Mexico's San Juan county, known for natural gas and oil exploration as well as several pristine reservations. The climate here is semi-arid and mild and, hence, more tolerable than the extreme deserts that define other parts of the region. It is always easy to make connections, especially with fellow empty nesters, who make up 22% of the population. Farmington is just 30 minutes down the road. Durango, Colorado, is also just 40. This means fantastic access to big-city conveniences. There is a lot of fishing in the area (San Juan River is ranked among America's top-10 trout fishing waters), mountain biking (Alien Run Mountain Bike Trail is incredibly scenic and often less crowded), and snowboarding. There’s the Animas River as well, which provides boating, kayaking, and rafting opportunities. On healthcare access, the award-winning CommonSpirit Mercy Hospital is just next-door in Durango. Finally, the median listing home price in Aztec was $355,400 in October 2024, meaning an empty nester can own a house here without having to deplete her savings.
Kanab, Utah
People travel from as far as Maine to visit Bryce Canyon and Zion National Parks. Fortunately, these incredible spots will be your immediate neighbors if you retire in Kanab, a cute, dainty town of about 5,000 residents. Plus, you will have access to an airport, several trails offering surreal views ( Greenhalgh Trail Head leads to a beautiful canyon), and the Coral Pink Sand Dunes, where a retiree can enjoy dune riding in the middle of the week. Kanab is loved for its mild winters, something snowbirds should keep in mind. Kane County Hospital is right in town, so there is no need for a back-breaking, 3-hour trip to reach a hospital. Also, seniors aged 60 and above comprise 29% of Kanab’s population, meaning it will be easy to find and join a social circle that meets a retiree’s needs. Finally, the median listing home price in Kanab was $739,000 in October 2024.
Montrose, Colorado
One of the best parts about retiring in Montrose, described as the “Hub of Western Colorado,” is that residents aged 60 and above comprise 35% of the population. Think of a big family reunion or a high school get-together. There are beautiful creeks and canals; an airport serving several routes; the Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park, which is riddled with killer trails and overlooks; the thoughtfully laid out Montrose Botanic Gardens; several parks and golf courses (including the tenderly cared-for Black Canyon Golf Course); and up to three museums, all providing glimpses into the area’s past. Moreover, Montrose Regional Health is conveniently in town and, as per Healthgrades, has won the Outstanding Patient Experience Award for two years. The median listing home price in Montrose was $529,000 in October 2024.
Cedar City, Utah
Incredible fall colors. Great little shops. The best movie theatre experience for miles. And, of course, Brian Head Ski Resort, with its 71 runs and 8 lifts. You can enjoy an afternoon round of golf at Cedar Ridge Golf Course on a Monday, catch a kick-ass show at the Megaplex Theatres on a Tuesday, and bike the panoramic Southview Trailhead on a Wednesday. Remember, the world-famous Zion National Park is also in your backyard, along with several trail-laden hills. Worried about healthcare access? No need. The 48-bed Cedar City Hospital, which replaced the old Iron County Hospital in 1963, is a 2024 winner of the Outstanding Patient Experience Award. Are you a retiree who is young at heart and enjoys mingling with young people? Cedar City residents have a median age of 26. However, residents aged 60 and above still make up a decent 15% of the population, meaning one can enjoy the best of both worlds. In October 2024, the median listing home price in Cedar City was $450,000.
Telluride, Colorado
If you can afford it (The median listing home price was $4.2M in October 2024,) — Telluride provides an unmatched outdoor adventure experience — although the winters are often long, albeit mild, and much more bearable. Telluride is small, tight-knit, and intimate. It is easy to relate on a first-name basis with almost everyone, including the server at your favorite downtown restaurant. You will enjoy strolling through the Telluride Historic District, which is speckled with beautiful Victorians. There is the San Miguel River, where one can paddle-board or reel in a yummy catch; the swoon-worthy San Miguel River Trail, which runs along the San Miguel River; the San Juan National Forest; and the formidable Uncompahgre National Forest to the immediate north. Moreover, Telluride Regional Medical Center is at your doorstep and has been serving the Telluride area since 1978. Plus, since residents aged 60 and above comprise 33% of Telluride’s population, empty nesters will not feel out of place.
Sedona, Arizona
From wandering through the Ponderosa Pine trees that cover the Coconino National Forest to tackling the trails that traverse Slide Rock State Park, an empty nester in Sedona is guaranteed a fun, fulfilling retirement. The lay of the land, the fun and pleasure of climbing rocks and exploring canyons, the beautiful red rocks (best viewed at Red Rock State Park) — and the Tlaquepaque Village, with its tasteful galleries, locally owned restaurants, and specialty shops — are some of the features that best define Sedona. Although the tourist seasons can be overwhelming, you can soon cope with it or identify hidden and uncrowded adventure spots. Verde Valley Medical Center is next-door in Cottonwood and won the 2022 Coronary Intervention Excellence Award. The best part about retiring in Sedona is that empty nesters aged 60 and above comprise 45% of the population. You will hardly find this kind of demographic anywhere else in the Colorado Plateau. The median listing home price in Sedona was $1.1M in October 2024.
Durango, Colorado
Durango is a fairytale town nestled along the Animas River in southwest Colorado. The local scenery here is to die for; no wonder Durango has served as the setting of nearly 30 films since the Roaring Twenties. The Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad Depot is a landmark attraction that every vacationer should know about. Retirees here have several outdoor spots to explore, including the San Juan National Forest, which is filled with breathtaking trails; Lake Nighthorse; Horse Gulch Trail Head (you need to bookmark Raider's Ridge); and Smelter Mountain. Durango has more than 300 sunny days, something that should appeal to most retirees. You have the award-winning CommonSpirit Mercy Hospital in town — and a population that features a sizeable proportion (19%) of empty nesters aged 60 and above. In October 2024, the median listing home price in Durango, CO was $945,000.
The Takeaway
If you want your golden years to be based on the outdoors, floating down tumbling rivers or exploring panoramic overlooks, the Colorado Plateau provides an unmatched experience. This region is home to the greatest concentration of US National Park Service (NPS) units in America. The only other things to look for include immediate access to one or two good hospitals and shopping venues. Fortunately, this list provides some of the best retirement options in the Colorado Plateau, spots you can start exploring.
