7 Welcoming Towns To Retire In Colorado

Even if an empty nester will not be hiking, hunting deer or elk — or floating down the rivers — waking up to heart-warming mountain vistas is something no retiree will want to exchange for the world. From razor-thin ridges to pine-speckled forests to clear, alpine lakes, the decision to retire in Colorado is almost guaranteed to age well. That said, you need a warm, welcoming town with access to amenities, particularly hospitals. From Salida to Windsor, discover below 7 welcoming towns to retire in Colorado.

Salida

Spoiler alert: Tourists love Salida. However, this should be expected. Salida is exceptionally beautiful and looks custom-made for retirees who enjoy its small-town charm, great music scene, outdoor recreational opportunities, and safe neighborhoods. Sites and venues worth highlighting include the Arkansas River, Christmas Mountain, Monarch Mountain, and the clean and peaceful Salida Golf Club, which serves heart-stirring views of the surrounding Collegiate Mountains. Heart of the Rockies Regional Medical Center is in town and meets the healthcare needs of retirees. Even on the social landscape, Salida steals the show. For example, empty nesters aged 60 and above comprise 32% of the population. Plus, Salida is fairly diverse, considering Hispanics make up 15% of the population.

Buena Vista

Most empty nesters love Buena Vista’s small-town community feel, fantastic trail systems, and unlimited fishing, skiing, and rafting opportunities. One can split time between fishing the Arkansas River, exploring the adventure-packed Gunnison National Forest, and listening to the running water at the Buena Vista Whitewater Park. In retirement, it should not take someone 3 hours to get to a good hospital. Fortunately, an empty nester at Buena Vista is a blink away from Salida, which hosts the highly-rated Heart of the Rockies Regional Medical Center. Also, you do not want to spend your golden years in isolation or cut off from similarly aged peers. However, there should be no cause for alarm. Buena Vista residents aged 60 and above comprise 17% of the population.

Estes Park

On the one hand, a retiree at Estes Park enjoys a diverse culinary scene featuring Italian, Indian, and Thai offerings. On the other is a tasty lineup of small, locally owned shops whose owners often know repeat customers by their first names. And then the Colorado Mountains, the many exciting festivals, exceptional backcountry skiing, residents who are active and involved in everyday affairs, and of course, front door access to the Rocky Mountain National Park. Keen on water-based adventures? There is Lake Estes and the paved, 4-mile loop trail around it. Add to that, Estes Park Medical Center is right in town. Better still, the award-winning Poudre Valley Hospital is a short drive away in Fort Collins. What clinches it for Estes Park, however, is that empty nesters aged 60 and above comprise 53% of the population, quite a welcoming social scene.

Evergreen

If you are like most retirees, you probably want to retire close to a vibrant city but not right inside its hectic core. If that’s the case, pay attention to Evergreen. This town is cool and laid-back — and just 30 miles from Denver, by far the biggest metro area in Colorado. You can spend an afternoon paddling Evergreen Lake, reeling in a yummy catch at Bear Creek, or enjoying a plate of delicious Brussels sprouts at Murphy's Mountain Grill, whose outside patio looks over a beautiful stream. Don’t even mention beautiful trails — because you will be spoilt for choice. For that annoyingly persistent fever, CommonSpirit St. Anthony Hospital, a 2023 winner of the Coronary Intervention Excellence Award, is a heartbeat away in Lakewood. On the social side, 31% of Aspen residents are aged 60 and above, meaning retirees will find an age-relevant family they can share experiences with.

Aspen

If your dream retirement life involves a world-class restaurant scene, access to a delightful range of outdoor recreation opportunities, and the austere grandeur of the Rocky Mountains, Aspen will fit like a glove. Brace yourself for nice people, awesome skiing areas, and safe neighborhoods. With the Aspen Mountain Ski Resort, one of the best backcountry ski areas in the West; the airport, the Aspen Art Museum, and a breezy, live-music venue, a retiree here will always be active and engaged. The swift-flowing Roaring Fork River runs through the town — and is a rewarding venue for trout anglers. Also, the highly rated Aspen Valley Hospital is open 24 hours for emergencies. With Aspen residents aged 60 and above comprising 24% of its population, a retiree here will effortlessly find a crowd she can roll with.

Montrose

If scoping for an area that is steeped in agriculture, where food is fresh, packed with nutrients, and delicious, Montrose is an exceptional retirement option. One will not have to worry about finding fresh local Asparagus, lettuces, and other yummy greens, especially at the Montrose Farmers Market. Also, empty nesters should expect tons of hiking spots, fantastic weather, and a warm, close-knit community. Awesome vistas and scenic trails abound in places such as the Dominguez-Escalante National Conservation Area and the Uncompahgre National Forest. The latter is the most beautiful, untouched piece of nature for miles.

Plus, an airport is at hand to whisk an adventurous empty nester to any corner of the country. If one is bored, which is inconceivable, there is the chance to kill time at the Ute Indian Museum, the Montrose Botanic Gardens (it is loved for its colorful promenade), and the well-laid-out Black Canyon Golf Course. Worried about access to a good hospital? No need. You will enjoy doorstep access to Montrose Regional Health, a 2023 recipient of the Outstanding Patient Experience Award. The most exciting part? Montrose residents aged 60 and above comprise 35% of the town’s population.

Windsor

There are several reasons one should consider retiring in Windsor. For starters, Windsor is incredibly safe. According to Safewise, it is the safest city in Colorado for 2024 after Milliken. Then again, Windsor is nestled along the northern Colorado front range, an outdoor lover’s paradise. This town is backdropped by the Rocky Mountains, home to Windsor Lake (and numerous others), and crisscrossed by several rivers and waterways, including the trout-filled Cache la Poudre River. Plus, Denver is just an hour down the road — as is Cheyenne, the capital of Wyoming. What’s more? Medical Center of the Rockies, feted with the Outstanding Patient Experience Award for three consecutive years, including 2024 — is down the corner in Loveland, just 20 minutes away. An empty nester will not feel out of place either since Windsor residents aged 60 and above comprise 19% of the population.

The Takeaway

If you have not considered retiring in Colorado or given the Centennial State some serious thoughts, it is time you did, especially if natural beauty means something to you. From soaring mountain peaks — landscapes where hills peep over hills — to glimmering lakes and cascading valleys, Colorado is not plucked straight out from a fairytale: It is a fairytale. Plus, it maintains low property taxes and allows for large deductions on all retirement income. To enjoy one of America's most swoon-worthy regions, look for a welcoming town, most of which are highlighted here — then sit back and enjoy the ride.