7 Welcoming Towns To Retire in the Colorado Plateau

Retirement is such a consequential decision that every empty nester will want to get right. You probably want a spot that is relaxed and a bit laid-back, but you also want access to good hospitals and grocery stores. You want a place with tasty restaurants where you can enjoy an unhurried mid-week brunch. You also want a place that can furnish your kitchen with fresh farm produce. Moreover, you want a place with yummy views that you will love waking up to every morning. Most of all, you will want a welcoming community, so you can effortlessly fit in. To cut to the chase, discover seven welcoming towns to retire in the Colorado Plateau.

Durango, Colorado

Durango does not look like a town plucked straight out of a movie scene. It has actually served as the setting of several films, meaning its appearance is anything but average. A retiree here will be inhaling beautiful views of Perin's Peak, Smelter Mountain, and the Hogsback. The Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad Depot, which draws tourists from every nook and crevice, is a particular highlight. CommonSpirit Mercy Hospital, right in town, has bagged numerous awards, including the Coronary Intervention Excellence Award for 2024. In August 2024, the median listing home price in Durango was $924,900. Wondering whether you will find your crowd? No need. Durango has about 19,000 residents, and empty nesters aged 60 and above comprise 19% of its population.

Sedona, Arizona

Coconino National Forest, with its Ponderosa Pine trees, stunning geography, and interesting animals, should make retirement in Sedona a fun, pleasant experience. Slide Rock State Park, nestled in the heart of Oak Creek Canyon, besides its thrilling slides, is a top-tier hiking destination. There are trails you cannot count on your fingers — and Airport Mesa — which provides outrageously beautiful views. Verde Valley Medical Center in nearby Cottonwood is a 2022 recipient of the Coronary Intervention Excellence Award and, hence, has the expertise to meet the medical needs of retirees. Here comes the best part: 45% of Sedona residents are empty nesters aged 60 and above. The median listing home price in Sedona was $969,000 in August 2024.

Telluride, Colorado

Telluride is tiny; less than 3,000 residents call it home. This comes with an upside. Residents have a first-name basis relationship with each other. There are some unpleasant apples, but Telluride is mostly homey, warm, and welcoming. Telluride Historic District, with its handsomely preserved Victorian architecture — is quite a joy to stroll through. One can spend time at places such as the San Miguel River, the Telluride Historical Museum, and Bear Creek Trail, which leads to a beautiful waterfall. Telluride Regional Medical Centre, right in town, provides 24-hour emergency and trauma services. Also, empty nesters will easily find peers in the same age bracket, especially because residents aged 60 and above comprise 33% of the population. But it does not come cheap. The median listing home price in Telluride was $3.9M in August 2024.

Cedar City, Utah

Retiring in Cedar City comes with having access to a highly rated downtown with bronze sculptures and a craft brewery, where locals often meet and catch up on the latest happenings. An empty nester can spend a relaxed evening at the I/G Winery & Tasting Room, fire her imagination at the Beverley Taylor Sorenson Center for the Arts, or kill time at the Southern Utah Museum of Art. Occasionally, one will enjoy an afternoon round of golf at Cedar Ridge Golf Course, catch a show at the Heritage Center Theater, or step back in time at the Frontier Homestead State Park Museum. Cedar City Hospital is a 2024 winner of the Outstanding Patient Experience Award, meaning empty nesters should not worry one bit about healthcare access. Although Cedar City residents have a median age of 26, empty nesters comprise a decent 15% of the population. In August 2024, the median listing home price in Cedar City was just $444,900, making it perfect for those who want to retire on the cheap.

Montrose, Colorado

Montrose is big on agriculture, meaning empty nesters will always get delicious supplies of fresh farm produce, especially at the local farmer's market and other community events. Retirees love Montrose, especially considering they make up 35% of its population, which means 1 in 3 is a fellow empty nester. The presence of a regional airport makes the town score big on accessibility — just as the presence of the award-winning Montrose Regional Health makes it score big on healthcare access. This is a town of about 22,000 residents. So, expect it to be slightly more bubbly and vibrant. There is the Uncompahgre National Forest in the backyard, which provides a world of outdoor fun and adventure opportunities; Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park, with its yummy range of scenic overlooks; and Montrose Botanic Gardens, with its colorful promenade. In August 2024, the median listing home price in Montrose was $549,400.

Kanab, Utah

Kanab is a cute, little town with warm, welcoming residents. An empty nester will need less than an hour to reach one of the world's most sought-after outdoor attractions: the Grand Canyon National Park. Zion National Park, with its twisting boulders and surreal views, is also about an hour away. Greenhalgh Trail Head, Dinosaur Tracks Trailhead, and a couple of other lovely trails ensure a retiree will always be physically fit and active. Worried about healthcare access? Kane County Hospital is in town and has been serving rural southern Utah (and northern Arizona) residents for several years. With empty nesters comprising 29% of the population, Kanab’s social scene evidently strikes the right balance between age and youth. The median listing home price in Kanab was $674,000 in August 2024.

Aztec, New Mexico

Rounding off this list is Aztec, a slow-paced town with a tight-knit community, meaning residents relate on a first-name basis. While this under-the-radar town is far from a metropolis, it provides easy access to several towns, including Farmington, which is 16 miles down the road — and Durango, 37 miles away. For outdoor enthusiasts, Aztec boasts several options, including mountain biking, snowboarding, and fishing. There is a Dairy Queen, the Animas River, a fairly decent skatepark, and the Aztec Museum & Pioneer Village, a great walk back in time. CommonSpirit Mercy Hospital in Durango is a 2024 recipient of the Coronary Intervention Excellence Award. On the social side of things, Aztec residents aged 60 and above comprise 22% of the population, meaning one will not feel out of place. Finally, Aztec is the most budget-friendly retirement option on this list, going by the fact the median listing home price is just $359,500.

The Takeaway

The prospect of finally putting aside your work laptop forever — so you can do what makes you happy any day of the week — is an experience worth looking forward to. No more chasing success; no more chasing status. The Colorado Plateau, also known as the Four Corners Region, presents options that blend top-notch outdoor adventure with the requisite nuts and bolts of retirement. For the most welcoming towns in the Colorado Plateau, the highlighted towns have features that position them above the rest of the crowded park.