9 Best Places To Retire In Colorado

To retire in Colorado conjures up images of life in small, breathtaking mountain towns, where the air is crisp and fresh and the scenery unmatched. The mountains, of course, will be calling. And with them, scenic trails, gorgeous alpine lakes, and world-class ski resorts. Colorado is expensive, however, so you will need to balance between what you can afford and what matches your dream requirements. Of course, you will need to prioritize the presence of other amenities as well, such as shopping venues — especially for fresh produce and groceries — and good hospitals. From Salida to Canon City, discover below the nine best places to retire in Colorado.

Salida

Although it is struggling with homelessness — like many towns in the U.S. — Salida is a charming small town with unmatched outdoor recreation opportunities. There is the Arkansas River, which flows along the edge of town; a quaint waterfront park in a peaceful, shaded setting; a fantastic music scene featuring the annual Jazz Fest in August, and several trail-laden mountains. 32% of Salida residents are aged 60 and above, meaning about 1 in 3 residents are fellow empty nesters. That said, there is an uptick in real estate prices in the town, and today, the median listing home price in Salida is about $800,000. Still, Salida remains among the best places to retire in Colorado with amenities such as the Harriet Alexander Field Airport (KANK) and the highly ranked Heart of the Rockies Regional Medical Center.

Estes Park

Going by its demographics, Estes Park is a huge retiree favorite. The town’s residents have a median age of 60.9, with those aged 60 and above comprising 53% of the population. The Rocky Mountain National Park is a huge attraction here, yet a retiree will now have it for herself all through the year. Plus, there is the trout-filled Lake Estes, the scenic trails around it, and the panoramic Estes Park Golf Course, which boasts lots of beautiful undulations. With Denver just over an hour away and the median listing home price a reasonable $776,000, this town’s retirement appeal checks almost all boxes. Finally, although a retiree has the Estes Park Medical Center at his doorstep, the award-winning Poudre Valley Hospital in Fort Collins is a short drive away.

Evergreen

Evergreen provides the best of both worlds: the intimate feel of a small, authentic town and convenient access to big-city amenities. This is because Denver — Colorado’s largest city — is just about 30 minutes down the road. With empty nesters comprising 31% of the town’s population and the award-winning OrthoColorado Hospital just a hop, step, and jump away, Evergreen is a solid retirement option. Alderfer/Three Sisters East Trailhead provides hiking and cycling opportunities, while the breathtaking Dedisse Park serves a long list of outdoor thrills, including kayaking. That said, you will be in a picturesque mountain town and will have almost endless trails to explore. Also, you will enjoy taking your grandchildren to the Evergreen Nature Center, especially to touch fur pelts and learn interesting facts about the area’s natural history. The median listing home price in Evergreen was $999,900 in November 2024.

Montrose

You will want to retire in Montrose, especially because it offers strong social connections ( 35% of Montrose residents are aged 60 and above), relative affordability by Colorado standards, and the chance to get fresh farm supplies from the local farmer’s market. The median listing home price in Montrose was $529,000 in October 2024. At this unbeatable price point, a retiree will be a blink away from the soaring Uncompahgre National Forest, the Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park, which is home to some of the steepest cliffs in North America, and the soul-calming Montrose Botanic Gardens. Moreover, you can receive treatment at the Montrose Regional Health, a 2023 winner of the Outstanding Patient Experience Award.

Windsor

At Windsor, you will have an engaging Old Town with deep historical roots. From beautifully preserved historic buildings, such as the iconic Windsor Mill — to funfilled events that bring the community together —such as the Windsor Harvest Festival, an empty nester here has a lot to enjoy or look forward to. One can paddle Windsor Lake, enjoy an afternoon round of golf at the Pelican Lakes Golf Club, or take a furry companion for a much-needed stretch at the Poudre Natural Area. Another enticing appeal is that 21% of Windsor residents are aged 60 and above, meaning one will easily find a crowd to roll with. In October 2024, the median listing home price in Windsor was $635,000. Anyone will want to jump at this, especially considering Windsor is just about an hour from Denver. It does not stop there. Medical Center of the Rockies is next door in Loveland and is a three-time winner of the Outstanding Patient Experience Award.

Carbondale

From celebrations such as Mountain Fair, a roaring three-day festival held every July — to the area’s crisp, fresh mountain air, a retiree here will age like fine wine. The White River National Forest is to the east — while all around are the many neck-straining peaks that form part of the Elk Mountains, a world-class recreational venue. If you don’t want to drive out of town, you can float down the Roaring Fork River, go for evening walks at the Carbondale Nature Park, or fish Crystal River, one of Colorado's most scenic waterways. Be prepared to pay for all these, however, especially because the median listing home price in Carbondale was $2.4M in October 2024. Worried about the recurring tightness in your chest — or any other issue? Valley View Hospital in nearby Glenwood is ranked among America’s 100 Best Hospitals for Coronary Intervention. The town’s social landscape is also on point since 24% of residents are aged 60 and above.

Woodland Park

Woodland Park is a little piece of mountain paradise referred to as "The City Above the Clouds". It is among the best places to retire in Colorado because it is close to Colorado Springs, has almost all the amenities one would wish for, and is nestled in an area with awesome views and fresh air. Although the highly rated UCHealth Pikes Peak Regional Hospital is in town, one can explore a world of excellent options in nearby Colorado Springs. Once in a while, you can hike Lovell Gulch Trailhead and catch great views of Pikes Peak, play golf at the Shining Mountain Golf Course and Event Center, or embark on a weekend escape to Farish Recreation Area, a serene, beautiful spot perfect for winding down. In October 2024, the median listing home price in Woodland Park was $619,000, an unbeatable price point considering what it offers. 31% of Woodland Park residents are aged 31 and above, meaning one can build up a social circle with similarly aged peers.

Aspen

From its fine dining — think of New York City-level food quality and range —to its constellation of world-class ski resorts, Aspen easily earns a spot among the best places to retire in Colorado. It is expensive, however, especially considering its median listing home price of $2.7M. But if one can afford this, Aspen is the blueprint of a dream retirement. Skiers have Aspen Mountain (affectionately known as AJAX by locals), Aspen Highlands, Snowmass, and Buttermilk, one of the best beginner mountains in North America. Plus, the mountains around the area provide an endless range of outdoor recreational opportunities. John Denver Sanctuary, which pops with scintillating colors in fall, is often an incredible oasis perfect for the occasional downtime. Aspen Valley Hospital is at your doorstep, and you have a population with a sizeable fraction (23%) of empty nesters aged 60 and above.

Canon City

Boasting a lovingly preserved downtown and a slew of other retiree-focused amenities, Canon City deservedly rounds off the list of the best places to retire in Colorado. It sits along the 1,460-mile-long Arkansas River in the Rocky Mountains and attracts lots of tourists every year. A retiree can raft the river, hike the plethora of scenic trails, drive over the Royal Gorge Bridge at night, or jog along the well-groomed Arkansas Riverwalk Trail. Although you can dash to nearby Colorado Springs for treatment, CommonSpirit St. Thomas More Hospital is right in town and has been providing medical services in the area since before the Second World War. On the social side, 30% of Canon City residents are aged 60 and above, implying the presence of an active social support network. The best part is that in October 2024, the median listing home price in Canon City, CO was $399,500 — the lowest price point on this list.

The Takeaway

Retiring in Aspen or Carbondale will look like a long, Switzerland-level vacation on many levels. These towns have almost everything a retiree will wish for, including restaurants that will make you think you are in New York City, Chicago, or Boston. The greatest appeal of Colorado towns, however, lies in the incredible beauty of the surrounding landscapes. Waking up to the view of craggy mountaintops every morning is a feeling that words cannot describe. That is without touching on everyday access to unmatched outdoor fun and adventure.