Lifestyle
Colorado is known as the Centennial State by many, but is also sometimes called the Colorful State, due to its striking scenery from the mountains, rivers, and foliage that runs across it. With its mild weather, top-notch healthcare, and plentiful outdoor recreation, Colorado offers retirees many comfortable and vibrant communities, ranging from smaller towns such as Fruita to more expansive cities like Boulder, each with their own unique cultural activities, dining options, and vibes.
C.E Larusso
Published December 4th, 2025
C.E Larusso
•
Published December 4th, 2025
Table of Contents
Key Takeaways
Colorado offers a mix of outdoor recreation, strong healthcare access, and vibrant small cities ideal for retirees.
Affordability varies widely across the state, with several cities offering lower housing costs and tax-friendly benefits for retirees.
Each of the top 10 cities provides a unique lifestyle, from mountain living to walkable urban communities, helping retirees find the right long-term fit.
Is Colorado a good place to live for retirees?
If you love to walk, hike, bike, or enjoy other outdoor activities, Colorado is a wonderful place to retire. The state boasts over 300 days of sun and stunning scenery, with mountains, lakes, and more. Colorado does have a higher average cost of living, but has good tax benefits, with no estate or inheritance taxes.
Is Colorado tax-friendly for seniors?
Overall, Colorado is relatively tax-friendly. The state does tax Social Security benefits, but some retirees may be able to exclude their benefits from their taxable income—those 65 and older can record a full deduction. Colorado also allows a retirement income deduction of $20,000 for taxpayers 55 and up, and $24,000 for those 65 and older. The flat rate income tax is low, as well—just 4.4%.
Do seniors in Colorado pay property taxes over 65?
In 2000, Colorado voters passed a property tax exemption for seniors. Qualifying seniors can exempt 50% of the first $200,000 of the actual value of their primary residence. The property tax in the state is one of the lowest in the country, just .49%, on average.
What benefits do seniors get in Colorado?
Colorado offers many forms of assistance for seniors, including a pension for qualifying low-income individuals who are 60 or older. There are also transportation services and a Medicare savings program to help with premiums and copays for those who qualify.
Where is the best place to retire in Colorado?
Colorado has many great cities, from its largest city of Denver to smaller ones such as Aurora. Noted for its strikingly beautiful scenery, the state is ideal for retirees who look for bountiful outdoor recreation options, mild weather, and excellent medical facilities.
1. Colorado Springs
CITY POPULATION: 490,000
SHARE OF POPULATION 65+: 15%
COST OF LIVING FOR RETIREES: 10% above the national average
MEDIAN HOME VALUE: $448,632
MEDIAN RENT: $1,753
TAX RATING FOR RETIREES: Moderately Tax Friendly
Colorado Springs is just 70 miles south of Denver, and offers much of the same allure as the bigger city—a mild climate, outdoor activities—but has a lower cost of living. Many of the neighborhoods are walkable, and it has several military bases and hospitals, which makes it popular with retired military personnel.
2. Loveland
CITY POPULATION: 82,460
SHARE OF POPULATION 65+: 19%
COST OF LIVING FOR RETIREES: 15% above the national average
MEDIAN HOME VALUE: $486,000
MEDIAN RENT: $1,877
TAX RATING FOR RETIREES: Moderately Tax Friendly
Loveland is another city that is close to Denver, allowing retirees the ability to access the city’s offerings within an hour’s drive, but come home to a tight-knit community with a thriving arts scene. Retirees can enjoy the city’s farmer’s market, golf courses, and walking paths.
3. Aurora
CITY POPULATION: 394,701
SHARE OF POPULATION 65+: 13%
COST OF LIVING FOR RETIREES: 23% above the national average
MEDIAN HOME VALUE: $481,300
MEDIAN RENT: $2,195
TAX RATING FOR RETIREES: Moderately Tax Friendly
Lovers of arts and culture will thrive in Aurora, which has several venues for live performances, films, and more. The third largest city in Colorado, Aurora is also known for its outdoor activities (bolstered by its 300 days of sun) and exceptional healthcare facilities.
4. Pueblo
CITY POPULATION: 111,166
SHARE OF POPULATION 65+: 19%
COST OF LIVING FOR RETIREES: 7% below the national average
MEDIAN HOME VALUE: $286,782
MEDIAN RENT: $1,350
TAX RATING FOR RETIREES: Moderately Tax Friendly
Retirees love Pueblo for its affordability—it has a much lower cost of living than many other Colorado cities—as well as its revitalized downtown and cultural activities. Pueblo is also known for its riverwalk, 32 acres of gardens, sculptures, and restaurants.
5. Greeley
COUNTY POPULATION: 114,363
SHARE OF POPULATION 65+: 13%
COST OF LIVING FOR RETIREES: 13.4% above the national average
MEDIAN HOME VALUE: $420,159
MEDIAN RENT: $1,450
TAX RATING FOR RETIREES: Moderately Tax Friendly
Greeley offers many low-maintenance living options, with many townhomes and single-family homes with services provided by homeowners’ associations. The city is also home to North Colorado Medical Center, which has excellent healthcare services.
6. Fort Collins
CITY POPULATION: 171,157
SHARE OF POPULATION 65+: 14%
COST OF LIVING FOR RETIREES: 15.7% above the national average
MEDIAN HOME VALUE: $554,176
MEDIAN RENT: $1,974
TAX RATING FOR RETIREES: Moderately Tax Friendly
Fort Collins is home to Colorado State University, which means that residents have the opportunity to enjoy the many cultural events that the university produces, such as theater and live music. The city caters to the highly educated, with many bookstores, cafes, and excellent restaurants to try. Finally, the award-winning Fort Collins Senior Center offers a wide variety of services and activities for a small membership fee, allowing retirees to find their community with ease.
7. Grand Junction
CITY POPULATION: 70,554
SHARE OF POPULATION 65+: 21%
COST OF LIVING FOR RETIREES: 1% below the national average
MEDIAN HOME VALUE: $418,411
MEDIAN RENT: $1,733
TAX RATING FOR RETIREES: Moderately Tax Friendly
Grand Junction is ideal for retirees who love golfing and skiing—the city has four public golf courses and is within a few hours of Telluride, Aspen, and other popular locations for enjoying the slopes. While Grand Junction is a quieter city, it has a bustling downtown area with restaurants,
8. Fruita
CITY POPULATION: 13,912
SHARE OF POPULATION 65+: 21%
COST OF LIVING FOR RETIREES: 1% below the national average
MEDIAN HOME VALUE: $474,917
MEDIAN RENT: $1,700
TAX RATING FOR RETIREES: Moderately Tax Friendly
Named by Money magazine as one of the best places to live in, Fruita is located on Colorado’s western slope. The small town sits inbetween several state parks, all of which offer exceptional scenery, hiking paths, and mountain biking. Because it’s on the smaller side, it’s an excellent choice for retirees looking for a tight-knit community.
9. Boulder
CITY POPULATION: 106,803
SHARE OF POPULATION 65+: 13%
COST OF LIVING FOR RETIREES: 40% above the national average
MEDIAN HOME VALUE: $948,562
MEDIAN RENT: $2,800
TAX RATING FOR RETIREES: Moderately Tax Friendly
The University of Colorado has a Boulder campus, making the city a good choice for retirees looking for cultural experiences and continued education courses. Boulder sits at the foot of the Rocky Mountains, giving residents exceptional scenery and plentiful outdoor activities to enjoy, with many neighborhoods having direct access to hiking and walking trails.
10. Montrose
CITY POPULATION: 21,646
SHARE OF POPULATION 65+: 27%
COST OF LIVING FOR RETIREES: 4.6% below the national average
MEDIAN HOME VALUE: $461,173
MEDIAN RENT: $1,800
TAX RATING FOR RETIREES: Moderately Tax Friendly
Montrose is a small town, but sits close to many natural attractions, such as Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park. Locals enjoy the tight-knit community, but have easy access to major airports via the local, rural Montrose one when needed. In recent years, a lot of funding has gone into the city’s services, such as the rec center, and health clinic.
Bottom Line
Despite its stereotype as a ski vacation destination for the wealthy, don’t rule Colorado out as a retirement option; the state has several cities and towns that are affordable and offer excellent healthcare, cultural events, dining, and outdoor recreation—to say nothing of the mild climate and stunning mountain views. To decide where in Colorado you can afford to comfortably retire, it’s best to speak to a financial advisor at Retirable to review your investments and budget.
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A professional content writer, C.E. Larusso has written about all things home, finance, family, and wellness for a variety of publications, including Angi, HomeLight, Noodle, and Mimi. She is based in Los Angeles.
Share this advice
A professional content writer, C.E. Larusso has written about all things home, finance, family, and wellness for a variety of publications, including Angi, HomeLight, Noodle, and Mimi. She is based in Los Angeles.
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