2023 Best Places to Retire in Colorado

• Suburb of Denver, CO

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  Rating 4.25 out of 5  4 reviews

Current Resident: It is a quiet little neighborhood. Quick access to anything you need (shopping, entertainment) yet has it's own privacy away from the city life. The people are great!... Read 4 reviews

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• Population 1,701

• Suburb of Denver, CO

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  Rating 4.13 out of 5  8 reviews

Current Resident: HH since 2015 where Hutchinson Homes were very well built in 60s. Big yards, mostly good neighbors, multi-use trails wind through the 'hood and just south of the Cherry Creek Trail. Most homes actually in Denver County though some homes are in Arapahoe County. Lower crime than in my old central Denver neighborhood. Many great schools in the area from K-12 and also undergraduate and grad schools nearby. Light rail is under 1 mile from my home. Still in Denver but lots are bigger so you can get a house with a good 2-car garage where in more-central Park Hill neighborhood people have to park on street and move their cars on street-sweeping days. A few original residents. Bible Park is a Denver City Park that has a brand new huge playground for the younger school aged "yard ape" kids, tennis courts for all, but no live music like some city parks such as City Park which has a free summer live jazz concert -- and oldsters complain if you suggest live music at Bible Park.... Read 8 reviews

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• Population 2,843

• Suburb of Denver, CO

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  Rating 4.1 out of 5  10 reviews

Current Resident: Growing up in Cherry Hills Village was an excellent place to be raised. It is one of the most active communities as everyone is out walking their pets, playing sports, doing yard work, etc. The location of the suburb is perfect because it is only 15 minutes from the city but has its own isolated feel to it.... Read 10 reviews

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• grade A

• Population 6,426

• Suburb of Colorado Springs, CO

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  Rating 4.2 out of 5  5 reviews

Current Resident: A wonderful town full of great hiking, decent town life, and some amazing restaurants. One of the best places I've ever lived!... Read 5 reviews

• grade A

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• Population 2,652

• Town in Colorado

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  Rating 3.59 out of 5  22 reviews

Current Resident: We are a young family who have been living in Estes Park for almost a decade. There are so many wonderful things about this tiny town and some not so great things. We love the tiny community feel; Everyone knows everyone. Everyone is active in some way, so family get togethers often revolve around outdoor activities and we LOVE that! The views and location can't be matched. Unfortunately the town isn't made for families. It's built for tourism. The housing is wildly expensive and there's not nearly enough. The job opportunities are mediocre, entry level jobs during the summer, but finding a year round position that can support a family is not easy.... Read 22 reviews

• grade B

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• Population 5,942

• Town in Colorado

• grade B minus

• grade C+

• grade A

• Population 3,724

• Town in Colorado

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  Rating 3.9 out of 5  52 reviews

Current Resident: Small, quite town. Pluses- good schools (great hs), mountains, proximity to Denver (fast 25 min commute to first Denver suburbs), good choice for after school activities for kids. Safe. Well to do residents. Minuses- old! big elderly community. Families with kids too but definitely overwhelmingly senior community. Very bad public transit system (occasional bus from Denver can be spotted).... Read 52 reviews

• grade A

• grade A minus

• grade A

• Population 9,338

Niche User: I plan on leaving this area when I go to college, but I know I will be back here to raise my kids, because this is an area that I want my kids to grow up in. It's the perfect mix between small community and big city. We have all the resources of a big city but have the living of a small town. Everyone seems to know one another, and has family here. The schools are improving for the most part, and the town continues to grow.... Read 10 reviews

• grade B

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• Population 9,092

• Town in Colorado

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  Rating 4.8 out of 5  5 reviews

Current Resident: My husband and I moved to Genesee a few months ago. I feel like the most blessed individual on the planet. It is a dream living here. The views are to die for, and it is extremely peaceful and quiet here. The wildlife is precious! Elk, foxes, deer are so fun to watch. They don't even seem to be afraid of us. We are so so blessed to live here. I feel like I literally live in a snow globe...how did we get so lucky?!... Read 5 reviews

• grade A

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• Population 4,241

• Suburb of Denver, CO

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  Rating 4.2 out of 5  15 reviews

Current Resident: We have lived in Applewood for over 27 years. Like many residents, we don't want to move. We're 20 minutes to downtown Denver, and 10 minutes to the mountains. We have large lots, great views, and custom-built brick homes. There are many amazing trails within walking distance. We are close to I-70. It is true that many of the kids who grew up here return as adults to raise their families in this easy-going neighborhood. Our neighbors are intelligent and friendly, for the most part. This place is like "Leave it to Beaver" moved to the 21st Century. Once again,, we're not moving!!!... Read 15 reviews

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• Population 8,236

• Suburb of Denver, CO

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  Rating 4.07 out of 5  14 reviews

Current Resident: Amazing neighborhood! Super safe, friendly neighbors, great for kids! It's a wonderful place to live with lots of outdoor options and walking areas.... Read 14 reviews

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• Population 11,389

• Suburb of Denver, CO

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  Rating 4.33 out of 5  6 reviews

Niche User: There is a neighborhood security guard and everyone seems to pay attention to those around them.... Read 6 reviews

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• Population 2,342

• Town in Colorado

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  Rating 3.65 out of 5  43 reviews

Current Resident: Agriculture is a very important part of Montrose's identity, and I have always loved local farmer's markets and other community events that utilize this commonality to bring the people of Montrose together. Montrose Colorado is a small town with a large retirement community. Over the past years the community's focus has shifted more towards the youth, but the funding and encouragement of growth in youth can always be more propagated. Recently, a new middle school was built here, but as a small town with limited funding for certain educational programs, there has been a consistent starvation for more. As an AP student myself, I would love to see more funding going towards education in my community, though the growth in this area indecent years has been impeccable.... Read 43 reviews

• grade B

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• grade A minus

• Population 20,098

• Suburb of Denver, CO

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  Rating 3.86 out of 5  7 reviews

Current Resident: Castle Pines Village is easily accessible to I-25, has multiple pools, and social events. The country club and golf club are within the community. It is a gated community that is manned and emergency services are at the residents' disposal. The setting is beautiful, and local shops (restaurants, spa) are nearby. The area surrounding the neighborhood is very natural, and deer often roam around. The neighborhood is close to Castle Rock, Highlands Ranch, and Lonetree. There are many public schools around, as well as excellent private schools. Castle Pines Village is about thirty minutes away from the Denver International Airport. The area is within driving distance of the mountains, to go tubing and skiing in the winter, and mountain biking and hiking in the summer. Boulder is roughly an hour away.... Read 7 reviews

• grade A

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• Population 4,356

• Suburb of Denver, CO

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  Rating 4.31 out of 5  64 reviews

Current Resident: Very safe, friendly and fun environment! Always lots of things do: walking through the gorgeous parks, going to the reservoirs, attending fun holidays events, listening to live music at nearby amphitheatres, etc. Schools are highly ranked as well!... Read 64 reviews

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• Population 15,548

• Town in Colorado

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  Rating 4.57 out of 5  14 reviews

Current Resident: Cozy small town. Great if you're retired, most of the population is 55 and older. Also good for families with small children, we have decent schools. The whole town shuts down around 8pm except for the bars. Don't expect a vibrant nightlife scene unless you're a drinker. If you're religious, there're endless churches to choose from. Low crime rate. Expensive to buy a home here. Most of the good shopping and jobs are 25-60 minutes away in Delta, Montrose, or Grand Junction. It's heaven here if you're an outdoorsy type, dreadfully boring if you're not. Don't make enemies here. City folk moving here: make friends. Lots of them. That decides whether this is a good place or a bad place to live. People here can be cruel or angels, depending on you. If living in a small, quiet, rural, conservative retirement town is your dream, this is paradise. If you're looking for something a little more spry, hip, youthful, with more career and social opportunities you'd best look elsewhere.... Read 14 reviews

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• Population 2,584

• Town in Colorado

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  Rating 3.58 out of 5  19 reviews

Former Resident: Salida is a beautiful town in the Arkansas river valley. Its name is fitting because is it has a view of being surrounded by mountains open up towards Buena Vista. The downtown is perfect for all sort of outings, especially since the river is so accessible. Salida is in an ideal location not too far from great trails and other activities as well. Of course the property values are quite high as only seem to be rising. This is probably one reason that there is a small amount of diversity in the people that live there.... Read 19 reviews

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• grade A minus

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• Population 5,671

Current Resident: It has a great small town feel. There are farmers markets almost every Sunday in the late summer and beginning of fall. And have you heard of Palisade peaches? Yep, those are all grown right here literally in my backyard. They blossom all spring and they smell amazing! I love to take little evening walks and smell the peach blossoms in the spring. And then as summer progresses everyone's excitement about peach season does as well. There's nothing better than walking down the street to buy a massive, juicy, fresh peach that was picked hours before, all the while knowing that everyone else in the world has to wait weeks after that peach has been picked to eat it.... Read 13 reviews

• grade B

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• Population 2,575

• Suburb of Denver, CO

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  Rating 4.1 out of 5  331 reviews

Current Resident: As a Centennial resident for the last 8 years, I would say this is a great area to live in. It is generally well maintained, close to many things to do for social enjoyment, and has been a safe place to call home. I have enjoyed the newly opened Basketball Social Hall, Grange Hall, Pindustry, and many other places that are appropriate for teens to hang out at. It makes a difference when teens are not out in neighborhoods looking for something to do. I wish that the roads were better maintained inside and outside of neighborhoods, and I know that it is on the current city planning to make adjustments to them. I also wish that the old shopping plazas, and even outdoor malls, would be better supported so that businesses (big and small) can afford to stay open. Seeing our community thrive would be amazing!... Read 331 reviews

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• Population 107,972

Current Resident: I absolutely love Windsor. It isn't too close or too far from doing anything that you want to do. You can drive thirty minutes any direction and get almost anything you need. If you can't get it in that 30 minutes, you just drive an hour down to Denver where there is literally everything! Windsor's community is super welcoming. The people here are very generous and willing to help anyone!... Read 84 reviews

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• Population 31,972

• Suburb of Denver, CO

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  Rating 4.02 out of 5  435 reviews

Current Resident: Highlands Ranch is the best place in Colorado to raise a family in a suburb. It has a very homey feeling, people are friendly and theres a pride in living here. Houses are well kept and neighborhoods have many activities. The town has parades and sunday farmers market and holiday festivals etc. Neighbors all come together with huge snow storm etc to help eachother. The weather has 4 seasons and even in winter u dont always need a jacket during the day the sun makes it warm and melts the snow fast after a snowstorm so never usually have old snow stick around on the ground! It does lack good restaurants many chains and box stores. Great place to live and fell very safe as everyone looks out for eachother... Read 435 reviews

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• Population 103,238

• Town in Colorado

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  Rating 4.31 out of 5  13 reviews

Current Resident: Vail is a magical place! It stole my gyspy heart and convinced me that this is home. I am so excited to be here. The valley views are phenomenal. It is an outdoors lifestyle community. Two world class ski resorts only a quick bus ride away. Acres of skiing, hiking, snowshoeing, fly fishing, backpacking, and many other mountain adventures. A great nightlife with a free in town bus to make sure you get home safely. Overall great progressive community.... Read 13 reviews

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• Population 4,900

• Town in Colorado

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  Rating 4.13 out of 5  291 reviews

Current Resident: Being the place I called home ever since I was born, Broomfield was a community that was easy to get involved in. Whether I was swimming on the Broomfield community swim team, going to the library, or running 5ks and turkey trots, my family and I's ability to make new family friends and get in touch with our community was inevitable. However, as I grew up, I got more aware of the monoculturalistic aspects of the city and further urged me to escape to a big city in my following years. Despite the fact that my community wasn't as diverse, as a half-white half-asian child, I never had any problems fitting in or being accepted. I couldn't of asked for a better place to start a family, as I have kept close bonds with friends and neighbors even after high school.... Read 291 reviews

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• Population 72,697

• Suburb of Denver, CO

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  Rating 4.33 out of 5  30 reviews

Current Resident: I have lived here my entire life, and I am a current high school junior attending Peak to Peak. I attended elementary/middle school at Eldorado K-8 and I had a good experience there as well, for the most part. I will say that this area is a great one for families. It continues to grow by the day, and it is close to a lot of central places in Colorado (Denver, Boulder, etc). In other words, there is always something to do. It's not barren like some parts of Colorado, but it isn't overcrowded either. Similar to the rest of Boulder County, it is not the most diverse place and you can definitely feel it when you live here for a while. Overall, though, it's a calm and quintissentially American town.... Read 30 reviews

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• grade A minus

• Population 13,283

• Town in Colorado

• grade C+

• grade B+

• grade A minus

• Population 3,144