Colorado is one of the most beautiful places in the United States and has plenty of affordable cities. Retirees hoping to connect with Mother Nature and stay active can’t go wrong making their new home in Colorado. Sublime mountains, great skiing, winding trails through beautiful wildflowers, and a big blue sky await you.
If the Colorado mountains call to you, then to the mountains you must go. NewHomeSource.com has found the top ten cities to retire in Colorado, making it easy to find the perfect retirement destination and build your new home for your new life.
Top10 Cities to Retire in Colorado
1. Federal Heights
Percentage of the Population Over 65: 10.3%
Median Home Value: $64,300
Most Recent Annual Number of Violent Crimes: 82
Most Recent Annual Number of Property Crimes: 538
Number of Hospitals Within 25 Miles of the City: 25
If you’re hoping to enjoy the best that Colorado has to offer, you can’t go wrong retiring in Federal Heights. This beautiful Denver suburb has something for everyone, including easy access to the Mile High City. Unlike many Denver communities, Federal Heights has truly affordable homes, making it a great place for retirees. A local winery and the state’s iconic scenery round out Federal Heights’ charm, making it a great city for active adults.
2. Sterling
Percentage of the Population Over 65: 16.6%
Median Home Value: $136,800
Most Recent Annual Number of Violent Crimes: 107
Most Recent Annual Number of Property Crimes: 462
Number of Hospitals Within 25 Miles of the City: 1
Located on the iconic Overland Trail, Sterling is a fun and affordable community for retirees looking to stay active during their golden years. Retirement in Sterling means getting to experience beautiful scenery every day and enjoying a peaceful and private neighborhood to call home.
3. Pueblo
Percentage of the Population Over 65: 17.5%
Median Home Value: $141,000
Most Recent Annual Number of Violent Crimes: 729
Most Recent Annual Number of Property Crimes: 4,801
Number of Hospitals Within 25 Miles of the City: 2
The Arkansas River runs through Pueblo, making the downtown a scenic space to explore with plenty of shops and restaurants along the historic Riverwalk. Lake Pueblo State Park has 60 miles of shoreline, perfect for fishing, and two full-service marinas. Retirees can enjoy all that Pueblo has to offer and take advantage of a lower cost of living.
4. Cañon City
Percentage of the Population Over 65: 24.6%
Median Home Value: $160,800
Most Recent Annual Number of Violent Crimes: 103
Most Recent Annual Number of Property Crimes: 818
Number of Hospitals Within 25 Miles of the City: 0
Retirees get the best that Colorado has to offer when they retire to Cañon City. This beautiful town on the Royal Gorge serves up sublime mountain scenery, charming local wineries and exciting cultural experiences. Stay active and engaged when you start your next adventure in Cañon City.
5. Fort Morgan
Percentage of the Population Over 65: 12.5%
Median Home Value: $169,900
Most Recent Annual Number of Violent Crimes: 43
Most Recent Annual Number of Property Crimes: 271
Number of Hospitals Within 25 Miles of the City: 1
Fort Morgan is a charming city on the banks of the South Platte River. This beautiful community is perfect for retirees looking to kick back and relax, while still getting to enjoy plenty of opportunities to stay active and healthy. After all, getting off your couch is easy when you live surrounded by some of the most striking scenery in Colorado.
6. Montrose
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Percentage of the Population Over 65: 24.1%
Median Home Value: $211,700
Most Recent Annual Number of Violent Crimes: 40
Most Recent Annual Number of Property Crimes: 689
Number of Hospitals Within 25 Miles of the City: 2
Montrose calls out to retirees who want to stay active and engaged with the world around them. This beautiful city serves up the kind of scenery Colorado is famous for, making it the perfect retirement destination for adventurous folks who prefer the mountains to the beach.
7. Fruita
Percentage of the Population Over 65: 18.2%
Median Home Value: $223,500
Most Recent Annual Number of Violent Crimes: 22
Most Recent Annual Number of Property Crimes: 208
Number of Hospitals Within 25 Miles of the City: 2
Fruita is an exciting place to call home. If you decide to ditch your grandkids at the Dinosaur Journey Museum and head over to one of Fruita’s wineries, we won’t blame you! Explore the Colorado National Monument and Kodels Canyon to your heart’s content and engage with one of the most beautiful places in the state.
8. Evans
Percentage of the Population Over 65: 6.8%
Median Home Value: $223,500
Most Recent Annual Number of Violent Crimes: 47
Most Recent Annual Number of Property Crimes: 406
Number of Hospitals Within 25 Miles of the City: 7 If you’re thinking about retiring in a college town, living in Evans lets you enjoy the vibrant community surrounding the University of Northern Colorado and offers easy access to Greeley. This thriving town has a lower cost of living compared to other college towns, letting you take full advantage of your exciting new life.
9. Fountain
Percentage of the Population Over 65: 6.1%
Median Home Value: $229,200
Most Recent Annual Number of Violent Crimes: 127
Most Recent Annual Number of Property Crimes: 665
Number of Hospitals Within 25 Miles of the City: 3
Fountain is a fantastic Colorado Springs suburb that lets retirees enjoy a peaceful community to call home, while still providing them with access to the amenities of a large city. Enjoy an unbeatable natural setting when you retire in Fountain. If you’re in the mood to venture into the great outdoors, it’s the perfect place for your new life.
10. Grand Junction
Percentage of the Population Over 65: 18.2%
Median Home Value: $237,100
Most Recent Annual Number of Violent Crimes: 235
Most Recent Annual Number of Property Crimes: 2,463
Number of Hospitals Within 25 Miles of the City: 2
Grand Junction is in the heart of Colorado wine country, so you have your pick of the crop of vineyards to visit. Enjoy tasting all kinds of wines with the beautiful mountains as your backdrop. Grand Junction also reveals a thriving arts and culture scene, which can be explored at venues such as the Avalon Theatre and the Museum of the West. With so many activities to partake in, replete with grand Colorado views, Grand Junction makes for a beautiful, lively place to call home.
NewHomeSource pulled data from the FBI Uniform Crime Reporting Services, Medicare’s Hospital Compare and the U.S. Census Bureau. In the event exact crime data was unavailable, estimates were used. These factors were entered into an algorithm to calculate a score for each city.
Common Questions About Retiring in Colorado
Colorado is a great state for retirees thanks to its high life expectancy, the presence of outdoor adventures, and exciting indoor cultural experiences for the days you don’t want to go skiing.
To live comfortably in your Colorado retirement, you need to have about $45,495 available per year.
Colorado does tax social security benefits and retirement income, but retirees can deduct up to $24,000 from their state income taxes.
| City Name | People Over 65 | Violent Crime | Property Crime | Access to Doctors | Median Home Price |
| Federal Heights | 10.3% | 82 | 538 | 25 | $64,300 |
| Sterling | 16.6% | 107 | 462 | 1 | $136,800 |
| Pueblo | 17.5% | 729 | 4,801 | 2 | $141,000 |
| Cañon City | 24.6% | 103 | 818 | 0 | $160,800 |
| Fort Morgan | 12.5% | 43 | 271 | 1 | $169,900 |
| Montrose | 24.1% | 40 | 689 | 2 | $211,700 |
| Fruita | 18.2% | 22 | 208 | 2 | $223,500 |
| Evans | 6.8% | 47 | 406 | 7 | $223,500 |
| Fountain | 6.1% | 127 | 665 | 3 | $229,200 |
| Grand Junction | 18.2% | 235 | 2,463 | 2 | $237,100 |
| Greeley | 11.9% | 388 | 2,662 | 7 | $247,700 |
| Colorado Springs | 13.4% | 2,815 | 17,643 | 3 | $269,800 |
| Aurora | 11.2% | 2,801 | 11,106 | 23 | $290,000 |
| Northglenn | 11.6% | 180 | 1,229 | 23 | $297,900 |
| Brighton | 9.9% | 138 | 1,119 | 20 | $308,900 |
| Loveland | 18.6% | 222 | 1,571 | 8 | $313,900 |
| Commerce City | 7.4% | 272 | 1,845 | 24 | $320,100 |
| Thornton | 9.3% | 388 | 4,303 | 22 | $322,200 |
| Westminster | 13.3% | 316 | 3,713 | 25 | $340,900 |
| Englewood | 13.7% | 72 | 1,843 | 22 | $344,400 |
Access to Doctors is calculated by finding the number of hospitals, discounting children’s hospitals and VA hospitals within one mile of the city.
Other Colorado Resources
Sarah graduated from Trinity University in 2012 with a degree in International Relations and Political Science. She writes blogs on new homes, decor, communities, and more for NewHomeSource. When she’s not writing, you can find her spending time with her three cats.
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