In a recent study conducted by WalletHub, all 50 states were compared across three key retirement-friendly indicators: affordability, quality of life, and healthcare. FPPA is happy to report that Colorado landed the No. 3 slot for best states to retire! We're not surprised to see Colorado ranked so highly, and not just because we love our home state. According to recent FPPA retiree demographics, 80% of our retirees continue to live here after they stop working. Coloradooffers a unique lifestyle for those that value wellness, recreation, and financial stability. From abundant outdoor access to vibrant culture, Colorado makes it easy to enjoy a fulfilling, engaging retirement. Here’s a closer look at what puts Colorado near the top of the list.

Tax Friendliness for Seniors

Financial peace of mind matters. According to data from Fidelity, Colorado is among the states with the lowest effective tax rates on $100,000 of income from a traditional IRA. The Colorado Department of Revenue offers more information on senior tax credits such as Property Tax, Rent and Heat Credit (PTC) and Pension and Annuity Subtraction for Income Tax Returns. According to AARP, “The Centennial State has no estate or inheritance tax, relatively low property taxes and one of the lowest state sales taxes in the country.” FPPA put together a brief summary of the One Big Beautiful Bill provisions that might broadly affect Members during tax season.

Health and Wellness

“Live long and prosper” isn’t just for science-fiction lovers—it’s for Colorado residents, too! SmileHub recently ranked Colorado as the No. 2 state for health and wellness, considering factors such as life expectancy, obesity rate, high-quality healthcare, and outdoor activity access. According to the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment Vital Statistics Program, 2024 overall life expectancy in Colorado is 80.4 years, two years more than the national average of 78.4 years. In fact, FPPA actuaries conducted a study to measure predicted life expectancy for FPPA Members that have reached age 65. The study determined that male public safety retirees with the stability of a defined benefit plan, like the plans administered by FPPA, tend to live over two years longer than retirees in the general population—or around 84.3 years.

Climate and Weather

As the saying goes, if you don’t like the weather, just wait five minutes! Colorado has a diverse landscape made up of mountains, foothills, plains, and deserts. The climate will vary greatly depending on where you are in the state, offering a mix of semi-arid and alpine conditions. As an example, we can speak to where the FPPA offices are situated in the Denver Tech Center. The Mile High City and the surrounding metropolitan area enjoys all four seasons and an estimated 300 days of sunshine per year. This is true for much of Colorado, where plentiful sunshine, relatively low humidity, and adventure-ready climates make it a great state to live and play.

Outdoor Recreation

Did you know November 17 is National Take a Hike Day? Lucky for Colorado residents, there’s plenty of options to get out in nature. Colorado ranked No. 3 in SmileHub’s study of Best States for Outdoor Enthusiasts, and for good reason. Colorado has over 22 million acres of public lands! Colorado Parks and Wildlife report that these public lands include “43 state parks, more than 350 state wildlife areas, 13 National Park Service units, 11 national forests, two national grasslands and a variety of additional local and federal lands and open spaces.” Many Colorado towns and cities are home to extensive public parks and recreation systems with open spaces, trails, and facilities. From peaks to plains, there’s no shortage of wide-open spaces for Coloradans to enjoy year-round. Looking for a new hobby to get you outside and exploring? Try your hand at finding a geocache with your GPS, stargaze at one of Colorado’s nineteen Certified Dark Sky Places, or pack up your binoculars and go birdwatching.

Sports

No matter your preference, the Centennial State has a major professional sports team for you: Denver Broncos football, Colorado Rockies baseball, Denver Nuggets basketball, Colorado Avalanche hockey, and Colorado Rapids soccer. A professional women’s soccer team, Denver Summit, will join the lineup in 2026. Besides the major teams, you can find lacrosse, NASCAR, golf, rodeo, rugby, and college athletics across the state.

Spectating not enough? Here are some physical activity options to dive into, supported by Colorado’s parks and recreational spaces:

• Swimming
• Walking/Hiking
• Tennis/Pickleball
• Bicycling
• Golf/Disc Golf

Culture and Arts

“Colorful Colorado” ranked fifth in Access to Arts by SmileHub. Retirees can enjoy award-winning theaters, symphonies, museums, film festivals, local galleries, and vibrant community arts programs across the state. Need ideas on where to start your journey as a patron of the arts? Colorado.com offers a catalog of interesting museums, performing arts and music events, and inspiring art galleries to visit. The state also designated 37 communities as official Colorado Creative Districts that contribute to the economy through creativity, culture, and the arts. For retirees looking to stay involved in their communities, many museums and cultural centers offer discounted admission, volunteer opportunities, and adult education programs.

Final Thoughts

When it comes to living well in retirement, the great state of Colorado might officially rank at No. 3 according to WalletHub, but it’s easy to see why it earns No. 1 in our hearts. Whether you’re seeking health, nature, culture, or financial wellness, Colorado isn’t just a great place to retire, it’s the ultimate destination for living your best life.