Dave and Pat May traded “May gray” and “June gloom” for 300 days of Colorado sunshine when they left Southern California for Grand Junction four years ago. They’ve discovered a retirement lifestyle that replaces crowded freeways and sky-high living costs with biking the Riverfront Trail to dinner, rafting the Colorado River with their grandchildren and planning their next Caribbean cruise.

The Mays are among many seniors leaving crowded cities behind for the Western Slope lifestyle. Healthier, more active and more financially secure, they’re bringing new energy, resources and expectations that are shaping the region’s future.

A LIFESTYLE WORTH INVESTING IN

Both Grand Junction and Montrose are growing faster than many cities on the Front Range, according to a 2023 Housing Needs Report by Points Consulting. More than a quarter of Montrose County residents and nearly 22% of Mesa County residents are now 65 or older, compared to 16% statewide—a number expected to keep rising.

It’s the lifestyle that draws them here, said Peg Evanoika, 74, a Senior Real Estate Specialist with Century 21 Elevated Real Estate in Montrose. 

“People are getting older, but they’re also living longer and healthier,” she said. 

Retirees often ask about nearby medical services, hiking trails, bike paths and community activities. Evanoika points to Montrose’s top-tier recreation and senior centers, Montrose Regional Health and specialty clinics, public transportation through All Points Transit, a growing airport and easy access to the mountains.

Grand Junction offers similar appeal, with three major hospitals in addition to the Veterans Affairs Medical Center, cultural events and performances at The Art Center and Colorado Mesa University and close proximity to the Colorado National Monument and Grand Mesa.

Pat, 68, said healthcare was one of the biggest differences they noticed after leaving California. 

“We’ve been very pleased with the specialists here,” she said. “It’s so much easier to get in to see a doctor. Here, I can schedule a mammogram and get an appointment within a week.”

For Steven Patterson, 69, who moved to Montrose in 2002, the Western Slope offers the perfect pace of life. A retired architect, he rides with his motorcycle group, the Uncompahgre Riders, spends time bowhunting and fishing and often ends a ride at Horsefly Brewing Company. 

“I ask myself, what did I do to deserve to live in a place like this?” he said.

RETIREMENT REIMAGINED

Thanks to pensions, careful saving and home equity, many retirees are better off financially and able to spend their later years doing what once had to wait—whether that’s travel, hobbies, new adventures or something else entirely. It reflects a growing trend among older adults who see aging not as an ending but as an opportunity to do more of what they love.

Pat and Dave May pose with the 1951 Chevy pickup Dave restored years ago—one of the first projects he tackled after retiring at 50.

“Our house is paid for. Our cars are paid for,” said Dave. “I don’t feel like I’m almost 67, but at this age, I want to do whatever I want, when I want and how I want.”

A former truck driver who retired at 50, Dave spent his early retirement restoring vehicles—first a 1951 Chevy pickup, then a 1967 Mustang convertible. He finished the candy apple red Mustang just three days before Pat’s last day of teaching and surprised her by picking her up from work in it.

For the Mays, the move to Grand Junction was also about independence. A little distance from their adult children has brought them closer as a family, giving them the freedom to enjoy retirement their way while still sharing meaningful time with their kids and 10 grandchildren.

“They call us all the time, and we visit back and forth,” said Pat. “It’s actually working out better this way.”

Retirement keeps the Mays busy. Dave bowls in three leagues and travels for tournaments as far as Puerto Rico and Costa Rica. Pat fills her days with church activities, women’s groups and time in the garden. Together, they walk four miles several times a week, explore the area by bike and go on a lot of cruises. 

“I promised my kids I’m going to try to spend every damn penny I have,” said Dave. “If there’s anything left, they can have it.”

PLANNING FOR A GRAYER FUTURE

As more seniors make the Western Slope their home, local leaders know they must think ahead about how to support a growing aging population and build age-friendly communities with accessible transportation, diverse housing options and support services.

The region offers older adults plenty of ways to stay active and engaged, from volunteer opportunities and senior centers to walkable neighborhoods and affordable recreation.

Montrose Community Development Director Jace Hochwalt said many retirees are drawn by the region’s quality of life—just as his own parents were when they moved here to be closer to their grandson.

One ongoing challenge, he noted, is attracting younger workers to support a rapidly aging population. Limited rental options and rising home prices leave little flexibility for newcomers and retirees on fixed incomes—a challenge both Montrose and Mesa County are working to address.

BUILDING FOR AN AGING FUTURE

Local governments and nonprofits are exploring new senior housing initiatives, while Grand Junction is expanding transit and mobility programs to help older adults age in place.

Affordability remains one of the biggest challenges, particularly for retirees on fixed incomes. For many, that means stretching budgets, downsizing or finding ways to live closer to family. To meet demand, Montrose is encouraging smaller housing types and greater density through updates to its land use code and expansion of the REDO District, which allows accessory dwelling units (ADUs) under 1,000 square feet on existing properties. These units can help seniors stay near family or generate rental income while aging at home.

Grand Junction is pursuing similar strategies. City leaders have prioritized infill housing and mixed-use redevelopment downtown, creating more walkable, accessible neighborhoods where older adults can thrive without relying solely on cars.

“Since 2004, the city has recognized the critical need to invest in and support infill and redevelopment in and around the central core,” said Tamra Allen, Grand Junction’s community development director, in a 2023 statement. “The strategies in the 2020 Comprehensive Plan call for the City to ‘partner in the development of housing strategies, including options for housing incentives, and to promote ‘more opportunities for housing choices that meet the needs of people of all ages, abilities and incomes.”

Western Colorado’s future depends on seeing aging as an asset. Older adults bring more discretionary income, more free time and more influence than any generation before them. Their spending on housing, travel, healthcare, dining, recreation and family is already driving growth and reshaping local economies.

For people like the Mays, the Western Slope isn’t just a place to retire—it’s a place to keep living fully. And as more older adults discover that same promise, their presence will continue to shape the region’s future—not as a burden to plan for, but as a strength to build upon.

WHY AGING MATTERS HERE

With the Western Slope aging faster than the rest of Colorado, demand for housing, healthcare and transportation is rising. For businesses and community leaders, it’s a chance to step up with services and solutions that meet the needs of a powerful and growing market.

• 25.3% – Montrose County residents age 65+
• 21.7% – Mesa County residents age 65+
• 16% – Statewide average age 65+
• 58.1% – Increase in Colorado’s 65+ population from 2010 to 2020, making it one of the fastest-aging states in the nation
• 10,000 – Americans who turn 65 every day (AARP)
• 75% – Adults 50+ who want to remain in their current homes as they age (AARP, 2024)
• 73% – Adults 50+ who hope to stay in their communities as they age (AARP, 2024)

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