Planning for retirement is an exciting although challenging process. A key consideration is deciding where you want to reside during your golden years. Colorado is home to quite a few cities that are ideal for men and women in retirement, providing a solid community with a low tax burden, good medical care and lots of options for recreation.

One of the oldest communities in the Denver area, Littleton offers a wide range of residential options from luxury homes in gated communities to retirement-only developments in different price ranges. Historic downtown Littleton retains the charm of the early 19th century and is complete with shops, bistros and entertainment. It has the highest number of retirement centers per 1,000 people than any other Colorado city.

A highly trafficked tourist town in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains, Estes Park is also a growing community of permanent residents. Retirement in Estes Park often includes a lovely home on a large parcel of land surrounded by trees. Denver and Boulder are both only a short jaunt from this mountainside village.

Durango enjoys moderate temperatures all year round and an average of 300 days of sunshine annually, ideal conditions for people in retirement. Located in the Four Corners region of Colorado, Durango residents enjoy 14,000 feet mountain peaks and plunging desert valleys, a diversity rarely found in the same locale. The city is home to specialized retirement communities in a variety of price ranges.

A mountain community with a storied history, Grand Junction is an attractive to retire in Colorado. The city's reasonably priced housing and high-end properties offer options to retired persons of different financial capabilities, plus it has a historic downtown full of shopping, dining and live music.

A small town of just 800 residents, La Veta is a retirement community in the foothills of the Spanish Peaks. It is renowned for its five art galleries full of paintings, sculptures, quilts and other visual artwork, most of which are created by the town's residents. Extensive medical facilities are 12 miles away in Walsenburg.

The second largest city in Colorado, Colorado Springs combines city convenience and outdoor living for the perfect retirement. The city is renowned for its galleries, museums, shopping, restaurants, hiking and sightseeing at the Garden of the Gods city park. The bonus is affordability, with living costs sitting just below the national average.

Nestled at the foothills of the majestic Rocky Mountains and less than half an hour's drive from Colorado's capital city, Boulder combines convenience and beauty for perfect retirement living. Boulder is world-renowned for its community-wide commitment to healthy living, reflected in everything from winding walks, bike paths and abundant green spaces to shops and restaurants dedicated to advancing healthy lifestyles.

A college town about 90 minutes north of Denver, Fort Collins offers those in their golden years a full range of services and activities. Reasonable housing prices and safe streets make Fort Collins compelling to retired people. The town also has complexes for those 55 and older, featuring a full range of services, including transportation around town.

Louisville exudes a hometown friendliness that hearkens back to days gone by. The town's Main Street allows residents the chance to leisurely stroll, shop or dine in one of the local bistros. Louisville is a particular draw to senior citizens because of its low crime rate, evenly paced lifestyle and convenient proximity to Denver and Boulder.

Although it is a thriving metropolis, the Mile High City maintains a hometown feel and flair. With a real estate market that has a wide range of housing options, Denver draws retirees from across the country. The city boasts dozens of new developments in suburban settings and charming historic neighborhoods that are reviving in spectacular form. Suburbs such as Commerce City are especially popular places for people to retire in Colorado.