Finding Great Places to Retire Since 2006
Dolores, Colorado
Along a River Deep in the Spectacular Rocky Mountains, Little Dolores is an Outdoor Adventure Hub Popular with Rafters, Cyclists, Fishermen and More
Seven thousand feet above sea level in rugged southwestern Colorado, the scenery is breathtaking and the air is thin. It is here in a canyon at the mouth of the Dolores River Valley near the eastern edge of McPhee Reservoir that Dolores makes its home. A ranching community in the 1870s, the little town was later kept alive by the railroad.
With the San Juan National Forest to the east and the Canyon of the Ancients to the west, today Dolores is a hub for outdoor enthusiasts, even with just one road in and out of town. Residents are a hardy bunch and spend weekends fishing, camping, hiking, biking, rafting and cross country skiing. Tourists stop in on their way to explore the ancient cliff dwellings in Mesa Verde National Park, 20 miles to the south. The small downtown is along the river and includes shops, a handful of hotels and motels, the Dolores River Brewery and the Dolores Food Market, which carries gourmet items. The Dolores River Festival is a town highlight and features great food and toe tapping music. The farmers' market happens every Wednesday and runs from May to October. Thirty acres of pretty parks with ball fields, trails and river access provide further ways to play outside.
Homes include cabins, chalets, ranch ramblers and Victorians. Three RV parks cater to road warriors and are nestled in the woods. Trendy, upscale Telluride, home to the Telluride Blues Festival, the Telluride Film Festival, the Telluride Jazz Festival and numerous celebrities, is just an hour and a half away.
Dolores has 940 people, with 45% age 45 or better. The population has remained steady over the last decade. Nearly 40% of locals hold a four-year college degree.
The cost of living is 7% higher than the national average, and the median home price is $475,000. Real estate prices have risen 2% during the last year.
Summers bring temperatures in the 70s and 80s, while winters are long and cold, often with single-digit and teen temperatures. The area receives about 18 inches of rain and 68 inches of snow annually.
Dolores does not have a hospital, but Southwest Health is just eight miles away in Cortez. There is a public library and a community center but no public transit. The crime rate is below the national average, and politics lean to the right.
Southwestern Colorado is a region of dramatic landscapes and small towns with unique character. Nestled where the Rocky Mountains meet high desert mesas, the area is defined by rugged peaks, deep canyons, rushing rivers, and wide-open skies.
It is also home to cultural treasures like Mesa Verde National Park, where ancient cliff dwellings tell the story of the Ancestral Puebloans, as well as to historic mining towns that evolved into lively communities known for outdoor adventure and artsy flair.
Winters bring heavy snow to the San Juan Mountains, drawing skiers and snowshoers, while summers offer mild, sunny days perfect for hiking, fishing, rafting, and exploring scenic byways. The region’s remoteness lends it a sense of quiet and privacy, yet its small towns often feature thriving community centers, galleries, and festivals that celebrate both local heritage and contemporary creativity.
Southwestern Colorado blends natural beauty with a slower, more contemplative pace of life, making it a special corner of the state for both residents and visitors.
Webwerxx, Inc. Copyright (c) 2006-2025. All rights reserved. No part of this electronic publication may be reproduced in any way without the express written consent of Webwerxx, Inc. Reproducing any original part of this publication without written permission from Webwerxx, Inc. is plagiarism. Numerous attempts were made to verify the accuracy of the information contained in this website, but some information may have changed since each article and/or report went online, and Webwerxx, Inc. is not liable for inaccurate information contained in its articles and/or reports.