Utah is can be quite cold but it has other things that make it really nice. People and trout fishing to name two.
The other states you mention are really nice too. I live in and prefer Texas because of the people and the government (small). I just like their starch.
So research them and have fun visiting.
Thanks for the info...as I said we have a few years, and frankly we are stuck for awhile due to the housing market. My 10 year plan is to have the mortgage paid and be ready to retire in about 11 years (at 62). Plenty of time to research and make a nice choice, which may well be Texas.