“A lot of folks retire to the Western slope in Colorado (Grand Junction, Montrose, Delta, etc.)”
Problem is that the towns you name are being infested with Californians. A lot of ex or current hippies live in the Delta / Peonia area (they grow pot their that they call “Peonia Purple”. Illegals are a problem in Grand Junction.
Back in August I drove across southern Colorado along the Arkansas River from Canyon City past the Royal Gorge to Blue Mesa, I think it’s called. Maybe everybody’s a liberal but I don’t think I’ve ever seen prettier country anywhere.