Colorado Springs, Denver, Loveland, Fort Collins.... or somewhere I am not thinking of?

[Thoreau424]

Originally Posted by Cuda1337

In terms of the city, we'd prefer a smaller/quieter area. Nothing to small though. I'm coming from Tampa.

The cities we are considering visiting are Colorado Springs, Loveland, Fort Collins and maybe around the Boulder area? I don't really know the differences between each city. I just know that Denver is very busy

You should elaborate more on the city size, such as a desired population range. You mentioned "small", but then included Fort Collins (mid 100k), and even larger towns like Colorado Springs (400k range), so that's quite a variety. You ruled out Denver as being "very busy", but Colorado Springs is quite close to it in size and "busyness".

You also need to consider the big differences in temperatures and climate between Tampa and Colorado. I didn't see any complaints about FL, but it obviously will be much colder here, and winter will be much more noticeable and last much longer. You might not be familiar with how dryness can allow large swings in temperature. Are you okay with snow and subzero temperatures? If you think Boise might be too cold, then that might rule out Colorado as well.

The warm weather outdoor activities that you are used to year-round might only be able to be achieved from May to October here. In other words, a 50% reduction.

[pikabike]

OP needs to read the many, many news reports on snow- and ice-related difficulties that have been hitting most of CO for the last month or more. This isn't just "snows on the ski slopes but is dry elsewhere" dreaming. Snow affects the region in other ways besides boosting ski resort revenues. Need groceries that the trucks couldn't deliver because of closed highways? Despairing because the heavy, repeated loads on your roof damaged it? THAT'S the kind of reality the OP needs to see with both eyes fully open and untainted by rose-colored glasses. The tourist propaganda conveniently hides or downplays or glosses over what living in a mountain-dominated climate does. Then there is that little pesky matter of western tendency towards drought and big fires.

OP can have the good without the difficult simply by living elsewhere and taking vacations in CO. With the fears expressed about driving mtn roads, rattlesnakes (common in the foothills as well as plains and drier parts), mountain lions, bears, crime, crowding, and the stated need for greenness and trees, the fit is just not there. It's not like he is moving from NV to CO, but from FLORIDA fer chrissake. It is maybe the biggest difference he could choose within the lower 48.