The Denver metro area is nothing like DC (was born at GW and grew up in Monkey County) - you can have a nice place to live
and a short commute.
There are things that are different - no lightening bugs or cicadas

no humidity (drink often) and we are closer to the sky (bring sunscreen) Our baseball team is better than yours

and our mountains are closer. Light Rail is newer, and the Medical campus at the old Fitzsimmons Army base will be one of the premiere facilities in the Rocky Mountain Region.
What are you looking for in a community/property/commute and what do you like and don't like about where you are now?