Boise, Ogden or Colorado Springs...Or....? (universities, to live, cost)

[Burebista]

My wife and I live in Missouri, and have decided we want to live close enough to the mountains that we can easily go mountain hiking on a weekend. The drive to the Rockies from here is much too far. We also prefer to pay cash for our house, so we need something very affordable, below 100K.
What we looked for in a city:
1) proximity to mountains
2) affordable housing
3) enough jobs in the IT field to stand a chance
4) college/universities

After research, I found that Boise, Ogden & Colorado Springs fit these criteria. I have put Denver on the Maybe list. Maybe I'm missing some others. We're not interested in anything out east.

What are your opinions of how these three cities compare with each other, and/or do you suggest other cities that fit our needs?

Thanks very much in advance

[PopsNegro]

Denver is not close to the mountains, it's 30-mile freeway drive.

[boise9433]

1. Boise has mountains within one hour drive and good biking/hiking areas.
2. Housing under 100k in boise is doable but you will be limited to 1000 to 1400 sq ft house. Going to 120k opens up the options a LOT. You may consider Idaho has low housing cost for a reason.
3. If you mean telecommute to work in IT field, yes boise is okay for that. If you mean jobs in IT, join the large pool of SELF employed talent that has moved here over the last 10 years. You too can run your own company and survive just like them!!!
4. Boise State is a great college. Has good engineering classes, believe engineering was in top 10 for nation couple of years ago. Limited high end college classes in other areas though. (beware, most idahoans will argue that idaho is the best and has best of everything and is growning by leaps and bounds)

Do your own homework and ask pointed, direct questions.
Some example questions: Of the high tech talent that has moved to idaho in the last 10-20years, how many have grown into a company employing 50 or more persons? 100 or more person?
How many of those persons who moved here 10-20years ago are still one person shows?
How many have went under and left the area?