"Most people are about as happy as they make up their minds to be."

Colorado is a lovely state to retire in. Relaxing, stress-free and with enough outdoor activity potential to keep you energetic and engaged. Top ski resorts on the Colorado Mountain ranges will thrill you in winter while the lovely landscape and quiet woods, calm lakes and relatively sparse population give you space to enjoy your retirement.

Imagine waking up in the morning, taking your daily dose of your favorite supplement (that keeps you healthy and vital), and then drawing apart the curtains of your bay window to gaze on the lovely scenery.

Bright blue skies. Lush green forests. Birds soaring or singing in the distance. Running water of a far away brook.

All of this makes for a wondrous experience every veteran who visits Colorado takes to heart - and decides he or she wants to enjoy forever. That's what brings them here - and that's what keeps them here for many years.

My favorite vet is Louie. He was in WW2 as a gunner and even spent some years in a Japanese PoW camp. During this period, he got involved in one of the most unusual hobbies ever - window designs. He was made to sew curtains for the prison commanders quarters and barracks, which got him interested. When he got back to the States, he found it turbulent and difficult to adapt to his post traumatic stress condition.

Advised to relax in a quiet environment, and knowing that veterans benefits in Colorado were second to none, Louie settled down in a small hamlet with roofing shingles and pursued his only interest - designing curtains and windows. He did it without any fanfare or advertising, but by word of mouth his reputation spread far and wide. Soon people were flocking to the hamlet of Whitesfield to consult with him about designing their homes and home repair.

Someone advised Louie to start charging a small fee for his input. Before long, he was making a tidy income giving folks suggestions on how to decorate their windows and doorways in the log cabins of Colorado. It helped that many veterans who came to Colorado for the skiing and resorts got to hear about him through the army grapevine.

When he went to Winter Park, with 140+ slopes which offer wondrous skiing experiences almost around the year, he would run into old military friends or contacts. Sitting at the bar after a day's fun, or sipping hot tea on the terrace, they'd share war stories - and talk about curtain design.

Evenings were a delightful movie watching experience, too. With technology of the very best quality being affordable for the majority of clients at these places, the experience of viewing the latest films either in their rooms or in the public auditorium were activities Louie enjoyed immensely - and you will too.

A famous architect settled down in Colorado too, and he heard about Louie's talent and reach. Smart investor that he was, he negotiated a contract with the man to refer clients to each other - and both of them became wealthy as a result of this networking.

Colorado is thus even a business hub, even if not in the style of a Microsoft or Oracle, a Facebook or Google. It's old fashioned in every way. In the relaxing sports activities you can enjoy. And in the good old way of doing business on a handshake and a smile.

No wonder many people journey to Steamboat Springs for skiing. Convenient access by road or by air lets people from anywhere in the United States travel to the resorts quickly and easily. The costs are going up but overall lower than other parts of the country. Veterans still love the fact that it isn't as crowded or costly as, say, Florida, while offering many of the relaxing pastimes of other holiday and retirement resorts.