Definitely finish your degree. Even if you never "use" it (in the sense of "working" in that field) the fact that you received it puts you in line ahead of those who didn't.

If you're not locked into the Denver area, consider CO Springs and even Pueblo as well. They have robust economies and a lower cost of living. Heck, there are people at my office in Lakewood who commute from CO Springs. Seems crazy to me but they make it work, somehow.

If it wasn't for the weather I'd consider CO Springs for a possible retirement location. Traffic can be awful in CO Springs but then again, that's true of Denver and anywhere up to Fort Collins as well.