New restaurants (mostly Denver-based establishments, which I have to point out as a Denver snob now living in Colorado Springs), a sports venue, higher end apartments. 

No offense, but it sounds like there is a lot of learning that needs to happen, plus MF is a team sport. 

When my kids were at sports practices i would go for a 2 hour walk a couple times a week to go street by street to feel the neighborhoods. 

The area is always expanding the business district as well as downtown, from Access to low cost regional talent, competitive real estate cost, strong work ethics and excellent facilities for sports, shopping, leisure and healthcare.

If she likes watching sports, maybe get her opinion on making a living room renovation perfect for watching the game with the family.

However, TV IS important to my renters (especially for sports) so I'm considering something like YouTubeTV instead.  

Everyone talks about how real estate investing is a team sport and about “due diligence” but how do you run due diligence on potential business partners?

I was that guy working 20-30 hrs / wk in high school, taking the advanced courses, playing sports, worked in college, 40 hr weeks over the summer, sold stickers and tee shirts as a side hustle, etc. 

We are a major destination for sporting events (Phoenix Open, Spring Training Baseball, as well as NFL/NBA/NHL), lifestyle and events (Barrett-Jackson Auto Auction), shopping, dining...you name it.

House hacking is most common entry point, and easier to get room-mate renters when young, but flipping is an excellent sport to learn young, it's a fantastic resource to know how to build equity, very literally, so get there when you can.