hell yeah the weather's better in Denver. the average temps might be close, but there's MUCH more sun here, and there are warm days mixed in throughout winter. It can be below 0 for awile in late dec, but then you can get 60's in Jan occasionally, 70's in Feb sometimes. but the sun is the nice part. Denver itself is not in mtns, like many people think.
I moved to Denver from Utica area, and it took years to psychologically feel like I went thru winter here.
that being said, i think it's just an excuse as well. for 9 mil, Siberia would look good.