If I was you I would just move to Sacramento and take the hit on COL. it’s 1,000x better than what you’re describing and if you ain’t opposed to living in a room you can find spots for 600. Same weed culture and access to nature, 15% black w/ a healthy job market and it’s 1.5 hours away from the Bay. Worst thing about it is that it’s sleepy/boring but it definitely ain’t worse than what you’re describing in Denver.
I would recommend Oakland even more than Sac but the COL is just like New York. Sac easier to swing for the type of work you said you’re in