I have lived in a number of different states: California, New Mexico, Kentucky, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, Oregon and Colorado. Colorado is a great state to live in. It's beautiful, there is a highly educated workforce, and the climate is ideal (the sun shines a lot, which you won't find in Washington state--at least the western part of the state). The Denver area is booming right now, so finding a job shouldn't be difficult. Traffic can be a bear, so it's helpful to research what area you'd like to be in and then try to find a job close by. (I have suggestions, should you choose to go that route)
Portland, Oregon is a progressive town; lots of people into social justice and healthy lifestyles. Have you thought about Oregon?
Massachusetts is also a liberal state with a lot of progressive-minded people. Northampton is a great college town; and of course the Boston area offers a lot in terms of job prospects. Think about what your priorities are and what place would best suit them. Do you like outdoor activities? Does weather and climate matter? Do you want to be in an urban, suburban, small town or rural environment? As you know, each area of the country has a distinct local culture, and the Eastern part of the U.S. is quite different from the West. I'm originally from New Mexico. Santa Fe is a great liberal town. The climate is fantastic, it's a foodie town, there's a thriving art scene, and the mountains are close by so there are a lot of outdoor activities. But let's face it, New Mexico is often at the bottom of the list when it comes to many comparisons with other states (ie. education and the like). Still, N.M. tends to attract artistic, progressive people who travel to the beat of their own drum, so to speak.
I recently moved from the Denver area to a very conservative part of central Pennsylvania, so I know how difficult it can be to live in a place that doesn't match your sensibilities. I wish you all the best in your search!