How can I take advantage of Mars' qualities to make a colony?

High iron content, you could use it for processing and making tools.

ice caps. melt them to thicken the atmosphere to start global warming.

If you have been “researching like mad” then then you may have come across this already.
http://www.redcolony.com/features.php?name=whycolonizemars

Mars has less than half the escape velocity of Earth, which means it’s a great place to launch spacecraft. Also because of the reduced gravity on Mars, construction is easier and requires less energy.

Lack of oxygen could lead to a different form of governmental control… Either free air welfare laws or a cruel dictatorship where the punishment is to be sent outside.

Put a transparent roof over a canyon so you can raise the air pressure and warm things up, melt some water and create an area where you might be able to live without wearing a suit.

http://scienceblog.com/55145/extensive-water-in-mars-interior/