A Postcard from Breckenridge, Colorado
Of all the Colorado ski towns we looked at, this one has stolen our heart. The town feels like home to us, and we enjoy the feeling of community. As for the skiing- wow!
About Breckenridge, Colorado
The second most visited ski area in the US, Breckenridge is high country at its best. Located in the Colorado playground of Summit County, Breckenridge is leads the way for the other small towns that have grown up here, offering outstanding winter ski, snow sports and equally fine summer activities. Nearby towns of Copper Mountain, Dillon, Frisco, Keystone and Silverthorn complement Breckenridge and expand the possibilities for great outdoor action accessible to the Breckenridge vacation home owners. However, you don't need to leave town for first class skiing at the Breckenridge Ski Resort, housing 145 trails at all skill levels.
Being up in the rarified mountain air makes everything that much more fun. Golfers love it because their high-flying balls go almost 20% further, but it means changing your game a bit so you don't overshoot! The Blue River runs through the center of town. Fall is every bit as fun and glorious as winter, as many second home owners have discovered.
Aware of its historical treasure, the town has design guidelines that preserve the historic district while creating flexible zoning for new development. There is a master plan and a vision project in place to support development. Recognizing the need for open space, .5% sales tax was instituted to acquire and protect public open space. Buying a second home in Breckenridge, or getting a timeshare, is stepping into a community that welcomes participation and is keen to create a quality year-round vacation place for everyone.
Local History
As with many of the Colorado mountain towns, the first white settlers came with the Pike's Peak Gold Rush in the mid-1800's. By 1860, there were settlers as well as a "road" to Denver and Breckenridge became the county seat. Dredge mining took place in the valley until the mid-1940's, destroying much of the vegetation near the river. All though this time, the population ebbed and flowed between 250 and 2000 at its height. The ski boom began in 1961, escalating with the tunnel on Interstate 70, cutting the time from Denver to Breckenridge to an hour and a half. A little known fact about the town is that it was originally named after Vice President John Breckinridge (1857-1861.) However, he was expelled for treason during the civil war for siding with the confederates, moving the little town to change from "i" to "e" to become Breckenridge.
An Average Lifestyle in Breckenridge, Colorado
With a strong cultural heritage and Victorian atmosphere, Breckenridge is a thriving community. There is intelligent planning to make life fun, livable and built on the strong roots of the past. People like to be out and do things, as attested to by the 525 shops, restaurants, galleries and year-round family activities. Civic participation is encouraged at all levels of the town operations.
Housing
Options: Timeshares, condominiums, townhouses, and single family homes. 68% of homes are seasonal homes. According to one report, based on the master plan, the town is 76% built out.
Costs: Census 2000 shows the median house price as $580,100. In 2001, average sale price of a single-family home was $574,129. A town house average listed price was $275,709, and a single family lot was $234,758. In the 2001, the approximate price per square foot was $223 for single family, $288 for condos, which is a good buy.
Things to Do in Breckenridge
Alpine and Nordic Skiing
Sleigh riding
Snowmobiling
Snowboarding
Snowshoeing
International Snow sculpture Championship
Ice skating at the Ice Arena year-round
Exploring the wilderness in a helicopter tour.
White water Kayaking
Fishing
Hiking on Breckenridge trails
Golfing at Breckenridge Golf Course, designed by Jack Nicklaus
Horseback riding
Tennis
Shopping in Breckenridge's countless boutiques
Rock Climbing
Activities at the Breckenridge Recreation Center
Cross country biking
Hot air balloon fest
Winter Carnivals
Walk and bike the Riverwalk, next to Blue River.
Cultural Activities in Breckenridge
National Repertory Orchestra Concerts
Dance Workshops and performances
Backstage Theater at Breckenridge Theater
Breckenridge Festival of Film
Arts District
Barney Ford House Museum
Carter Museum
Self-guided Historical Walking Tours
Location
In the heart of the Rocky Mountains, Summit County, North Central Colorado, a valley on the western slope of the Continental Divide,
Elevation: 9,603, surrounded by peaks 11,500 - 14,000ft
Size: 5.3 sq. miles
Distance to other major cities
Boulder: 65 miles
Denver: 86 miles
Colorado Springs: 106 miles
Vail: 34 miles
Steamboat Springs: 100 miles
Getting To Breckenridge, Colorado
By car from Denver or Colorado Springs.
Fly into Aspen (60 miles) or Gunnison-Crested Butte (90 miles)
Weather
High-alpine climate, with winter snow and cold weather. In fact, there are only 30 frost-free days in a year. Warm, low-humidity summers.
Annual Average Temperature: Winter average high: 28; summer 70.
Economics and Demographics
Population: (2002) permanent: 3.126; up to 30,000 visitors and second home owners during busy season.
Growth Rate: 8.7 per year during the 1990s.
Average Age, 2000: 29.4; 45% of the population is between 25-44
Median Household Income: $72,700
Principle Industries
Tourism, retail