Colorado is one of the fastest-growing states in the nation, and who could blame the people moving here? The Centennial State is filled with endless outdoor activities, stunning natural beauty, and a thriving culture. Not all of Colorado is created equal, though. Summit County frequently ranks high on lists featuring the best counties to live in Colorado. Are you considering moving to Summit County but aren’t sure where to move? Let’s take a look at the ten best places to live in Summit County.
Breckenridge
Breckenridge is the most populous municipality and central hub of Summit County. Home to over 4,000 permanent residents and many more part-time residents, living in Breckenridge is every skiers dream.
Don’t let the small population scare you, though. Breckenridge is a culturally vibrant place, with breweries, coffee shops, art installations, and everything in between.
You’ll find lively festivals in Breckenridge throughout the year. While most people think of skiing when they think of Breckenridge, there’s plenty of exhilarating summer activities to keep you busy, too. Here you’ll be able to incorporate hiking, mountain biking, and fly fishing into your lifestyle.
When you’re all worn out from your outdoor excursions, you can check out the historic district, shop in Breckenridge’s many stores, explore its unique galleries, and dine at a wide range of restaurants.
Dillon
Considered one of the best places to live in summit county, roughly 800 people call the small town of Dillon home. With panoramic views of Lake Dillon and access to the Tenmile and Gore ranges, this is the perfect spot for the outdoor loving family.
Dillon is a little different than the other ski towns in Summit County. While many of the other towns on this list feature a Main Street that caters to both the residents and visitors, the locals of Dillon gather around the Dillon Amphitheater and Marina. There you’ll find farmer’s markets, boating, and weekly concerts.
Silverthorne
Second in population only to Breckenridge in Summit County, Silverthorne is another fun and interesting place to live for the whole family. In the summer you’ll find multi-cultural festivals that help Silverthorne stand out from other Colorado Rocky Mountain towns.
Frisco
Another great place for families to live, Frisco has both a small town feel, good nightlife options, and a great public school system.
Originally founded as a mining outpost over 100 years ago, now about 3,000 people live there and enjoy it’s quaint downtown. With easy access to ski resorts and the Rocky Mountains, Frisco is a great place to live in Summit County.
Keystone
Home of the Keystone Resort, this town has a population a little over 1,000 people according to the 2010 census.
Even with such a low population, Keystone has an urban feel and is considered of of the best places to live in summit county. With highly rated public schools, this is a great place for families to settle.
Wondering how Summit County towns compare to the rest of Colorado? Check out our list of the nine best places to live in the state.
Blue River
Another small town in Colorado with a little over 650 residents, this is a great place to live in Summit County if you’re looking for more of a rural feel. Even so, there are restaurants, bars, and coffee shops to enjoy right in town. Another Summit County town with highly rated schools, you can feel good about moving to Blue River with your family.
Copper Mountain
Another small, rural town, Copper Mountain is located at the base of Copper Mountain Resort. If you love skiing and are looking for a rural lifestyle, this is a great option for you. The town is home to a number of coffee shops, bars, and restaurants, so you won’t feel like you’re totally out in the boonies.
Montezuma
Want some of that old west feeling? Check out Montezuma, Colorado, with a whopping population of 65 people as of the 2010 census. A former mining camp, Montezuma sits at 10,200 feet in elevation.
If you’re someone that is fascinated by the history of Colorado mining, you’ll want to at least give Montezuma a visit. There are many late 19th century structures still in the town, and it even has a school house dating back to the 1880s.
If you love backcountry skiing, snowshoeing, snowmobiling, and hiking, this is a wonderfully scenic place to be.
When researching online, make sure to not confuse the town of Montezuma with the county of Montezuma. Montezuma county is located way over the southwest corner of the state.
Heeney
Another tiny Summit County town, Heeney is home to about 76 residents. On top of the permanent residents, however, this is a popular location for vacation homes.
Many of the people who have homes here enjoy boating and fishing in the Green Mountain Reservoir.
Why Should You Live in Summit County?
There are a lot of compelling reasons why you should live in Summit County. Here are just a few of Summit County’s national superlatives:
- Home to the lowest unemployment rate in the entire country
- The most active county in the nation
- It has the highest life expectancy in the country
On top of those impressive statistics, here are a few more reasons to live in this beautiful county:
- It has some of the best skiing in the state of Colorado
- The scenery is unbelievably gorgeous
- You’ll never run out of outdoor activities
- Easy access to ski resorts and the Rockies
- Easy access to Denver Metro Area
Honestly, who wouldn’t want to live in Summit County?
Is Summit County Right For You?
Summit County has a little bit of everything for everyone. Whether you’re more into skiing the slopes or drinking cocoa by the fire, this lovely county is a wonderful place to call home.
Are you looking to buy a home in Summit County? Here at Trelora, we’ll help you find just what you’re looking for!
Christopher has been been in the Real Estate industry for 8 years and has had the opportunity to close over 1,000 deals while acting as the Managing Broker for thousands more. Christopher is passionate about continuing to find ways to simplify, maximize, and serve Trelora’s clients exceptionally well and spends his time building teams to deliver high levels of service. When not doing real estate Christopher can be seen training for marathons and ultra relays with his 2 year old daughter, eating pizza, and drinking a steady stream of Diet Coke.