Leadville’s Holiday Express train captures holiday spirit, with family at the forefront

 

This Christmas season the Leadville, Colorado & Southern Railroad has been transporting riders on an enchanting holiday-themed ride as riders are taken through the snowy mountains surrounding Leadville on the Holiday Express.

Ken Olsen, who has owned the railroad with his family for 33 years, started the holiday ride for the first time this year on Nov. 19.

Olsen says the idea of a holiday train originally spurred from his son about three or four years ago. However, in order to make this idea a reality, Olsen’s crew — which includes hired on staff as well as his son, daughter and their spouses — had to overcome the challenge of running a train in the winter at 10,000 feet above sea level.

For reservations:  1-866-386-3936. The winter train season will last until Jan. 15.

Courtesy the Summit Daily News.

Summit County real estate sales set to break another record, surpassing $2.5 billion in 2021

 

New short-term rental regulations put into place after final vote by Summit Board of County Commissioners

 

County resident Todd Ruelle agreed with Richmond and told the board that instead of creating more rules for short-term rentals, they should be examining “bedroom communities” where, through collaboration with other counties, more housing could be built in towns like Alma, Fairplay and Leadville.

“This is spiraling fast and the argument is going to become, ‘Hey, what are you going to do to compensate us for the property you’re infringing upon,’” Ruelle said. “You have to take that into consideration. You’re imposing rules and regulations that take away financial compensation, all in … trying to solve the issue of employee housing.”

Ruelle said the county needed to look at a “tri-county solution” and said he believed that just because someone works in Summit County doesn’t mean they have the right to live here.

“You live with what you can afford,” Ruelle said. “People in Washington, D.C., live in Maryland and Virginia and as far out as West Virginia, but this is what the commissioners should be focused on, not dividing a community by taking away property rights that literally have been exercised over the last 50 years or more.”

Even still, the board approved the code amendments and told audience members that they’d continue to examine various issues and components of the new rules throughout the next year.

This entire short term rental cap thing is out of control.  The county and the towns in Summit County are taking away peoples ability to make a living without due compensation.  And they think this will solve the housing problem for workers in Summit County.  It will not.

My newest listing

 

 

​NancyYearout's Holiday Greetings  and News, ​Wishing you all a Holiday Season filled with Joy and Laughter. And may the coming year bring you happiness, well being and success! ​ The Real Estate Market - December 2021 Breckenridge  Frisco  Silverthorne  Dillon  Keystone  Copper Mountain  Residential Sales in Summit County, CO  ​Based on sales in Summit County, CO from 1/1 - 11/30 for Residential property (Single Family Homes, Condos, Townhomes and Duplexes) Number of Sales - The number of residential sales are up 2%.  Average Price Increase - The average sold price increase for residential property sales in Summit County is 25%. The County's average sold price is $1,131,241 Inventory - Today there are only 99 residential properties for sale in all of Summit County. The average list price of those 99 is about $3,121,000.  Percent of List to Sold Price - The average percent of the list to sold price for residential sales is 101% in Summit County. Average Sold Prices - Everything lumped together (Homes, Duplex Homes, Townhomes, and Condominiums) for residential is up 25%, with the Single Family Home average sold price at $1,905,651 and condominiums are at $672,940. Inventory of Properties 'for sale' - The number of properties for sale is down 46% from last year and down 81% from 2019 at this time of year. Statistics - These charts and graphs have been updated for sales through 11/30. Condominiums, Single Family Homes, Residential. All by town with a total of 20 pages! Market Statistic Details: History of Sales & Average Sold Prices 2004 - 2020, Condominium Sales by Town, Single Family Home Sales by Town, Residential Sales by Town,  Nancy Yearout Broker Associate RE/MAX Properties of the Summit 970-485-0293 nancy@buyinbreckenridge.com buyinbreckenridge.com ​ Source: Sold Data from SAR MLS. Stats pulled on 12/16/21. *SAR MLS Data  Annual sales 1/1 through 12/31. *Residential Sales (home, Condo, Townhome & Duplex),  Sales for Jan, Feb, Mar, April, May, June, July, August , September, October , and November. Change is Year over Year 2021 vs 2020. **The information contained herein is based on information provided by others. Accordingly, we make no guarantee of its accuracy and suggest you make an independent inquiry of any matters you regard as important. Each office is independently owned and operated.

Peak 7 designated a neighborhood zone in final reading of new Summit County short-term rental ordinance

 

Summit County’s short-term rental moratorium has officially ended, and in its place is a short-term rental ordinance that places the Peak 7 neighborhood in a neighborhood zone.

The vote took place during an extended Summit Board of County Commissioners special meeting Thursday, Dec. 16, which marked the last day of the county’s 90-day moratorium and the deadline for when the board needed to pass a new short-term rental ordinance. After hours of public comment about whether the Peak 7 neighborhood should be classified as a resort or neighborhood zone, the commissioners came to a decision in a vote five hours after the meeting started.

The commissioners originally voted to classify the neighborhood as a resort zone during the ordinance’s first reading in late November. In the weeks leading up to the second reading, the county received a substantial amount of public input leading up to the vote on the second reading. Case in point: Nearly 100 virtual attendees tuned in to Thursday’s meeting and another few dozen spoke in person. Most of the attendees spoke about Peak 7, and over half of those who spoke were in favor of designating the area as a neighborhood zone.

Read the full story here.

Breckenridge top destination according to movebudda

 

It's no secret that Colorado is one of the top winter getaway spots in the country, known for its ski slopes and picturesque scenes of snowcapped mountains. According to a recent data analysis, two local towns are among the best places to visit during winter nationwide, but for very different reasons.

Writers at moveBuddha sought to provide their readers with a list of spots to "flee the cold or embrace it," designing a winter getaway list that's not just about snow. They divided towns into four themes – snow & slope, sun & sand, cozy & cuddly, and trails & trekking – and crunched some numbers, with two spots in Colorado making the cut to break into the top five of their respective category.

The highest ranking place in Colorado was Breckenridge, ranking first in the 'snow & slope' category. Home to a world-famous ski resort, a main street filled with shops and aprés ski spots, and a number of beloved winter events, Breck is a top year-round tourism spot in the Centennial State. Its close proximity to Denver and the rest of the Front Range makes it easy to get to, plus this town is well-known, thanks to a lot of positive press. For example, it was also recently dubbed a top spot in the country for Christmas celebrations.

Though it's not too surprising to see Breckenridge on this list, the list wasn't just created based on assumptions or opinion. The 'snow & slope' towns were ranked based on favorable skiing temperatures, average annual snowfall, proximity to ski resorts, and number of ski lifts adjusted for population differences.

While Breckenridge earned these honors based in-part on their local skiing, the annual International Snow Sculpture Championships also got a shout-out, with the publication calling the town "a winter wonderland."

Read the movebudda story here

Breckenridge Heritage Alliance celebrates Breckenridge’s birthday with ‘60 Years of Breckenridge Ski Resort History in 60 Objects’

 

Breckenridge Ski Resort turns 60 years old this week. To mark the occasion, Breckenridge Heritage Alliance has a new exhibit opening Thursday, Dec. 16, the same day the resort opened in 1961. Called “60 Years of Breckenridge Ski Resort History in 60 Objects,” the unique collection doesn’t follow a chronological history of the resort like museumgoers might expect.

Instead, it relies on the displayed artifacts to tell the story of how the resort was shaped over the years.

“It was important for every object to have its own story,” Breckenridge Heritage Alliance Executive Director Larissa O’Neil said. “The resort has had kind of a unique history. It wasn’t founded by the 10th Mountain Division veterans. … We just felt like we could do a neat job of doing a display that wasn’t chronological, that wasn’t along a timeline, that was just a funky collection of things that together tell this complete history in a unique way.

For the full story click here

1st major winter storm of the season drops up to 11 inches on Summit ski resorts

 

The first major winter storm of the season lived up to expectations, dropping double-digit snow totals as some Summit County ski areas over the past 48 hours.

Copper Mountain Resort got 11 inches out of the storm system through 5 a.m. Friday, reporting 6 inches Thursday and 5 additional inches Friday. Breckenridge Ski Resort reported a total of 10 inches in 48 hours, tallying 5 inches each day.

Keystone Resort and Arapahoe Basin Ski Area didn’t fare quite as well, with each reporting 5 fresh inches in 48 hours. Loveland Ski Area, just over the Continental Divide, reported 4.5 inches.

The resorts should have an additional 2-5 inches of accumulation on their 5 a.m. Saturday reports with heavy snow expected to continue on and off through Friday afternoon, according to forecasting site . Saturday is expected to be windy, and the National Weather Service issued a high wind watch with gusts up to 75 mph.

After the storm rolls out, the weekend is expected to be dry, but the next chance for snow isn’t far behind. The next storm is expected Wednesday, Dec. 15, and even more snow could arrive the following weekend.

How Breckenridge distinguishes exempt short-term rentals from lodges and hotels

 

Beaver Run

With the town of Breckenridge passing its new short-term rental regulatory fee, properties previously exempt from the administrative fee will now have to pay $400 per bedroom to the town come Jan. 1, 2022.

The only short-term lodging properties exempt from the fee are ones registered as a lodge with the town, which applies to traditional hotels owned entirely by one person or corporation.

“Per our town code, a lodge is a property with multiple rental units that is owned by one entity,” accommodations compliance administrator Bela Del Valle said. “… Breckenridge does not have very many of those.”

Del Valle said lodges will still have a different type of business license, and they don’t need short-term rental licenses. Properties that currently hold a lodge license in Breckenridge are the DoubleTree by Hilton, the Breck Inn, Skiway Lodge, the Residence Inn by Marriott, the Fireside Inn, the Bivvi Hostel, Gravity Haus and Welk Resorts.

Previously, properties with short-term rental licenses that had 24-hour front desk, security and phone service were exempt from the administrative fee. Examples of exempt properties include Beaver Run Resort, Crystal Peak Lodge, Grand Colorado on Peak 8, Main Street Station, Mountain Thunder Lodge and One Ski Hill Place. These properties are still exempt from the new license cap of 2,200, but are not exempt from the regulatory fee.

This has to be the most convoluted, idiotic move by a town council since Breckenridge was founded.  Can anyone understand why a "lodge" as Breckenridge has defined it is exempt from this new tax?  And why properties like Beaver Run, Grand Colorado on Peak 8, etc. are exempt from the new license cap of 2,200.

Ullr Fest, other seasonal traditions return to the High Country

 

Breckenridge’s Running of the Santa's

December is here, meaning Christmas is right around the corner, and Summit County communities are itching to celebrate. Following in the footsteps of Frisco, Keystone and Copper — Silverthorne and Breckenridge are turning on the holiday lights. Other festivities happening soon include the Race of the Santas and the long-awaited return of Ullr Fest.

For the complete list click here

Locals react to what are likely to be Summit County’s new short-term rental licensing regulations

 Throughout the year, Summit County leaders have taken numerous steps to increase the amount of attainable and affordable housing for locals, and one such measure is revamping its short-term rental license regulations. Over the past few months, the county’s planning department has led the charge in gathering public feedback and collecting data to determine the best course of action for its program.

When condos, townhomes and other properties turn into short-term rentals, it effectively removes these properties as potential housing for locals. Summit County leaders believe these changes will indirectly “stop the bleed,” or slow the pace of short-term rental unit conversions. Others aren’t so sure.

Kyle Rogers and his wife, Marlene, own a second home outside of Breckenridge in unincorporated Summit County. The couple said they remain unconvinced that these new regulations will create housing for full-time residents.

“If you cap these (short-term rentals) at a certain number less than what they are being rented for, those (guests) will simply go elsewhere, and they’ll take their money with them, and they’ll go to communities where they can have that superhost-like experience in a mountain home,” Rogers said.

For the full story click here

Summit County’s luxury real estate market remains strong headed into 2022

 

Why so many people are interested in purchasing a second home in Summit County isn’t a mystery. The area boasts plenty of recreational opportunities year-round, the scenery is impeccable and it’s the first big stop along Interstate 70 that boasts four ski resorts all in one county.

These big perks combined with the pandemic’s boost in remote working has created quite the hot real estate market in Summit County all year long, and especially so for the luxury market.

In total, sales for luxury units were the strongest in the third quarter of 2021, according to Land Title Guarantee Company’s monthly report.

The third quarter of the year raked in roughly $499,084,304 in gross volume for sales priced at $1 million or more. Second quarter was close behind at $419,376,361 in gross sales. First quarter lagged behind at $240,619,600.

Like the more affordable residential real estate market, buyers might have to exercise patience if they are looking for a specific piece of property. Not only is there not as much inventory on the market, but according to the Summit Realtors Association, the average number of days until it sold in Breckenridge for October was 31, which is down 72% compared to the same month last year. The association reported last year that the average number of days a unit was on the market until it sold was 112.

For the full story click here

Breckenridge passes new short-term lodging fee in split vote

 

The entire Breckenridge short-term lodging community will have to pay $400 per bedroom to the town at the start of 2022 after Breckenridge Town Council voted 5-2 to pass its new regulatory fee at the Nov. 23 meeting.

After the first reading of the ordinance, council wanted feedback from its new tourism overlay task force on the fee amount as well as potential exemptions. Council members Dick Carleton and Kelly Owens, who sit on the task force, said the group was not supportive of the idea of exemptions.

“They really felt that if we’re going to do this, it should be the same for everyone,” Carleton said. “It seemed like there was consensus on that one.”

Several council members were thrown off by the feedback considering the exemption they wanted to include was for locals who rent out their primary residence 21 or fewer days per year. Owens said the task force’s point was that if the fee is meant to help create more workforce housing opportunities for the community, then as many people as possible should pay it.

“There was a significant feeling of, ‘If you’re going to be charging a fee … trying to raise money for different housing programs, then don’t do a bunch of exceptions. Just move forward with the fee,’” Owens said.

Council members Dennis Kuhn and Carol Saade voted “no” again on second reading because they are nervous about the impact the fee will have on the lodging community with such a quick turnaround. Saade said if council was having this conversation in June and giving the community more time to prepare, she would be on board, but she said she is not comfortable doing so now without more of a heads up. Kuhn agreed and said he would have liked to see the fee start out even smaller to give folks more time to adjust.

Courtesy Summit Daily News.

 

Nancy Yearout's   November Real Estate News!  ​ ​ ​​ Breckenridge Ski Area opens Today, 11/12/2021! Now check out the Summit County, CO YTD Sales Stats from 01/01/2021 - 10/31/2021!  Single Family Home Sales Number of Sales: The number of single family home sales are up 8.5%. The town of Dillon had the highest increase in home sales at 21.4%. Average Price Increase: The average sold price increase for single family homes in Summit County is 30.6%. The highest increase of any of the local towns was in Frisco at an increase of 46.3%! Inventory: Today there are only 70 single family homes for sale in all of Summit County. The average list price of those 70 is about $4,000,000.  Percent of List to Sold Price: The average percent of the list to sold price for single family homes is 101% in Summit County and 100% or more in each town. Single Family Home Stats for Summit County and each resort town, Just click here. Condominium Sales Number of Sales: The number of condominium sales are up 7.2%. The town of Breckenridge had the highest increase in condo sales at 29.6%. Average Price Increase: The average sold price increase for condominium sales in Summit County is 26%. The highest increase of any of the local towns was in Dillon at an increase of 29.9% Inventory: Today there are only 40 condominiums for sale in all of Summit County. The average list price of those 40 is about $1,242,000. With a low of $345,000 and a high of about $3,000,000. Percent of List to Sold Price: The average percent of the list to sold price for condominium sales is 101% in Summit County and 100% or more in each town. Condominium Stats for Summit County and each resort town, Just click here. Detailed Graphs & Statistics Below Market Statistic Details: History of Sales & Average Sold Prices 2004 - 2020, Condominium Sales by Town, Single Family Home Sales by Town, Residential Sales by Town,  Nancy Yearout Broker Associate RE/MAX Properties of the Summit 970-485-0293 nancy@buyinbreckenridge.com buyinbreckenridge.com RE/MAX Properties of the Summit  Breckenridge  Frisco  Silverthorne  Dillon  Keystone  Copper Mountain                 Website: buyinbreckenridge.com​ Source: Sold Data from Summit Realtors MLS.  Stats pulled on 11/3/21. *SAR MLS Data  Annual sales 1/1 through 12/31. *Residential Sales (home, Condo, Townhome & Duplex),  Sales for Jan, Feb, Mar, April, May, June, July, August , September, and October. Change is Year over Year 2021 vs 2020. **The information contained herein is based on information provided by others. Accordingly, we make no guarantee of its accuracy and suggest you make an independent inquiry of any matters you regard as important. Each office is independently owned and operated.