Community Development

The Community Development Department is responsible for a diverse set of programs that help make Breckenridge both a wonderful place for visitors and a very special place for locals to live as well. The Department is located on the second floor of Town Hall, 150 Ski Hill Road. 

Hot Topics:
Disposable Bag Fee – The Town adopted an ordinance April 9, 2013 to discourage the use of disposable bags. The ten cent fee per disposable bag achieves a goal of the SustainableBreck Plan, 2011. The ordinance will become effective October 1.

EngageBreckenridge.com – The website is another tool that offers citizens an online innovative new way to get involved on community issues, right from their own computer.

McCain Master Plan – Town Council Meeting for Final Decision, May 14, 2013, 150 Ski Hill Road, 7 p.m.: The Town owned 127 acre McCain property, located north of Coyne Valley Road at 13221, 13217, 13215 Colorado Highway 9, is currently home to service commercial, retail commercial and a gravel mining operation. The Town Council is considering a Master Plan designating general land uses consisting of open space and governmental uses (which may include but is not limited to open space, trails, solar garden, water storage, public works storage, snow storage, water treatment facility, recycling center and overflow parking) on the property. Public input is welcome! Once the property is master planned, specific site plans for the property may be reviewed through the Town’s planning process. See the concept plan to be discussed here.

McCain Solar Garden – Clean Energy Collective is proposing to install a 500 kW community solar garden within a 3 acre portion of the Town owned 127 acre McCain property. The proposed solar garden consists of 2,106 panels over 16 rows. A Preliminary Hearing is scheduled before the Planning Commission on May 21, 2013.

Stillson Solar Garden – Clean Energy Collective (CEC) received approval to install a 520 kW ground mounted solar garden over a 3 acre portion of the Town owned Stillson Patch Placer and Myrtle Annie Lode property at 710 Wellington Road from the Planning Commission on April 2, 2013.  CEC plans to start work on the project in May 2013.

F Lot Hotel – The Town has contracted Lowe Enterprises to conduct a feasibility study for a hotel on the Town owned F Lot, adjacent to the Riverwalk Center along Park Avenue.

Sustainable Breck Business Program – Find out how your business can save operating costs and the environment at the same time!
Valley Brook Workforce Housing – These energy efficient residences are almost complete and nearly sold out.
Economic Indicators – Check here for a dashboard format monitoring report of key segments of our local economy.
SustainableBreck – How are we doing with meeting our goals for a sustainable community?
Child Care Scholarships – Who is eligible and how to apply for them.
Cucumber Gulch Management Plan – Learn how the Town is managing this incredible natural resource, a valley preserve rich in biodiversity right in our back yard.
Vendor Carts – See the recently adopted policy (which takes effect May 2, 2012) regulating their placement and appearance.
Medical Marijuana – Find out the rules for commercial sales locations. 

Programs Administered by Community Development:
Development Review for New Construction and Site Plans. This program maintains the important small town Victorian character and the natural setting of the community.
Historic District. Administration of the district, which is one of the largest in the State of Colorado and is a defining element of Breckenridge’s identity.
Building Permits and Plan Review. This includes new construction, remodels, tenant finishes, additions and demolitions. We partner with the building industry to find construction solutions for our unique environment, with a special focus on energy conservation.
Long Range and Town Master Planning. Recent long range projects include: Town of Breckenridge Comprehensive Plan update, SustainableBreck / Community Carbon Action Plan, Joint Upper Blue River Valley Master Plan (with Summit County and the Town of Blue River), Town of Breckenridge Vision Plan, Demographics, Economic Indicators, Transferable Development Rights (TDR’s), Neighborhood Preservation / Home Size Limitations, Way Finding Signs, and the Green Team.
Public Art and the Breckenridge Arts District.These programs provide for the many public locations of visual delights that enhance the charm and character of the Town. The Arts District provides art education and training for locals and visitors alike in a intimate downtown campus of small historic buildings.
Open Space and Trails. This extensive program protects the outstanding natural backdrop of the community while providing for convenient recreational access to the many treasures of the environment in and around Breckenridge.
Housing and Childcare. These programs create opportunities for the local workforce to live, work and prosper in our community, and maintain the year round vibrancy of Breckenridge.
Heritage Tourism. Administered by the Breckenridge Heritage Alliance, this program entertains and educates the public about our community’s rich mining and ski history through its many interpreted and staffed publicly accessible sites.
Forest Management. This program assists private property owners with the removal of dead and diseased trees, and the reforestation of their lands in the wake of the mountain pine beetle epidemic.
SustainableBreck Business Program. This program provides free energy and environmental assessments as well as personal assistance to businesses to help businesses save operating costs (on energy, waste, supplies, water, and transportation costs) while reducing the business’s carbon footprint.

Concerning Colorado HB 11-1113, Land Development Charges:
The Town of Breckenridge is not currently holding any land development charges as of August 5, 2011.