An active community in Summit County
Located 9,500 feet in the Rocky Mountains along the Blue River, Silverthorne is a growing mountain town surrounded by miles of forestry and panoramic views. What started out as a small camp settlement in the 1880s has turned into a resort community of over 4,500 year-round residents, seasonal residents and even the rental market. Snow and ice coming from the mountains may be a common occurrence, but people take it in stride. “Sometimes, we see snow as early as October, and it will go on until May or even June. It’s snowed on Halloween the past several years, so kids have to prepare their costumes for the cold,” says Isabel Rawson, President-Elect of Altitude REALTORS® and Broker Associate with Christie’s International Real Estate. Silverthorne thrives with its gorgeous views, colorful community and plentiful opportunities for outdoor activities.
Mountains, rivers and parks
Nestled between miles of snow-marbled mountain peaks and forests of pine and aspen trees, Silverthorne is a premier destination for outdoor recreation. Residents are a quick commute away from world-class ski resorts such as Keystone, Copper Mountain and Breckenridge Ski Resort. There’s also the Blue River Trail that’s open to hikers and bikers, plus the Summit County Recreational Pathway System that can take users to summits, waterfalls and fields of wildflowers. Go sledding, snowshoeing, skiing, ice fishing or ice skating in the wintertime. On the outskirts of town, the Dillon Reservoir offers 27 miles of shoreline and two marinas for boating and sailing adventures. In addition to Silverthorne’s natural areas, the town’s Public Works Department maintains seven neighborhood parks. Within these greenspaces, children can explore playgrounds while adults use the tennis courts. There’s also a skate park and a community garden in town. Silverthorne’s indoor Recreation Center has a large aquatics center, a weights room and fitness classes. Golf enthusiasts flock to The Raven Golf Club at Three Peaks, one of the best mountain courses in Colorado.
Increased home prices and new residential construction
With more and more people moving in, Silverthorne’s housing prices are rising. According to Altitude REALTORS® Local Market Update for December 2023, the median sales price for a home in Silverthorne was $1,925,000. This is a 14% increase year-over-year. Similarly, the median sales price for a townhouse or condo increased by 38.9% from 2022 to $986,000. “There’s a good mix of single-family homes and condos, and being in a resort market, we don’t have a lot of downturns,” Rawson says. Silverthorne is known for its luxury mountain homes with panoramic views. These range from sprawling rustic lodges to cozy cabins and Casita-styled mansions. There are also newly constructed condos and homes with modern architecture. Over the past decade, Silverthorne has been incorporating new residential and commercial developments. Downtown is undergoing revitalization efforts aimed at building multi-use properties to bring in more residents and retailers. Rawson continues, “There’s a nice up-and-coming feel with everything they’re developing here. Silverthorne is getting more built out.”
Shopping and dining in Downtown Silverthorne
Silverthorne's city core is a major destination for shopping and dining. Fourth Street Crossing is Downtown’s latest revitalization project that’s bringing new retail to the area. Its largest property, the Bluebird Market Hall, is a food collective with chef-driven restaurant options. Choose from several types of international cuisine, bakery goods and American classics. Pop-up retail shops are coming soon, with boutiques and novelty stores selling everything from apparel to home goods and outdoor equipment. Additionally, the Outlets at Silverthorne is a multiplex of over 70 name-brand stores across State Highway 9. Residents with an interest in high-end fashion can enjoy upscale clothing and footwear brands. When it comes to necessity shopping, there are commercial areas all along State Highway 9 and US Route 6 with grocery stores and retailers like Target. There are also local restaurants ranging from breakfast and coffee cafes to pizzerias, ethnic cuisine and a bar & grill.
Art exhibits, performances and special events
The Silverthorne Performing Arts Center is the heart of the town’s cultural scene. With three performance spaces, numerous classrooms and rotating art exhibits, the 16,000-square-foot facility is privy to all visual, performing and musical arts. Catch a comedy show, look at local artwork or come during the summer concert series for live music entertainment. Theater SilCo is one of the more popular theaters that puts on seasonal performances. In addition to the center, residents can also find public art displays all throughout town. Admire the many murals on buildings or abstract sculptures in the parks. Silverthorne provides an annual Public Art grant that supports local artists and businesses with their artwork. For a different cultural experience, residents can participate in the Silverthorne Games – an annual sporting competition with individual and team events. Other seasonal town events include the Valentine’s Day Comedy Show and the Celebrations Around the World festival in November that shares the food, traditions and culture of different internationalities.
Silverthorne’s quality education system
Silverthorne is one of four towns served by the Summit School District. Earning a B-plus grade from Niche, the Summit School District is one of Colorado’s top-performing education systems. It enrolls over 3,600 students within six elementary schools, one middle and two high schools. Silverthorne’s teenagers are zoned to Summit High School. Students can flourish with its B-plus Niche grade, IB program and AP course offerings. When it comes to higher education, Colorado Mountain College has a campus in Dillon, only 1.5 miles away. The college is a designated Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI) and has a Wilderness Emergency Medical Services certification program that’s beneficial for the city’s landscape.
Traveling around Summit County
Residents have multiple ways of getting around Silverthorne. Four bus lines run through the Silverthorne Transit Center, including Summit Stage, which offers free public transit services throughout the county. For a more eco-friendly option, the Summit County Recreational Pathway System has bicycle-friendly routes that go around town and connect to other nearby cities. Recently, the League of American Bicyclists designated Silverthorne as a Silver Level Bicycle Community thanks to its biking infrastructure and education programs. However, most residents prefer driving personal vehicles to get around. “Because winter is such a prominent season here, most people like to be in a car. You’ll see a little bit of walking, but not a whole lot,” Rawson explains. Colorado State Highway 9 travels north to south and splits into US Route 6 near downtown, where the road intersects Interstate 70. With so many highway options, the average commute is only 20 minutes.
Decreasing crime
With a crime rate of 23.6 per 1,000 residents, Silverthorne earns an A-minus safety rating from crimegrade.org. According to the Silverthorne Police Department’s 2022 report, the total number of incidents that were called in saw a 2.2% decrease year-over-year. In a five-year comparison of 2017 to 2021, crime decreased by 10% overall. The town’s rating, combined with its decreasing crime, is why the police department has received the “American Spirit Award” twice from the Colorado Association of Chiefs of Police (CACP).
Photography Contributed By
Laurel Turton
