1 year ago: Breckenridge Backstage Theater celebrates 50 years of High Country shows

Starting in 1974 with a production of “Poor Pitiful Pearl,” at Singin’ Sadie’s Saloon downtown, Breckenridge Backstage Theater is now revered for being one of the oldest, if not the oldest, year-round theater on Colorado’s Western Slope. In 2024, Breckenridge Backstage Theater celebrated five decades in Breckenridge. Creative producer Branden Smith said the 50th anniversary has staff focusing more on the timeline of the theater’s history and appreciating the different phases it has gone through over the years.

— From the July 28, 2024, Summit Daily News

5 years ago: After a delay, Summit High School seniors get to walk across the graduation stage

After the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic left the opportunity to walk across the graduation stage in doubt, Summit High School eventually was able to host three socially distant graduation ceremonies on Aug. 1, 2020. Of the around 200 graduating seniors, 75 were able to attend the ceremonies, which were split into groups of around 25 graduates. The ceremonies were the culmination of a series of graduate activities throughout the summer. In May, the graduates had their own parade, which involved filling Breckenridge Main Street to celebrate their accomplishments.

— From the Aug. 2, 2020, Summit Daily News

10 years ago: Breckenridge Mountain Lodge demolished in prep for Marriott Residence Inn

The former site of the Breckenridge Mountain Lodge, which was built in the early 1960s, will become a Marriott Residence Inn once construction of the premium extended-stay hotel finishes in fall 2016. The property received its building permit from the town in June 2015. The hotel will house 129 suites, and its amenities will include a lobby bar, hearth room, breakfast room, outdoor pool, fitness area, indoor ski and bike storage and 1,800 square feet of meeting space. The Breckenridge Mountain Lodge once housed a bowling alley — the building was was shuttered in 2011.

— From the July 30, 2015, Summit Daily News

15 years ago: Breckenridge officials consider adding electronic highway signs

Breckenridge officials discussed the possibility of installing two LED signs to help with wayfinding and traffic management on local roads during a July 27, 2010, work session. Breckenridge Ski Resort has offered to partner with the town in purchasing the signs. One double-sided sign would be located near the north end of town on Colorado Highway 9 and could provide direction and traffic information to incoming visitors while offering traffic and road condition information to outgoing vehicles. The other proposed sign would be at the base of the Breck Connect Gondola and provide information on current conditions and traffic. While council members acknowledged the deficits of the current system of sandwich boards, some worried that electronic signs could be detrimental to the character of the town.

— From the July 29, 2010, Summit Daily News

30 years ago: Frisco Peninsula Recreation Area breaks ground on baseball fields

Summit County Youth Baseball began a new era with the July 29, 1995, groundbreaking of the baseball field at Frisco Peninsula Recreation Area near the Frisco Nordic Center. In front of a crowd of over 40 people Frisco Mayor Tex Etie threw out a ceremonial first pitch to Summit County Little League president Bob Kieber. After that, Etie took control of a backhoe — complete with golden bucket — and dug the first hole where the new ballfields will stand. The first field is expected to be completed by spring 1996, with two more to follow.

— From the July 30, 1995, Summit Daily News

125 years ago: Risdon gold dredge sinks in accident on the Swan River

Weighing over 120 tons, the huge Risdon dredge sank “to the bottom of the sea” during operations on the Swan River. Just what caused this disaster seems to be a mystery, but it is rumored that careless handling was the prime factor. In any event, it is hard to figure out a combination of circumstances that could cause the sinking of the dredge, and whatever the reason, it reflects no credit upon those who had the expensive machinery in charge. The minimum cost of the accident will be several thousand dollars, but the maximum may foot up to near the original cost of the property.

— From the Aug. 4, 1900, Summit County Journal