Breckenridge officials are weighing millions of dollars in potential infrastructure, recreation, transportation, sustainability and more projects as the town begins solidifying its budget for the next five years.

Breckenridge Town Council reviewed a tentative five-year capital improvement plan Tuesday, Sept. 8, considering which projects take priority and when to allocate funds. Projects funded within the next three years restrict those dollars, while moving projects into future years allows the town to preserve flexibility as designs, costs and goals change. 

Council members agreed to push several projects farther into the future or reduce proposed allocations, particularly where designs remain preliminary or the town hopes outside partners could share the cost. With historically low snowpack earlier this year, local businesses and municipalities continue to feel the financial effects of slowed tourism. 

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Finance Director Laura MacInnes said the town remains in a strong cash position, though current projections show available cash declining over the coming years with continued payments for major projects.

“I would say our long-term goal for the cash line would be that it’s a balanced budget, meaning our revenues are exceeding or equaling our expenses,” MacInnes said. “Currently, we’re only projecting to see that in 2028.”

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Town Manager Shannon Haynes emphasized that the five-year outlook uses conservative assumptions for both revenues and expenses, saying “there is wiggle room” as the council heads toward its October budget retreat.

Below is an abridged list of some of the major projects council considered. 

Recreation

Kingdom Park ball field pavilion

Estimated at $4 million, the project would reconstruct the area between the recently resurfaced Kingdom Park ballfields with new restrooms, spectator and gathering areas and safer connections to the recreation path and Summit Stage stops along Colorado Highway 9. 

Town Engineer Shannon Cahill recommended additional value engineering and updated pricing before construction because the town’s now outdated estimate has likely changed due to “volatile” construction costs. A majority of council members favored pushing preconstruction work to 2028 and construction to 2029, while council member Dick Carleson questioned whether he could commit to a project at that price.

Recreation path realignment

The town is also looking into moving the recpath farther from the east side of the Recreation Center and constructing one or two bridges to improve safety. Cahill stressed that the $1 million estimate on the proposed budget only serves as a placeholder because design work has not begun.

Carleton separately asked for a future council discussion about adding pickleball courts in town, citing frequent requests from residents. 

Public works

Airport Road improvements

Breckenridge is considering a $100,000 commitment in 2027 and $3.75 million in both 2028 and 2029 to redesign and reconstruct Airport Road, including roadway and pedestrian improvements. 

Mayor Kelly Owens cited the inevitable increased traffic starting next fall as more students travel to Upper Blue Elementary School following the planned consolidation with Breckenridge Elementary. Cahill said safe east-west pedestrian crossings remain a top priority. She noted the project’s cost estimate is already 2 years old, meaning the $7.6 million projected cost is likely higher today. 

Runway recreation path bridge

A proposed pedestrian bridge connecting the developing Runway workforce housing neighborhood with the recpath. Cahill said the bridge could be a good candidate for grant funding, and council favored pushing the project back one year to 2030.

Blue River flow analysis

Town Council already agreed to spend $50,000 to study historic low-flow conditions in the Blue River between Skelly Pond and the Adams Avenue bridge, including the condition of a river liner and why water entering the pond doesn’t appear to be leaving at the same rate.

Council members differed on whether to earmark another $200,000 over the next five years for a potential feasibility study examining ways to address the seemingly dry stretch.

Fiber infrastructure

With approximately $1.8 million budgeted over the next five years, Breckenridge plans to continue expanding its fiber broadband infrastructure, including work serving the Runway neighborhood and multifamily projects. 

Carleton argued the town’s private partner should shoulder more of the cost, saying, “Maybe it’s time to challenge them to start contributing.” 

Council agreed to reduce a $200,000 earmark proposed for multifamily hookups next year to $100,000 with the goal of increasing private investment.

Culverts and bridges

The town plans to continue setting aside $350,000 annually for repairs or replacement of aging culverts and bridges in the case that projects are identified. 

McCain/Little Daisy improvements

Breckenridge staff has identified an estimated $3 million in improvements tied to continued development of the McCain property, recently renamed the Little Daisy open space. The town likely wouldn’t spend any money on those projects until after 2030.

Another $1.25 million proposed for 2027 would fund the realignment of the recpath between Coyne Valley Road and the Fairview roundabout. Council member Jay Beckerman suggested pushing that work beyond the five-year plan until after Colorado Department of Transportation work at the roundabout allows the town to reassess safety and traffic there. 

The town also contemplated $200,000 in 2028 to design a regional “Pond Park” between the Vista Verde II development and the Sol Center, with construction estimated at another $1 million in future years.

Roadway resurfacing

Breckenridge plans to continue reserving about $3 million annually for roadway resurfacing, reconstruction and concrete replacement, with individual projects identified each year.

Sustainability

Electric vehicle chargers

Beginning in 2028, Breckenridge will begin spending around $50,000 annually to install electric vehicle chargers at town-owned parking lots and facilities. Earlier this year, Denver developer Helios Charging partnered with the town to provide seven new electric vehicle fast-chargers at the South Gondola Lot. 

Geothermal energy networks

The draft of capital improvement projects initially contemplated $1 million spent each year between 2028-30 to design and implement geothermal energy networks, which have begun to gain traction across the state. In Frisco, an Xcel Energy project will test a utility scale thermal energy network in the southern part of town. 

Haynes recommended removing the proposed funds from the five-year plan so the town could develop a more concrete proposal before restricting dollars.

Permanent e-delivery facility

Another proposal contemplated about $5 million across 2028 and 2029 to build a permanent facility for the town’s e-delivery program. 

Carleton argued the town should contribute only half and seek substantial funding from its partner, 106West. Council member Carol Saade also questioned pledging construction dollars before completing a design, and council ultimately favored reserving roughly $500,000 for design while leaving the possible larger construction expense for future years.

Parking and transportation

Public works master plan and bus barn

Town staff proposed $100,000 in 2027 for master planning of its Public Works yards, followed by $2.5 million in 2028 toward a new bus barn for its expanding electric bus fleet. Additional funding, potentially including grants, would be needed for construction. 

F-Lot improvements

The town has proposed spending $150,000 next year and another $500,000 in 2029 to modify the F-Lot layout to increase parking and improve pedestrian pathways and drainage.

South Park Avenue and Main Street roundabout

Breckenridge is also considering a $450,000 earmark in 2028 to study improvements at South Park Avenue and Main Street, including a possible roundabout and alternative pedestrian crossings.

Public Works administrative addition

Mayor Owens requested additional study of potential locations for a Public Works administrative addition, citing concerns about placing a building in a highly visible location. Council supported pushing the estimated $2.5 million expense to 2031.

Sidewalk improvements

Beginning in 2028, town staff proposed allocating $250,000 annually to build priority sidewalks identified through the town’s sidewalk master plan. Each year of additional sidewalk construction is estimated to add about $8,000 in annual maintenance and snow-removal costs.

Wayfinding improvements

The town is also planning a second phase of updating its pedestrian and vehicle wayfinding signs. After Owens pushed to move planning forward from 2029, Cahill said design costs would likely come close to $250,000.