Stories in this list received the most page views on SummitDaily.com from Nov. 2-8. 

1. Frisco residents say their concerns about a proposed McDonald’s continue to fall on ‘deaf ears’

An application for a McDonald’s drive-thru restaurant off of Summit Boulevard in Frisco continues to be met with opposition from community members. 

Frisco Planning Commission began reviewing sketches in April for a McDonald’s proposed to go in a location that formerly housed a FirstBank. Neighbors have said they are wary of the impacts another fast food restaurant with a drive-thru will bring to an already busy area. Other residents raised concerns about what they feel is the town changing its code to accommodate the corporation. 

“Public Trust has been breached, and I want that on the record … The process now carries the unmistakable appearance of being engineered to accommodate one applicant,” he said. 

Bernstein referenced a code amendment proposed by the town’s planning department at a Thursday, May 15 Frisco Planning Commission meeting that suggested the town increase the number of allowable menu boards a drive-thru establishment can have. The code amendment was passed by Frisco Town Council at a Tuesday, June 11, meeting and made it so drive-thru establishments can have one menu per drive-thru lane as opposed to one menu per-site. 

Bernstein’s comment of opposition followed that of several other residents who spoke up at a Thursday, Oct. 16, planning commission meeting. 

— Kit Geary, Nov. 2

2. “We are in a tough conundrum”: Summit School District faces declining enrollment as officials anticipate a tight budget

Preliminary data demonstrates Summit School District’s enrollment is lower than last year, indicating an ongoing trend of a declining student population. 

Chief Financial Officer Kara Drake presented the overall preliminary head-count number and other related data at a Thursday, Oct. 23, Board of Education meeting. 

Drake clarified the data she presented are not final numbers and the district will receive those later in the year. She added the preliminary data might not capture every student, particularly high schoolers who might not have a full course load because they got ahead on credits. Additionally, preschool enrollment can cause fluctuating numbers because families can enroll throughout the year. 

Head count matters in a state that funds its public schools through a per-pupil funding method. Districts have felt the strain of the state’s budget over the past 15 years or so because of a recession-era mechanism that was created to keep other state funding afloat. It is estimated around $10 billion has been withheld from public schools since then. 

According to the Colorado Department of Education, the Summit School District finished the 2024-25 school year with 3,475 students enrolled. A memo included in the Board of Education agenda stated that, as of Oct. 16, the enrollment for Summit School District was around 3,226. The memo went on to mention enrollment numbers fluctuate in the first part of the school year and that is not the final head count. 

— Kit Geary, Nov. 2

3. Breckenridge Ski Resort gives peek into upcoming season including a possible new ‘party bus’ and another major event

After clocking in nearly 100 days of summer activities and recreation, Breckenridge Ski Resort is gearing up for its 2025-26 season with new entertainment additions and changes to one of the resort’s most popular bars. 

Breckenridge Ski Resort Chief Operating Officer Jon Copeland gave a season debrief to Breckenridge Town Council at a Tuesday, Oct. 28, meeting where he said his team had been discussing what the resort “once was and what it could be.” He said this season’s focus will be on “big energy,” the connection between the town and the resort and investments in mountain infrastructure with emphasis on sustainability. 

One change for the 2025-26 season will be the weekend hours of T-Bar, an apres-style bar at the base of Peak 8. Copeland said the popularity the bar saw last year led his team to extend its hours Friday through Sunday. He said there will be a new bar area, which he called an out-bar, and a new experience related to the T-Bar. He said they were looking to channel something akin to what Beaver Creek resort does, giving out free cookies at 3 p.m. each day, so they are eyeing a shot ski experience that will look “very similar.”  He said it will be called “Ullr time,” which is a nod to the Norse god of snow, Ullr. 

— Kit Geary, Nov. 3

4. Frisco teen asking for assistance as he vies for spot on Olympic team

Frisco teen, Walker Robinson, is in the process of chasing a lifelong dream of qualifying for the Olympics.

In the lead up to the Winter Games in February, Robinson will be competing in three World-Cup ski-cross races with each one serving as a crucial step towards earning a sport on the U.S. Olympic team. 

According to Robinson, the ski-cross races are not only physically and mentally demanding on his body, but they also make a significant impact on his wallet. For this reason, Robinson, 19, has started a GoFundMe in hopes of raising the finds necessary to compete in the World-Cup events.

All of the funds donated will go to training expenses such as coaching, equipment and facilities, travel costs to international competitions, entry fees for World Cups and accommodation and meals while overseas. 

Every donation helps Robinson get one step closer to his dream of becoming an Olympian. Back in 2024, Robinson earned a silver medal at the Youth Olympic Games in Gangwon, South Korea. Robinson earned a medal in the mixed-team ski cross race alongside Morgan Shute.

— Cody Jones, Nov. 4

5. Summit County resident and mom earns Ironman World Championship medal in Kona

When it comes to triathlons there is no bigger stage than the Ironman World Championships. 

Taking place in either Kona, Hawaii, or Nice, France, the competition features some of the fittest athletes in the world and challenges them to complete a total of 140.6 miles in various disciplines.

Among this year’s field at the Ironman World Championships in Kona was longtime triathlete and Summit County resident Michelle Lyman. After spending decades trying to qualify for the prestigious event, Lyman finally got her chance to shine at the mecca of the triathlete world at the age of 52.

Wanting to prove to herself and her young daughter that anything is possible no matter your age, Lyman took off from the starting line on Saturday, Oct. 11.

Although Lyman entered the race knowing it likely wouldn’t be her best time due to the challenging course and humid conditions, she remained hopeful she could push past her body’s limits and deliver a strong showing.

— Cody Jones, Nov. 1