As I took my evening walk down the streets of Breckenridge, it was more than evident our community is continually improving the aesthetics of our city by remodeling properties and land uses within the historic and downtown areas. Breck has consistently planned its growth by successfully managing expansion and staying true to its culture. Our civic leaders have concentrated on strategic infrastructure investment that is in the long term interest of the community, realizing change must be managed not curtailed. Obviously the affiliation with Vail Resorts assuming management of the mountain properties has been to our great benefit, as aligning yourself with a partner whose vision is comparable to yours always pays benefits.

We are unusually fortunate to have an expansive area that lends itself to growth without concentrated density problems. Our valley is wide, accessible and highly developable.

The excitement concerning Peak 6 is promising, further still I envision continued mountain grooming to expand skiing further north with future peaks 5,4, and 3 completing the slope toward Lake Dillon. Streets, utilities, residential and open areas for commercial development must accompany the mountain expansion but available acreage, demand and location make this giant movement to the north almost inevitable.

Get ready Breck, in the next 50 years you will become the largest ski resort in North America and possibly the world.

Summit County just needs to agree it is in their best interest to further invest and leverage our recreational assets to make this happen within our lifetime. Breckenridge has more upside growth potential for further ski area development than other comparable resorts, due to its available mountain acreage and location to Denver..

Great challenges remain, paramount in these is the improvement of I-70 which must be embraced by our state as the conduit for growth and development. Whether it be rail service or additional roads, the masses must be moved more efficiently from the metropolitan areas to the mountain areas for tourism and population growth to flourish.

Our long range plans must incorporate all these issues for Colorado and Breckenridge to reach their full potential. Mass transit, residential neighborhoods, commercial development, including mountain and tourism goals, must continue to be addressed by our elected officials with comprehensive plans adopted and implemented. Our quality of life has been great due to past leaders making correct, fundamental and prudent decisions concerning our growth path. Breckenridge is blessed with a strategic location and abundant resources, but coordinated efforts between city, state and federal agencies must be aligned to make this valley and Summit County the envy of the skiing and recreational world. Our forefathers would never have imagined the success Breckenridge has become, nor what it will mature to be.

Steven C. Jordan

Breckenridge