Popular questions about Summit County real estate
1. What was the appreciation for the last few years in Summit County?
2. When is the best time to buy property?
3. Does the price of property decrease during a particular season?
4. Summit County is a big place, and I'm not sure where to start.
5. What do management companies charge for their services, and what is included in this fee?
7. What are property and other local taxes in Summit County? How are they calculated?
8. What is the transfer tax in Summit County, and when and where is it applied?
1. What was the appreciation for the last few years in Summit County CO?
The Summit County real estate market has seen a significant amount of appreciation in recent years, especially in the single-family home market.
Summit County average price for a single-family homes in Summit County increased from $1,386,525 in 2020 to $2,388,559 in 2025. That’s an increase of about 72% during the five year period. The average price grew the most notably year-over-year – by more than 14% – between 2023 and 2024.
The average price for a multi-family property (condo or townhome) increased from $606,487 in 2020 to $986,635 in 2025, an increase of around 63%. The Summit County market has seen some stabilization in the early months of 2026, but the long-term trend continues to be a strong value increase in all segments of the residential market.
The most significant increase was in vacant land, a category that often displays a higher degree of fluctuations because of a lower volume of transactions and the unique location of the lots.
| Property Type | 2020 Average Price | 2025 Average Price | 5-Year Appreciation |
| Single Family | $1,386,525 | $2,388,559 | +72.3% |
| Multi-Family | $606,487 | $986,635 | +62.7% |
| Vacant Land | $368,859 | $1,196,350 | +224.3% |
2. When is the best time to buy property in Summit County CO?
Anytime is a good time to buy property in Summit County. However, most rental properties are vacant during the “shoulder seasons,” between mid-April and early June, or late September to late November, so it's usually easier to get in to see the properties then. Plus, off-season is a great time to visit Summit County because many local restaurants offer 2-for-1 specials, stores give discounts and property management companies provide good deals on lodging to spruce up business.
Many properties, including single-family homes, go on the market on June 1 for the summer selling season, but winter is increasingly becoming a popular time to list properties.
3. Does the price of property decrease during a particular season in Summit County CO?
No; the season you buy in doesn't make a difference in Summit County. Though business at restaurants and stores may ebb and flow from off-season to ski season, the real estate market is active year-round up here.
If you find a property you like, I suggest making an offer based on the last sale in the complex or subdivision. Be careful not to price your offer too low because doing so can frustrate sellers, causing them to ignore your offer.
4. Summit County CO is a big place, and I'm not sure where to start.
Any main town or resort in Summit County is a great place to purchase in terms of investment and recreation, but when you're narrowing down the perfect place in Summit County for you, it all depends on what you want in your mountain town.
BRECKENRIDGE
If you're looking for high name recognition and the most active town in Summit County, featuring a sense of history, an arts district, a bustling Main Street with shopping and great dining, excellent recreation amenities including a state-of-the-art recreation center, an indoor ice rink, golfing and world-class skiing, look no further than Breckenridge.
Breckenridge is a bustling town that attracts young and old alike. You can live close to the action, in-town, close to the ski area with ski-in, ski-out homes and Breckenridge condominiums (both ultra luxury and older properties), on or near the golf course, on or near a stream, or just outside of town, nestled in a wooded area. Breckenridge offers everything, within one town.
One of the only downsides is that it is the farthest town in Summit County from Interstate 70, so if you travel to Denver often, you may want to choose a town closer to the interstate. Breckenridge is about 16 miles from Copper Mountain and about 9 miles from Frisco.
FRISCO
Frisco lies in the heart of Summit County. Though it doesn't have a ski area attached to it, it's about 7 miles from Copper Mountain and about 9 miles from Breckenridge. It's also a short drive down Interstate 70, about 6 miles, to Silverthorne, and a short distance across the Dam Road to the town of Dillon (about 6 miles). From Dillon, it's about 5 miles to Keystone Resort. It is the closest town to Summit County's hospital, which is less than 2 miles from Main Street.
Frisco is an active town with access to Lake Dillon via the Frisco Marina in the summer, and a Main Street full of historic significance, shops and great restaurants. The Frisco Peninsula offers year-round recreation, from Nordic skiing in the winter to disc golfing in the summer. Out of all of the Summit County towns without ski areas, Frisco real estate is the most expensive, since it is central to so many towns and recreation opportunities in Summit County. It is quickly running out of buildable land, so many in-town developments are teardowns.
COPPER MOUNTAIN
Copper Mountain lies on the western end of Summit County. It's a great choice if you're looking for a property within a ski area, with the easiest access to Interstate 70, as Copper is right off of the highway. It is the closest resort to Vail Resort, about 21 miles over Vail Pass (which can sometimes be difficult to drive in stormy winter weather). Copper is about 11 miles from Silverthorne, which is the closest Summit County town to Denver.
Copper Mountain has grown a lot since Intrawest bought it in 1997. Intrawest, an international leader in resort operations and development, updated the ski area with high-speed quads and new world-class villages, condos, homes, shops and restaurants. Copper Mountain is now a lively part of Summit County year-round. It draws top-name musical acts for festivals during the spring and summer, and offers amazing skiing throughout the winter. The nice thing about living at Copper Mountain is its community feel. The area is small enough to interact with your neighbors, many of whom will be second homeowners. The area offers biking, hiking and horseback riding through high-alpine terrain and wetlands in the summer.
KEYSTONE RESORT
Keystone Resort is one of the three world-class ski resorts in Summit County, with three mountains, five bowls and the state's largest night skiing operation. Since the development of River Run, it has also become a hot spot in the summer, with music, art and wine festivals. It also boasts one of the country's best downhill mountain biking trail systems. Keystone is also known for its upscale restaurants that serve award-winning cuisine. The town has a very small grocery store; otherwise, the nearest large chain grocery store is about 6 miles away. Various villages throughout Keystone offer different feels: River Run, near the gondola, is the “newest kid on the block,” and as such, holds festivals in its streets, so if you like festivities and don't mind a little noise now and then, owning a condo there allows close access to the mountain. For quieter living that's still close to the base of the resort, try properties by the Mountain House. Keystone also offers single- and multi-family properties near the Snake River and Keystone Lake, as well as golf-course community living and homes nestled within the woods.
Keystone is about 8 miles southeast of Interstate 70, on Highway 6. It is the closest ski area to Arapahoe Basin, about 7 miles away. Swan Mountain Road connects Keystone to Breckenridge, but the road is somewhat steep and windy, which makes it a little tough on stormy days. While Keystone has its own 5-acre lake that offers skating in the winter and paddle-boating in the summer, it is also located a short drive (about 6 miles) from the expansive Lake Dillon, which allows motorboats.
DILLON
Dillon is a quieter town than others in Summit County. It's an absolutely gorgeous place to live, because Dillon condos and homes overlook Lake Dillon, which is surrounded by snow-capped mountains. People living in town can walk to the marina, bars and restaurants, the post office, the live theater, Lake Dillon Amphitheater, Colorado Community College, the bowling alley and parks perched on the side of the lake.
But in-town living is just one aspect of Dillon real estate. Dillon is also made up of Dillon Valley, Summit Cove and a couple other neighborhoods, such as Corinthian Hill and Summerwood, both of which offer spectacular views of the lake. Dillon Valley and Summit Cove are both predominately residential areas, which tend to draw locals because they are a little more affordable. Summit Cove is just a couple miles from Keystone Resort, at the base of Swan Mountain Road, and Dillon Valley is located in a valley that runs parallel with Interstate 70. The town of Dillon is located about 6 miles from Keystone Resort and about 6 miles over the Dam Road from Frisco. It's just a couple miles from Silverthorne. Dillon has a major grocery store, a movie theater complex and other national-chain stores.
SILVERTHORNE
Silverthorne is the first town in Summit County that visitors arrive to when traveling west on Interstate 70 from Denver. It is about 70 miles west of Denver and 90 miles southeast of Steamboat. It is about 14 miles from Breckenridge and about 6 miles from Frisco.
Though not located within a ski area or near a large lake, Silverthorne offers a variety of recreational opportunities. It is the closest town to Green Mountain Reservoir, the closest reservoir that allows water skiing (Lake Dillon does not). One of Silverthorne's greatest assets is the Gold Medal Blue River, which draws fisherman nationwide to test their skills catching large rainbow trout. Raven Golf Club at Three Peaks is considered the No. 1 mountain golf course in Colorado. The town also has an incredible recreation center and discount shopping at 60 name-brand stores at the Outlets at Silverthorne.
5. What do management companies charge for their services in Summit County CO, and what is included in this fee?
Most management companies charge 40% of the gross rental income your property generates. The management fee includes housekeeping services, reservations, credit card fees and usually light maintenance (such as replacing a light bulb or fixing a leaking faucet).
If you shop around, some management companies charge 30%. However, beware of other hidden costs within the structure of these management companies. Many will charge you (or your guests) for credit card fees, cleaning fees and more. Make sure you clarify exactly what you are getting and what additional services you'll have to pay for when working with any management company.
6. What can I expect from long-term (six months to a year) rentals and short-term rentals in Breckenridge, CO?
SHORT-TERM RENTAL:
Some homeowners rent their long-term condos or homes by placing an ad in the local Summit Daily News, since it's one of the most effective ways to find renters. However, you can also use a management company, which usually takes 10% of the profit.
Here's a list of current 2026 average long-term rental ranges. Rent usually go up once the ski season comes around, and it's often easiest to find renters then (the downside to renting then is that some people just want to stay for the winter season, leaving your unit empty in the summer to put on the rental market again; however, it's relatively easy to rent out a unit in Summit County nearly anytime of the year). Rental rates are also subject to vary by location in a town (proximity to the ski area, downtown access etc.) and by amenities included. They also depend on furnished status, parking and updates.
- Studio: $1,800-$2,500
- 1 bedroom condo: $2,300-$3,500
- 2-bedroom condo: $3,200-$5,000
- 3-bedroom condo/townhome: $4,500-$7,000
- 4-bedroom townhome/home: $6,000-$10,000+
- 5 bedroom luxury home: $8,000-$15,000+
SHORT-TERM RENTAL:
Short-term rental rates vary wildly from season to season, night to night and location to location. Most management companies take 40% of the nightly rate; those that charge less usually also charge additional fees. It's best to call a management company for exact prices your unit would fetch, but here's an idea of what an in-town Breckenridge condo would rent for (before management fees), depending on the season (the peak season is Christmas through New Year's). Short-term rentals outside of Breckenridge would be about 20% less, unless they are at Keystone or Copper Mountain Resort. Also, ski-in, ski-out properties go for much more — as much as $1,500 or more a night during the peak Christmas season for a 1 bedroom.
Avearge Nightly Breckenridge rates:
- Studio: $125-$400/night
- 1 bedroom: $175-$600/night
- 2 bedroom: $250-$1,000/night
- 3 bedroom: $400-$1,500/night
- 4 bedroom: $700-$2,500/night
- 5 bedroom: $1,000-$5,000+/night
7. What are property and other local taxes in Summit County CO? How are they calculated?
Local Summit County taxes
As of 2026, Summit County charges a 2% sales tax on all purchases of goods, including food. In addition, it charges a 0.75% sales tax for mass transit to support the free Summit Stage, which runs throughout the county. There is also a 0.725% tax to support affordable housing. Each of the four towns in Summit County also has a city tax. Montezume, Frisco and Silverthorne's tax is 2%, and Breckenridge, Blue River and Dillon's tax is 2.5%. The state of Colorado has a 2.9% state sales tax, but it's not charged on food. Wildernest charges 4% tax for Buffalo Mountain Metro District.</p>
In total, the tax rate for Summit County, Copper Mountain and Keystone is 6.375%. For Frisco, Montezuma and Silverthorne the tax is 8.375%. It's 8.875% for Breckenridge, Blue River and Dillon. And Wildernest's tax is 10.375%. Each town also has an additional lodging tax for short-term rentals, which ranges from 2%-6%.
Summit County CO Sales Tax Rates
| Type of Tax | Unincorporated Summit County | Blue River | Breckenridge | Copper Mtn | Dillon | Frisco | Keystone | Montezuma | Silverthorne | Wildernest |
| Base Sales Tax Rate | 6.375% | 8.875% | 8.875% | 6.375% | 8.875% | 8.375% | 6.375% | 8.375% | 8.375% | 10.375% |
| Lodging | 2% | 3.4% | 3.4% | 2% | 2% | 2.35% | 0 | 0 | 6% | 2% |
| Sales Tax Rate w/Lodging Tax | 8.375% | 12.275% | 12.275% | 8.375% | 10.875% | 10.725% | 6.375% | 8.375% | 14.375 | 12.375% |
Property taxes in Summit County CO
Property taxes in Summit County are relatively low, because there are a lot of more expensive second homes to help pay for town and county services. The government determines property taxes by multiplying the tax rate (set locally) by the assessed property value.
County assessors calculate assessed values by multiplying the actual market value of residential properties by assessment rate. (This percentage is subject to change through the Colorado Legislature.)
Every year, county commissioners, city councils, school boards and special districts hold budget hearings to decide how much money they'll need for annual operations. They set a tax rate (or mill levy) based on the total value of taxable property.
Tax Amount = Assessed Value x Total Mill Levy for the tax area = Tax Owed
For more information on the current property taxes, assessments rates, property valuation and how to calculate property taxes in Colorado, please visit Summit County website.
8. What is the transfer tax in Summit County CO, and when and where is it applied?
Transfer tax is a one-time expense, which the buyer usually pays, though it can be negotiated at the time of the sale. (However, usually, the seller paid the transfer tax when he or she bought the property.
The transfer tax is usually tax deductible, as it goes to the towns for recreation centers, transportation, etc.
In Frisco and Breckenridge, the transfer tax is 1%, though new Breckenridge developments on Peak 7 and 8 (One Ski Hill Place, Mountain Thunder Lodge, and Crystal Peak Lodge) are 2%. For newer condos in River Run Village in Keystone, it's 2%, and for newer Copper Mountain condos, it's 1.5%. Dillon and Blue River do not have transfer taxes.
9. Why is Summit County CO property more expensive than property in Denver, and how does it compare to other mountain towns with world-class ski resorts, like Vail and Aspen?
Like the popular adage in Colorado real estate goes, Summit County real estate is more expensive because of location, location, location. And, the closer the property is to a recreational amenity, such as a ski area or Lake Dillon, the more expensive it will be.One reason Summit County property is more expensive than property in Denver is because the Front Range has more land available for development. Summit County just doesn't have that much land to develop, because the U.S. Forest Service and the Bureau of Land Management administer about 80% of its land.
Another compelling reason Summit County property is more expensive lies in the tourism and recreation industry. Summit County boasts three world-class ski resorts, plus Arapahoe Basin, a locals' favorite, which expanded by 80% with the opening of Montezuma Bowl. Lake Dillon reservoir, as well as festivals and events that resorts and towns hold in the summer, are also a big tourist draw. The region draws visitors worldwide. In the 1990s, Summit County ranked among the fastest growing regions in the nation, and today it continues to grow at a high rate.
Because Summit County is a straight-shot up Interstate 70 from Denver, about 70 miles, it is a very popular weekend and vacation destination for people who live in Denver and along the Front Range. Many Front Rangers buy second homes in Summit County to spend weekends there.
Compared to Vail and Aspen, Breckenridge Summit County real estate prices are still a deal. In Eagle County, which is where Vail is located, the median price for single family homes in June 2026 - $11,950,000, for condos - $1,380,000. This compares to June 2026 median price for single-family home of $3,125,000 and for condos of $850, 000 in Breckenridge.
In Aspen, the numbers are even bigger. The median price of a single-family home in June 2026 - $15,000,000. The median price of a condo in June 2026 - $3,322,500.
As you can see, for the recreation, convenience to Denver and Denver International Airport, and amenities Summit County offers, real estate is a deal, when compared to other mountain towns that are farther from Denver and offer world-class resorts.
