Top 5 Most-Read Stories Last Week: Spring Break Travel, Short-Term Rentals, and More

Spring Break in Breckenridge Draws Fewer College Crowds

Local businesses in Breckenridge have traditionally used signs like long chairlift lines and crowded grocery stores to gauge spring break traffic when hard data like sales tax figures aren’t available. This year, however, many residents and business owners reported a noticeable slowdown during the spring break period, which stretched from March into early April.

At the heart of the town’s vibrant tourism economy, bars and restaurants reported a shift in the visitor demographic. Staff noted a marked absence of large groups of college-aged visitors, especially those typically brought in by the Outside Life College Trips program.

“It definitely wasn’t as college-based this year,” said Steve Lua, general manager at The Motherloaded Tavern. “There weren’t those big, rowdy groups of 20 that usually overwhelm the place.”

Chris Butler, owner of the Gold Pan Saloon, added that while some late nights were as busy—if not busier—than previous weekends, daytime crowds were sparse. “Brunch and lunch felt like a ghost town compared to prior years,” he said.

— Kit Geary

Judge Steps Down From Short-Term Rental Lawsuit Due to Conflict of Interest

A Summit County judge has recused himself from a case challenging the county's short-term rental regulations, citing a conflict of interest due to his marriage to the mayor of Breckenridge.

Judge Reed Owens granted a motion from the plaintiff, Summit Resort Homeowners Inc., to disqualify himself. The lawsuit claims the county’s rental rules violate both the state constitution and state laws.

In his written order, Owens acknowledged that Mayor Kelly Owens—his spouse—has had extensive involvement in local short-term rental issues, extending beyond her own town. “A reasonable and objective observer may feel that Mayor Owens’ involvement is too high for Judge Owens to escape the appearance of impropriety,” he wrote.

— Ryan Spencer

Juvenile Driver Reaches Over 120 MPH in I-70 Police Chase

A juvenile driver led Clear Creek County deputies on a high-speed pursuit topping 120 mph on Interstate 70 on April 21. Authorities said the driver was connected to a domestic violence incident reported earlier in Summit County.

The vehicle, which had eluded law enforcement in Summit, was identified by a Flock license plate reader in Georgetown. Deputies located it traveling east on County Road 308 near Lawson and initiated the chase.

— Ryan Spencer

Charges Dropped — For Now — Against Team Summit Coach in New Mexico

Sexual assault-related charges against a Team Summit coach have been dismissed without prejudice by prosecutors in Taos, New Mexico. Jared Hedges, 48, of Frisco, was arrested on March 22 at Taos Ski Valley following allegations involving a juvenile during an out-of-state ski competition.

The charges were dismissed pending further investigation, leaving open the possibility that they could be refiled later, according to a court filing dated April 17.

Team Summit Executive Director C.B. Bechtel said the organization was not directly informed of the dismissal and only discovered it by monitoring court records. “Athlete safety is and has always been our priority,” Bechtel stated. “We are taking this review process incredibly seriously and are examining all potential gaps in our current policies and procedures.”

— Ryan Spencer

Spring Real Estate Boom Arrives, but Ski Town Markets May Play Out Differently

Spring is typically prime time for home listings, and this year is no exception. Across the Western Slope and nationally, the season brings a surge in housing inventory—with strategic timing playing a significant role.

According to Zillow, U.S. homes listed in the last two weeks of May typically sell for nearly 2% more than average—about $5,600 extra on a typical home. In Denver, that premium jumps to 2.6%, or roughly $15,500.

Homes listed in April, however, tend to sell the fastest. As listings bloom along with tulips and daffodils, economists suggest that both buyer demand and pricing strategies contribute to the springtime surge.

— Andrea Teres-Martinez

Written by Summit Daily Staff. Originally published on Summit Daily News, April 27, 2025.