Breckenridge Town Council approved a $100 monthly fee for water customers who don’t upgrade to new smart meters within 60 days, while simultaneously reducing paper billing fees from $10 to $2 at their February 10 meeting. The council also approved a $300,000 supplemental budget appropriation for healthcare costs, marking the second major healthcare supplement since December when the town appropriated $1.493 million. Council received a tourism update showing winter lodging revenues down 8 percent and March guest nights declining 12 percent year over year. The Breckenridge Tourism Office reported the International Snow Sculpture Championships generated 376 media placements with an estimated reach of 1.1 billion people. Mayor Kelly Owens was absent with six council members voting unanimously on all items.
Water Meter Compliance and Fee Changes
Council approved Council Bill No. 1, Series 2026, amending water service fees to encourage compliance with the town’s Advanced Metering Infrastructure upgrade by a 6-0 vote. The ordinance introduces a $100 monthly maintenance fee for customers who maintain non-compliant water meters more than 60 days after notification. The fee reflects actual staff costs for manual meter readings.
Public Works Director James Phelps reported 92 percent compliance among the town’s 5,269 water customers following outreach efforts that began in June 2025. The new fee affects approximately 330 households still using older meters. Phelps noted less than 1 percent of customers remain without contact regarding the upgrade.
Water customers will receive 60 days notice before the fee takes effect, providing time to schedule meter replacement appointments. The fee will not be assessed if the town cannot schedule an installation within the grace period due to staffing issues.
The same ordinance reduced the paper billing fee by 80 percent, from $10 to $2 per statement, reflecting the actual cost of processing paper bills. Customers who opt for electronic billing pay no statement fee. The town initiated the AMI water meter project in 2025 to replace meters exceeding 20 years of age and to enable remote reading, leak detection and daily usage monitoring.
Healthcare Budget Supplement
Council approved Resolution No. 3, Series 2026, by a 6-0 vote, appropriating $300,000 for the Healthcare Plan Fund to cover December 2025 expenses. Senior Accountant Tracey Lambert explained the supplemental appropriation addresses costs that will be partially reimbursed by the town’s stop-loss insurance.
The appropriation marks the second healthcare-related budget supplement since December, when council approved $1.493 million in additional healthcare funding.
Tourism Numbers Decline
Breckenridge Tourism Office representative Bill Wachowski reported declining winter lodging metrics during his update to council. March guest nights are down 12 percent year over year, with January closing 9 percent below the previous year.
Winter bookings stand at 80 percent compared to an expected range of 88 to 90 percent. Lodging revenue decreased 8 percent while average daily rates increased $4, representing a 1 percent gain. Revenue per available room fell 6 percent.
Summer bookings remained flat overall, with July through October showing modest gains.
Snow Sculpture Championships
Carrie O’Connor from the Breckenridge Tourism Office presented results from the 35th International Snow Sculpture Championships. The event generated 376 media placements with an estimated reach of 1.1 billion people and estimated media value of $1.2 million.
Public Comment
During public comment, David Hirschhorn, owner of 453 Taxi in Alma, reported ongoing conflicts with ride-share services at loading zones in front of Cecelia’s. Hirschhorn stated ride-share drivers for Uber and Lyft often occupy excessive space in loading zones and act hostile toward other drivers. He proposed stricter regulations including visible permit stickers for ride-share vehicles, higher fees for non-local drivers, and reduced fees for local drivers with proceeds funding annual background checks.
Breckenridge resident Summer Star addressed council about adding a $28 per hour minimum wage goal to the town’s Master Plan. Star also encouraged the town to focus on community unity and youth mobilization.
Planning Commission Decision
Council approved Planning Commission decisions without call-up, including approval of the Hinchey Residence Addition at 163 Tomahawk Lane. The project adds 291 square feet to an existing duplex.
Routine Business
Council approved minutes from the January 27 meeting and the agenda without changes. Town Manager Shannon Haynes reported the legislative committee will resume meetings as new state legislation is introduced, with updates included in council packets as needed.
Council members provided updates on various committee assignments including the Breckenridge Open Space Advisory Commission, Breckenridge Tourism Office, Breckenridge History, Breckenridge Creative Arts, Social Equity Advisory Commission and the Arts & Culture Master Plan Steering Committee.
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