Sustainable Travel Tips for Breckenridge, Colorado
Emmily Van Dorn / May 13, 2025
If you’re planning a trip to Breckenridge, consider adding a sustainable travel plan to your checklist. In 2021, Breckenridge became the second town in the world to be certified as a Mountain IDEAL sustainable destination. What does that mean? Breckenridge has put time and energy into creating a plan for a sustainable future, including a carbon-neutral goal of being powered by 100% renewable energy by 2035. With more than one million visitors annually, your travel habits can make a difference in our mountain community.
Travel to Breckenridge Sustainably
Denver International Airport (DIA) is the closest airport to Breckenridge, so travelers can expect at least a two-hour drive to arrive in mountain paradise. Instead of renting a car, beat the congestion and traffic of I-70 and opt for a discounted shared shuttle from the airport to your lodging.
For those staying at a hotel, inquire with the concierge about a shuttle system, the free gondola, and the Breck Free Ride bus system. The Breck Free Ride provides free public transportation throughout Breckenridge. With several color-coded routes and an interactive schedule, it takes the headache out of navigating. An added sustainable bonus — the Free Ride fleet includes two all-electric buses! Look for the Summit Stage if you’re interested in transportation throughout Summit County.
For travelers arriving via electric car, Breckenridge has 44 public electric vehicle charging ports at conveniently located around town.
In the summertime, visitors and locals can take advantage of the Breck E-Ride program and use electric bikes to get some exercise and get around town!
Plastic Bag and Bottle Ban
During the summer of 2024, the Town of Breckenridge implemented a plastic ban affecting locals and visitors alike, thus eliminating single-use plastic items from businesses, restaurants, hotels, and grocery stores.
Sustainable Lodging Options in Breckenridge
Breckenridge Grand Vacations (BGV), a developer and manager of three properties in Breckenridge, is committed to sustainable efforts through responsible business practices that ensure minimal impact on the mountain environment. Thirty-nine percent of waste created at BGV’s resorts or corporate offices is diverted through recycling and compost efforts. Plus, 100% of the electricity consumed at the company’s corporate offices is offset by solar panels.
As of April 2022, BGV has signed a 4.9 megawatt community solar subscription with Pivot Energy. This is one of the largest community solar subscriptions in the history of the hospitality sector and a vital component of BGV’s sustainability initiative to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 50% by 2030.
Guests of Grand Timber Lodge, the Grand Lodge on Peak 7 and the Grand Colorado on Peak 8 will find they too can contribute to BGV’s sustainable efforts.
How You Can Help
We understand that adapting to these changes might be challenging, but we’ve got some tips here to support you on your upcoming visit!
- Think sustainably in your accommodations.
- Follow Summit County Recycling guidelines with HC3.
- Utilize shuttle services.
- Bring a reusable water bottle and utilize refill stations on the property and around town.
- Bring or purchase reusable shopping bags.
- Keep reusable cutlery in your bag for meals on the go.
- Turn off the lights and TV.
- Turn down the thermostat below 68 degrees.
- Reuse towels.
- Request a compost bucket at the front desk of your hotel.
- Rent, don’t buy!
- Consider renting your skis, helmets, and boots through companies like Ski Butlers, Breck Sports, and Alpine Sports.
- For ski pants and jackets, visit Ridden in Breckenridge. The shop offers consignment items, along with outerwear rentals, and even sled rentals for the nearby sledding hill at Carter Park.
Sustainable Activities in Breckenridge
Skiing is the ultimate outdoor winter activity, and Breckenridge Ski Resort is known for its world-class skiing and riding. Vail Resorts’ comprehensive sustainability commitment, Epic Promise For A Zero Footprint, aims to achieve zero net emissions, zero waste to landfill, and zero net operating impacts to forests and habitat all by 2030. While you’re on the slopes, take a look around you. Breckenridge Ski Resort has installed lower-energy chairlifts that use 30% less electricity, along with low-energy snowmaking guns that use more than 50% less compressed air than traditional snowmaking guns.
Bonus sustainable activities for the non-skiers include cross-country skiing and snowshoeing at the Breckenridge Nordic Center. Here you can rent the gear you need and explore over 2,000 acres of beautiful high alpine forest.
For more information regarding Breckenridge’s sustainability efforts and journey, please visit the following resources:
- Town of Breckenridge SustainableBreck Plan
- Summit Daily Introduction of Plastic Ban News Article
- Town of Breckenridge Sustainability
- Town of Breckenridge Material Management Checklist
- Comprehensive Alternatives Guidebook
If you are looking for a sustainable lodging option in Breckenridge, we highly recommend the Grand Lodge on Peak 7, recognized for the Pollution Prevention Award by the EPA.
Bottom line — whatever vacation activity you choose, you can take steps to leave Breckenridge better than you found it.
