A property tax measure could shape what you pay to own a home in Breckenridge for years to come, and understanding the details is especially important in a mountain market where ownership expenses already require careful planning. Summit County Measure 1A appeared on the November 2026 ballot, asking voters whether to continue an existing property tax levy that supports several local services.
For homeowners and buyers throughout Breckenridge, Frisco, Silverthorne, Dillon, and Keystone, the practical questions are straightforward: Will the tax rate change? When would the measure take effect? And what should you check before purchasing or budgeting for your property?
I want to walk you through those answers and explain how this decision fits into the full cost of owning a home in Summit County.
Summit County Measure 1A: What Voters Decided
Summit County voters approved Referred Measure 1A in the November 3, 2026 election. The measure passed with strong voter support.
The measure asks voters to continue the existing 4.652-mill Strong Future property tax levy beginning January 1, 2028. The levy was originally approved in 2018, and the proposal would extend it on an ongoing basis without increasing the existing levy rate.
The revenue supports five areas of county services:
- Wildfire prevention and mitigation
- Mental health, substance abuse, and suicide prevention programs
- Affordable early childhood care and education
- Public buildings and community facilities
- Recycling and waste diversion
These programs are funded through the existing Strong Future initiative, which Summit County communities have used since 2019.
Will Measure 1A Increase Your Property Tax Bill?
The key detail is that Measure 1A continues an existing levy of 4.652 mills, rather than establishing a higher rate. Its approval would maintain that particular tax levy beginning in 2028, with no scheduled expiration under the proposal.
A mill is a property tax rate equal to $1 for every $1,000 of taxable assessed value. For example, a home valued at $1 million in Summit County would have a taxable assessed value of approximately 60,000–70,000. At a rate of 4.652 mills, the homeowner would pay approximately 280–326 per year toward this specific tax.
That example illustrates the levy calculation, while your actual property tax bill depends on several additional factors.
Why Your Total Tax Bill Can Still Change
Summit County property taxes depend on your property’s taxable assessed value and the combined mill levies imposed by applicable taxing districts. Changes in assessments or other district levies can affect what you owe even when one particular levy remains unchanged.
Another important local development is Summit School District’s approved Ballot Issue 4A, which provides approximately $5.9 million in additional annual operating funding beginning with the 2027 tax collection year. That is a separate school funding measure, and homeowners should review its implications alongside Measure 1A.
Before estimating future taxes, I recommend checking the property’s actual tax districts and current assessment. That gives you a more dependable starting point than applying one countywide figure to every home.
What Could the Continued Levy Mean for Summit County Communities?
Measure 1A supports services that are part of everyday life throughout Summit County. For mountain homeowners, understanding where local funding goes can provide useful context when reviewing community expenses and long-term ownership considerations.
Wildfire Prevention and Mountain Properties
Wildfire mitigation is particularly relevant to homes surrounded by trees, properties bordering open spaces, and mountain residences where vegetation management requires ongoing attention.
Strong Future funding supports local wildfire prevention efforts, although the continuation of the levy does not guarantee that an individual property will receive mitigation work.
For buyers considering Breckenridge and nearby mountain communities, I recommend reviewing defensible space, vegetation, property access, and insurance requirements during the purchase process.
Community Services and Infrastructure
The Strong Future initiative also supports behavioral health programs, early childhood services, public facilities, and recycling operations. These are countywide services that contribute to how local communities function throughout the year.
For example, Frisco’s official town update reports that Strong Future funding has supported investments across all five program areas since 2019. The continuation would preserve an existing revenue source for these activities, subject to county budgeting and oversight.
Buying in Breckenridge? Check These Costs Before Making an Offer
Property taxes are one piece of your ownership budget, particularly when purchasing a second home, condominium, or year-round mountain residence.
I always recommend evaluating the property’s full annual expenses before deciding how comfortably it fits your plans. My Breckenridge homebuying guide also covers practical considerations that can influence a mountain property purchase.
Pay attention to these five expenses:
- Property taxes: Review the current tax bill and estimate the amount following a purchase, including applicable districts and assessments.
- Insurance: Obtain property-specific quotes and review wildfire exposure, coverage conditions, and deductibles.
- HOA fees: For condominiums and townhomes, examine dues, reserves, and any planned special assessments.
- Mountain maintenance: Budget for snow removal, heating, roof maintenance, and seasonal property care.
- Rental-related expenses: Verify licensing requirements, local regulations, and management costs before factoring rental income into your plans.
These details can vary significantly between a condominium near downtown Breckenridge, a single-family home in Blue River, and a property in Frisco or Silverthorne. Comparing the full cost of ownership will help you choose a property that fits how you intend to use it.
Four Steps to Review Your Summit County Property Taxes
Understanding Measure 1A is useful, but checking your own property records is where you can get answers that matter to your budget.
1. Look Up Your Property Assessment
Start with the Summit County Assessor’s property information and confirm the property’s classification, actual value, and taxable assessed value. Your tax calculation depends on the assessed value established under Colorado property tax rules.
2. Review Your Applicable Mill Levies
Your property tax bill includes taxes from several districts, such as county government, schools, towns, fire protection, and special districts. Each district sets its own tax rate, called a mill levy.
To find the individual mill levies for your property:
- Visit the Summit County Treasurer’s Property Tax Search.
- Enter your property’s schedule number.
- Select the tax year you want to review.
- Click Print Tax Notice.
- Find the table labeled Tax Entity, Mills ($/Thousand), and Tax.
This table shows which taxing districts receive your property taxes, each district’s mill levy, and how much you pay toward each one. Reviewing this breakdown helps you understand where your property tax dollars go and which districts affect your total tax bill.
3. Estimate Taxes Before Purchasing
The county provides property tax information and assessment tools that help owners review their records. Ask about the implications of a purchase, changes in property classification, or other circumstances before using the seller’s bill as your future estimate.
4. Review the Budget Beyond Property Taxes
Alongside your taxes, review insurance, maintenance, HOA obligations, and any rental-related expenses. For owners considering selling a Breckenridge property, understanding these costs can also help explain the property’s financial considerations to interested buyers.
Make Your Next Summit County Property Decision With Confidence
Summit County Measure 1A concerns the continuation of an existing property tax levy, and understanding that distinction can help you make sense of the election result. Your overall tax bill still depends on assessments and other taxing districts, so reviewing the numbers for your specific property remains essential. For mountain homeowners, it’s also a good opportunity to revisit the full annual budget and make sure it reflects the way you use your home.
I’ve spent years helping people buy and sell real estate throughout Breckenridge and Summit County, and I’ve seen how much the practical details matter when choosing a mountain property. A home near Breckenridge Main Street, a condominium in Keystone, and a residence in Silverthorne can each come with very different expenses, maintenance needs, and ownership responsibilities.
Ready to discuss buying or selling in Breckenridge, Frisco, Silverthorne, Dillon, or Keystone? Contact me through my website, and let’s talk about your goals, your property options, and the ownership details worth reviewing before your next decision.
FAQs About Summit County Measure 1A
Did Summit County Measure 1A pass?
Yes. Summit County Measure 1A passed in the November 3, 2026 election, with voters approving the measure.
Does Measure 1A create a new property tax?
The measure concerns extending the existing 4.652-mill Strong Future levy beginning in 2028. It proposes continuing that rate on an ongoing basis rather than introducing an additional levy rate.
Will my Breckenridge property taxes stay the same?
Your total property taxes can change due to assessments and other applicable taxing districts. Reviewing the property’s assessed value and complete mill levy breakdown provides a more accurate picture of future expenses.
Where can I check my Summit County property tax information?
The Summit County Assessor and Treasurer provide property assessment and tax information. Start with the county’s official website to review property records and available services.
About Jan Leopold
Jan Leopold is a top-performing REALTOR® with RE/MAX Properties of the Summit, helping buyers and sellers navigate Breckenridge, Blue River, Frisco, Silverthorne, Dillon, Keystone, and surrounding Summit County communities. My experience with luxury mountain homes, second residences, and local ownership considerations helps you evaluate properties with a clear understanding of their location, condition, value, and ongoing expenses.
RealTrends Verified reports $15.78 million in 2025 sales volume across 10 transaction sides, and my professional profile reflects more than 400 career transactions and $220 million in career sales volume. With 115+ Google reviews and 30+ Zillow reviews, I bring local expertise and personalized guidance to buyers and sellers throughout Summit County.