Dillon and Silverthorne

Understand

History

The original town of Dillon was built as a stage stop and trading post on the northeast side of the Snake River. By 1892 the town had been relocated twice, both times in order to be closer to railroad lines that were extended into the area. All three of these historic townsites were situated very close to the Blue River Valley confluence where the Snake River and Tenmile Creek flowed in, and this area is now referred to collectively as "Old Dillon".

During the Great Depression, Denver Water began acquiring land around Dillon. In 1956, residents and business owners in Dillon were notified that they would need to sell their property and move out, because Denver Water was about to begin construction on a dam just downstream from the town, and the resulting reservoir (which would help supply water to Front Range communities) was going to flood Dillon and the surrounding valley. About a mile to the north, some land on a hillside was set aside for the current townsite, which is now situated on the shoreline of Dillon Reservoir.

Silverthorne served as a makeshift camp for workers during the construction of the Dillon Reservoir from 1961 to 1963, and later as a stop along Interstate 70; it was eventually incorporated on April 5, 1967. Since 2016, the town of Silverthorne has hosted the Silverthon Games, an annual competition featuring a seasonally-based slate of individual and team events.

Local information

• Silverthorne Town Council website
• Dillon Town Council website

Get in

Dillon and Silverthorne are located on I-70 (exit 205), which is generally open year-round. The nearest major airport is at Denver.

Go next

Nearby ski resorts include:

• Arapahoe Basin
• Breckenridge
• Copper Mountain
• Keystone
• Vail
• Colorado's Wine Country — Colorado is home to over 70 wineries and its own indigenous vineyards, some of the highest in the world. Wine lovers can enjoy several scenic day trips from Keystone to many of the small towns that grow their own grapes. These lovely little communities include Montrose, Palisade, Paonia, Grand Junction and Hotchkiss. This is a day trip by car.