Silverthorne, Colorado

{{short description|Town in Colorado, United States}} {{other uses|Silverthorn (disambiguation)}} {{Use American English|date=June 2025}} {{Use mdy dates|date=April 2024}} {{Infobox settlement |official_name = Silverthorne, Colorado |settlement_type = Town (home rule)<ref name=COMun/> |nickname = |motto =  |image_skyline = 2011-07-07 10.18.17.jpg |imagesize = |image_caption = Silverthorne seen from Ptarmigan Peak. In the background Buffalo Mountain is on the left, while Red Mountain and Mount Silverthorne are located adjacent to each other to the right. |image_flag = |image_seal = |image_blank_emblem = Silverthorne, Colorado logo.svg |blank_emblem_type = Logo  |image_map = {{maplink | frame = yes | plain = yes | frame-align = center | frame-width = 280 | frame-height = 280 | title = Silverthorne | switch = Silverthorne; Summit County; Colorado; the United States | frame-coord = SWITCH: {{coord|qid=Q1019278}}### {{coord|qid=Q312453}}### {{coord|qid=Q1261}}### {{coord|qid=Q30}} | id2 = SWITCH:Q1019278;Q312453;Q1261;Q30 | zoom = SWITCH:11;9;5;2 | type = SWITCH:shape;shape;point;point | marker = town | stroke-width = 3 | stroke-color = #B00000 | fill = #808080 | type2 = shape-inverse | stroke-width2 = 2 | stroke-color2 = #5f5f5f | stroke-opacity2 = SWITCH:0;1;1;1 | fill2 = #000000 | fill-opacity2 = SWITCH:0;0.5;0.5;0.5 }} |map_caption = Interactive location map of Silverthorne  |subdivision_type = Country |subdivision_name = United States |subdivision_type1 = State |subdivision_name1 = Colorado |subdivision_type2 = County<ref name=COMun>{{cite web|title=Active Colorado Municipalities |url=http://www.dola.state.co.us/dlg/local_governments/municipalities.html |publisher=State of Colorado, Department of Local Affairs |access-date=September 1, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091212060308/http://www.dola.state.co.us/dlg/local_governments/municipalities.html |archive-date=December 12, 2009 |url-status=dead}}</ref> |subdivision_name2 = Summit County  |government_footnotes = <ref name="Mayor">{{cite web|title=Town Council |url=https://www.silverthorne.org/town-government/town-council |publisher=Town of Silverthorne, Colorado |access-date=November 29, 2025}}</ref> |government_type = Mayor–council |leader_title = Mayor |leader_name = Ann-Marie Sandquist |leader_title1 = Mayor Pro-Tem |leader_name1 = Amy Manka |leader_title2 = Town Council |leader_name2 = Tim Applegate Bruce Butler Jonnah Glassman Tanecia Spagnolia Erin Young |established_title = Incorporated |established_date = September 5, 1967<ref name=MuniIncCO>{{cite web|title=Colorado Municipal Incorporations |url=http://www.colorado.gov/dpa/doit/archives/muninc.html |publisher=State of Colorado, Department of Personnel & Administration, Colorado State Archives |date=December 1, 2004 |access-date=September 2, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030823045734/http://www.colorado.gov/dpa/doit/archives/muninc.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=August 23, 2003}}</ref> |named_for = Judge Marshall Silverthorn  |unit_pref = Imperial |area_footnotes = <ref name="CenPopGazetteer2025">{{cite web|title=2025 U.S. Gazetteer Files |url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/docs/maps-data/data/gazetteer/2025_Gazetteer/2025_gaz_place_08.txt |publisher=United States Census Bureau |access-date=November 29, 2025}}</ref> |area_magnitude = |total_type = Town |area_total_km2 = 10.663 |area_land_km2 = 10.493 |area_water_km2 = 0.170 |area_total_sq_mi = 4.117 |area_land_sq_mi = 4.051 |area_water_sq_mi = 0.066 |area_water_percent = 1.60  |population_as_of = 2020 |population_est = 5220 |pop_est_as_of = 2024 |pop_est_footnotes = <ref name="USCensusEst2024"/> |population_footnotes = <ref name="2020 Census (City)"/> |population_total = 4402 |population_density_km2 = auto |population_density_sq_mi = auto |population_urban = 13867 |population_urban_footnotes = <ref name="urban area">{{cite web|title=2020 Census Qualifying Urban Areas and Final Criteria Clarifications |url=https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2022/12/29/2022-28286/2020-census-qualifying-urban-areas-and-final-criteria-clarifications |publisher=Federal Register |website=www.federalregister.gov |date=December 29, 2022 |access-date=November 29, 2025}}</ref> |population_metro = 30882  |timezone = Mountain (MST) |utc_offset = −7 |timezone_DST = MDT |utc_offset_DST = −6 |elevation_footnotes = <ref name=gnis/> |elevation_m = 2679 |elevation_ft = 8790 |coordinates = {{Coord|39.659909|-106.089107|region:US-CO_type:town|display=inline,title}} |postal_code_type = ZIP Codes |postal_code = 80497, 80498 |area_codes = 970 and 748 |blank_name = FIPS code |blank_info = 08-70525 |blank1_name = GNIS feature ID |blank1_info = 2413288<ref name=gnis>{{GNIS|2413288}}</ref> |website = {{URL|https://www.silverthorne.org/|silverthorne.org}} |footnotes = }}

'''Silverthorne''' is a town (home rule) in Summit County, Colorado, United States. The population was 4,402 at the 2020 census,<ref name="2020 Census (City)">{{cite web|title=Explore Census Data |url=https://data.census.gov/profile/Silverthorne_town,_Colorado?g=160XX00US0870525 |publisher=United States Census Bureau |access-date=November 29, 2025}}</ref> and was estimated at 5,220 in 2024.<ref name="USCensusEst2024"/>

==History== The town was named for Judge Marshall Silverthorn who served as the judge of the Miners' court in Breckenridge. The judge first came to town as a prospector and claimed a section of the Blue River in 1881. After patenting his claim in April 1882, he was disappointed to find the gold to be sparse and the claim a poor bet. The land passed to his daughters on his death in 1887 and was then sold several times to various mining companies. In 1953 Clayton Hill bought the property and subdivided it for homes and stores.

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.<ref name=MuniIncCO/>

The town has expanded several times since incorporation by annexation.

Since 2016, the town of Silverthorne has hosted the Silverthon Games, an annual competition featuring a seasonally-based slate of individual and team events, culminating with the heavily spectated Hummingbird Circle race.<ref>{{cite web|title=Silverthon Historic Results |url=http://thezatkoffs.com/silverthon/silverthon-results/ |website=Silverthon Results |access-date=February 12, 2019}}</ref>

==Geography== Silverthorne is situated between the Gore Range to the west and the Continental Divide to the east. The two most visible mountains are Buffalo and Red Mountains. Also surrounding the valley are Ptarmigan, Tenderfoot, and Ten Mile Peaks.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of {{convert|4.117|sqmi|km2}}, of which {{convert|4.051|sqmi|km2}} is land and {{convert|0.066|sqmi|km2}} (1.60%) is water.<ref name="CenPopGazetteer2025"/>

==Climate== Silverthorne has a highland-influenced subpolar climate (Köppen (''Dfc'') with warm summer days, cold nights year round, as well as cold and snowy winter days.

{{Weather box |location = Silverthorne (1981–2010, extremes 1910–2018) |single line = Y |collapsed = Yes |Jan high F = 31.7 |Feb high F = 33.9 |Mar high F = 39.6 |Apr high F = 47.3 |May high F = 57.3 |Jun high F = 67.9 |Jul high F = 74.0 |Aug high F = 71.9 |Sep high F = 64.9 |Oct high F = 53.5 |Nov high F = 40.2 |Dec high F = 31.5 |year high F = |Jan low F = 1.8 |Feb low F = 4.0 |Mar low F = 11.7 |Apr low F = 18.8 |May low F = 27.3 |Jun low F = 33.7 |Jul low F = 39.0 |Aug low F = 38.2 |Sep low F = 30.7 |Oct low F = 22.0 |Nov low F = 12.6 |Dec low F = 3.8 |year low F = |Jan record high F = 61 |Feb record high F = 60 |Mar record high F = 63 |Apr record high F = 76 |May record high F = 80 |Jun record high F = 87 |Jul record high F = 89 |Aug record high F = 87 |Sep record high F = 84 |Oct record high F = 77 |Nov record high F = 65 |Dec record high F = 61 |year record high F = |Jan record low F = −44 |Feb record low F = −45 |Mar record low F = −38 |Apr record low F = −25 |May record low F = -8 |Jun record low F = 11 |Jul record low F = 22 |Aug record low F = 20 |Sep record low F = 4 |Oct record low F = −17 |Nov record low F = −30 |Dec record low F = −46 |year record low F = |precipitation colour = green |Jan precipitation inch = 0.81 |Feb precipitation inch = 0.92 |Mar precipitation inch = 1.01 |Apr precipitation inch = 1.26 |May precipitation inch = 1.31 |Jun precipitation inch = 1.25 |Jul precipitation inch = 1.95 |Aug precipitation inch = 1.93 |Sep precipitation inch = 1.42 |Oct precipitation inch = 0.90 |Nov precipitation inch = 0.93 |Dec precipitation inch = 0.86 |year precipitation inch = |Jan snow inch = 14.7 |Feb snow inch = 15.7 |Mar snow inch = 16.5 |Apr snow inch = 15.8 |May snow inch = 5.6 |Jun snow inch = 0.7 |Jul snow inch = 0 |Aug snow inch = 0 |Sep snow inch = 1.4 |Oct snow inch = 6.6 |Nov snow inch = 14.1 |Dec snow inch = 15.0 |year snow inch = |unit precipitation days = 0.04 in |Jan precipitation days = 6.7 |Feb precipitation days = 6.5 |Mar precipitation days = 7.5 |Apr precipitation days = 7.9 |May precipitation days = 7.2 |Jun precipitation days = 6.4 |Jul precipitation days = 9.1 |Aug precipitation days = 10.2 |Sep precipitation days = 7.5 |Oct precipitation days = 5.9 |Nov precipitation days = 6.7 |Dec precipitation days = 6.6 |year precipitation days = |unit snow days = 0.4 in |Jan snow days = 9.5 |Feb snow days = 8.7 |Mar snow days = 9.4 |Apr snow days = 8.5 |May snow days = 3.3 |Jun snow days = 0.4 |Jul snow days = 0 |Aug snow days = 0 |Sep snow days = 0.7 |Oct snow days = 3.7 |Nov snow days = 8.1 |Dec snow days = 8.9 |year snow days = |source 1 = NWS NOWDATA —data from Dillon 1E 1981–2010 }}

==Demographics== {{US Census population |1970= 400 |1980= 989 |1990= 1768 |2000= 3196 |2010= 3887 |2020= 4402 |estyear=2024 |estimate=5220 |estref=<ref name="USCensusEst2024">{{cite web|title=City and Town Population Totals: 2020-2024 |url=https://www.census.gov/data/tables/time-series/demo/popest/2020s-total-cities-and-towns.html |publisher=United States Census Bureau |access-date=November 29, 2025}}</ref> {{increase}} |align-fn=center |footnote=U.S. Decennial Census<ref>{{cite web|title=Decennial Census of Population and Housing |url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html |publisher=United States Census Bureau |website=www.census.gov |access-date=June 4, 2015}}</ref> 2020 Census<ref name="2020 Census (City)"/> | align = right }}

According to realtor website Zillow, the average price of a home as of October 31, 2025, in Silverthorne is $846,979.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Silverthorne, CO Housing Market |url=https://www.zillow.com/home-values/27109/silverthorne-co/ |publisher=Zillow |access-date=November 29, 2025 |language=en}}</ref>

===Racial and ethnic composition=== {| class="wikitable sortable" |+<big>Silverthorne, Colorado – racial and ethnic composition</big> {{nobold|''Note: the US Census treats Hispanic/Latino as an ethnic category. This table excludes Latinos from the racial categories and assigns them to a separate category. Hispanics/Latinos may be of any race.''}} ! Race / ethnicity (''NH = non-Hispanic'') ! Pop. 1990<ref>{{cite book|title=Colorado: 1990 |url=https://www2.census.gov/library/publications/decennial/1990/cp-1/cp-1-06.pdf |publisher=United States Census Bureau |pages=51 |access-date=November 29, 2025}}</ref> ! Pop. 2000<ref name=2000CensusP004>{{Cite web|title=P004: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2000: DEC Summary File 1 – Silverthorne town, Colorado |url=https://data.census.gov/table/DECENNIALSF12000.P004?g=160XX00US0870525 |publisher=United States Census Bureau |access-date=November 29, 2025}}</ref> ! Pop. 2010<ref name=2010CensusP2>{{Cite web|title=P2: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2010: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Silverthorne town, Colorado |url=https://data.census.gov/table/DECENNIALPL2010.P2?q=p2&g=160XX00US0870525 |publisher=United States Census Bureau |access-date=November 29, 2025}}</ref> ! {{partial|Pop. 2020}}<ref name=2020CensusP2>{{Cite web|title=P2: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Silverthorne town, Colorado |url=https://data.census.gov/table/DECENNIALPL2020.P2?q=p2&g=160XX00US0870525 |publisher=United States Census Bureau |access-date=November 29, 2025}}</ref> ! % 1990 ! % 2000 ! % 2010 ! {{partial|% 2020}} |- | White alone (NH) | 1,670 | 2,293 | 2,618 | style='background: #ffffe6; |2,837 | 94.46% | 71.75% | 67.35% | style='background: #ffffe6; |64.45% |- | Black or African American alone (NH) | 5 | 32 | 88 | style='background: #ffffe6; |70 | 0.28% | 1.00% | 2.26% | style='background: #ffffe6; |1.59% |- | Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH) | 11 | 15 | 6 | style='background: #ffffe6; |10 | 0.62% | 0.47% | 0.15% | style='background: #ffffe6; |0.23% |- | Asian alone (NH) | 11 | 23 | 43 | style='background: #ffffe6; |74 | 0.62% | 0.72% | 1.11% | style='background: #ffffe6; |1.68% |- | Pacific Islander alone (NH) | — | 9 | 2 | style='background: #ffffe6; |2 | — | 0.28% | 0.05% | style='background: #ffffe6; |0.05% |- | Other race alone (NH) | 1 | 10 | 1 | style='background: #ffffe6; |10 | 0.06% | 0.31% | 0.03% | style='background: #ffffe6; |0.23% |- | Mixed race or multiracial (NH) | — | 63 | 58 | style='background: #ffffe6; |136 | — | 1.97% | 1.49% | style='background: #ffffe6; |3.09% |- | Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 70 | 751 | 1,071 | style='background: #ffffe6; |1,263 | 3.96% | 23.50% | 27.55% | style='background: #ffffe6; |28.69% |- |'''Total''' |'''1,768''' |'''3,196''' |'''3,887''' |style='background: #ffffe6; |'''4,402''' |'''100.00%''' |'''100.00%''' |'''100.00%''' |style='background: #ffffe6; |'''100.00%''' |}

===2020 census=== As of the 2020 census, there were 4,402 people, 1,684 households, and 1,162 families residing in the town.<ref>{{Cite web|title=U.S. Census Bureau, Table P16: Household Type |url=https://data.census.gov/table?q=Silverthorne%20town,%20Colorado%20p16&y=2020 |access-date=November 29, 2025 |publisher=United States Census Bureau}}</ref><ref name="Census2020PL">{{cite web|title=2020 Decennial Census Redistricting Data (Public Law 94-171)|url=https://api.census.gov/data/2020/dec/pl?get=NAME,P1_001N,P1_003N,P1_004N,P1_005N,P1_006N,P1_007N,P1_008N,P1_009N,P2_001N,P2_002N,H1_001N,H1_002N&for=place%3A70525&in=state%3A08|website=United States Census Bureau|year=2021|access-date=April 28, 2026|df=mdy}}</ref> The population density was {{convert|1100.22|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|1}}. There were 2,551 housing units at an average density of {{convert|637.59|/sqmi|/km2|1}}.<ref name="Census2020DP">{{cite web|title=2020 Decennial Census Demographic Profile (DP1)|url=https://api.census.gov/data/2020/dec/dp?get=NAME,DP1_0021P,DP1_0024P,DP1_0025C,DP1_0049C,DP1_0045C,DP1_0069C,DP1_0073C,DP1_0125P,DP1_0126P,DP1_0129P,DP1_0133P,DP1_0137P,DP1_0138P,DP1_0139P,DP1_0141P,DP1_0142P,DP1_0143P,DP1_0145P,DP1_0146P,DP1_0147C,DP1_0148C,DP1_0149C,DP1_0156C,DP1_0157C,DP1_0158C,DP1_0159P,DP1_0160P&for=place%3A70525&in=state%3A08|website=United States Census Bureau|year=2021|access-date=April 28, 2026|df=mdy}}</ref>

The median age was 39.6 years. 21.1% of residents were under the age of 18 and 14.4% were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 112.7 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 112.3 males age 18 and over.<ref name="Census2020DP"/>

99.4% of residents lived in urban areas, while 0.6% lived in rural areas.<ref name="Census2020DHC">{{cite web|title=2020 Decennial Census Demographic and Housing Characteristics (DHC)|url=https://api.census.gov/data/2020/dec/dhc?get=NAME,P2_002N,P2_003N&for=place%3A70525&in=state%3A08|website=United States Census Bureau|year=2023|access-date=April 28, 2026|df=mdy}}</ref>

31.9% of households had children under the age of 18 living in them. 54.3% were married-couple households, 19.4% were households with a male householder and no spouse or partner present, and 15.7% were households with a female householder and no spouse or partner present. About 19.4% of all households were made up of individuals, and 5.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. 34.0% of housing units were vacant; the homeowner vacancy rate was 1.1% and the rental vacancy rate was 7.8%.<ref name="Census2020DP"/>

===Demographic estimates=== As of the 2023 American Community Survey, there are 2,128 estimated households in Silverthorne with an average of 2.18 persons per household. The town has a median household income of $114,185. Approximately 11.0% of the town's population lives at or below the poverty line. Silverthorne has an estimated 78.2% employment rate, with 48.5% of the population holding a bachelor's degree or higher and 89.7% holding a high school diploma.<ref name="QF">{{Cite web|title=U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts: Silverthorne town, Colorado |url=https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/silverthornetowncolorado/PST045224 |access-date=November 29, 2025 |website=www.census.gov |language=en}}</ref> There were 2,943 housing units at an average density of {{convert|726.49|/sqmi|/km2|1}}.

The top five reported languages (people were allowed to report up to two languages, thus the figures will generally add to more than 100%) were English (86.6%), Spanish (12.5%), Indo-European (0.9%), Asian and Pacific Islander (0.0%), and Other (0.0%).

===2010 census=== As of the 2010 census, there were 3,887 people, 1,451 households, and _ families residing in the town. The population density was {{convert|978.60|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|1}}. There were 2,061 housing units at an average density of {{convert|518.88|/sqmi|/km2|1}}. The racial makeup of the town was 80.58% White, 2.37% African American, 0.28% Native American, 1.29% Asian, 0.05% Pacific Islander, 12.91% from some other races and 2.52% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino people of any race were 27.55% of the population.

===2000 census=== As of the 2000 census, there were 3,196 people, 1,103 households, and 736 families residing in the town. The population density was {{convert|1009.1|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|1}}. There were 1,582 housing units at an average density of {{convert|499.5|/sqmi|/km2|1}}. The racial makeup of the town was 82.17% White, 1.00% African American, 0.66% Native American, 0.75% Asian, 0.28% Pacific Islander, 11.17% from some other races and 3.97% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino people of any race were 23.50% of the population.

There were 1,103 households, out of which 36.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.0% were married couples living together, 6.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.2% were non-families. 13.8% of all households were made up of individuals, and 0.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.90 and the average family size was 3.14.

In the town, the population was spread out, with 23.1% under the age of 18, 14.8% from 18 to 24, 42.3% from 25 to 44, 17.8% from 45 to 64, and 2.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 30 years. For every 100 females, there were 130.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 140.7 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $58,839, and the median income for a family was $61,715. Males had a median income of $31,983 versus $27,172 for females. The per capita income for the town was $24,271. About 2.9% of families and 7.2% of the population were below the poverty threshold, including 6.1% of those under age 18, but none were age 65 or over. ==Notable people== Notable individuals who were born in or have lived in Silverthorne include: * Red Gerard (born 2000), Olympic gold medalist snowboarder. * Tieghan Gerard (born 1993), food blogger of Half Baked Harvest<ref>{{cite web|last1=Gerard |first1=Tieghan |title=Nine Favorite Things. |url=https://www.halfbakedharvest.com/nine-favorite-things-241/ |website=Half Baked Harvest |date=April 24, 2022 |access-date=October 31, 2023}}</ref><ref name="MyBday2016">{{Cite web|last=Gerard |first=Tieghan |title=Skinny Cajun Sweet Potato Fries with Garlic Cheese Sauce. |url=https://www.halfbakedharvest.com/skinny-cajun-sweet-potato-fries-with-garlic-cheese-sauce/ |website=Half Baked Harvest |date=September 15, 2016 |access-date=October 31, 2023}}</ref><ref name="NYTControversy2023">{{cite news|last1=Moskin |first1=Julia |title=The Star of Half Baked Harvest Inspires Loyalty — and Controversy |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2023/10/30/dining/half-baked-harvest-tieghan-gerard.html |work=The New York Times |date=October 30, 2023 |access-date=October 31, 2023}}</ref> * Dan Gibbs (born 1976), Colorado state legislator<ref>{{cite web|title=Dan Gibbs' Biography |url=http://votesmart.org/candidate/biography/68235/dan-gibbs#.V2Q8prsrKXI |publisher=Vote Smart |access-date=June 17, 2016}}</ref> * Sarah Hirshland (born 1975), chief executive officer of the United States Olympic Committee * Mike Potekhen (born 1979), race car driver<ref>{{cite web|title=Mike Potekhen |url=http://www.champcarstats.com/ips/drivers/PotekhenMike.htm |publisher=ChampCarStats.com |access-date=June 17, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303175451/http://www.champcarstats.com/ips/drivers/PotekhenMike.htm |archive-date=March 3, 2016 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

==See also== {{portal|Colorado}} * Blue River * Dillon Reservoir * White River National Forest

==References== {{Reflist|1}}

==External links== {{Commons category|Silverthorne, Colorado}} * [https://www.silverthorne.org/ Town of Silverthorne – official website]

Category:Towns in Summit County, Colorado Category:Towns in Colorado