Breckenridge Gets 7 Free EV Chargers by 2027

Breckenridge is getting a major upgrade to its electric vehicle infrastructure without spending a dime.

By the end of 2027, Denver-based Helios Charging will install seven fast-charging stations somewhere in the Colorado mountain town. The $1.2 million project comes entirely funded through an $800,000+ grant from the Colorado Energy Office, with Helios covering the remaining costs and all future maintenance.

Matt Hulsey, assistant mobility and public works director, said the partnership happened when Helios approached the town about collaborating on the grant application. The town provided a letter of support, Helios won the funding, and now Breckenridge gets free infrastructure that will serve both residents and visitors.

The chargers are Level 3 stations, meaning they can fully charge most electric vehicles in 20 minutes or less. That's fast enough for tourists passing through to top off their batteries, and convenient enough for locals without home chargers to rely on them regularly.

The catch? The town needs to give up seven parking spots for five years minimum.

Mayor Kelly Owens and council members pushed back on the two initially proposed locations: the Wellington lot on Main Street and the ice rink lot on Boreas Pass Road. Both spots already face tight parking competition from skiers, overnight visitors, and local businesses.

"We already have so many uses happening with skier part-day parking, with overnight parking, with the ice rink, with the troll statue, that I feel like it's a difficult place to jam another use in," council member Jay Beckerman said.

The Bright Side

While finding the perfect spot won't be easy, everyone agrees the chargers are worth having. Hulsey acknowledged there's no perfect location that won't impact some parking, but the benefits outweigh the tradeoffs.

For Breckenridge residents without home charging capabilities, the stations open up the possibility of owning an electric vehicle. For the thousands of tourists who visit the ski town annually, they provide peace of mind that running out of charge won't strand them in the mountains.

Owens suggested alternative locations like the Gold Run Nordic Center or golf course lots, which sit farther from downtown but might create less parking friction. Hulsey will return to the council with a deeper analysis of how each location would affect residents, visitors, and nearby businesses.

The grant requires installation within two years, so the clock is ticking. But Owens expressed confidence the town will find the right solution: "We'll find a spot for them."