Winter Park is a home rule municipality in Grand County, Colorado, United States. The permanent population was 1,033 at the 2020 census, although with 2,572 housing units within the town limits the seasonal population can be much higher. It is home to Winter Park Resort, a ski resort owned by the City of Denver and managed by Alterra Mountain Company. The town and resort are served by the Winter Park Express ski train run by Amtrak. The area also has cross-country skiing opportunities, including Devil's Thumb Ranch. In the spring and summer, Winter Park is known for mountain biking, concerts, hiking, and fishing.

Geography

Winter Park is located in southeastern Grand County at the southern end of the Fraser Valley. It is bordered to the north by the town of Fraser. U.S. Route 40 passes through the town, leading south and east over Berthoud Pass 66 mi to Denver and northwest 20 mi to Granby. According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 42.7 km2. Its elevation ranges from approximately 8700 to 12060 ft above sea level, and is considered sub-alpine country. It is snow-covered for about six months a year. Although the town center is at about 9000 ft above sea level, Winter Park, using administrative boundaries as a measure, became the highest incorporated town in the United States after the July 2006 annexation of 5214 acre of Winter Park Resort to allow new on-mountain improvements. This claim is disputed since Winter Park has no residences above 9550 ft, while contiguous residential neighborhoods in Leadville, Colorado, extend to 10360 ft and in Alma, Colorado, to 11680 ft, and Alma's town center is at 10361 ft.

Climate

According to the Köppen Climate Classification system, Winter Park has a subarctic climate, abbreviated "Dfc" on climate maps.

Demographics

Notable people