Keystone, Colorado

Keystone, Colorado is a census-designated place located in Summit County, Colorado. As of the 2000 census Keystone's population was 825. Keystone addresses fall in zip code 80435 and are served by the Dillon Post Office. Keystone is the home of the Keystone Ski Resort. The resort was originally built by the Ralston Purina Company, and is currently owned and operated by Vail Resorts. The resort's skiable land encompasses three mountains. Winter activities include skiing, snowboarding, ice skating, dog sledding, and snowmobiling. Summer activities include hiking, fishing, biking, and trail running. Keystone is the closest major resort to the Denver, Colorado International Airport. The resort has 2,870 skiable acres and 19 lifts serving 130 separate trails and boasts the only night-time skiing in the area.

As of the 2000 census Keystone was home 20 825 people in 327 households with 88 families in the community. Population destiny was reported at 20.3 people per square mile. Racial makeup of the area was just over 86 percent Caucasian with the remainder mixed between Asian, African American, Native American, and Hispanic. 21 percent of households consisted of individuals residing alone. The average size of Keystone households was 2.23 and the average size of families was 2.42. The median age of Keystone residents was 26. Males outnumbered females in the community by a ratio of 1.86 to 1. The median income for Keystone residents was $43,654 in 2000 and the median family income $68,570, with per capita income at just over $24,000.

Named for the numerous mountain tops within its boundaries, Summit County is one of the original seventeen Colorado counties. The original boundaries of the county included land that now comprises Grand County, Moffat County, Garfield County, Routt County, Eagle County, and Rio Blanco County. In 1874 the northern half was split to form Grand County, and, in 1883, Garfield and Eagle Counties were created to bring Summit County to its present boundaries.

Summit County, high in the Colorado Rockies, is often called Colorado's playground, due to the numerous outdoor activities available in the area. In addition to Keystone, the area is also home to Copper Mountain, Breckenridge, and Arapahoe Basin ski resorts. The county also has the very popular Dillon and Green Mountain reservoirs. Primary access to Summit County is provided by Interstate 70 from Denver, 70 miles to the east.