Dillon Reservoir History comes to life each summer through the Summit Historical Society’s popular guided boat tours. While the sparkling blue water attracts boaters, anglers and paddleboarders, it also holds one of Summit County’s most remarkable stories. Visitors quickly discover that this beautiful reservoir shaped the history, economy and future of Colorado’s High Country.
Led by knowledgeable local historians, these 90-minute tours blend breathtaking mountain scenery with fascinating stories about geology, early settlements, mining, railroads and Colorado’s complex water system.
How Dillon Reservoir Changed Colorado
The story of Dillon Reservoir History begins long before the dam was built. Native wildlife, early trappers, miners, ranchers and railroad workers all helped shape the Blue River Valley before Denver Water acquired water rights during the early 1900s.
Construction of Dillon Dam began in 1960, creating the reservoir that now supplies nearly 40% of Denver Water’s system. Water travels more than 23 miles beneath the Continental Divide through the Roberts Tunnel before reaching Colorado’s Front Range. Today, the reservoir remains one of Colorado’s most important water resources while providing year-round recreation for residents and visitors alike.
Learn more about Colorado’s water system through the Denver Water website at www.summithistorical.org.
A Town That Refused to Disappear
Perhaps the most fascinating chapter of Dillon Reservoir History is the relocation of the original town of Dillon. Rather than allowing its historic buildings to disappear beneath the rising water, community members carefully moved many treasured structures before the valley flooded.
Today, visitors can still experience that history throughout Summit County. The historic Dillon Schoolhouse now serves as the Summit Historical Society Museum, while the Old Dillon Inn continues welcoming guests inside Silverthorne’s Bluebird Market. More than 320 graves were respectfully relocated, preserving an important connection to the community’s past.
Additional information about local museums and historic sites is available through the Summit Historical Society. Learn more at www.denverwater.org
More Than a Beautiful Lake
Beyond its history, Dillon Reservoir remains one of Summit County’s most popular outdoor destinations. Visitors enjoy sailing, kayaking, fishing, hiking, cycling and wildlife viewing throughout the warmer months. Nearby communities including Breckenridge, Frisco, Silverthorne, Keystone, Copper Mountain and Arapahoe Basin offer countless opportunities to extend your mountain adventure.
Boat tours also encourage meaningful conversations about Colorado’s future water supply. Learning how mountain snowpack, drought conditions and responsible water management affect communities across the state provides valuable perspective while enjoying one of Colorado’s most scenic landscapes.
Whether you’re visiting Summit County for the first time or have lived here for years, exploring Dillon Reservoir History offers a deeper appreciation for the people, engineering, and natural beauty that continue to shape this extraordinary mountain region.
