If we just need a motel for one night on I-70 before we head to Aspen, which town would be a better stopover for dinner/accomodation/atmosphere--Silverton, Dillon, or Frisco?

Silverton is nowhere near I70.

You must be thinking of Silverthorne as Silverton is north of Durango. Of the three, I'd choose Frisco. Silverthorne is little more than a collection of strip malls. Dillon is better, but , IMO, in the last ten years has suffered from too much commercialism. Frisco still has a bit of a small town feel and a much better atmosphere. Be sure and get off at the second exit and head down Main Street. There are several B&B's as well as a few motels and several decent restaurants. I'd avoid the north side of Frisco (first Frisco exit if heading west). It has a number of motels, but this area too is a bit blighted from tourist traps, strip malls and traffic. Breckenbridge is only a few miles further down the road (Highway 9) and would provide a plethora of places to stay and plenty of restaurant choices.

Oh yes....I meant Silverthorne!

Or you could get out of condo-land by going 35 minutes down the road to Leadville.

Sorry - I mean about 30 miles from I-70 to Leadville IF you want soemthing a little more historic, and (to me) funky. It would certainly give you a contrast to Aspen!

Are you coming from Denver? It is only a 4 hour drive to Aspen. If you are just looking for a place to stop, just 'stop" when you are ready

We can't leave Denver until after 5 pm on a Friday--so we only want to go part of the way. Checked with a motel in Leadville--already full. Some places have 2 night minimums. We'll probably just stay in Frisco.

Look at Silverthorne. Lots of motels, and about an hour and a half.

Frisco for sure. It isn't someplace I'd make a destination out of unless I was skiing, but it has some character and a good variety of motels and restaurants. Silverthorne is best known for its outlet mall, which says everything, and Dillion (like Silverthorne) IMO is a sprawling, unattractive place.

Another suggestion would be Georgetown. It's a little east of your other choices so if you got a late start from Denver, you'd get to your hotel in a reasonable time.

Georgetown is an old mining time with Victorian charm and was the first capitol of Colorado. They have both modern motels and Victorian hotels from which to choose. I enjoy walking the streets of Georgetown more than I would in any of the three other towns you mentioned.

If you're a railroad buff, the Georgetown Loop mining train operates during the summer.

Christy, they're looking for a motel not a destination. I'd agree on Georgetown or Idaho Springs even if they get caught and just want to stop.

Frisco is about five minutes up the road from Silverthorne so what wouldn't someone choose it over Silverthorne? Georgetown is also a possibility. Even if it's not a destination stop, I think most people ( I know I would ) prefer a bit of ambience and a choice of good restaurants if such an alternative is available.