The Crested Butte News Serving the Gunnison Valley since 1999
“Preservation isn’t always easy…”
The look of Crested Butte is one of its unique attractions. The ability to preserve the feel of the old mining town while incorporating the architecture that comes with being neighbors with a modern resort has helped put Crested Butte on the state’s historical map.
As a result of that effort, the town of Crested Butte will be recognized in May along with some other Rocky Mountain ski towns for their contributions to historical preservation in Colorado. The Dana Crawford Awards Dinner is the state’s largest preservation awards assembly, honoring individuals and organizations that have made a significant contribution toward preserving Colorado’s architectural history.
The town’s Historic Preservation Coordinator, Molly Minneman, said Colorado Historic Society’s Intergovernmental Services Director Dan Corson is getting the actual award, based on his organization of a coalition of ski towns that have prioritized historic preservation. Minneman said representatives of Crested Butte, Breckenridge, Aspen, Telluride and Steamboat Springs gather once a year to discuss the successes and challenges of stewarding historic districts and buildings in their individual communities.
“Dan coordinates the forum for these ski towns to come together and learn from each other,” Minneman explained. “We all agree that preservation isn’t always easy but it is important. Most people like the idea of preservation within their community but the actual mechanics are more difficult.”
Minneman said she and town Building and Zoning Director Bob Gillie usually attend the forums. The specific award recognizes exceptional efforts of historic preservation commissions to address preservation projects and new districts, together with the challenges of incorporating new construction into established historic districts.
“When we get together we share things like how to facilitate the preservation of individual structures or enhance energy efficiency, or even individual details in an historic building like wood windows,” Minneman said. “We also watch other communities have successes and it is inspiring to all of us. It is great to see other people recognize that it is worthwhile.
“Preservation is important to a community like ours,” Minneman continued, “the mountain backdrop, the sense of place it brings to a community. As far as the award, we get to share in the accolades for continuing to meet and explore different ideas and share thoughts that we can take back and put into practice.”
The awards ceremony will be held May 18 at the Denver Botanic Gardens.
