Briefs Crested Butte

Where can your dog poop?
The Crested Butte Town Council at the October 4 meeting agreed to amend the town code to allow more places to be “dog-friendly.” One such place will be the new Verzuh-Rotary Park located on the east side of town. The original intent was to have the park be pooch-friendly but according to the town code, Totem Pole Park is the place for k-9s. Parks and recreation director Jake Jones said given the future of green space near the new park, allowing dogs there would be appropriate and fits in with the desire of neighbors. Jones will make adjustments to the code to allow more room for dogs, and the council will look at the suggestions in the near future. Incidentally, a map is available from PAWS outlining places that are dog-friendly in town.

Council supports “our” ski area (the one with skinny skis)
The council approved several requests by the Crested Butte Nordic Council to extend and upgrade the Nordic Council Yurt located on the Lower Loop conservation easement. The yurt is used for dinners and brunches and has become very popular. It also makes money for the local non-profit organization.
A short philosophical discussion took place over how much the council wants the yurt used in a commercial sense, since it is located on designated open space property. The Nordic Council asked that it be allowed to be utilized about three times a week in the winter.
Allowing the yurt to be used that frequently on land dedicated to open space drew some discomfort from councilmembers Dan Escalante and Roland Mason. “I wouldn’t want to go beyond that,” said Escalante.
Nordic Council board member Skip Berkshire said his group has talked about moving the yurt somewhere else if it becomes much more popular. “Part of the goal is to be a destination Nordic resort and this helps that,” said Berkshire. “We don’t want to come in here bouncing lemons off our biceps but we want to work together. Plus, as the town’s contributions have dropped off, we are looking for ways to stand on our own and raise money, and this is a good way to do that.”
“People come here for the Nordic program and this is a great amenity,” said councilperson John Wirsing. “It is our ski area and we need to support it.”
“This is a team effort and I just want to be sure the council supports what we’re doing,” said Berkshire.
“I think everyone here is in favor of this. We’ll hug later,” said Escalante.
The council also gave the nod to let the Nordic Council groom trails on the Gunsight Bridge open space parcel.
“Overall, as things get nicer, I just hope the Nordic program can remain affordable and a place for the blue-collar guy and his kids,” said Escalante.

Snowcat chat
A discussion over snowcats prowling Crested Butte streets will take place at the next meeting. The council will consider whether or not to eliminate the sunset clause in the ordinance regulating snowcats in town.
Passed by the last council, the law regulates timing, route and other issues with snowcats on public streets. Local resident Cathy Sporcich said she experienced problems with the C.S. Irwin snowcat last winter. She said they operated the loud machine before the allowed 6 a.m. start time on a few occasions. “It is way too noisy. It is really, really loud,” she said. “Buses aren’t loud compared to this machine. The thing is also huge and safety is a concern. I think these guys need to follow the rules. I’d suggest if you haven’t been in it, you as a councilperson take a ride on the route and see how big this is.”
No one from the company was at the meeting, so further discussion was postponed until the October 18 meeting. A company representative, most likely mountain manager and former Crested Butte mayor Alan Bernholtz, will attend the meeting to field any questions.

It’s election season
The town hall is designated as a polling place this election season. According to town clerk Eileen Hughes, the town hall will be open for voters on Election Day, November 2. Between October 13 and Election Day, the town will have a drop-off for mail ballots. She reminded people that early voting will start on Monday, October 18 in Gunnison.

Budget time
The next (and possibly last) big work session dealing with next year’s tight budget will be held on Thursday, October 14 at 6 p.m.

Council encouraging Tri-State electric to do the right thing
The council approved the draft of a letter composed by High Country Citizens’ Alliance climate and clean energy director Chris Menges. The comment letter will be sent to Tri-State Generation, which provides electricity to the Gunnison County Electric Association. Essentially the letter commends Tri-State for some of the proposed action in its 20-year plan but asks the company that “significant investment be directed toward alternative energy sources in place of new coal plants.” The letter indicates this will help protect the environment, keep electric costs down and perhaps provide new local jobs.
“The letter is not asking the council to oppose anything and Tri-State is seeking public comment,” said Menges. “The letter is mostly complimentary but encourages them to continue in good directions.”
With some modifications, the council agreed to sign and send the comments to Tri-State.