Keeping our friends in the valley

“I have to leave to live here…”
—Long-time local preparing to leave for the summer for a decent paying job.

Like so many people here, a good friend told me Tuesday she is facing economic challenges and uncertainty. As a result, she has concluded that she has to leave to stay here.
She has found a summer job on the Front Range that will pay her more than she could possibly make in this valley. She will try to rent out her Crested Butte place to help pay the mortgage. She doesn’t want to leave the valley, especially in the summer, but reality is biting. She’ll be back in the winter.
A worker up at the resort said to me Monday that he is ready to leave and head back east after a quarter of a season here. “It’s beautiful here but the snow isn’t doing it for me, there isn’t a lot to do and they are talking about cutting my hours.”
I chatted with a tourist from Atlanta who was preparing for the long trip back home last Friday. His comment was that “One of the best things about this place is that it is hard to get to. One of the worst things about the place is that it is hard to get to.” He indicated that the family doesn’t come back as often as they used to.

We can blame some of the hardship on the low snow year. We are, after all, snow farmers at heart and when the crop doesn’t come in, we take a hit. But the hardship in the valley isn’t something new this season.
Associate editor Seth Mensing is starting a series of reports for the News this week focusing on how some people make it here in Crested Butte and the valley. He is finding that it isn’t always easy and there is some sacrifice no matter which path one might choose in order to stay here.
In his piece this week, columnist John Norton paints a grim picture of the current valley economy. He is disappointed in the rose-colored glasses seemingly worn by local elected leaders. He advises that the people here need to have an honest vision of the current situation and he challenges that by “fixing” and supporting the county’s primary drivers, fewer people will have to move away from this paradise.

It’s rarely been easy to live here but Lord knows, it should be easier than it is. Polishing and expanding the overall product so people have a memorable experience and come back is important. Looking for ways to enhance and support local institutions like Western State College, RMBL, CBMR, the arts community, and Cattlemen’s Days should be a priority. Countywide, but at the north end of the valley in particular, giving visitors a reason to come and play and spend money should be the focus. Again, I will argue that means promoting not just skiing, but the deeper lifestyle of the place. Based on sales tax figures, it seems to be working in the summer but winter is choking. Most people can’t make enough money in six summer weeks and a couple of winter weeks to survive 12 months.
Now, some locals seem to want this valley to turn into the Vail Valley. That won’t happen. Some locals seem to want to see this place turn into Pitkin. That could happen. That’s the trajectory as winter tourism numbers dwindle. And that has real impacts, especially on families trying to make it here.
I’d suggest it isn’t spending a boatload of time and money on another Economic Development Council. I would suggest it is taking a realistic look at what works in this valley. Tourism perhaps? And then polishing those unique attributes we have in this county and getting people here to enjoy them. Promote the deep arts and education opportunities on top of the outdoor amenities. Upgrade the broadband capabilities for locals and tourists. Give people a reason to come here and then come back. Go back and concentrate on our basic, unique down-to-earth authentic traits.
The bottom line is that if we focus on just a few basics, things can turn around. I’m seeing too many examples in the north end of the valley of a dark decline. So, acknowledge we’re a tourist-based economy, attract more kids to attend Western State, make it worthwhile and easy for Lone Eagles. Everything else will then fall into place. The baristas will make more money, the restaurants will be full, the bus drivers will have people to transport, ski instructors will have teaching hours. At the end of the day, that boosts the positive energy of the place and ultimately helps keep our friends here.