The Crested Butte News Serving the Gunnison Valley since 1999
New Bridge for Kebler Trail
The Gunnison County Commissioners have thrown their support behind a new bridge planned for the Kebler Trail. The bridge is a top priority for the Trails Commission, which has been securing letters of support and matching funds for the anticipated $80,000 project.
The Forest Service and the Land Preservation Fund have given in-kind contributions and matching funds. With an additional $5,000 kicked in from the Trails Commission budget, the project can now apply for a grant from the Colorado State Recreational Trails Program, which requires 30 percent be matched in local funds.
Them’s the breaks
Wildhorse LLC asked the County Commissioners for a refund of taxes paid in 2009 and 2010 in Mt. Crested Butte subdivision. Kendra Goldstein of Sterling Property Tax Specialities, Inc. asked the commissioners to reduce the value of each lot by about 30 percent and adjust taxes accordingly.
Goldstein argued that 10 of the 30 months in the property valuation period saw no sales activity in Wildhorse, and that lack of activity reduced the value of the lots. But George Lickiss, senior appraiser for Gunnison County, produced market analyses showing the regional housing market was flat during that time period, with no significant decline.
“It boils down to, did the market change or did the management change… It’s my understanding there was strife in the management company and that’s what caused the problems,” he said. The commissioners agreed and denied the appeal.
One for the history books
The original stone Clark Ranch house on Highway 50 has been designated a historic landmark. Built sometime between 1902 and 1914, it is cited as a significant example of stone craftsmanship in the Gunnison Valley.
