Some quick notable news notes

Some weeks there is lots of news. Other weeks, it is pretty lean. Early August was lean. It appears to be fattening up. A few examples…

—Holy guacamole. The Crested Butte Community School is bursting at the seams…this just three years after a major expansion. So people appear to like it enough here that they are moving their families to the valley. The school is one big reason our population base is increasing. The CBCS is a quality learning institution that provides a top-notch education for those hoping to move on to the country’s finest universities. It is probably one of the biggest draws for people moving here and it is becoming too small. With another 10 percent increase in enrollment, it won’t be long before another expansion will be needed—or those mobile classrooms will have to return.

—The Mountain Bike Hall of Fame is departing Crested Butte. There’s something odd about that. Maybe as a local mountain biker, I took it too much for granted and I shouldn’t have. After talking to Hall of Fame co-director Don Cook this week, I understand the decision. I don’t like that it is moving but it might actually help the sport’s exposure by relocating to northern California. Thanks to those who have maintained it here in the valley throughout the decades and good luck as it moves to a new home in Marin County.

—U.S. Energy Corporation, the owners of the molybdenum mining rights on Red Lady, are publicly talking up the potential of a mine on Mt. Emmons. It appears they really want to sell the “opportunity” of a mine. In a conference call with investors last week, company executives said they expect to have Forest Service approval for the mine through NEPA (National Environmental Policy Act). They said they hope to be fully permitted in three or four years. They insinuated they’ve had some nibbles of interest from real miners that may want to take on the project. Sure. It just seems USE shouldn’t expect any sort of easy NEPA process from this community and if they expect to be fully permitted in three years, they’re dreaming. Even if they eventually do get mining permits from the feds, the price of moly better skyrocket to pay for the billion dollar start-up costs involved. The last “real” miner they partnered with, Thompson Creek, came, saw, spent and ran after getting a feel for the real situation. Smart mining company.

—The monsoons are here but the lakes aren’t filling. The moisture is a blessing but Blue Mesa is still really low so understand that the drought conditions haven’t totally evaporated. We have a long way to go. Hopefully we’ll be able to fill the Mesa next spring from the copious amount of snow we receive this winter.