Briefs Gunnison County

Air Service, grouse, bike routes and roads—Oh my!

LMD gives money for air service marketing
The Gunnison Board of County Commissioners, acting as the Gunnison River Valley Local Marketing District (LMD), approved a request for funding from the Rural Transportation Authority and the Gunnison-Crested Butte Tourism Association at its November 26 meeting.

The request was for up to $10,000, half of which will be paid back, to promote and market the new Houston to Gunnison summer air service that will begin in June. Banners, baggage tags, window decals, newspaper advertisements and bus decorations will all be paid for by the funds.
“With travelers currently booking and flying into Gunnison for the holidays, the RTA felt now is the time to begin marketing,” said RTA executive director Scott Truex. “These are people already inclined to visit the Gunnison Valley and we believe winter marketing efforts will increase the visibility of our summer service.”

County approves third set of grouse comments
County Commissioner Paula Swenson calls it the issue that won’t go away: the county approved its third set of comments on the proposed listing of the Gunnison sage grouse for submission to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service at its November 26 meeting. “The first set of comments was more than 200 pages, the second set was around 80 pages and this last set is about eight or nine pages,” said Commissioner Phil Chamberland.
All three county commissioners also gave testimony regarding the proposal at a November 19 public hearing on the issue, held at Western State Colorado University. The USFWS is accepting public comments through December 2.

Kebler closed
Kebler Pass is closed for the winter season, and the county will no longer be maintaining the road, said Gunnison Public Works director Marlene Crosby.
“We make every attempt to keep the road open to the Y until Thanksgiving, but dangerous road conditions and weather can cause us to close the pass earlier,” said Crosby.
Recreationalists looking to access the Kebler area are encouraged to park at the winter trailhead just outside of Crested Butte.
According to Public Works, with the closure Gunnison County will no longer be checking the pass.

Pro Challenge works with county to determine routes
Organizers of the USA Pro Challenge bike race are working with county and city officials to determine the route of next year’s course. There has been some thought given to having the route travel over both Kebler and Cottonwood Pass. However, Crosby said she does not think it would be feasible to have both “23 miles of Kebler and 13 miles of Cottonwood in primo shape.” The specific detailed route will be announced in the spring.