Council ready for Elk Avenue to be back to normal, no exceptions

“The blue pole is obviously a burr under some people’s saddles,” councilman Jim Schmidt said. “I don’t care if it’s blue or green. I do really like Mel Harper’s suggestion of painting the light poles different colors to represent different things important to Crested Butte.” “She was joking,” said citizen David Rothman. “Whether she was joking or not, it was a great idea,” said Schmidt. “To be clear, the staff could not possibly be more ambivalent about the color of the light pole,” said town manager Todd Crossett. “We will do whatever you want.” “That was a council request, not a staff decision,” said Schmidt. “But I love the idea of the different-color light poles.” “Maybe painting the poles could be part of the Creative District,” suggested local gallery owner Shaun Horne. “I too liked Mel Harper’s idea, joking or not,” said mayor Aaron Huckstep. “I thought it could be a great public art project.” “We paint the buses, why not the poles?” added councilperson David Owen. “But how practical is it to paint light poles different colors?” “We’d just have to write a check,” answered councilman Glenn Michel. “Maybe we paint a pole red and the High Country Conservation Advocates [HCCA] are responsible for keeping the paint on that one,” said Schmidt. “It could actually be a good way to engage the community,” said Horne. “We are a National Historic District,” Michel reminded the council. “It may be okay for a weekend or a week or a month but not forever.” “Maybe it’s not every light pole but the four corners of the Creative District,” said Huckstep. “The light poles, after all, are not historic,” added Schmidt. “The Bud Light event has created more philosophical events in the town than anything. The current blue pole is a reminder. When Elk is back to normal maybe we can reflect on it on more,” said councilman Chris Ladoulis. “It’s just paint. I think citizens want it all back to the way it was before the event,” said Michel. Huckstep asked if anyone on the council objected to repainting the remaining blue pole green. Everyone was on board. “I still think Mel Harper’s idea is a good idea and we should keep the different-color light pole idea for the future as we move forward with the Creative District,” said Huckstep.