The Crested Butte News Serving the Gunnison Valley since 1999
County and state expedite process
The bar at Paradise Warming House is open for business at Crested Butte Mountain Resort (CBMR). The bar had stopped serving alcohol in early January after resort officials learned its liquor licenses had lapsed. The license was reinstated on Thursday, February 5 and the bar reopened the next day after the state expedited its licensing process.
Gunnison County held a public hearing at the Lodge at Mountaineer Square on Thursday, February 5 as part of its own licensing process. And while county clerk and recorder Kathy Simillion indicated that public support had been largely in favor of reinstating the license, she also cautioned that the state process could take up to six to eight weeks.
“As far as anyone sending a letter opposing this, we have not had any input. It’s actually been the opposite. They want to know when they can get their beer at Paradise bar,” she said.
Brian Turner, who has overseen the management of Paradise Warming House since 1996, was also on hand at the hearing. He emphasized that prior to the lapse, the bar had consistently been in compliance with regulations.
“We haven’t had any violations since I’ve been there,” he said.
The county commissioners approved the liquor license without hesitation, with Commissioner Phil Chamberland asking, “And when will we be able to get a beer at Paradise?”
Simillion indicated that she would fax the county paperwork to the state of Colorado as soon as the application was approved, where someone was prepared to expedite process. The process was completed that same day, and the bar reopened on Friday, February 6.
