Crested Butte council willing to look at 2016 Pro Challenge but has questions

Want to know more about contribution and organization

by Mark Reaman

The Crested Butte Town Council is not ready to commit to hosting another USA Pro Challenge bike race event next summer, but is willing to gather more information about that possibility.

Town manager Todd Crossett told the council at the Monday, November 16 meeting that he had received word that the organization had recently changed hands. While no routes or host communities had been selected, the new organizers had contacted Crested Butte-Mt. Crested Butte Chamber of Commerce director Dave Ochs to say the new group was taking letters of interest from various Colorado towns.

“Obviously no approval or monetary commitment can be made tonight by the council but we can send a letter administratively and let them know we may be interested in hosting the event again but need more information. We did not put any money in the budget for the event,” said Crossett.

Crossett said Mt. Crested Butte had been made aware of the situation as well. Two years ago when the event came through the valley, the towns each paid about $30,000 to event organizers plus provided a ton of in-kind contributions.

“So if they apply for a special events permit, we can consider it,” summed up mayor Glenn Michel.

“If there’s general interest from the council we can let them know,” said Crossett. “If not, just let me know.”

Councilman Roland Mason said he was concerned that there might not be a major sponsor for the event. In the past the loss of a major sponsor put a greater financial burden on host communities to pay for the privilege of hosting a start or finish to the bike race.

“When we first did this it was good marketing for Crested Butte in a time of recession,” said Mason. “We got lots of TV exposure. Are we in the same situation now? Are businesses still on board to close Elk Avenue for the event? It’s a lot of money and staff time for the town. Is it worth it?”

“I’m open to it but the question of money needs to be figured out,” said councilman Jim Schmidt. “Is it worth the money and the publicity? A lot of downtown businesses have a poor day when the event comes through, since it finishes in Mt. Crested Butte.”

“Let’s see what they have to offer,” said councilman Paul Merck. “I don’t know if we still need to pay for that type of advertising. We’re pretty busy right now in the summer.”

“And let’s be aware that our contribution would come out of our general fund,” added Mason. “Mt. Crested Butte has an admissions tax to fund things like this. We don’t have that. We have dedicated funds for things like open space and we just spent a lot of money in Mt. Crested Butte for Snodgrass preservation. I don’t think we need to put in dollar for dollar necessarily for this event.”

Crossett will send a letter of interest to the new Pro Challenge organizers and see if they can provide some details about the 2016 event.