Race cited as reason for recent Elk Avenue altercation in CB

Fight starts from afternoon drinking session

by Mark Reaman

A 41-year-old Mt. Crested Butte man was arrested and charged with a first-class misdemeanor stemming from what was apparently a racist encounter that evolved into a fight.

According to Crested Butte chief marshal Mike Reily, officers with the Crested Butte Marshal’s Office and Mt. Crested Butte Police responded to the 100 block of Elk Avenue for a fight in progress the afternoon of Saturday, August 8 about 3:15 p.m. Officers located one party who had injuries. He was tended to by Crested Butte Emergency Medical Service personnel.

Reily said basically the parties were drinking in the bar and all was going well until the white patron made some comments to two black customers using the N-word. The black customers left the bar but were followed outside by the white customer, who swung his bike at them after using the N-word. Punches were thrown and the white customer was knocked down. EMS personnel were called and looked over the white customer, who refused further treatment. The black customers went to the marshal’s office to explain what happened.

Reily said the case was investigated and later reviewed with the district attorney before the white customer was issued a citation on August 14. Adam Brodie was cited into Gunnison County Court for Harassment with the Intent to Harass Because of Race, a first-class misdemeanor. He is scheduled to make a first appearance before the judge on September 22. Reily said the charge is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent until or unless proven guilty.