Mt. CB July 4 plans

Fireworks, laser show, live music and light show

[  By Kendra Walker  ]

After reflecting on this year’s Fourth of July celebration, and weighing options for future events, the Mt. Crested Butte town council plans to move forward with a fireworks show, laser show, live music and light show for next year’s Fourth of July celebration. 

During the August 16 town council meeting, Mt. CB events coordinator Rebecca Schroeppel presented several options and combinations of Independence Day performances to consider based on costs, availability, and “wow factor.” 

Most of the council agreed they prefer the tradition of fireworks, but also recognize that doing a light or laser show aligns better with the town’s strategic plan to focus on environmentally friendly practices and reduce wildfire risks that come with fireworks. 

Schroeppel noted that there are only three fireworks companies in the area willing to do shows in Mt. Crested Butte, and only one can guarantee a show for next year with the requirement that the town supplies its own certified technician. There are currently no technicians in the area and the town would cover the cost to train a technician from the police department or fire department. 

Community feedback from this year’s laser show was generally in favor of a light/laser show with a live music component, however, the story board laser show fell short of expectations. 

Schroeppel also presented the options for drone shows, however, a drone show would probably cost at a minimum of $150,000. While intrigued by the concept, the council agreed it was too expensive and would revisit the option in the future when prices potentially go down.  

“My only concern with a drone show would be optics of spending a quarter of a million dollars when we’re trying to build affordable housing,” said council member Roman Kolodziej. 

The council agreed to pursue a bigger event that will include fireworks, a laser show (without a storyboard), live music and light show. The town would also like to increase the presence of base area offerings and activities. In the chance that the fireworks show gets cancelled due to fire restrictions, the logic was that the crowd would still get the laser/light show. 

Schroeppel noted that the cost of this combination option will range from approximately $53,000 to $75,000.

Kolodziej also requested that a parallel event be explored to accommodate people and animals affected by the fireworks noise. “I’d like to provide a safe place or event for people to go where they’re not going to hear the fireworks, to show that the town recognizes the problem fireworks cause for people and animals.”