The Crested Butte News Serving the Gunnison Valley since 1999
Chamber and Mt. CB working on 2023 funding agreement
[ By Kendra Walker ]
The Crested Butte/Mt. Crested Butte Chamber of Commerce is working on a new campaign focused on stewardship and hopes to have the towns of Crested Butte and Mt. Crested Butte on board for launching in 2023.
Executive director Scott Clarkson met with the Mt. Crested Butte town council on December 6 to discuss the proposed campaign and the required funding, as well as renewing its professional services agreement with the town.
The Chamber is proposing a visitor-facing campaign that incorporates new versions of the “Covid Critters” characters created by John Fellows as spokespersons to carry out stewardship and sustainability messaging. In a report to council, Clarkson said the Chamber is looking to “bring stewardship practices to the front of our messaging through education, care for public lands and the promotion and engagement of sustainability efforts.” The new wildlife inspired critters would be displayed throughout the towns in places like the Visitors Centers, as marquee signage, in the news and radio, and on social and digital media. Clarkson said the Chamber envisions converting the Visitors Centers to serve as the epicenter of the stewardship message through increased interactivity and education, much like the gateway to a national park.
The goal is to implement the stewardship message consistently and effectively throughout the towns, said Clarkson. “We see this as a collaborative message exercise.”
The campaign aims to align its stewardship messaging and best practices with the Tourism and Prosperity Partnership (TAPP) and Crested Butte’s Community Compass values. Clarkson noted that with TAPP’s continued focus on attracting trail users and educating visitors in advance, the Chamber intends to focus on boots on the ground education once visitors are here. The Chamber also intends to consult with the STOR Committee to incorporate resources and messaging from groups like the Crested Butte Conservation Corps, BLM and U.S. Forest Service.
The Chamber is requesting funding from both the towns of Mt. CB and Crested Butte to develop the campaign, split 50/50. “We see this as something that could last for several years if done right,” said Clarkson. The proposed budget for Phase 1 to get the campaign up and running is $44,250 and the Chamber is requesting $21,650 from Mt. Crested Butte. “We’re prepared to phase it in over one to three years with limited costs in year two and three.”
The council asked Clarkson if he had spoken to the other entities mentioned and if any were on board. He noted that he had spoken with the Crested Butte town council the night before but they hadn’t taken any action since he wasn’t on their agenda. He said that TAPP and the CBCC were aware of the plans, and he was working on discussing the campaign with the STOR Committee.
The council expressed overall support for the new campaign but wanted a little more information about the other entities’ involvement and awareness of the campaign.
“I would like more info with the county and TAPP,” said council member Roman Kolodziej. “It seems to be aligned with what TAPP should be doing.”
Council member Steve Morris agreed, “I know the goal is the stewardship message in TAPP’s campaign, but I haven’t seen boots on the ground from them.”
“I’d like to wait until we’re sure Crested Butte is on board,” said council member Janet Farmer.
“I’m a little hesitant on the $21,000,” said council member Michael Bacani. “If you were to come to us and say, I’ve spoken to TAPP, Dave (CBCC) and STOR and it’s all coordinated…It seems like right now you’re kind of walking out on a limb hoping everyone gets on board.”
“It sounds like there’s general support but we’re just asking for more information and more contact with those other folks to make sure we’re all on the same page,” said mayor Nicholas Kempin.
Clarkson and the council also discussed renewing the Chamber’s professional services agreement with the town, which includes all Mt. CB visitor center operations for 2023. In 2022, the town paid the Chamber $66,000 through Business & Occupational License (BOLF) funds. Clarkson noted that amount would be similar for 2023 and the $21,650 for the new stewardship campaign is a separate funding request.
This year, the Chamber increased its operating hours at the Mt. CB Visitors Center, staying open seven days a week through October 15 instead of closing once CBMR shut down summer operations. Clarkson said he received positive feedback from the Lodge at Mountaineer Square and the Grand Lodge on the Visitors Center being open longer. The Chamber proposes the same structure for 2023, closing in the spring from April 3 until when CBMR summer operations start back up again, and then closing in the fall from October 16 until the ski lifts start spinning for the winter.
According to Clarkson, there are 28 Mt. Crested Butte businesses that are members of the Chamber. He said their goal is to increase their Mt. CB memberships to 35 in 2023.
Clarkson said he would continue to communicate with the other entities regarding the proposed stewardship campaign and will draft up a services agreement for the town’s review and consideration.
The Chamber is scheduled to meet with Crested Butte Town Council on Monday, December 19.
