Briefs: County

By Katherine Nettles

Supporting expanded Bustang service 

Gunnison Valley RTA special projects manager and executive director assistant Leia Morrison reported to Gunnison County commissioners this spring that the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) has proposed an expanded Bustang service, the interregional bus service that connects the Gunnison Valley to Denver and the I-25 and I-70 corridors. 

“They’ve recognized our ridership is very high,” said Morrison, “one of the highest in the state.”

The proposal would add a second reverse-direction schedule to the current one, allowing a second opportunity to depart from Denver and Crested Butte, and passing through midpoints such as Buena Vista and Fairplay each day.

County commissioners unanimously agreed to add their own signatures to a letter of support for the proposal, joining Mountain Express, Mt. Crested Butte, Crested Butte and the city of Gunnison. 

“It would hit on all strategic transportation goals, including climate, connectivity and accessibility,” commented commission chairperson Jonathan Houck.   

Commissioner Liz Smith agreed that it was “a necessary evolution.” 

STOR, planning commission, Region 10 appointments

This spring, commissioners appointed Roland Mason as a regular member to the Gunnison County planning commission and Jeff Wilkerson as an alternate. 

They appointed Colleen Hannon to the Region 10 transportation seat, and they reappointed Jake Jones and appointed newcomer Tim Kugler to the Sustainable Tourism and Outdoor Recreation (STOR) committee.