The Crested Butte News Serving the Gunnison Valley since 1999
Butte Avenue reconstruction
The town awarded a bid of $721,648 to Dietrich Dirtworks to do the work on the Butte Avenue Right-of-Way Improvements Project. The improvements include the extension of existing storm, water and sanitary sewer infrastructure to serve the Mineral Point and TP-3 affordable housing projects. In addition to the utility improvements, the Butte Avenue roadway will be reconstructed and resurfaced. The project is expected to begin the first week of August and take two to three months.
Fire district seeking sewer but not water from town
Town received word the Crested Butte Fire Protection District would like town sewer service for their proposed new safety campus just north of town but plans to dig a well to provide water to the new station. Negotiations are ongoing over the matter.
Road work delayed again
Given the late spring, some town road maintenance was pushed back. Staff completed about 75% of the annual crack sealing in town but the remaining work will not be done until the fall due to the amount of summer traffic.
Influencing state housing initiatives
Crested Butte town attorney Karl Hanlon and town manager Dara MacDonald continue to work statewide on the affordable housing issue. While they assisted with pushback on a state proposal in the last legislative session that would have hamstrung some local control over housing, they are proactively working with the governor’s office to craft a better proposal for next year. Hanlon said he is optimistic progress is being made but that optimism might shift once a new session is actually convened.
Utility credit!
May utility bills released in June provided a $43.37 credit to 1,193 active utility accounts in Crested Butte. Provided through the state’s TABOR regulations, the refund total of excess vacation rental tax collected in 2022 was $51,740 and utility accounts across town were the beneficiary.
Stuff
— Dannah Leeman started as the new Crested Butte sustainability director. Matt Flick has filled the town position of building inspector/efficiency coordinator.
