The Crested Butte News Serving the Gunnison Valley since 1999
Town Picnic is August 4
The annual Mt. Crested Butte Town Picnic is on Friday, August 4 at 5 p.m. at the Ted Scheske Town Park. Residents and homeowners are asked to RSVP and bring a potluck dish for eight. The town will provide the main course and drinks.
Wayfinding budget increase
Due to increased material costs, labor costs and updates to sign engineering, on July 18 the town council approved town staff’s request in a 4-3 vote to fund an additional $170,883 through admissions tax funds for a total contribution of $423,483 toward the Wayfinding Phase 1 project. The project includes a series of ski-like poles and signs intended to better direct visitors around the base area and town.
Earlier in July, staff had requested an additional $105,155 from the Downtown Development Authority (DDA) to their dedicated $432,800 toward the project; however, the DDA’s vote resulted in a tie and the fund request did not pass. Because the DDA did not agree to fund the increase, town staff then turned to the town council to fund the additional costs through admissions tax funds.
The biggest reason for the no votes from both the DDA and council was due to the higher-than-expected increase in costs from the initial 2022 cost estimate. The council might ask the DDA to reconsider and/or reimburse the town for a portion of the funds since it was a tied vote and not all DDA members were present at their July 10 meeting.
“This was the sign design we approved. I think the longer we wait we’re just going to be spending more money for less,” said councilmember Janet Farmer.
Phase 1 sign foundations are planned to be installed in August and the sign structures slated for installation in September/October.
Fourth of July laser show refund
Due to a malfunction in equipment causing technical difficulties, the laser show during this year’s Fourth of July celebration did not go as planned. Lightwave International was hired for a 45-minute show but was only able to provide less than a minute of the show because of the technical difficulties. A full refund has been sent to the town of Mt. Crested Butte. Events coordinator Rebecca Gagne noted that Blackline Entertainment provided sound, production equipment and a light show that accompanied the band after dark, and said she received feedback that the missing laser show was not noticed because Blackline’s light show was so good.
E-bike rebate stats
As of July 18, the town has issued 44 rebates and spent $21,999 of $50,000 budgeted toward its e-bike rebate program. Thirty-two rebates have gone to Mt. CB residents, 12 to second homeowners and two to town employees. Of the bikes purchased, 34 were purchased online, one purchased in Mt. CB, four in Crested Butte, four in Gunnison and one purchased elsewhere in Colorado. The average price of e-bikes bought through the program is $2,136.25.
