The Crested Butte News Serving the Gunnison Valley since 1999
Admissions tax funds bringing vibrancy to the mountain
By Kendra Walker
The mountain may be sleepy this time of year, but Mt. Crested Butte will soon buzz with activity as new events and returning favorites will take place this summer. During their April 18 meeting, the Mt. Crested Butte town council awarded a total of $293,860 from the town’s admissions tax grant funding to nine organizations planning events on the mountain this year.
“This is the first summer that we are not seeing a risk of cancellation for events in our community due to COVID, which is increasing the amount and diversity of event offerings within the town of Mt. Crested Butte,” said Mt. CB marketing communications officer Marisa Maudsley. “With that brings a lot of excitement and opportunity for a wide array of events for the community to enjoy. These marketing and event initiatives help support local community partners and organizations while also assisting the town of Mt. Crested Butte in reaching the goals outlined in our strategic and master plans.”
The council awarded the following organizations for marketing their upcoming summer events. Mark your calendars!
Adaptive Sports Center
The council awarded Adaptive’s requested $24,000 to market their summer outdoor recreation programs running June through mid-October. Each year, Adaptive provides programming for more than 1,000 participants with disabilities through outdoor recreation activities.
Center for the Arts — Wine and Food Fest moving on up
The Center has proposed moving the 13th annual Crested Butte Wine & Food Festival Grand Tasting up to the mountain this year, and the council agreed to award them $82,200 of their requested $100,700.
The festival features world class chefs, winemakers, brewers, distillers, sommeliers and spirit experts. The event will take place on Saturday, July 22 at the town’s Snowmass parking lot. The goal for 2023 is to elevate the experience for attendees with live music, outdoor tents, more vendors/tasting offerings and on-mountain packages. This change in location requires more rental equipment, fencing and other event costs than in previous years when it took place at the Big Mine Ice Arena, explained Center for the Arts special events director Malia Jones.
“Ideally, we’re overbudgeting and we’ll be giving money back that we don’t spend,” she said, addressing the council’s hesitancy to award such a large amount. “We are completely willing and hopeful to be flexible on this and work together in partnership. “I really do see this as something that can create buzz in Mt. Crested Butte.”
Chamber of Commerce — Chili and Beer
The Crested Butte/Mt. Crested Butte Chamber of Commerce received its requested $38,000 toward its 25th Annual Chili & Beer Festival, a celebration of locally made chili and Colorado-brewed beer, ciders and seltzers. The event will take place on Saturday, September 9 at the base area.
Crested Butte Nordic — Summer GT
The council awarded CB Nordic $12,000 to be used for the annual Summer Grand Traverse mountain bike race celebration, which takes place on Sunday, September 3. GT Bike finishers will end at the CBMR base area in Mt. Crested Butte. The GT Run will occur on Saturday, September 2 and finish in Aspen.
Gunnison County Food Pantry —pop-ups
The Gunnison County Food Pantry is planning three pop-up pantry events in Mt. Crested Butte on June 28, July 26 and August 23. The goal of the pop-ups is to better understand the community and how the Food Pantry can better serve Mt. CB’s residents and workforce. The events will include food distribution, questionnaires and dialogue. The council granted the Food Pantry $11,800.
Living Journeys —Summit Hike and 10K
Living Journeys will once again hold its annual Summit Hike & Trail Runs on July 29. In addition to the Summit Hike and Half Marathon, Living Journeys is adding an inaugural 10K race option this year. The council awarded Living Journeys $53,300.
Melanin Mountain Project —Juneteenth hike and gathering on the mountain
The council granted Melanin Mountain Project $10,000 for the organization’s Juneteenth hike and social event on Saturday, June 17. The event will gather BIPOC outdoor influencers, poets and musicians on the mountain for a hike and celebration of diversity and inclusion in honor of Juneteenth.
Outerbike — mountain bike demo celebration
After being unable to host the event for the past few years due to COVID-19, the Outerbike event is making its return to Mt. Crested Butte this summer. The largest mountain bike demo event in the country is expected to attract between 500–600 attendees to the mountain. Outerbike will take place on August 18–20, and the council awarded $40,000 toward the event.
Trailhead Children’s Museum —July Block Party
The Trailhead is hosting a Summer Block Party at the base area and Red Lady Stage on Thursday, July 27. The family-friendly outdoor event and concert will feature Grammy-award-winning musical duo, The Okee Dokee Brothers, local children musicians, interactive art and play experiences. The council granted the Trailhead its request of $22,560.
