Mt. CB awards grants for summer events

Mark your calendars for a wide range of activities

By Kendra Walker 

The town of Mt. Crested Butte has once again awarded funding to local organizations to hold summer events and initiatives as part of its biannual Admissions Tax Grant awards program. Earlier this spring, the town council agreed to fund various marketing initiatives for a total of $204,445 from the town’s admissions tax fund. The council has allocated grant awards to the following applicants for their summer 2024 events: 

A Bar Above: $18,390

A Bar Above is using the funds for its summer music initiative to continue featuring nightly live music by local musicians. According to Mt. Crested Butte communications officer Marisa Maudsley, A Bar Above had a successful winter music program, doubled its revenue streams year over year and hopes to keep people at the base area longer this summer by offering free live music. 

Adaptive Sports Center: $22,300

The town’s funds will help the Adaptive Sports Center market its summer outdoor recreation programs from June through September. Adaptive recently introduced the Access for All Initiative, which strives to eliminate cost as a barrier to participation through a subsidized rate to make it one of the most affordable adaptive sports programs in the nation.

CBMR & Elevation: $10,000

Crested Butte Mountain Resort and the Elevation Hotel & Spa are utilizing the town’s funds to hold a welcome reception during the Colorado Governor’s Tourism Conference. The Colorado Governor’s Tourism Conference (GOVCON) is a three-day event, September 25-27, that will bring an estimated 400 Colorado tourism executives and industry leaders to Mt. Crested Butte.

Crested Butte Development Team: $8,770

CB Devo will use the funds for its annual Junior Bike Week on June 26-30, which offers competitive racing and non-competitive bike-centric family-friendly experiences. 

Crested Butte Nordic: $11,950

CB Nordic is holding its Summer Grand Traverse running and biking fundraising event on Labor Day weekend, August 31-September 1. The Mountain Run event travels from Mt. CB to Aspen and the Mountain Bike travels from Aspen to Mt. CB. 

Crested Butte/Mt. Crested Butte Chamber of Commerce: $28,250

The Chamber will utilize the funds for its Chili & Beer Festival on September 7. The annual event features locally made chili, Colorado-brewed beer and cider and music at the base area. 

Coffee Lab: $6,000

The Coffee Lab will use the funds for marketing its business from June to September to gain more awareness with the public of its offerings and extended summer hours in the base area. 

Drshti Shala: $4,905

Drshti Shala is holding a Yoga Summer Solstice event at the Wedding Garden on June 20, a ticketed yoga event for yogis and interested community members to join together on the Summer Solstice and perform 108 sun salutations. The event will also include a live kirtan, vendor and nonprofit booths, non-alcoholic drink bar and food truck.

GVC3: $11,130

The Gunnison Valley Climate Crisis Coalition (GVC3) requested funds for its inaugural Western Slope Climate Forum on June 28. The free event will bring together municipal leaders, local and regional climate organizations, regional businesses and community members to share progress on climate action and collaborate on ongoing and future endeavors. 

Living Journeys: $32,000

Living Journeys will use the funds for its annual Summit Hike fundraiser on July 27. The organization is dropping both the marathon and 10K run and shifting its focus to just the Summit Hike and utilizing the message of “Hope, Heal & Hike at Mt. CB.”

Melanin Mountain Project: $31,550

The town’s funding went toward Melanin Mountain Project’s fourth annual Juneteenth Celebration that took place on Wednesday, June 19. The event kicked off the summer concert season on the Red Lady Stage with music and poetry by BIPOC artists. The event welcomed people of color, both local and visitors, to enjoy Mt. Crested Butte and elevate the celebration of the new federal holiday and Black history and culture.

Montanya Distillers: $1,400

Montanya Distillers is holding a Rum Rhythms event during the third week of August. Montanya Distillers is under new ownership and plans to sponsor a live music event at A Bar Above to promote their hand-picked barrel, exclusively bottled and available at A Bar Above. 

Trailhead Children’s Museum: $17,800

The Trailhead will use the funding toward its second annual Big Summer Bash. The Big Summer Bash will be held on the base area’s Red Lady Stage and feature live music, interactive art and play experiences, food and drinks. The event is confirmed for July 25 featuring the bands The Black Canyon Boys and The Mojo Birds.