The Crested Butte News Serving the Gunnison Valley since 1999
Receive $500, $1,000 or $1,500 depending on qualifications
[ By Kendra Walker ]
The town of Mt. Crested Butte is once again offering e-bike rebates to Mt. Crested Butte residents in an effort to reduce traffic congestion, reduce carbon emissions and promote environmentally friendly transportation.
The town is offering two different rebate programs, and Mt. Crested Butte residents may apply for one or the other depending on their qualifications. New Class 1, 2 or 3 e-bikes are eligible. However, full suspension e-bikes are not eligible for either program.
The first program is similar to the town’s rebate program from last summer. Mt. Crested Butte residents or those owning residential property in Mt. Crested Butte can receive a rebate of $500 per e-bike per person. If the bike is purchased from a retailer in Gunnison County, the applicant will receive an additional $50 rebate for a total of $550, and if purchased from a retailer in Mt. Crested Butte, the applicant will earn another $50 for a total of $600. The town has budgeted $10,000 for this program. Town clerk Tiffany O’Connell confirmed that in 2023, the council awarded 135 rebates at $500 per person, for a total $68,997.
The second program is for low- and moderate-income residents, and rebates are determined by Area Median Income (AMI). The Town recently received a $50,000 grant from the state to offer AMI-specific e-bike rebates, and the town is providing $25,000 of its own funding to the program as well. To meet the income qualifications for this rebate, the applicant must be a full-time Mt. Crested Butte resident with a household income below 100% of AMI. The rebate is $1,500 per e-bike for 80% or less of AMI or $1,000 per e-bike for 81-100% of AMI. Applicants must show proof of full-time residency and proof of income. A one-person household is at 100% AMI for Gunnison County if they make $65,600 or less annually.
Full suspension e-bikes are not allowed per the state rebate requirements, and the council agreed to maintain that requirement with the regular program as well to encourage the program’s intent of getting cars off the road rather than more e-bikes on the trails.
For both programs, e-bikes must have been purchased after May 7, 2024 and rebate requests must be submitted to the town within 90 days of the purchase date. As of the town council’s June 4 meeting, O’Connell said she had authorized three non-restricted rebates and two AMI-specific rebates.
For a full list of requirements and eligibility for a rebate, visit https://mtcb.colorado.gov/projects-initiatives/e-bike-rebate-programs
