Meet the Candidates for the CB South POA board

The Crested Butte South Property Owner’s Association (POA) board of directors election will run from July 31 – August 14, and there are four candidates for three open seats: Liz Jordan, Spencer Schiff, Kevin Deitz and Mike Scarpa. In advance of the election, the Crested Butte News asked candidates to share their ideas and visions with our readers. We asked each candidate to send us a brief bio about their background and connection to CB South, answer a few questions and to keep their answers limited to 750 words or less.

— Katherine Nettles

Kevin Dietz

I was born in NE Oklahoma. My father, a research scientist, instilled in me a deep love of the outdoors and a deep respect for our environment. I was raised to understand the importance of honesty, humility, and respect. Values that have served me well throughout my life. 

My entire working life was spent in the services industry. Prior to attending college, I was a journeyman bricklayer and masonry craftsman. While studying Electrical Engineering Technology and Computer Science at Texas Tech University, I worked for a Biomedical company designing, implementing, and maintaining technology solutions for hospitals and physicians. During 30 years as an employee of IBM, I created, implemented, serviced and managed IT systems for customers across the Utility and Financial Services industries. Leadership, customer care and problem solving are my core competencies. Over my services career, I also gained experience in Financial management, Contract management & administration, Public relations, and Networking. I retired in 2014.

I first visited CB South in the 90’s. I have owned a home in CB South for 13 years and have lived fulltime in CB South for seven years. Over that time my love for this community has continued to grow and am proud to call this wonderful place home.

I am an avid hiker, fisherman, skier, photographer. I never miss an opportunity to experience the same old or new places in our valley. 

What is your vision for CB South and how do you hope to support that as a board member? 

My vision for CB South is a community that remains focused on being a neighborhood. A place where we care about each other. A place for children and adults to grow and belong. I believe that my problem-solving skills, my contract development & analysis skills, my negotiation skills would all be helpful to our community as the commercial area is built out and the residential areas grow. I would love the opportunity to collect input from my neighbors, find out what they want, what they need, what their vision is and then bring that input to bear during board meetings and deliberations. Simply put I want to contribute to CB South by using my skills and experience to help maintain the sense of community and vitality as current and future growth proceed. 

How do you feel about the Commercial Area Master Plan/Special Area Regulations and the growth of mixed-use development in the commercial zone? 

I recently read the Special Area Regulation (SAR) (previously referred to as Commercial Area Master Plan (CAMP)). I find it to be a comprehensive and yet somewhat flexible set of guidelines for development within the commercial area. I live within the commercial area and would say, so far so good. Development to this point has been mostly painless. Noisy at times, dusty at times and the roads are showing signs of wear from heavy trucks. I would advocate for earlier development / reservation of public spaces and continued improvement of the walking paths in the commercial area. In the future we may have to look for ways to address daytime and nighttime noise. We will also need to improve the transportation infrastructure as traffic continues to grow with more businesses coming online.

What is your position on placing a cell tower within the subdivision to improve EMS/cell service? 

Improved cell service is a must for our community. I recently spoke to a long time CB South resident who was having an internet service provider do repair work at their house. The service technician could not call his office from CB South. In order to communicate with his home office and next level support, the technician had to leave CB South and drive a few miles down Highway 135 to get a connection. Our current cell service is untenable; something must be done. If a cell tower in CB South is the answer to this problem, we will have to install one. Preferably, any new tower would be a stealth tower or a small cell design. Thereby limiting the visual impact and providing more location flexibility. Location seems to be the current dilemma. Certainly, a location can be found.

What’s your favorite thing about CB South? 

Great neighbors and great access to the national forest are my favorite things about our community. Our neighbors in CB South are always willing to help each other, to share a smile, offer encouragement. We are community of people that care and that encourages all of us to care about each other. I love that about CB South and it is why this community is my home! 

Elizabeth (Liz) Jordan

Liz Jordan is a retired diplomat who moved to Crested Butte South full-time in 2016. As a former Consul General, she has strong budgeting, staffing, customer service, public relations, and conflict resolution skills. Having served on the Crested Butte South POA Board from 2020 – 2022, she is familiar with POA challenges and day-to-day POA operations.  

What is your vision for CB South and how do you hope to support that as a board member?

To ensure that CB South continues to be a welcoming, safe place for families, with the optimum blend of small businesses, recreational opportunities, and green space. My highest priorities include effectively managing growth and development, improving and expanding facilities and common areas, and speeding.

How do you feel about the Commercial Area Master Plan/Special Area Regulations and the growth of mixed-use development in the commercial zone? 

I am a fan of mixed-use development and will work to more attract new businesses that are directly useful to residents.

What is your position on placing a cell tower within the subdivision to improve EMS/cell service?

A big supporter, but not sure if I would want a tower in my background. The right location is crucial. 

What is your favorite thing about CB South?

The community is my favorite part!  One can run into many friends and neighbors just walking to the mailroom. I love it. 

Mike Scarpa

My wife, Anne, and I are the owners of Mountain Tails Pet Boutique. As many of you know, we recently opened our new CB South location at 241 Gillaspey Avenue and are thrilled to be a part of this vibrant and growing community. Anne and I have lived full time in Buckhorn Ranch since 2020.

What is your vision for CB South and how do you hope to support that as a board member?

We purchased the commercial space at 241 Gillaspey just a few months ago, so we are relatively new property owners in CB South. While I’m still getting fully up to speed on all the current POA matters and community initiatives, I’m aware of several important topics under discussion — including the proposed cell tower, the continued development of the commercial district, and other key community issues.

With over 27 years of professional experience in Human Resources — including my most recent role as Chief Human Resources Officer for Trimble, a publicly traded technology company — I would bring a wide range of skills in finance, management, communication, and organizational leadership to the POA Board if elected. 

In addition to running Mountain Tails, I currently serve as CFO for InsideHOA, a Crested Butte-based tech startup that develops software to help HOA Boards operate more efficiently and foster greater community engagement. This role has deepened my understanding of HOA operations and legal governance. I also previously served as both President and Vice President of our HOA when we lived in Evergreen, Colorado.

How do you feel about the Commercial Area Master Plan/Special Area Regulations and the growth of mixed-use development in the commercial zone? 

Regarding the Special Area Regulations (SAR), I appreciate the importance of having a comprehensive set of guidelines for the development of the Village Center. Equally important, however, is ensuring open dialogue with all community stakeholders. Mixed-use development can support both housing (of which we have a critical need) and business needs, but it requires careful planning and mutual understanding. The Village Center’s growth was one reason why we chose to open our second Mountain Tails shop here. I believe it can evolve into a dynamic hub that complements Elk Avenue, creates local jobs, and serves the broader CB South community — so long as growth happens at a pace and in a manner the community is comfortable with.

What is your position on placing a cell tower within the subdivision to improve EMS/cell service?

One of the key issues currently facing the CB South community is the proposed new cell tower. As someone who now works daily in CB South, I can personally attest to the poor cell service. In my view, strong and reliable cell service is critical to public safety — especially for the police, fire fighters and first responders — and also supports local remote workers, businesses, and residents alike. While the placement of a tower will undoubtedly be a point of debate, I look forward to engaging thoughtfully in that discussion.

What is your favorite thing about CB South?

One of the things I truly enjoy most about CB South is the welcoming, relaxed, and community-oriented spirit that I’ve experienced. Having spent a lot of time in CB South in the last few months, I have also greatly enjoyed getting to explore and connect with other CB South business owners and residents. I’m excited about the opportunity to serve on the POA Board. CB South is already a unique and thriving part of the upper valley, and I would be honored to help guide its continued development while addressing the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.

Spencer Schiff

My wife and I fell in love with Crested Butte during our frequent visits here to camp and mountain bike. We moved here five years ago and bought a house in Crested Butte South soon after. I am deeply committed to our community and am eager to serve on the POA Board. My goal is to help preserve our unique character while ensuring our community thrives well into the future. I am keen to engage with all stakeholders, including homeowners, landowners, and business owners, to understand their unique needs and leverage my skills to address a diverse set of challenges. My background, which includes owning a business in the valley and working with larger organizations developing strategies and honing operations, makes me confident I can be a valuable and contributing member of our board.

What is your vision for CB South and how do you hope to support that as a board member?

Crested Butte South is already an exceptional place to live, and I believe it holds immense potential for the future. As a board member, my vision is to enable thoughtful progress and sustainable growth that aligns with the interests of our homeowners, landowners, and business owners. By fostering a collaborative approach, I aim to help ensure that our community not only maintains its unique character but also continuously enhances its livability and vibrancy for everyone who lives, works, and visits here.

How do you feel about the Commercial Area Master Plan/Special Area Regulations 

and the growth of mixed-use development in the commercial zone? 

I’m excited about the plan and the growth of mixed-use development in our commercial zone. This plan is crucial for making Crested Butte South a more vibrant and self-sufficient community, offering tangible benefits like more diverse housing for locals and increased access to local businesses within walking distance. I believe this will improve daily life for folks living and visiting here, and reduce our reliance on nearby communities for essential services and amenities, enabling Crested Butte South to thrive independently.

What is your position on placing a cell tower within the subdivision to improve EMS/cell service? 

I strongly support improving cell service and connectivity within Crested Butte South, as I believe reliable communication is essential for progress. Our community currently lacks this, and I believe modern technology offers solutions that can enhance connectivity with minimal impact. I am committed to exploring all viable options to achieve reliable cell service, while prioritizing community well-being, to deliver the benefits of improved connectivity.

What’s your favorite thing about CB South?

I have a two year old dog named Digby, and I love taking her on walks with my wife Sophie to explore the scenery Crested Butte South provides while getting to interact with our neighbors throughout the community.