The Crested Butte News Serving the Gunnison Valley since 1999
By Katherine Nettles
Public hearing for consideration of a bridge
Gunnison County commissioners held a public hearing on December 16 for a request from Hunter Family Real Estate, which owns a series of parcels along Upper Allen Road, to construct a bridge and new access to their property connecting it to Lower Allen Road. The request is for a waiver of the county’s standards and specifications for road and bridge construction.
After a staff and applicant presentation, four people spoke during public comment, all in opposition to it based on concerns with impacts to the surrounding neighborhood. Commissioners closed the public hearing but will accept written comments for an additional week until December 23. They will discuss the matter themselves and consider the request at a future meeting, likely in early January.
Head of community development resigns
Gunnison County’s assistant county manager for community and economic development Cathie Pagano will be leaving her position in early 2026 after 24 years with the county. County communications director Patty Dowd Schmitz said the county will share more information about transition plans in the coming weeks. “Cathie will remain in the Valley as she pursues new opportunities, and we expect that she will work with the county to oversee the Gunnison to Mt. Crested Butte Corridor Plan in the near term,” concluded Dowd Schmitz.
