The Crested Butte News Serving the Gunnison Valley since 1999
By Kendra Walker
Updating Town Code
The Mt. Crested Butte town council approved a series of ordinances updating the Town Code to reflect the current day-to-day practices of the town, such as clarifying regulations relating to trash services and construction parking requirements.
For example, per Chapter 9, “all waste containers, regardless of size, that receive waste edible by wildlife shall be either an approved wildlife resistant container or such container shall be stored within a building, house, garage, or approved wildlife resistant dumpster enclosure, which is inaccessible to wildlife.”
“The message we need to get across is that it’s your responsibility to make sure bears and other wildlife don’t get into your trash,” said mayor Nicholas Kempin.
Affordable housing planning grant
The town received a $50,000 DOLA planning grant for affordable housing initiatives, and plans to use the funding to engage a housing consultant to facilitate the town council’s community housing retreat in February. The council also plans to engage a consultant to prepare a resulting strategic housing plan with an update of the Community Housing Guidelines.
2026 Budget
The town council approved and adopted the 2026 budget for the town of Mt. Crested Butte. Total revenues for all funds in 2026 are $13,974,524 and total expenditures will be $16,665,705.
Deputy municipal judge
The council greenlighted the staff to advertise for the town’s deputy municipal judge position. The council recently extended the term of the current municipal judge Ben Eden through July 1, 2027. Staff explained that historically, the town has not filled the position of deputy municipal judge, but the council decided that it could provide additional judicial support for municipal court operations, especially when Eden’s contract finishes.
