The Crested Butte News Serving the Gunnison Valley since 1999
Lots of stuff happening
by Mark Reaman
Gunnison County commissioner Roland Mason gave the Crested Butte Town Council an update of county happenings at the town’s September 3 meeting.
Among the items he reported to the council was that the commissioners plan to inform the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) that two of its top three priorities are in the north end of the valley. He said the county believes the state should focus on the intersection of Highway 135 and Brush Creek Road, the intersection of Highway 135 and Cement Creek Road and the area of Highway 50 and Antelope Hills.
“The slope of Brush Creek Road going into 135 can be dangerous in the winter and the number of cars using that intersection as Skyland, Larkspur, Silver Sage, Buckhorn and the other developments in that area getting built out makes it a top priority,” Mason told the council. “The county owns a piece of property on the other side of the highway and the Corner at Brush Creek could add more traffic if something is approved.”
Mason said Cement Creek Road with increasing Crested Butte South numbers also makes that a priority. Mason said the intersection of Highway 50 and the Antelope Hills area could also be a priority. As far as Highway 50 in general, the commissioners would like CDOT to “explore fencing the highway both east and west of Gunnison to mitigate interactions between vehicles and wildlife.” The county commissioners have been discussing fencing strategic areas in that corridor given the recent increase in wildlife getting hit by vehicles along the highway.
Capital projects
Mason said the county has received a $500,000 grant from the Colorado Department of Local Affairs to work on making the county-owned buildings more energy-efficient. “The courthouse and most other county buildings will be close to net-zero in terms of greenhouse gas emissions when the project is done,” he said.
As for other capital projects, Mason said the county hopes to break ground this fall on the 76-unit affordable housing project at Rock Creek on the north side of Gunnison. Next spring will begin the efforts to develop the Shady Island river park near Garlic Mike’s and the county has applied for a $350,000 Great Outdoors Colorado (GOCO) grant for that project. The county has also signed a contract with an architectural firm to design improvements for the Gunnison-Crested Butte Regional Airport, particularly with the terminal upgrades.
Other things: Planning Commission seat open; Cottonwood; census and snowmobiles
—Mason said county planning commissioner Molly Mugglestone has resigned her seat, so the commissioners will be looking for someone to replace her soon.
—A ribbon-cutting ceremony will take place at the top of Cottonwood Pass on September 19 to mark the recent paving and realignment project. Mason said that Cottonwood is now the highest paved pass in the Lower 48.
—The commissioners have applied for a $27,000 grant to help provide outreach to residents during the upcoming 2020 census.
—And Mason reiterated the county decision to no longer remove and store snowmobiles for free that are abandoned around Kebler Pass. Instead, a $30 per day fee will be imposed on the owners.
