Briefs: Crested Butte

By Mark Reaman

Parking thoughts

Councilmember Jason MacMillan wondered if it would be worth pursuing the idea of a mid-Elk Avenue drop-off for people planning on eating and shopping in Crested Butte’s main business district during peak visitor times. The hope would be that the driver would then be directed to park at one of the town’s primary free parking lots. “It seems like it would work like a school drop-off,” he said. 

Mayor Ian Billick said perhaps the idea could be attempted at the east end of Elk by the Trailhead Children’s Museum which draws a lot of traffic during drop-off and pick-up times. Billick said he has also heard people wonder why bike racks can be put in front of houses on public rights-of-way that are intended for parking that is becoming scarcer in town. Council will discuss parking more next spring at its annual parking evaluation meeting. 

Trash issues all summer in CB

Waste Management has reported to town that trash collection volume has been up about 20% so far this summer. Six of the Big Belly trash compactors are out of service and waiting on parts so that trash volume increase has been happening with fewer available trash receptacles. According to a report to council, town parks staff has been emptying some park trashcans up to three times a day. “Big Bellies are overflowing, recycling is contaminated and we are seeing a lot of residential trash stacked on top of town cans,” the report states. The report says Waste Management did not increase its collection frequency as required but that should be happening now.

Irwin trash issue

Councilmember Anna Fenerty said she had been approached by a resident of Irwin asking if town could place a trashcan on its property near the lake. Given issues with who would service it and the potential for it to attract general trash, town was reluctant to pursue the request. Town’s representative to the Sustainable Tourism and Outdoor Recreation (STOR) committee, Gabi Prochaska, will bring it up to the group.