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Sales hold, prices don't
2009 was the year for local 'market correction' in real estate
Times Editor
Originally published 2010-01-28
Working harder to make less.
That is an economic phenomenon hitting workers in many industries, all across the country during this recession. And if you gauge it solely by the data, it appears to have rung true for Gunnison County real estate professionals in 2009.
They sold nearly as many homes as they did in 2008 (232 compared with 234), but the total dollar volume of those deals dropped 19 percent.
The reason, of course, is that prices fell significantly. The average sales price of a home in the Gunnison area dropped 26 percent in 2009 (to $236,194), according to Multiple Listing Service data compiled by Tom Courtney of RE/MAX Community Brokers in Gunnison. In the Crested Butte area, including Mt. Crested Butte and Crested Butte South, home prices plummeted 31 percent (to $541,641).
Its a real estate correction that many saw coming in the wake of the buying frenzy of a few years ago” much of which, especially up-valley, was spurred by the sale of Crested Butte Mountain Resort.
I think perhaps some of what were seeing is the result of that false economy that was created five years ago, Courtney said.
2005 was the peak real estate year in Gunnison County, when total residential sales topped $265 million. Last years sales volume is barely a third of that (see inset).
I think its a good correction to the market, said longtime Gunnison broker Mindy Costanzo.
We still have an incredibly attractive market,she added. If we offer properties at the right value, were going to have more sales. Its that simple.
In Crested Butte, residential sales activity actually grew fairly significantly. There were 130 homes sold in 2009, compared to 101 in 08. Not all of those were willing sellers, however.
There were quite a few distressed sales, said Tom Filchner, the owner of Prudential Becky Hamlin Realty in Crested Butte.
Gunnison County saw a record number of foreclosure starts in 2009. Foreclosure is a lengthy process and many of the properties are cured before they ever hit the general real estate market. But Filchner, who deals primarily in the up-valley vacation home market, said he did see some foreclosure sales.
And it doesnt take too many of them to affect the market,he added.
The median price of Crested Butte area homes dropped even further than the average all the way to $352,500, a 39 percent dip.
The state of the real estate economy in Gunnison County in 2009 was hardly unique. Slumping sales were common across the region. Fewer homes were sold in Denver last year than at any time since 1997, according to the Denver Post. In Jackson, Wyo., the dollar volume of home sales plunged 79 percent.
Read the rest of this article brought to you by the Gunnison Country Times:
Corey Dwan - REALTOR
Benson Sotheby's International Realty
P.O. Box 210
433 Sixth Street
Crested Butte, CO 81224
970-596-3219 Cell
970-325-3219 Google
970-349-6653 Office
970-797-1810 Fax
www.CrestedButteForSale.com
In the year 2000 ...
Despite widespread fears, including locally, that the nation’s technology-dependent infrastructure wasn’t going to be able to handle the rollover to a new millennium, Jan. 1, 2000, came and went without Armageddon-like catastrophe.
At the Times, Steve Reed was the editor, and Paul Wayne Foreman rode shotgun.
The Miller family left the funeral business after a 118-year stint — selling the long-standing Gunnison funeral home to Bob LeChot.
In January, the Gunnison Valley Economic Development Corp. formed, with Betsy Baier at the helm as executive director. It would be the first of many ensuing attempts at bringing some economic stimulus to town.
Much to the consternation of many Gunnison residents that winter, the city wanted to start fining people for not shoveling sidewalks immediately after a storm. That precipitated outrage from people whose sidewalks were piled high with snow the city moved off the streets. Resolve was reached when the city decided to blade snow, instead, to the center of the streets.
The Gunnison County Metropolitan Recreation (Met Rec) District changed its mission to no longer focus on just over-the-air television signals. From then on, Met Rec would also support “recreation, arts and culture” through grant allocations — resulting in more than $800,000 being poured into local communities over the next eight years.
The “Shade for Blades” drive — to install a canopy over the upper hockey rink at Jorgensen Park — began ramping up. In June, $95,000 was collected, with the effort culminating the next year.
Longtime County Commissioner Fred Field announced in April that he would try to keep his seat for another term, running alongside Republican Perry Anderson. The Field/Anderson team won handily over Democrats Diane Lothamer and Paul Wayne Foreman.
In the year 2001 ...
The County Commissioners, including out-going Commissioner Marlene Zanetell, approved the county’s new Land Use Resolution after three-and-a-half years of working on the document.
Gunnison City Council gave thumbs down to an automated refuse collection system, opting instead for the human touch. Eight years later, City Council would recognize benefits of such a system, and begin to implement it.
Data from the 2000 Census showed that over the preceding decade, the City of Gunnison had grown, but had still not caught up with the “mass exodus” that occurred during the 1980s.
In April, the City of Gunnison began moving toward the purchase of land on the north side of town, which would later become the home of a new Community Center and swimming pool.
A panel of county officials urged taking action on the “overcrowded jail,” built 22 years prior — initiating a saga that continues to play out today.
A landmark Gunnison business, Blackstock’s Pharmacy, closed after 45 years in business. Anne Allen stated that it was simply “time to retire” as reason for closing the business, which her parents founded first as a bookstore in 1936.
Upper Gunnison River Water Conservancy District leaders simulated a “Black Canyon water right call” at the Spann Ranch. At the time, a National Park Service proposal to quantify the Black Canyon water right would have passed up those with water rights junior to 1933. “To keep the valley green, we need to keep the water here,” Lee Spann said.
Mike Ritchey, who previously owned the Gunnison Country Times, purchased the newspaper again in July.
In October, the “Shade for Blades” began going vertical. In the end, more than $300,000 was spent on the facility.
Review of Dick Bratton’s “Tomichi Creek” annexation began late in the year, with the City of Gunnison’s Planning and Zoning Commission, after 15 months and several appearances before the City Council. The proposal included lands which would later, in a much different form, become the proposed Gunnison Rising annexation.
In the year 2002 ...
Jay Helman was named the president of Western State College in February, after serving as academic vice president since 1996.
Gunnison County and the City of Gunnison agreed to dedicate $30,000 each, officially setting in motion the dream to create a whitewater park in the Gunnison River — just downstream of the city. Construction of five wave features began that spring.
In March; the City of Gunnison unveiled its plan to build a Community Center on property it purchased near Wal-Mart. That plan included financing the project — primarily through the sale of city-owned real estate, including Webster Hall — without asking residents for more tax money.
With 78 participants, the first-ever adult men’s hockey league in Gunnison is deemed a “smashing success.”
A site near Hartman Rocks was selected to be home of the Gunnison Valley Observatory.
Famed Crested Butte resident Richard Bannister (AKA Murdoch) is accused of doing more than smuggling cocaine and running from the law. Allegations of sexual assault on children emerge, and later play a role in a sentencing hearing.
For the first time in 57 years, the Gunnison Rotary Club cancelled its Fourth of July fireworks show. High fire danger as a result of a severe drought is cited as the reason.
Marta Smith, who now is the Gunnison Elementary School principal, is named the “Colorado Assistant Principal of the Year” by the Colorado Association of School Executives.
The Hells Angels roar into town, along with a hundred or so law enforcement officials from throughout the state. No major problems are reported.
A severe drought plagues this area, the state and much of the West, resulting in water shortages and rampant wildfires.
The Transportation Security Administration takes over security operations at the Gunnison-Crested Butte Airport.
RE1J School District enrollment dips slightly from the previous year, with 1,616 local learners on the rolls. In 2009, RE1J reports having 1,676 students.
The Tomichi Creek annexation proposal is back on the table, with the submission of a draft agreement that includes donation of land for a city recreation center.
In October, the RE1J School Board increases teacher wages across the board, moving the base for an entry-level position to $30,000. The move was hailed by education advocates, but also led to later financial woes — including the district being placed on financial accreditation watch by the state.
Voters give the thumbs up to the creation of the Gunnison Valley Rural Transportation Authority and the Local Marketing District. Melody Marks (treasurer), Frank Vader (coroner), Stella Dominguez (clerk and recorder), Rick Murdie (sheriff), Jim Starr (commissioner) and Judy Smith (assessor) are elected to local office.
Monarch Ski Area is purchased by a group of Colorado investors, including some longtime Monarch employees.
The developers place the Tomichi Creek annexation proposal on hold — again.
Wildlife officials announce that the local population of Gunnison Sage-grouse declined by 13 percent from the previous year.
Gunnison was named a “Main Street Community,” which leads to the temporary staffing of a coordinator position.
In the year 2003 ...
Fire destroys the historic Cattlemen’s Inn on Jan. 6.
Crested Butte Mountain resort is rumored to be sold to a group of investors from Dallas, Texas. The sale never materializes.
The Gunnison River is deemed “endangered” by the environmental group, American Rivers, for the lack of a guaranteed water rights in the Black Canyon.
The three incumbent Gunnison City Council members are voted out of office. Replacing Dan McKenna, Joy Hart and Harvey Harriman are Stu Ferguson, Thomas Smits and Paul Duba.
Jane Chaney is hired as the director of the Tourism Association.
Controversy over the county’s Land Use Resolution spurs the creation of the “Citizens for Economic Revitalization.”
Colorado Governor Bill Owens visits Gunnison for a water conference, proclaiming, “As long as I’m governor, the headwaters of the Gunnison River will stay in Gunnison.”
The first independent board of trustees for Western State College is appointed.
Famous comedian Bob Hope dies in July, prompting locals to reminisce about his visit to Gunnison in the 1950s, when he took a fishing trip with the local “Gunnison Navy.”
In October, Kathleen Curry announces she is stepping down from her post as director of the Upper Gunnison River Water Conservancy District to pursue a career in state politics.
Voters soundly rejected a plan, forwarded by the Met Rec District, to bring a $6.5 million aquatics facility to town.
More than 4,500 acres of Ohio Creek valley ranchland is preserved in a $9.5 million conservation deal brokered by the state.
The Gunnison Area Foundation (now known as the Community Foundation of the Gunnison Valley) hires its first full-time director. Pam Montgomery continues to serve in that post today.
In the year 2004 ...
In early January, Tim and Diane Mueller of East Coast ski area fame, sign the contract to purchase CBMR for an estimated $41.6 million. Shortly thereafter, CEO John Norton states that a formal proposal to expand lift-served skiing onto neighboring Snodgrass Mountain is forthcoming. The sale also kicks off an unprecedented real estate boom in Crested Butte and Mt. Crested Butte.
WSC leaders made the controversial decision to cease funding the college’s NCAA Division I ski program — rich in historical significance, both for WSC and intercollegiate skiing in general — with college money.
Gunnison’s Community First Bank becomes Bank of the West.
The Schuck Corporation, a premier Colorado Springs real estate and development firm, teams up with local landowner Dick Bratton in proposing what is now known as the Gunnison Rising annexation.
The city breaks ground on its Community Center project.
Citing complaints from the local development community, Colleen Hannon is fired as the city’s director of community development.
The BLM officially grants a 155 acre patent atop Mt. Emmons to mining company Phelps Dodge.
Tom Havens resigns from his post as president of Gunnison Bank & Trust to pursue a related career opportunity in California.
Retail giant Wal-Mart places property in what is now called Van Tuyl Village under contract and acknowledges they intend to pursue building a Supercenter in Gunnison. Shortly thereafter, the city adopts a “Big Box Moratorium” while it pursues specific regulations over the design of such facilities.
A major runway extension and realignment project at the Gunnison-Crested Butte Regional Airport, costing $10 million, is complete in July.
Hap Channell upsets longtime incumbent Fred Field, and Paula Swenson defeats Perry Anderson to make the Gunnison County Board of Commissioners all Democrats for the first time since 1936. Kathleen Curry is elected to the State House of Representatives.
Citing many objections to the city’s draft “Big Box” standards, Wal-Mart drops plans for its Supercenter in Gunnison.
At their annual Christmas party, county officials recognize outgoing commissioner Fred Field by naming the fairgrounds facility in his honor.
The much-anticipated dome is placed atop the Gunnison Valley Observatory in mid-December.
In the year 2005 ...
Among the County Commissioners’ top funding priorities for the year were developing a comprehensive affordable housing strategy; implementing a special district for what would become the Gold Basin Industrial Park; and building a new county detention center. A plan for implementing the latter through a tax increase failed to receive voter approval later in the year.
The City of Gunnison turned 125 years old. The town’s birthday was celebrated Feb. 28 at City Hall.
WSC leaders announced in April that alumni and friends of the college had made an annual commitment of more than $135,000 to privately fund the ski program for the following five years. In years following, they would continue trying to obtain a multi-million dollar endowment to ensure the long-term existence of the ski team.
In May, a group dedicated to revitalizing the City of Gunnison’s downtown dissolved amidst difficulty in raising money to support the program.
An effort to keep the Gunnison Sage-grouse from being federally protected formed among ranchers, developers and private landowners, urging the County Commissioners to take a “leadership position” in attempting to convince the feds not to “list” the bird under the Endangered Species Act. The county adopts an anti-listing position.
Locals teamed up in September to contribute to the Hurricane Katrina relief effort. Efforts ranged from local fundraisers and clothing drives to the delivery of an entire truck load of donated relief items.
WSC leaders host a ground-breaking ceremony for the Borick Business Building — the first major academic building at a public college or university in the state built entirely with private funds. Steven J. Borick, a 1975 WSC grad, provided the largest single gift to fund the project.
In the year 2006 ...
In January, longtime Times employees Stephen Pierotti and Chris Dickey became the new owners of Gunnison’s only newspaper, purchasing the business from Mike Ritchey.
The Mt. Emmons molybdenum mining property came under new ownership through a game akin to hot-potato. U.S. Energy, which previously owned a majority interest in the property in the 1970s, reacquired ownership as a result of losing a lawsuit with Phelps Dodge, who no longer wanted the liability of operating a wastewater treatment plant at the old Keystone Mine.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced in April that it was not going to list the Gunnison Sage-grouse under the Endangered Species Act. The decision was challenged and remains unresolved today.
A potential annexation east of the City of Gunnison reared its head again, this time as a 1,660-acre parcel on both sides of Hwy. 50, called “Gunnison Rising.”
A group of local developers initiate review of the residential and commercial Van Tuyl Village project on the north side of Gunnison.
In October, Kobex Resources became a partner in the Lucky Jack Project — U.S. Energy’s effort to mine molybdenum on Mt. Emmons.
Jim Starr defeats Al Smith for County Commissioner.
For the second year in a row, a tax-backed proposal to expand the Gunnison County jail at its courthouse site is denied by voters.
In the year 2007 ...
A ruptured gas supply line in January near Crested Butte South left homes, hotels, restaurants and other businesses that rely on natural gas without heat or cooking fuel for two to three days.
Gov. Bill Ritter makes a special appearance in Gunnison in March, signing legislation that gives WSC the authority to offer graduate programs again.
WSC embarks on a commitment to be more “green,” with Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design certification pursued for the construction of the Borick Business Building. It would be the first of other campus projects for which the designation would be pursued in following years.
City of Gunnison voters passed a proposal in May to pursue three recreation projects: a new ice rink, a swimming pool and a city-wide trails system. The projects would be paid for through a 1 percent sales tax increase.
The first signs of one of the most severe winters on record in the Gunnison Valley appeared with multiple, heavy snow storms. The Town of Crested Butte received nearly 60 inches of snow in just the first 10 days of December. Snows became so deep in the ensuing months, that the Colorado Division of Wildlife launched an emergency feeding effort for big game in the basin.
Late in the year, the creation of the Gunnison County Library District was made official, converting the previous county department to a political subdivision of the state. The move sets the stage for the longer-term goal of building a new library.
A half-century old water dream that cost millions of dollars and led to the creation of the Upper Gunnison River Water Conservancy District died. At the end of the year, about 88,000 acre feet of storage rights and 1,200 cubic feet per second of direct flow conditional rights — dubbed the Upper Gunnison Project — were surrendered amidst and inability to bring the array of projects in the basin to fruition.
In the year 2008 ...
The death of lifelong Gunnison rancher Ray Van Tuyl in early February would result later in a contesting of his will by surviving family members. When all was said and done, local groups would become the beneficiary of $2 million in cash, plus land holdings.
Thompson Creek Metals replaces Kobex as a partner with U.S. Energy in the effort to tap Red Lady for molybdenum, and the project is renamed the Mount Emmons Project.
Colorado Division of Wildlife leaders announced that they’re considering moving their southwest regional headquarters to Gunnison, on land that applicants of the proposed Gunnison Rising annexation offered, should the project be approved.
Staff at the Curecanti National Recreation Area — which includes Blue Mesa Reservoir — identified a new threat to the area’s ecosystem: Zebra mussels, an invasive species that has wreaked havoc at other bodies of water throughout the country.
Trouble began brewing with a high number of foreclosures in Gunnison County. By May, the total number of “starts” was already approaching the total from the previous year. 2009 would see even higher numbers, outpacing foreclosure levels from the 1980s.
Gas prices in Gunnison reached more than $4 per gallon in late May, inciting fears that the summer tourism season would be adversely impacted.
In July, WSC leaders decided to pull the plug on the NCAA Division I ski program at the college amidst an inability to secure private funding.
Town and Country Autoplex, on the west side of Gunnison, closed its doors in mid-summer, citing a downshift in the economy. It was the end of a string of dealerships at that location that began in the 1970s.
Paula Swenson and Hap Channell defeated Republicans Doug Sparks and Eric Ferchau in County Commissioner races.
Voters passed a $55 million Gunnison Watershed RE1J School District bond proposal for sweeping capital renovations and new projects, and voters reauthorized the RTA’s sales tax.
CBMR sells its “underlying assets” to a Florida-based real estate investment trust, though the Muellers continued to operate the resort.
See the rest of this article brought to you by The Gunnison Valley Times:
Corey Dwan - REALTOR
Benson Sotheby's International Realty
P.O. Box 210
433 Sixth Street
Crested Butte, CO 81224
970-596-3219 Cell
970-325-3219 Google
970-349-6653 Office
970-797-1810 Fax
www.CrestedButteForSale.com
Dear NEPA Supporters,
CBMR filed its appeal of Forest Supervisor Charlie Richmond’s decision rejecting CBMR’s proposal to put its Snodgrass Mountain expansion plans into the NEPA process on Friday, December 18, 2009. The Forest Service has until January 19th to respond to the appeal. We need to now demonstrate to the Forest Service that there is widespread support for the appeal, have Supervisor Richmond’s decision reversed and to place the project into NEPA. The best way to do this is to write letters of support for the appeal to Forest Chief Tom Tidwell with copies to other Forest Service personnel, the Secretary of Agriculture and our congressional delegation.
We have placed form letters and have also placed talking points for those that would like to write their own personalized letter (always the best letters) on the www.snodgrassfacts.com website under Write Your Officials. Contact info, including email addresses for all officials, is available at the same location.
Thank you for your continued support at this critical point.
Sincerely,
Crested Butte Mountain Resort
Update 7-27-09
Just a quick Crested Butte market update. Total sales from January to the end of June this year for single family homes and condos in the upper valley had totaled $39,248,707. Really not that bad, and exactly on par with midyear last year. The exciting news comes in the first three weeks of July of which $6,138,000 worth of condos and single family homes sold and a whopping $17,742,399 was put under contract. This July may very well be the busiest July since the purchase of the resort by the Muellers in 2004. One reason for this is that Buyers are seeing great value in the product here with the recent price reductions.
Crested Butte is the latest jewel in a portfolio of resort developments privately owned and operated by the dynamic husband and wife team of Tim and Diane Mueller. Widely respected throughout the American ski industry, the Muellers’ first project involved the successful transformation of Vermont’s Okemo Mountain Resort into one of the top ski resorts in the east. Their winning ways continued with Sapphire Beach Resort and Marina on the island of St. Thomas as well as the successful redevelopments of both Mt. Sunapee in New Hampshire and Catamount at Steamboat.
Tim and Diane bring a refreshing hands-on style of management to Crested Butte Mountain Resort: emphasizing superior guest service and uncompromised quality across the board. Their long-term vision is to vault Crested Butte into the top rank of North American ski resorts, not by being the biggest – but by being one of the best. As president and CEO of their company, Three Peaks Development, Tim Mueller oversees the direction, vision and financial health of the resort, while Diane focuses on “softer” aspects, like guest services, human resources and aesthetics. Three Peaks is truly a family-run operation, with son Ethan stepping into the role of Director of Operations for Crested Butte where he now resides full-time.
As a family, the Muellers are linked by their love for the great outdoors. Tim is an avid skier, duck hunter, bow hunter, fisherman, as well as an American history buff. His energetic wife, Diane is also a skier, sailor and marathon runner with an impressive background in fine arts and education. Their son, Ethan, is the Alpine specialist of the clan with favorite sports including snowboarding, skiing, hunting, fishing and mountain biking. No wonder why they already feel right at home at Crested Butte.
Crested Butte Real Estate Market Overview
Crested Butte Market Quarterly Sales Volume from 2004 to 2007
Crested Butte Residential Quarterly Sales Volume and Average Price from 2004 to 2007
Muellers Enjoy Run, Work Hard on Resorts
Boston Herald, January 2008
View Article [PDF, 15k]
CBMR looking to unveil new brand after six month study
Crested Butte News, December 2007
View Article [PDF, 61k]
A Place for Three Seasons: Crested Butte
California Literary Review, December 2007
View Article [PDF, 24k]
King of the Mountain
The New York Times, November 2007
View Article [PDF, 183k]
Crested Butte Soars Past Billion-Dollar Mark
CBMRE Offical Release, October 2007
View Release [PDF, 15k]
Snodgrass not slip-sliding away
Gunnison Country Times, September 2007
View Release [PDF, 963k]
The Gothic Building Is Coming Down to Make Way for Cimarron
CBMRE Offical Release, June 2007
View Release [PDF, 17k]
Crested Butte Academy Partners With IMG Academies and Cay Clubs International
CBMRE Offical Release, May 2007
View Release [PDF, 20k]
36 Hours in Crested Butte
The New York Times, February 2007
View Article [PDF, 113k]
Crested Butte Mountain Resort finds market for Cimarron Building
Crested Butte News, February 2007
View Article [PDF, 34k]
Crested Butte Mountain Resort Goes Green with Wind Power
Crested Butte News, August 2006
View Article [PDF, 32k]
CBMR’s Lodge at Mountaineer Square “Sells Out” in Six Hours for $80 Million
CB Weekly, July 2005
View Article [PDF, 66k]
Crested Butte Project Sets Sale Record
Denver Post, July 2005
View Article [PDF, 24k]
Big companies don’t own every ski resort in North America. Here’s an entrepreneurial couple who are mom-and-pop. It’s Mueller Time
Newsweek, 2005
View Article [PDF, 965k]
The Muellers & Crested Butte
The New York Times, December 2004
View Article [PDF, 972k]
All seasoned Crested Butte crews for summer project
Denver Post, 2005
View Article [PDF, 972k]
Moguls with a Mission
Fast Company, January 2003
View Article [PDF, 24k]
Consider the special nature of Crested Butte: its unique wilderness setting, its colorful history and amazing collection of people. Look at the deep commitment of Tim and Diane Mueller in their quest to make a great ski resort even better. Add it all together and you can see that the future of real estate up here in Crested Butte is brighter than ever.
We are planning and building today with the future firmly in mind. Within the ski resort itself, each neighborhood is leaving room to accommodate future plans. This includes room for additional home sites, residences and amenities in Prospect as well as projected developments and enhanced services for the north side of the base ski village. Our goal is to evolve in a responsible manner that answers the needs of our growing community and visitors while respecting our fantastic native environment.
Positioned at the top of the Red Lady Express Lift, this new 8000 sq. ft. lodge is designed to cater to ski services during the day. A banquet of dining options is set to include an upscale restaurant and bar, gourmet prepared food, as well as a kid-friendly play area and food zone. At night, the Red Lady Lodge will continue to host gondola-accessed fine dining options while offering a warm reprieve from the tubing hill planned for out back of the Lodge.
CBMR formally submitted an application to the Town of Mt. Crested Butte to amend the PUD (Planned Unit Development) for Mountaineer Square North, an 8+ acre site north of the Grand Lodge. The new plan includes the Town’s Aquatic/Recreation Center, mixed-use residential and commercial buildings, underground structured parking, community housing and a large open space park/events plaza. The amended PUD plan will allow CBMR to continue to upgrade and improve the base area facilities for the next 10+ years.
Enlarge Site Plan (PDF)
Looking to enhance the local ski experience, Crested Butte Mountain Resort (CBMR) intends to expand operations and open facilities on nearby Snodgrass Mountain. “Alpine skiing on Snodgrass is important to our success as a community” says Tim Mueller. “We intend to build upon the attributes of the mountain with a master plan of improvements. These will be laid in over time in keeping with responsible, planned growth and development – staying true to our standards of environmental responsibility and commitment.”
View of Snodgrass Mountain from Mt. Crested Butte
In the late 1970s, the Forest Service approved nearly 600-acres of new ski terrain on Snodgrass. That permit has since expired. The Muellers have initiated the planning and discussion process for a new scaled-down expansion which could create 260-acres of primarily intermediate skiing as soon as 2009.
To merit approval for the project from Forest Services and respecting the NEPA (National Environment Policy Act), CBMR will conduct a two-year Environmental Impact Study (EIS) to consider the potential impact of the proposed ski area. Once they receive a satisfactory EIS report from the Forest Service, CBMR can begin lift construction and lift-served skiing.
Before the EIS can get underway, the US Forest Service must complete two important steps. Firstly, they will study the geology of the mountain to minimize any potential problems with erosion or soil movement. Secondly, the Forest Service will look at the level of local public support for skiing on Snodgrass Mountain.
Looking to the next decade and beyond, CBMR is focused on building a sustainable community and a true sense of place. The resort owns a parcel of land between Mt. Crested Butte and Snodgrass Mountain that was previously approved and permitted for a large scale resort development. Instead of moving on the old plan, CBMR is working with the Town of Mt. Crested Butte to formulate an entirely new vision for what is now called the North Village.
According to Tom Wolff of Wolff-Lyons Architects, “CBMR seeks to create a memorable and enduring place guided by the principles of traditional neighborhood development adapted to this challenging mountain setting. The goal is to create a place where a genuine sense of community can flourish. The buildings, streets and public spaces are designed to work together to establish the identity and focus that a town or village needs to help give meaning to the lives of its residents.”
North Village will become the hub of the community with a mix of uses including civic, commercial, residential, recreational and cultural. Here are some of the guiding principles that will govern the creation of this “new traditional neighborhood”:
The new neighborhood will connect to the Crested Butte ski area via a gondola that would link to the center of North Village and terminate at the base of Gold Link. This same lift system would also connect the village core to skiing on Snodgrass.
While development for the North Village is several years away from groundbreaking, it demonstrates the long-term commitment of the Muellers and the full potential for local real estate. Crested Butte is destined to become a truly great destination resort, which makes now a terrific time to come and stake your claim.
Click on picture to enlarge or on shaded areas for more information
Spread over 400 acres on the sun-drenched slopes of Mt. Crested Butte, the home sites at Prospect offer you the ultimate in high country lifestyle. Nothing beats it. Watch the sun rise over snow capped mountains, enjoy a leisurely breakfast, and then just click-in and ski whenever you please. If you’re a skier, this is what it means to have it all:
Overlooking the majestic Elk Mountain Range, the ski-in/ski-out neighborhood Prospect represents the upper strata for private home sites on the mountain. Key amenities include:
The best slope side access in the West.
Only two sections of the Prospect currently offer available home sites:
Picture yourself gathered with family and friends in an exclusive slopeside community bustling with good energy and a friendly spirit. This is Mountaineer Square – the lively and rustic, master planned ski village built at the base of Mount Crested Butte. Whether you’re searching for a great cup of café Americano or slopeside access to the best corduroy in Colorado, you have come to exactly the right place.
Click to view the real estate site plan and buildings
With vistas sweeping outwards to the mountain valley below, Mountaineer Square connects you to everything that matters. Local highlights include top-notch restaurants, cool cafés, a fitness center, aquatic complex, health spa and of course, a tempting selection of fine real estate opportunities.
Make tracks to become part of this most extraordinary place. Our first release, The Lodge at Mountaineer Square is all but sold out with only a handful of residences remaining. That was followed by the success of Cimarron, our slopeside jewel, released in early 2007 to great fanfare and rapidly climbing sales.
The Lodge
The Lodge at Mountaineer Square is a landmark development that represents an incredible opportunity to live your dream against the backdrop of Colorado’s last great ski town. Inspired by its dramatic mountain setting, The Lodge at Mountaineer Square makes you feel at home with an easy rustic elegance that soars to new heights of comfort and service. With construction now completed, The Lodge is set to be the vibrant core of the base village – a true masterpiece of the Crested Butte vision. With a few choice residences still available, don’t miss the chance to be an owner at the Mueller’s inaugural property in Crested Butte.
Cimarron
What makes Cimarron so incredibly special?
In all of Crested Butte, Cimarron stands alone as the new king of the mountain – offering an unsurpassed combination of luxury, comfort and locale. Closest to the slopes and right next to the main lifts, Cimarron is your ringside seat to the most highly rated ski terrain in Colorado. Positioned at the premier vantage point in the base village of Mountaineer Square, you enjoy the total freedom of ski-in/ski-out access to the slopes.
Cimarron is now well on its way to becoming the premier real estate development in all of Crested Butte. Its recent launch proved to be a huge success with new VIP owners racking up an impressive $50M worth of sales during our three-day January 2007 phone event.
Clearly, the market for super high-end mountain residences has never been stronger in Crested Butte. Proven by the five-star reception for Cimarron.
It only gets better.
Building on the buzz of $50M in pre-sale contracts, Cimarron now ranks as the second biggest launch in Crested Butte real estate history (right after The Lodge – another CBMR property). This tremendous success speaks for itself. Cimarron is now positioned as the hottest top tier real estate property ever to be seen in the local real estate market. You still have the chance to own at pre-construction prices in a building that has already proven itself a success.
Crested Butte is a small resort town located in the heart of the Rocky Mountains. A former coal mining hub, Crested Butte is now a destination for skiing, mountain biking, and a variety of other outdoor activities. Crested Butte is located in Gunnison County in southwestern Colorado at an elevation of 8,885 feet. The Town is surrounded by spectacular mountain scenery and is a recreational paradise. Crested Butte is a spirited fun-loving community with a population of 1,550.
The Town was incorporated in 1880 and is designated a National Historic District. The ski area resort is in Mt. Crested Butte, three miles north of town. Crested Butte is 28 miles north of the City of Gunnison and 231 miles southwest of Denver.
As the leading business organization in the
community, 
The Chamber seeks to:
Promote the Community
Create a Strong Local Economy
Provide Networking Opportunities
Represent the Interests of Business with Government
Provide Value and Benefit to our Members
The Chamber is pleased to provide information for visitors to the community, as well as residents, and business owners (both current and prospective).
A community website that offers information on almost anything to do with Crested Butte: skiing, accommodations and lodging, weather, snow report, shopping, dining, personal pages, and more.
Alpine Getaways LLC is a full service property management company in Crested Butte, Colorado, offering vacation rentals, property management and concierge services. This locally owned and operated business is absolutely dedicated to the complete satisfaction of both home owners and rental clientele.
We are committed to going the extra mile in providing the best service possible. Alpine Getaways offers a true hands on approach in all facets of its operations. We know how to provide a truly unique vacation experience, down to the smallest details.
Likewise, for the property owners, we appreciate the value of their
investment and offer the most comprehensive services to ensure that asset
realizes its full potential. For either owner or renter, we will provide the
highest level of satisfaction.
Western State College of Colorado is a 140 acre public institution in the beautiful mountain valley of Gunnison, CO. We have over 50 student run clubs, music, newspaper, art, theatre, radio, and club/intramural sports to get involved in. Every year the Multicultural Center hosts great campus wide events, and each semester Wilderness Pursuits plans student led expeditions. Western provides many opportunities for athletic participation. Western is a member of the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference and participates in Intercollegiate Athletics under the rules and guidelines of the NCAA, Division II.
The official website for the Town of Crested Butte. Find information on town officials, legal notices, permits and applications, and more.
The official website for the Town of Mt. Crested Butte.
Find information on town officials, legal notices, permits and
applications, and more.
The official website for the County of Gunnison. Find several resources for Gunnison County offices as well as other information on county and city officials, taxes, county policies, etc.
The website for Gunnison County School District.
Find all the information you need on the school system right here.
Here you can find a list of various utility and service providers in the Crested Butte area.
Phone numbers have been included for your convenience.
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