Grantee spotlight: Crested Butte Avalanche Center Empowering and educating the community Gunnison Valley boasts the only local avalanche center in the entire state. The Colorado snowpack is notoriously fickle. It can be the difference between a good day and a tragic one. The Crested Butte Avalanche Center (CBAC) has worked
Photo courtesy of Crested Butte Land Trust Balancing recreation, conservation and community On any given summer day in the Crested Butte, people walk dogs on Lower Loop, bike Lupine, float the Slate River or simply sit quietly with a view. Much of that access—often seamless, often unnoticed—is made possible by
Ski for PE program puts students on slopes The Gunnison Community School Ski for PE program provides a path for students to hit the hill in a supportive, affordable way. Lift tickets, rentals, transportation and lessons add up fast, often putting skiing out of reach for families nearby. The long-running
Gunni Bike Bus builds safety, community and confidence This fall, the Gunnison PTA added a new way for students to get to school: the valley’s first Bike Bus. Now on Wednesday mornings with safe outdoor temperatures, adult volunteers ride along a mapped-out route, picking up students waiting at designated “Bike
Photo credit: Xavi Fane Crested butte nordic center provides Winter cardio, year-round community Crested Butte Nordic (CB Nordic) plays a vital role in helping the community stay active and connected. Every winter, the organization grooms 55 kilometers of trail, roughly 20% of which are free to the public. Year-round, they
Building community through creativity The Crested Butte Mountain Theatre (CBMT) provides a physical place for creativity to thrive and community connections to deepen. “Creative expression is the backbone of who we are as human beings, no matter the medium,” CBMT Artistic Director Britney Kuehm said. This philosophy drives everything at
How GO Initiative Uses Bikes to Build Youth Confidence, Social Ties Photo courtesy of GO Initiative. Since 2017, the Gunnison Outdoor (GO) Initiative has been transforming lives through mountain biking, creating a space where local girls develop technical skills, confidence and lasting community connections. Founded by Sarah Stubbe, the
How Yes! To Adventure camps cultivate youth health, social connection Mountain Roots is transforming Gunnison Valley summer experiences for children through their Yes! To Adventure camps with $19,864 in help from MetRec’s Recreation Grant program. These camps now reach more families than ever before, providing crucial access to outdoor activities
Organized outdoor adventures foster physical health, community connection In a valley known for its wilderness, the Gunnison Senior Center connects older residents to outdoor adventure and one another. What started as a few community-led programs has blossomed into a network of outdoor adventures, educational offerings, and vibrant social opportunities that