Gunnison County Metropolitan Recreation District (MetRec) took another step toward the Crested Butte to Crested Butte South Shared-Use Path this month, publishing a Request for Proposals (RFP) for the 100% final design plans.  

District constituents continually rank rec paths as the top want and need. More than 50% of respondents identified Rec Paths as their No. 1 need in the 2023 Recreation Survey, and in the 2025 Regional Recreation Master Plan, the community identified shared-use paths as high-priority investments to improve safety, health, mobility and access.

“The people are clear: they want community connectivity. So we are taking action,” MetRec Executive Director Derrick Nehrenberg said. “We’re excited to usher this project forward and deliver a public good.”

The approximately nine-mile off-street shared-use path will generally follow CO Highway 135 from Town of Crested Butte and the unincorporated community of Crested Butte South, with a short extension along Cement Creek Road to Teocalli Road. The corridor includes a major crossing of the Slate River, anticipated retaining walls, numerous driveway and roadway crossings, and work within the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) right of way.

In December 2023, Gunnison County with MetRec support completed a 10% design, approved by the Sustainable Tourism and Outdoor Recreation Committee (STOR). As part of that design, a community survey found more than 62% of respondents preferred a highway-aligned route. MetRec subsequently developed a 50–70% design and is now seeking a consultant team to carry the project through final design and bids.

The selected team will provide comprehensive services, including project management and quality control; supplemental survey and geotechnical investigations; environmental and regulatory coordination; final engineering for alignment, drainage, bridge and wall design; right-of-way and utility coordination; public engagement support; and preparation of complete Plans, Specifications and Engineer’s estimate packages at 30%, 60%, 90%, and 100% milestones.

The project is anticipated to feature a typical 12-foot-wide path (10-foot minimum in constrained areas), appropriate separation from the highway where feasible, ADA-compliant design, winter maintenance considerations, and wayfinding and safety signage.

MetRec will use a qualifications-based selection process. Read full RFP, including proposal instructions and submission deadlines.