This episode of Community Matters was originally broadcast on Monday, July 25th. It features a conversation with Mark Reaman, the Crested Butte News editor and a long-time journalist in the Gunnison Valley. We talk about the current state of the community and some of Mark’s thoughts about its future. We also touch on current events and discuss the state of American discourse.
We also spoke with Maeve Conran, the Managing Editor for Rocky Mountain Community Radio. We talk about the history of RMCR as well as its future with Maeve in this new position
This episode featured a new segment we’re calling, “What’s open for public comment?” We asked reporter Jesse Metzger to see what he could find. He came back with five items ranging from wildlife issues to building codes.
Full episode here →
Pt. 1: What’s open for public comment?
In this new segment, we want to find ways for people to make their voices heard on matters that affect them. We asked reporter Jesse Metzger to find out what governments want to know from the public, and how you can get involved.
Gunnison Sage-Grouse Resource Management Plan Amendment
The Bureau of Land Management has a new plan they hope will protect habitats for the Gunnison Sage Grouse, a species native to Gunnison County and listed as federally threatened. Jesse spoke with Gunnison BLM Field Manager Jon Kaminsky.
You can find the plan details on the BLM ePlanning webpage. You can fill out these forms to provide comments thru mid-August 22.
Grey Wolf Reintroduction
Colorado Parks and Wildlife must begin the process of reintroducing grey wolves in 2023 and complete it by 2025. Since the gray wolf was relisted as an endangered species in February 2022, CPW has requested changes to their management plan, and in turn, the US Fish and Wildlife Department is seeking the public’s input on an “experimental population rule” that will govern how the reintroduction process goes forward.
You can read the proposal from USFW here and submit public comments here.
Upcoming Meetings:
- August 2, 2022 – Gunnison County Fairgrounds, Gunnison, CO, 6:00 – 8:00 PM
- August 3, 2022 – Silverthorne Pavilion, Silverthorne, CO, 6:00 – 8:00 PM
- August 4, 2022 – Moffat County High School, Craig, CO, 6:00 – 8:00 PM
- August 10, 2022 – Virtual meeting, 6:00-8:00 PM | Register here
Building Codes in Crested Butte and Gunnison
Crested Butte wants to make some major building code changes, mainly in support of their climate action plan. One of the biggest decisions is a prohibition on natural gas connections for new construction starting in January 2023. The one exception would be commercial kitchens.
The Crested Butte Town Council will hear a report on gas emissions and the plan to prohibit gas connections. You can read the report here. Officials suggested the best way to comment on this issue would be to email them. You can find contact information on this webpage,
The Gunnison City Community Development Department will introduce code updates to the City Council at their September 13th Meeting. You can attend Gunnison City Council meetings virtually, and you can find contact information on this webpage.
Mt. Emmons Land Exchange
The Mt. Emmons Mining Company wants to swap protections on 625 acres of private land with approximately 551 acres of Forrest Service Land. The plan would permanently block the development of a molybdenum mine on Mt. Emmons (commonly known as the Red Lady).
You can read about the plan here. Find out how to get involved here.
Pt. 2 Maeve Conran, Managing Editor of Rocky Mountain Community Radio
Rocky Mountain Community Radio (RMCR) is a coalition of non-commercial radio stations in Colorado, New Mexico, Utah, and Wyoming, of which KBUT is a founding member. We’re very excited that RMCR has recently created a managing editor position, and hired long-time collaborator Maeve Conran to fill that position. Maeve shares her background and history with RMCR, and talks about the future of the coalition, collaboration, grass-roots journalism, and quality story-telling.
Pt. 3: Mark Reaman of the Crested Butte News
Longtime local journalist and Crested Butte News Editor Mark Reaman talks about the current state of Crested Butte, what it takes to live in and cover such a unique community, and some of the decision-making that goes into putting out the weekly paper.