Crested Butte – the story of
CRESTED BUTTE, Colo. (KREX) — Crested Butte, population 2,000 – another western slope mountain ski town and wildflower capitol of Colorado famous for its stunning views…and stunning price.
Almost every outdoor activity you can imagine is found here, but mayor Ian Billick tells me that’s not the only thing drawing in the permanent residents…
Billick says the K-12 school is the biggest change he’s seen in town throughout his time here. The school had barely any students during its first year in 1997 but has grown to accompany around 800.
He tells me real estate is the second biggest draw for families to move in – 70 percent of Crested Butte’s residents live here full-time, while most ski resorts dip below 50.
For reference, Telluride’s average home price was seven million in my real estate report a couple months ago.
Bluebird realtor Ross Tunkey tells me the average home price within the crested butte and mount crested butte area is $3.7 million.
Within downtown crested butte, that average price rises to $4 million.
Because of this, most workers commute from Gunnison, a more affordable town about half an hour away.
Ross adds construction and availability of homes isn’t too much of a problem, since the cost shoves most people out of the market from the start. But renting availability is a different story…
Billick assures the town is aware of the problem and doing what they can to help.
While the cost can be staggering, the appeal of this gorgeous mountain town is easy to see.
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