This episode of Community Matters featured conversations with Tara Shroedinger, Vice President and General Manager of Crested Butte Mountain Resort, and Jeff Moffet of the Tourism and Prosperity Partnership. 

We also spoke to Ian Havlick of the Crested Butte Avalanche Center, and featured an interview from our friends KHOL Jackson with Ryan Stolp, whose recent graphic novel “The Ski Town Fairytale,” is inspired by the life of a ski bum.

Community Matters: Monday, January 31st

This episode of Community Matters featured interviews with Ian Havlick and Zach Guy of the Crested Butte Avalanche Center, State Representatives Barbara McLachlan and Julie McCuskie, and the organizers behind ‘Move the Butte,” Crested Butte’s annual community dance showcase.

Community Matters: Monday February 28th.

Cm 5.2.22

Solar panels degrade over time, but they’re still good for some purposes. Recently, a group of students at Western helped one professor convert discarded solar panels into cell phone chargers. The chargers will go to Ukraine and Poland as part of a relief effort.

Discarded solar panels will help refugees charge their phones.   By: Chris Biddle/KBUT

This episode of Community Matters aired originally aired on Monday, July 18th. It featured conversations with KBUT Executive Director Jackson Petito on the 2022 Summer Pledge Drive; Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser on addiction, crime, and the dispersal of settlement money from pharmaceutical companies found responsible for America's opioid epidemic: and local geologist Amy Ellwein, author of the new book “Geology Underfoot: On the Western Slope.”

Community Matters: Monday July 18th

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.

Community Matters: Monday, July 25th

Part One.
It’s hard to recycle in the Gunnison Valley and reporter Kate Geinapp explores why. We also talk with Sustainable Crested Butte Vice President Amy Newfield, on her organization’s “recycle trains,” and the search for a new facility. 

Part Two.
The Town Council of Crested Butte recently voted to prohibit the use of natural gas in all new development, excluding commercial kitchens. Council Member Jason MacMillan was a big proponent of the move. Town Planner Mel Yemma says it’s cost-effective and will help the Town reach its Climate Action Plan Goals.

Community Matters: Monday, August 8th, 2022.

Brief discussion of Ballot Issues 5A and 6B, followed by conversation and debate from County Commissioner Candidates Laura Puckett Daniels and Rich Evans. Presented by the Crested Butte News and moderated by Denis Hall.

Gunnison County BOCC Candidates' Forum - 10/20/22

Part one of our tribute to longtime KBUT contributor Eric Ross, comprised almost exclusively of recordings Eric himself made over the decades at KBUT.

Eric Ross in His Own Words - Episode 1

Abdallah and Sadam, members of the band Tinariwen, came by the KBUT studio before their performance at Center For The Arts on Tuesday August 11. Here's the interview and performance.

Tinariwen 081115

KBUT's Chad Reich sits down with Timberlin Henderson of the Native American Student Council at Western State.  Listen and learn about Timberlin's journey from the Navajo Reservation in Northeast Arizona to student life at Western.  We discuss struggles of reservation life and how Timberlin's ultimate goal is to go back to his home with new skills and work as a chiropractor.

WSCU's Timberlin Henderson & The Native American Student Council

The week in sports, with a wrap-up of Titans volleyball and soccer.

Sports Barrel 11.02.16

Governor John Hickenlooper is entering his second to last legislative session as governor. He said he’s very aware of his time in office being limited, and that colored his discussion on his goals for the upcoming legislative session.

Gov. Hickenlooper Talks Priorities

High school hockey, hoops, and town league hockey highlight this hot edition of the hellatiously hilarious Sports Barrel - only here on KBUT.

Sports Barrel 1.11.17

The Environmental Protection Agency has ruled that it will continue to operate the plant that treats contaminated water from the Gold King Mine, which spilled in August of 2015.

Gold King Plant To Stay In Operation

After a century storm that dropped 100" in the Crested Butte area, crews continue to widen streets and prepare the town for the next round of powder.  They've been working nonstop since around Christmas, and CB Public Works Director Rodney Due is thrilled with the efforts.

At the same time, Highway 135 has been very icy, and multiple reports of accidents have come in to KBUT this past week.

Snow Removal and Slick Roads

Lawmakers began the 2017 legislative session this past week.

Statehouse reporter Bente Birkelend asked various Coloradoans what their priorities are as private citizens.

Citizens' Opinions on Upcoming Legislative Session Priorities

Homegrown Crested Butte Olympian halfpipe skier Aaron Blunck took the gold in Skier Halfpipe at this past weekend's X Games in Aspen, Colorado.

Aaron takes time out of his busy training schedule to speak with us at KBUT and give us an idea of what it was like to fulfill a childhood dream of winning X Games Gold.  

Congrats, Aaron!

Aaron Blunck Takes X Games Gold In Skier Halfpipe

CBMR hosted the Junior Extreme Freeskiing Competiton last weekend.

These kids go huge.  

KBUT's Christopher Biddle was on hand for the action and has this report.

(Photo:  Jay McCarthy)

Rundown from CBMR's Extreme Junior Comp Last Weekend

The CB / Mt. CB Chamber of Commerce has stepped up to sponsor this year's event, which will be held on February 28th.

Mardi Gras Parade Saved

At Tuesday night's Crested Butte Town Council meeting, Town Planner Michael Yerman updated the council on what's happening in the world of affordable housing and about challenges in affordable housing in the town.

From student-designed projects, to essential service provider rental projects, Space-To-Create, the lack of a countywide housing director, goals of the program, and plans for a 17-acre parcel of land just south of town, there is no shortage of activity in the world of affordable housing in the north end of the Gunnison Valley.

CB Council Updated On Affordable Housing

A measure that would increase the penalty for tampering with oil and equipment is making its way through the Republican-controlled state senate. 

The bill is generating passionate debate.

Oil & Gas Tampering Bill Currently Going Through CO State Legislature

The comment period has been extended for a proposal that would begin the development 35 new oil and gas wells on 4 pads in the next 3 years.

Comment Period Extended For Oil & Gas Proposal In Gunnison County

The legendary, iconic, all-time ski and lifestyle film "Ski Bummin'" turns 20 years old this year.  It was filmed in Crested Butte and features many residents who are still around today.

KBUT spoke with Ethan Harris, who was behind the camera for most of the film, about his experience making the movie and living here.

The film shows Saturday at the Center For The Arts in Crested Butte, and an afterparty will be held at the Brick Oven to benefit the Villanueva family's fight against cancer.

Iconic Film "Ski Bummin'" Turns 20 - A Chat With Ethan Harris

The Wellness Fair is held this Saturday from 7 - 11 AM at the Lodge In Mountaineer Square.  

KBUT sits down with Gunnison Valley Health's Tyler Hansen to talk about services available and the goals of the health fair.

Local news can be heard at 7:59 AM, 12:06 & 6:30 PM.

Wellness Fair This Weekend

KBUT's Christopher Biddle files this report about how a graduate student is helping a 5th-generation ranching family work to preserve the land (by putting carbon back into the ground) they operate on.  

Jake Courkamp is an ecologist and grad student at Western State Colorado University.  Bruce Allen is a fifth generation cattle rancher. They’re a match made in Colorado.

(Photo:  Jake Courcamp)

The Carbon Economy: A Rancher and Grad Student Work Together to Revitalize Pastures.

An effort is underway in the Republican-controlled state senate to do away with the state’s health care exchange – Connect for Health Colorado – and switch over to the federal exchange. Supporters say it would save money. But with plans to repeal the Affordable Care Act over in Washington, things here are in limbo.

Future Of Colorado Health Care Exchange In Limbo

County Manager Matthew Birnie provided an update on the Brush Creek Parcel at Tuesday's joint meeting between the Gunnison County Commissioners and the Crested Butte Town Council.

This 17-acre piece of land holds the possibility of 'putting a dent' into the county's affordable housing shortfall.  

A request-for-proposals is due by end-of-biz on Friday, March 31st.  Birnie says the idea is to see what the market sees as viable for this project.

CB Town Council, Commissioners Updated On Brush Creek Housing Parcel

The Gunnison Valley Regional Housing Authority has hired Jennifer Kermode as its new Executive Director, and one of the first things she'll be working on is establishing a dedicated source of funding for the construction of new housing units in the Gunnison Valley.

Housing Authority Hires New Executive Director, Contemplates Funding Sources

So far on Wading in the Water, we’ve learned what watershed management planning is, and why it’s important…so now that we’re doing it here in our basin, how does it work? In episode #49, Julie Nania, water program director for High Country Conservation Advocates and one of the coordinators for the watershed management planning committee, talks about assessments and inventory work, the first phase to watershed management planning.

Wading in the Water #49: How Does Watershed Management Planning Work?

In episode #54, we learned about different agricultural water uses in the Upper Gunnison Basin. This week, we discuss a different stakeholder perspective: recreation. Recreation revolving around our rivers takes many forms, from rafting to stand up paddleboarding. To learn more, here’s Billy Rankin, local guide and risk manager for Irwin Guides.

Wading in the Water #55: Recreational River Uses

While we typically associate rafting and fishing as river recreation, like we discussed in episode #55, did you know that rivers play a large role in skiing as well? This week, Matt Feier, director of planning at Crested Butte Mountain Resort, tells us about the connection between rivers and snow...the man-made variety of snow that is.

Wading in the Water #56: Recreational River Uses (pt. 2)

We all drink water, take showers, enjoy our town’s parks...municipal water use has a big presence in our daily lives. In Episode #57, Shea Earley, wastewater system manager for town of Crested Butte tells us more about municipal water uses in the valley.

Wading in the Water #57: Municipal Water Uses

In the past few episodes of Wading in the Water, we’ve heard the perspective of different water uses including agricultural, recreational, and municipal. In this episode, Julie Nania, water program director for HCCA, discusses the importance of final stakeholder perspective, the environment, and what factors we’re looking at when it comes to watershed management planning.

Wading in the Water #58: River Ecosystems and Watershed Management Planning

The Crested Butte skate park has seen its fair share of airs, grabs, flips, and grinds over the years; But the once pre-eminent park has also seen better days. Some local skaters have taken it upon themselves to do something about it. Their solution: the resurrection of the Crested Butte Bowl Bash, a fundraiser and friendly competition to raise money and awareness for the plight of their beloved park. KBUT's Christopher Biddle has more.

'Bowl Bash' to Fund Skate Park Renovations

When it comes to spending ahead of the November election -- Colorado’s race for governor is like no other. The candidates - Republican Walker Stapleton and Democrat Jared Polis - are wealthy, and they’ve shattered all previous records for giving to their own campaigns. That led us to this question -- “Can someone become governor if they’re NOT a millionaire?” KUNC’s Michael de Yoanna reports.

Colorado's Governor Race and Big Money

Wading In The Water October 17, 2018 - Tom Surgotz

A bill to require more disclosure around campaign advertisements is moving ahead at the state Capitol. CPR's Sam Brasch has more. 

Lawmakers are once again considering a bill to ban so-called conversion therapy for youth in Colorado. The practice seeks to change a person’s sexual orientation.

Your KBUT Newscast for Wednesday, February 13

KBUT hosted crucial members of the local COVID19 Response Team on Monday, April 13 for a Virtual Town Hall on video conference and broadcast on KBUT.

Gunnison County Virtual Town Hall

KBUT is a community radio station serving Gunnison County, Colorado. Broadcasting since 1986, KBUT serves the Gunnison Valley through diverse on-air programs, volunteer opportunities open to all community members, and ongoing support for the area’s nonprofit organizations and educational institutions. Community radio is a significant facilitator of democratic ideals and civic participation and is an invaluable community resource, particularly for a rural and remote area such as Gunnison County.

KBUT

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