Crested Butte: What's the deal? (Vail: hair salon, hotels, houses)

[interloper1138]

Originally Posted by Melanzana92

I understand that if you've been in a quaint place for a long time and it starts to change, it can be frustrating. But change is inevitable and we should deal with it like adults. Many choose to forever hold resentment and act like children about it. What a sad way to live.

Perhaps all of us in this thread are touching on different aspects of the 'local vs. newcomer' dichotomy. I'm fully aware that as a relative newcomer to the state that I'm one of those contributing to the crowding of less populated areas of the state, but I have always adamantly insisted that I would not participate in a system that displaces long-time locals in favor of outsiders with deeper pockets. In the seven years I've lived here I've deliberately left two different towns that I saw pursuing unchecked growth and real estate speculation at the expense of families that have lived in the area for multiple generations.

I realize that combatting rising real-estate prices is an uphill battle even for the most determined of local governments, but there are some towns I've seen (and lived in) that have made next to no effort at trying to keep their towns affordable and accessible for long-time residents and workers.

That's the resentment that I think is deserved and needs to be addressed, much more-so than having to deal with more traffic or crowded trails.

[pikabike]

What happened the last few years was not normal change. It was an avalanche of non-resident impacts that overwhelmed the roads, the lands, what workers who still had jobs in retail, and the supplies during a time of already-existing scarcity.

The growing percentage of investment buyers are removing housing (rental and purchase) from the “regular” prospective buyers. That negatively affects the entire community, despite some sellers getting rich.

I have never pretended to be born in CO, only to have lived in the state long enough to see some dramatic ups and downs, in addition to the expected slower growth. Yes, expected—not all of us think it should stay exactly as is forever.

The investment home buyers are the straw that broke the camel’s back. They are definitely causing an exodus—not necessarily of “locals,” but of the very workers needed to keep their investments bringing in the cash. Those workers are losing places they might have been able to rent or buy.

If you think residents come across as entitled, read the comments from people who think they bring only good to vacation areas, with no negative aspects. And you only have to overhear a few of said entitleds btchinf about stores or restaurants being closed or understaffed, to realize how THEY come across in places where many do not have much “disposable” income.

[davebarnes]

Originally Posted by interloper1138

I realize that combatting rising real-estate prices is an uphill battle even for the most determined of local governments...

Easy to lower prices.
1. Abolish zoning.
2. Abolish building codes.
3. Abolish hookup fees.

[NW Crow]

"Easy to lower prices.
1. Abolish zoning.
2. Abolish building codes.
3. Abolish hookup fees."

My views:
1. Slight maybe. More likely just a step or two back on some things, some places. Much easier on auxiliary housing units and mixed use. Easier on multi-family housing at some level, most places.
2. No.
3. No. But they should be reasonably aligned with cost of capacity expansion.

[interloper1138]

Originally Posted by NW Crow

"Easy to lower prices.
1. Abolish zoning.
2. Abolish building codes.
3. Abolish hookup fees."

My views:
1. Slight maybe. More likely just a step or two back on some things, some places. Much easier on auxiliary housing units and mixed use. Easier on multi-family housing at some level, most places.
2. No.
3. No. But they should be reasonably aligned with cost of capacity expansion.

I think Dave was being facetious.

[pikabike]

Originally Posted by interloper1138

I think Dave was being facetious.

I think so, too. If you see places that have nonexistent or shoddy enforcement of zoning or building codes, the reason why these things exist will become clear. Fees for hooking to utilities vary from place to place and fit the “pay as you play” idea.

I can think of noncompliant residences around here, where we owned a house before that, and before that, too. Some things pose a harm to nearby residents.

[Mike from back east]

We've become accustomed to Dave's wicked dry sense of humor. Other forums not so much.

[smith99]

Thought I would share my perspective as a CB local. The economy in Crested Butte from the housing market to the job market has changed drastically in the past 5 or so years mostly due to the popularity of Airbnb and Vail buying the mountain. With less housing available for workers, the demand is overwhelmingly higher than the supply. The mountain, hotels and restaurants in town are relying increasingly on seasonal workers here on a J1 visa. There is still a core community of ski bums, local business owners, and long time locals, but the demographics are changing fast as we rely more on seasonal workers and home and rental prices are driven up by remote workers and second home buyers. All of this has created a resentment of people who come into the area with money they made elsewhere and buy houses that sit empty 10 months out of the year. Most locals work in service industries catering to wealthy tourists and work 2 or 3 jobs.

All of these problems are in no way unique to Crested Butte-it is the classic story of the resort town. However, Crested Butte is still adjusting to this new normal and it is hard for locals to see their town change in this way. Crested Butte is still a great place to live and visit, but it is a different place today. Not all locals are rude and confrontational about it, and I'm sorry you had this experience, OP.

[brk330]

I lived in Crested Butte almost 30 years ago and all of the above was true.
I would add that CB is/was more into the 'locals only' mentality than other ski towns. There was always a lot of concern if you were hardcore enough or been there long enough to be a 'local'. Trustafarians would put duct tape on brand new goretex and be overly friendly with Tuck the bus driver trying to fit in.

I remember a conversation in 1994 about how millionaires were buying up town and the house we rented was 'probably worth a quarter million or more!'
Current Zillow estimate is over $2 million.

[brightdoglover]

The book "Powder Days" (just out) chronicles a lot of this in ski towns everywhere.