A hot topic of discussion as of late in the Gunnison Valley is the economy—how to revitalize the downtown Main Street storefronts, bolster incomes to match rising costs of living, and how to continue growing into an even more prosperous community. In the recent elections, many candidates focused on these issues as major platform points. 

A head-on collision on Hwy. 135 on Nov. 5 claimed the life of 38-year-old Crested Butte resident Heather Cooper. The accident occurred at approximately 8:20 a.m. near mile marker 14 just south of the Roaring Judy Fish Hatchery. The other driver, Dylan Blessing-Garcia, was arrested and charged with vehicular homicide. Gunnison County Judge Ashley Burgemeister set bond at $5,000 and scheduled a hearing date for the defendant on Nov. 18 at 9 a.m. Bond was posted for Blessing-Garcia on Nov. 5 at and he was released from custody.

Airline workers at the Gunnison-Crested Butte Regional Airport. (Times archive) While some government employees have been furloughed until the government re-opens, those deemed “essential …

As the federal government shutdown continues into its second month, certain programs have seen impacts such as delays or reductions. The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is one such …

Beaver are common along Colorado waterways. (Courtesy Colorado Parks and Wildlife) A beaver found dead last week at the Gunnison River Whitewater Park was sent for disease testing by Colorado …

The City of Gunnison’s newly-drafted land development code (LDC) has reached another stumbling block in a process already eight months behind schedule.   In spring of 2024, the city began …

In a strong turnout of nearly 50 percent, local voters sent a mixed message on election day regarding their willingness to accept property tax increases to fund construction of a new fire station. …

Last month, Gunnison Watershed School District Superintendent Dr. Leslie Nichols announced that the 2025/26 school year will be her final one in the position. Nichols, who took on the role in 2018, …

Gunnison City Council held a public hearing on Tuesday to present details of the proposed 2026 budget and to solicit comments from the public. As proposed, total city expenditures next year will …

This Halloween, the beloved tradition of trick or treating on Main Street in Gunnison will return. On Oct. 31, from 3-6 p.m., downtown will host the Gunnison Goblin Walk, presented by the Rotary Club …

Anyone walking into OffCenter Designs at 115 W. Georgia Ave. in Gunnison is greeted by the whir and hum of machines, along with friendly faces and even a dog or two. For the first time since the …

The U.S. government is experiencing its first shutdown in nearly seven years. The current closure is heading into its third week, making it the fifth longest in U.S. history. The shutdown began as a result of budget disputes between Republicans and Democrats in the legislative branch, with both parties not agreeing on government spending allocations.  With no resolution in sight, local agencies within the Gunnison Valley sit vacant and most government employees within the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), U.S. Forest Service (USFS) and National Park Service (NPS) have been sent home without pay. While local organizations such as Western Colorado University, Gunnison Valley Health and the City of Gunnison are yet to take direct hits from the federal stalemate, many are discussing the potential consequences should the shutdown drag on. 

The ski community is abuzz with the news that local freeskier Aaron Blunck has recently signed with Crested Butte- based company Romp Skis. This change in sponsorship marks the end of Blunck’s 14 year sponsorship with Head Skis, the company that launched his career into the professional arena. Blunck spoke with the Times, nostalgically about his time with Head and enthusiastically about his decision to move to Romp. 

Staff at the Roaring Judy Fish Hatchery in Gunnison County have already collected more than 1.3 million eggs from kokanee salmon spawning operations this year. Millions more are to be collected throughout the next month across Colorado’s Western Slope. As part of the kokanee salmon program, giveaway days are scheduled each year for members of the public to receive fish if they hold a valid Colorado fishing license. However, the available kokanee for the scheduled giveaway days at each location can vary greatly. It is possible some days will be canceled in specific locations, while some may add additional days depending on the run at each location.

With election day looming on the horizon this November, four people have announced their candidacy for Gunnison’s City Council. This December, the terms of current councilors Jim Gelwicks and …

Through ongoing increased sampling efforts on the Colorado River and nearby bodies of water, Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) Aquatic Nuisance Species (ANS) staff have detected zebra mussels in both the Colorado River and nearby lakes in Grand Junction.

The Gunnison City Council discussed proposed updates to the current on-street parking policies and regulations at their meeting on Sept. 19, 2025. This is a follow-up to an on-street parking assessment that occurred at the end of 2024, as well as subsequent community engagement initiatives to test the waters about possible code changes.

The Gunnison City Council on Tuesday became the first area municipality to formally cancel its intergovernmental agreement for services with the Gunnison Valley Regional Housing Authority (GVRHA) effective Jan. 1, 2026. The action clears the way for the city to begin negotiations with Gunnison County to enter a new agreement aimed at replacing those services.

On Oct. 1, Teresa Brown officially took over as Gunnison County treasurer, following the retirement of former Treasurer Debbie Dunbar in early August. After being appointed to fill the vacancy by Gunnison County commissioners this month, Brown will serve the remainder of Dunbar’s term until Dec. 31, 2026. The Times connected with Brown to learn more about her background and her vision for the office. (Editor’s note: This interview has been edited for length and clarity.)

The Tourism and Prosperity Partnership (TAPP) is a non-profit organization that works with boosting one of the largest drivers of the Gunnison Valley’s economy — tourism. The organization …