Gunnison County, in collaboration with regional partners, has selected HDR as the consulting firm to lead the development of the Gunnison to Mt. Crested Butte Comprehensive Corridor Plan, an important step to ensuring that growth in the corridor reflects the shared values of our community: To create housing opportunities for locals while preserving open space and agriculture.
The selection of HDR reflects a highly collaborative effort among the Project Advisory Committee, including representatives from the Town of Crested Butte, Town of Mt. Crested Butte, Crested Butte South Property Owners Association, City of Gunnison, Gunnison Valley Rural Transportation Authority (RTA), Mountain Express, and Gunnison County’s Public Works, Planning, and County Manager’s departments. Following a highly competitive process that included comprehensive review of 12 proposals and in-depth interviews with four finalist teams, representatives from all constituent groups interviewed four finalists and reached a strong and unified consensus in selecting HDR.
“This was a genuinely collaborative and thoughtful process, and it was encouraging to see such strong alignment across all of our partners,” said Gunnison County Manager Matthew Birnie. “HDR stood out not only for their technical expertise, but for the way they operate as a cohesive, integrated team. They demonstrated a clear understanding of the corridor’s unique challenges and opportunities, and we’re confident they will help us build a plan that is both ambitious and valuable.”
The Gunnison to Mt. Crested Butte Corridor Plan will establish a clear, implementable framework to guide future land use, transportation, and infrastructure decisions along key corridors in unincorporated Gunnison County. The effort is designed to balance growth, mobility, and preservation of the County’s rural character, while identifying realistic strategies for implementation.
HDR was selected based on their strong technical qualifications, inclusive and thoughtful approach to community engagement, and demonstrated ability to translate planning concepts into actionable outcomes. Their proposal emphasized integrating feasibility and implementation into every phase of the planning process—an approach that closely aligns with the County’s goals.
“One of the things that excites me most about this team is their commitment to grounding the entire process in implementation and feasibility,” said Gunnison County Planning Director Hillary Seminick. “This won’t be a plan that sits on a shelf. This approach ensures we’re not just talking about aspirations; rather, the corridor plan will develop policy recommendations that can truly be achieved.”
While HDR is a nationally recognized firm with offices across Colorado and headquartered in Denver, the consultant team will be led by Yelena Onnen, a Salida-based project manager with deep experience in rural and mountain corridor planning on the Western Slope. Her regional knowledge and on-the-ground understanding of similar communities will be a key asset throughout the process.
HDR brings a broad, interdisciplinary team to the project, including environmental planners, transit specialists, grant funding experts, and land use and economic development professionals. Their integrated approach allows them to address complex corridor challenges—from wildlife movement and environmental considerations to transportation systems, land use policy, and funding strategies—within a single, coordinated framework.
The planning process will include multiple opportunities for public input and collaboration, ensuring the final plan reflects community priorities and shared regional goals.
Project kickoff is anticipated in spring 2026, with engagement opportunities to be announced in the coming months.
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