History of Crested Butte
Founding and Early Industry Known as the "Gateway to the Elk Mountains," Crested Butte sits at 8,885 feet in Gunnison County. Originally home to the Ute people, the area saw its first placer miners in the 1860s. The town earned its name in 1873 when geologist Ferdinand V. Hayden referred to the local peaks as "crested buttes." By 1878, founding father Howard F. Smith laid out the townsite. While Smith was drawn by vast coal deposits, the town initially thrived as a supply hub for surrounding silver mining camps, supported by local sawmills, a smelter, and ranching.
The Rise of the Resort While many nearby silver camps vanished when the market declined, Crested Butte’s diverse economy helped it survive. However, as coal mines eventually closed, the town’s population dwindled until the 1960s. In 1961, Dick Eflin and Fred Rice purchased the Malensek Ranch, opening the ski area in 1962 with Colorado’s first gondola. This transformed the area into the present-day resort of Mt. Crested Butte.
Education and Community As the town revitalized, so did its infrastructure. For decades, older students were bused to Gunnison for school. It wasn’t until 1997 that the Crested Butte Community School was completed, finally allowing local students to attend grades K–12 within the community.
Environmental Preservation Since the 1970s, the community has fought to protect Mount Emmons (the "Red Lady") from molybdenum mining. In 1977, Mayor W Mitchell famously led a campaign to stop a billion-dollar mining project, earning him the title of the man who "saved a mountain." This era also saw the formation of the High Country Conservation Advocates (HCCA), which continues to protect the valley’s natural resources today.
Crested Butte Today Now a world-renowned year-round destination, Crested Butte is celebrated as the "Wildflower Capital of Colorado." Whether you're drawn by the charm of its historic downtown or its endless outdoor playground—from skiing and snowmobiling to hiking and mountain biking—the town remains a vibrant sanctuary for adventurers of all ages.