Bud Light Whatever – Crested Butte Real Estate Impact
In case you have not heard Bud Light is throwing a party – in Crested Butte, Colorado this weekend and shooting a commercial. I have been asked what is the Crested Butte Real Estate Impact of all of this? Like most controversial* issues in this valley – I put on my “sustainability glasses” to evaluate – I believe this is a great event for Crested Butte short-term and long-term. We are a resort town, we are a ski-town, we are in the tourism business – people come here and live here for varied reasons, but economic viability is important and visitors did not visit Crested Butte when it was a coal mining town and they are not hosting this Bud Light Whatever event in Lake City, Colorado… * Like many issues in Crested Butte this is controversial because there are some here who will say “NO” to anything that is a change (to their perspective of what Crested Butte is and should be). Most of these naysayers do not have an economic stake in the game (income derived here in CB), or they have little regard for the wellbeing of their hardworking neighbors who support their families from our tourism economy (many working 2-3 jobs or owning multiple businesses). Short-term: Anheuser-Busch is paying $500,000 to the Town of Crested Butte and they have said they will spend a total of $2.2M to run this party. But when you add in the additional tourism and $ spent I would venture to say that it will generate $3M – $4M in economic impact to Crested Butte and the Gunnison Valley. From landing fees at the Gunnison Airport, the 6 hot tubs rented from Diamond Blue Pool & Spa, to small businesses like Two Plank Productions who has been hired to help (and has in turn hired 20 temporary workers). Many local businesses and local workers are profiting during an otherwise normal week here in Crested Butte. Thousands of people will be visiting Crested Butte who otherwise would not. Thanks to the AP newswire “Crested Butte” has been in every major newspaper in the country and throughout the internet via video, articles and social media. Long-term: Crested Butte is a wonderful town in a beautiful mountain setting. Like all mountain resort towns a vibrant economy is important for Crested Butte Real Estate values, and for the services local residents and second-homeowners and visitors want and need. The exposure from this event will help promote Crested Butte and a year from now – the Whatever party will be forgotten, but people will remember “Crested Butte” and unless there is a catastrophe – the perceptions will be of a positive beautiful and fun place. Years ago there were approximately 500,000 – 600,000 skier days per Winter – this has dropped to half in recent years and sales tax revenues in the Summer have surpassed the Winter. This is good for the Summer, but bad for the Winter and the businesses that cannot survive on 2 months of busy Summer receipts… the off-seasons are attracting more events and conferences like the Crested Butte Film Festival at the end of September. Air service is an important service and flights in and out of Gunnison and Montrose are dependent on visitors (estimates are these seats are occupied by only 10-20% of local residents). Like the Pro Cycling Challenge (which cost over $150,000 to host) this event is advertising for Crested Butte and our destination resort lifestyle. Some will argue whether we are promoting the right message – but when someone is considering where to visit with their family a year from now because of this Bud Light Whatever event they may remember Crested Butte as an option. When they Google “Crested Butte” they will see the beauty, the charm, the fun, and the recreational opportunities this great place has to offer – and they will book a flight for their family and come. Like me and my family they may decide to buy a second home in Crested Butte, and then decide to move here full time!
I believe the Bud Light Whatever event is another thing that makes Crested Butte Colorado a special place. Coined “The last great Colorado Ski Town” Crested Butte offers a variety in Performing and Visual Arts, Recreation, Beauty, a warm community, a Historic Downtown, and a great Ski Resort. There are some exciting new announcements as well – the Biery-Witt Center in Mt. Crested Butte will be a fantastic new facility and additional amenity to the area. Whether it is 4th of July in Crested Butte, The Artsfest Weekend, Fat Tire Bike Week, the Wildflower Festival, The Music Festival, Vinotok, Big Air on Elk, Skiing Santas in December, the new Mountain High Music Festival in January, Spring Break Skiing, The Crested Butte Film Festival… There is a Crested Butte event for everyone. Many families have selected Crested Butte as their choice to own a second home – there are a variety options and great values in the Crested Butte Real Estate market. If you are looking for a Crested Butte Real Estate Agent I appreciate the opportunity to earn your business. To see featured properties or search the MLS – visit chriskopf.com. Contact me at: (970) 209-5405, or chriskopf@bighornrealty.com Chris Kopf Previews® Property Specialist Coldwell Banker Bighorn Realty Phone: (970) 209-5405 email: chriskopf@bighornrealty.com Author: Chris Kopf
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