Crested Butte COVID-19 Update

Crested Butte COVID-19 Update, I hope you and your family are safe! An update on what is happening in CB – and some much needed humor at the bottom… Easter Sunday April 12^th would have also been the last day of the Crested Butte ski season. But, it has been a bit over a month since Vail Resorts closed the ski area due to the COVID-19 virus and everything changed. A lot has happened in the Crested Butte area and the world. Francene and I were able to live stream the Easter Sunday Service at Union Congregational Church which was very nice considering we were watching via computer. There are a number of local restaurants serving food via take-out and delivery. Many generous donations from our local restaurants and orders for food for the hospital and first responders… This is clearly an unprecedented time in our history. None of us has gone through this before, including the people in leadership positions at the local, state and national level. Our County Health Officials are doing their best to ensure there is no crisis here. Some decisions have been good, some bad, some unconstitutional, some overreaching. All have been restrictive, but done so to protect you and me and to keep people from dying.

Please do not misdirect anger toward the local Crested / Gunnison Valley businesses, and non-profits, or the huge majority of the community who has a sincere appreciation for the second homeowners.

Your  patronage to the local businesses, and the generosity toward the nonprofits is greatly appreciated.  And please disregard uneducated banter by the few juveniles on social media forums – this does not reflect the community as a whole. Please pray our leaders have data and wisdom, and we get back to “normal” soon.

I was a second-homeowner for 10 years, and I have lived here as a local for almost 11 years.  I have family members who own second-homes in Crested Butte. Over 95% of my real estate clients are second-homeowners – and my friends. I flinch when I hear about anybody or anything that attempts to draw a line in our community, to divide us, or drive a wedge. Some suggest the mere words “second-homeowner” and “local” are divisive. We are a community made up of Texans (and many other great states), men, women, golfers, skiers, mountain bikers, Nordic skiers, motorheads, Slopeside members, hunters, volunteers, ranchers, sponsors, donors, retirees, pot smokers, and yes THC gummy bear eaters… We are a melting pot for sure here in Crested Butte. As I often say – what makes this a special place is our love for the beautiful surroundings, the opportunity to recreate and create a lifetime of great memories with family, and friends.  We get to sit on an Elk Avenue bench next to someone we don’t know and strike up a conversation about how awesome and deep the powder run was, how beautiful the wildflowers are, or what hike you are going to do tomorrow. Crested Butte is a community. We marvel at the uniqueness, the charm and the character of Crested Butte. We may not partake in Vinotok, the Townie Takeover, or get up on the KBUT float during the 4^th of July parade – but we probably did “stuff like that” when we were younger, and we appreciate that there are those that have the freedom and energy to do so…

Non-Residents – Second-Homeowner Orders, and Reaction

The County Order for non-residents who are here has been changed – and those who were here and submitted Exemption were Approved. The new order stated that all who were here who did not submit an Exemption form – are allowed to stay (see link below to the days/dates referenced). For those non-residents who are not here, but who want to come,  the order says you cannot. I have been told the order is Unconstitutional by at least a dozen attorneys and second homeowners – including the Attorney General of Texas!  “Not legal”.  So, disregard it if it upsets you but do so at your risk since the county commissioner has issued the order and, until it is set aside, it is the law. Local respected Attorney Chuck Cliggett has suggested he will represent anyone pro-bono if you have an issue (chuck@cliggettlaw.com). Likely the lock-down and travel restrictions will be easing-up shortly. Thankfully the majority of the timing of this is during the mud season, normally nobody really wants to be here right now anyway. Francene and I were going to be visiting family, friends and clients in South Carolina and Florida, but we are here on lock-down, and really look forward to this being over and everything back to normal. Most people arrive in June and expectations are we will be “open” by then (hopefully!). The Colorado statewide shelter-in-place order is scheduled to be lifted on April 26, and hopefully that is going to be the case. We get more data every day and it appears COVID-19 is deadly for those who have some health issues, but the number of cases is much higher than previously thought (many people do not show any symptoms) and so the death rates are much lower. Less “risky” and most expect the health orders and restrictions to ease-up (hopefully soon). I am sure we will still be affected by this with some lingering health orders this summer – social distancing, masks… who knows?

Gunnison County Coronavirus Updates

https://covid19.gunnisoncounty.org/

Some Examples of Other Health Orders

For those who think we are being singled out – or that only the Gunnison Health Orders are crazy… below are a few of the many other examples… State of Michigan – Executive Order that includes No Visiting of Second Homes https://content.govdelivery.com/attachments/MIEOG/2020/04/09/file_attachments/1423850/EO%202020-42.pdf Homeowners sue over restricted access to Outer Banks second homes due to coronavirus https://www.foxnews.com/us/homeowners-sue-outerbanks-access-second-home-coronavirus Rural areas with vacation homes more susceptible to coronavirus outbreaks https://thehill.com/homenews/state-watch/492008-rural-areas-with-vacation-homes-more-susceptible-to-coronavirus In the Hamptons, coronavirus heightens tensions https://www.curbed.com/2020/4/8/21213468/coronavirus-hamptons-vacation-homes-neighbors-covid-19

. There are some local Crested Butte fundraising efforts Gunnison Valley Health COVID-19 Support Fund https://www.gunnisonvalleyhealth.org/Donations.aspx Community Foundation of the Gunnison Valley: https://cfgv.networkforgood.com/projects/95667-covid-19-fund CB Tip Jar for local restaurants and employees: https://www.cbtipjar.com/?fbclid=IwAR3Ft4-V6V0HUBixbv0GaiEW5malBxVbh3hSxRixMe_mo1JEa_696E4PX8Y Go fund me / local love Crested Butte Gunnison: https://www.gofundme.com/f/local-love-crested-buttegunnison Coronavirus Humor… Some Irish Humor for you! A little Irish humor to lighten your isolation. Six retired Irishmen were playing poker in O’Leary’s apartment when Paddy Murphy loses $500 on a single hand, clutches his chest, and drops dead at the table. Showing respect for their fallen brother, the other five continue playing standing up. Michael O’Connor looks around and asks, ‘Oh, me boys, someone got’s to tell Paddy’s wife. Who will it be?’ They draw straws. Paul Gallagher picks the short one. They tell him to be discreet, be gentle, don’t make a bad situation any worse. ‘Discreet??? I’m the most discreet Irishmen you’ll ever meet. Discretion is me middle name. Leave it to me.’ Gallagher goes over to Murphy’s house and knocks on the door. Mrs. Murphy answers, and asks what he wants. Gallagher declares, ‘Your husband just lost $500, and is afraid to come home.’ ‘Tell him to drop dead!’, says Murphy’s wife.. ‘I’ll go tell him.’ says Gallagher. 4 Stages of Corona Virus Stay healthy, stay safe. Thanks, Chris. Final Thoughts and How Can I Help You? Stay safe out there. Contact me to help you if you have questions. If you want to chat about the real estate market here in Crested Butte – give me a call… (970) 209-5405 I have been in your shoes – as both a Second Home Buyer and Seller here in Crested Butte. The Crested Butte area offers a wide variety of properties including ski in/ski out single family homes, ski-in/ski-out condominiums, lake and river frontage properties, golf course property, quality homes in Downtown Crested Butte, and true fine mountain homes on acreage. To see Crested Butte Homes For Sale or search the MLS – visit ChrisKopf.com. The Crested Butte Real Estate Market is very active. Click this link to see my monthly Crested Butte Real Estate Market Reports. I have consistently been a Top Real Estate Agent in Crested Butte, and I appreciate the opportunity to earn your business and be your Crested Butte Real Estate Agent. Please Contact me at: Chris Kopf Global Luxury Property Specialist Coldwell Banker Mountain Properties Chris.Kopf@CBMP.com (970) 209-5405