Vote Whatever USA Best Event – Best of the Butte 2014 
It is not often you get to voice your opinion about so many things Crested Butte – but the Best of the Butte survey hosted by The Crested Butte News is a great way for you to do so. Many businesses will prosper because of the votes cast. If you have no other interest in voting – I urge you to cast a vote for the Whatever, USA Event as the “Best Event in 2014”.
Question #34 – Best Event? Recommended Answer: WHATEVER, USA!
Vote in the On-Line Survey for Best of the Butte 2014 or use the link below:https://www.surveyplanet.com/54808cf57e4d853c402f72e5 John Norton said it well in his recent “Notions” column in the Crested Butte News when he said: “My friends and I loved the event. I’m pretty sure most people did. The town walked away with $500,000. That money will go to really worthwhile projects. My friends and I enjoyed the free beer, the sunny skies, the great music and the carnival atmosphere in town. It was fun meeting people who won the trip and in 100 years would never have set foot in Crested Butte. They were in awe. We likened it to a second 4th of July celebration.” There is a vocal MINORITY that can find fault with most anything – and the Whatever, USA is another example. Perhaps our votes in the Best of the Butte will send a message that the majority of people appreciated the event and the efforts of so many to make it happen. I tend to analyze most Crested Butte issues through the lenses of sustainability – three of the key questions I ask are:
- Is it complimentary to Crested Butte – does it fit?
- Will this help Crested Butte and the residents who live (and work*) here to prosper?
- Will this be a beneficial amenity to the Visitors who come here?
*Unfortunately many of the people who cast their negative votes for most anything new in Crested Butte are not dependent on making a living and supporting their families here. During the downturn in the economy and the Real Estate Market from late 2008 – 2012 I saw hard working local families deal with very tough home foreclosures and short-sales, pack their bags and their kids and leave town. 
The Whatever USA event literally brought millions of dollars of positive fun clever Bud Light advertising exposure to Crested Butte. In addition the play through Social Media was huge. I commend the elected leaders of the Crested Butte/Mt. Crested Butte Town Councils and Chamber of Commerce for their efforts. They tried their hardest, they made some mistakes, they admitted they made mistakes, and they apologized. I realize not every business and person benefitted from the event in the short-term. I hope there are many more opportunities for Crested Butte to host large events like: The USA Pro Cycling Challenge, Santa Ski/Pub Crawl, Big Air on Elk, The Alley Loop, The Music Festival, The Artsfest Weekend, The 4th of July Parade, Vinotok, the Crested Butte Film Festival, The Mile High Music Festival, the Mardi Gras Parade, and yes the Whatever USAs of the future. There are some who vote for a no-growth strategy – ask a local business owner, or CBMR, the Director of any local non-profit, a second-homeowner who rents their condo, the Town Managers, or the RTA about future flights into Gunnison and the ability to fill the seats with a no-growth strategy. A vote against future Whatevers is a no-growth strategy that will unfortunately cut-off the oxygen to our community as we know it today, and many of our friends and neighbors. We do not live in a terrarium – we are interconnected with the outside world because we are a resort town who needs to market to and attract visitors. The Bud Light Whatever event was a learning experience – and feather in our cap to the outside world. I trust our local leaders will plan and implement strategies of sustainable growth without a negative impact to the charm and heritage of Crested Butte. 
Events like the Bud Light Whatever USA event are just the thing that makes Crested Butte Colorado a special place. Coined “The last Great Colorado Ski Town” Crested Butte offers a visitors a safe fun place to vacation, and a wide variety in events, performing and visual arts, recreation, beauty, a historic downtown, a great ski resort, with the backdrop of a warm community. Crested Butte also offers a great value in real estate., especially compared with many of the alternative mountain towns with high prices, crowds, glitz and glamour, and long-lift lines – we have a unique offering. If you have an interest in Crested Butte Real Estate and would like to start a conversation about homes, condos or land in the Crested Butte area, give me a call.
Chris Kopf Previews® Property Specialist Coldwell Banker Bighorn Realty Phone: (970) 209-5405 email: chriskopf@bighornrealty.com chriskopf.com
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