Our Mission

Our mission is working with you to forever protect and steward open lands for vistas, recreation, wildlife, and ranching, thus contributing to Gunnison County’s unique heritage and quality of life.

Our vision is protecting your way of life… We envision Crested Butte and the Gunnison Valley’s quality of life protected and preserved into the future. Our community enjoys access to superior year-round recreation opportunities through an incredible network of trails, and we have a thriving agricultural base. We value our breathtaking views, and we care about the wildlife that share our peaks and valleys. The community values the Crested Butte Land Trust as a vital institution which protects and contributes to the quality of life of our area.

Preserving the present for the future… We are a non-political nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization that works on a voluntary basis with private landowners in Gunnison County. In the words of former board member, Jackie Ingham, our purpose is “preserving the present for the future.” The inspiration for the Crested Butte Land Trust came from local builder and avid environmentalist, Norman Bardeen, who served on its first board of directors. The Land Trust is a vital asset for the community: our clean waters, scenic vistas, and healthy habitats are valuable to our way of life.