Gunnison County Community Development Department, working with other participating partners in the County, applied to attend the Community Builders Leadership Institute conducted by the Sonoran Institute in January 2014. Gunnison County was one of seven communities selected and is the only participating County team. The goal of the Community Builders Leadership Institute is to help local leaders respond to the changing economic landscape, and build stronger, more successful communities. The Institute will be held for three days in January in Glenwood Springs. The Sonoran Institute pays for the entire cost of the training and associated travel expenses for all team participants.
The Gunnison County team will have the opportunity to work with experts in local finance, housing, land use, transportation and economic development. Teams will gain practical knowledge on the nuts and bolts of building stronger communities. This is an opportunity for team participants from both the public and private sectors to explore collaborative opportunities within the County.
The team members consist of Jonathan Houck, Gunnison County Commissioner; Russ Forrest, Assistant County Manager for Community and Economic Development; Cathie Pagano, Gunnison County Planner; Carolyn Riggs, City of Gunnison Council member; Todd Crossett, Town of Crested Butte Manager; Glenn Michel, Town of Crested Butte Council member; John Sale, Crested Butte Mountain Resort Planner; Julie Feier, Chief Operating Officer, Western State Colorado University; Bryan Wickenhauser, I Bar Ranch and Gunnison Chamber of Commerce Board member. For more information contact Cathie Pagano or Russ Forrest at Gunnison County Community Development, 970-641-0360.