Gunnison County has issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) seeking a qualified consultant or consultant team to lead the development of a Gunnison to Mt. Crested Butte Comprehensive Corridor Plan—a major, multi-year planning effort that will shape the future of the Highway 135 corridor for decades to come.
The project will serve as a comprehensive plan for the County’s primary population, economic, and service corridor along Highway 135 from Gunnison to Mt. Crested Butte; it will integrate land use, transportation, utilities, housing, schools, recreation, agriculture, and environmental protection into a single, long-term vision. The planning process is expected to begin in spring 2026.
“This will be the most comprehensive and inclusive planning process Gunnison County has ever undertaken,” said Cathie Pagano, Assistant County Manager for Community and Economic Development. “This effort is about clearly defining our collective vision for the next 20 years—grounded in the communities’ priorities and values and taking into account where growth is appropriate and where it isn’t. The goal is to work with the community to identify where future growth makes sense and how it can best serve the communities’ needs, priorities and goals and ensure we’re making thoughtful, coordinated decisions that serve the entire valley over the long term.”
As Cathie Pagano will be moving on from her role with the County at the end of January 2026, the project will be led by Gunnison County Planning Director Hillary Seminick.
A Regional, Collaborative Approach with Clear Goals
Gunnison County is leading this effort in close collaboration with regional partners, including the Towns of Crested Butte and Mt. Crested Butte, the City of Gunnison, Crested Butte South Property Owners Association, RTA, and Mountain Express. The budget for this project is expected to be approximately $635,000, which will be supported by a $200,000 state grant as well as contributions from our regional partners.
The resulting plan will be created with significant public input and has several goals:
- Establish a clear land use vision aligned with community priorities
- Improve transportation, transit, and multimodal connectivity
- Identify infrastructure needs and constraints
- Protect wildlife habitat, agricultural lands, and natural resources
- Support compact, connected communities in appropriate locations; and
- Streamline regulations and reduce uncertainty for residents, landowners, and developers.
Read the press release for more information.