Crested Butte is a tiny dot on the map of Colorado but despite the fact that its population is only around the 1,500 mark, this small town is known as the last great ski town in Colorado. It was once a coal mining town and is currently the wildflower capital of the state. Tourists come to Crested Butte all year round with the skiing in winter the main attraction. The Crested Butte mountain rises to over 12,000 feet above sea level with the ski area base at an altitude of over 9,300 feet. There is an ice skating rink in the town and snowboarding is also a popular pursuit. The summer sees mountain biking come to the town and there are a range of parades and festivals throughout the year. As a result, there are always job openings in the town.
Town Council
If, like most visitors, you move to Crested Butte and fall in love with the town, you have the opportunity to gain employment with the town’s Board of Zoning and Architectural Review (BOZAR). The board is currently looking for new members who are charged with planning for the town’s future while preserving its past. If you have lived in Crested Butte for at least 12 months and are an expert at reading plans, a position with BOZAR could be just what you need. It should also be noted that the Crested Butte town council also have availabilities. If you visit the town’s website, you will see an application form which could see you potentially become a member of the council. At present, there are openings in the town’s winter public road works crew with pay starting at $16 an hour.
Skiing
Of course, the main sources of employment in the town relate to its status as a major ski town in the state of Colorado. The ski resort itself should be your first port of call when searching for employment. As it’s such a busy location, there are always vacancies on offer. Of course, this is only winter employment but there may be year round jobs available as the resort needs to be maintained during the off-season. Failing that, there is always the possibility of finding employment in one of the town’s many eateries or hotels. There is competition for positions in Crested Butte businesses so it’s ideal if you have prior experience.
Open A Business
If you can’t find a job, why not start up your own business? The town website offers helpful information for those looking to become an entrepreneur in Crested Butte. It’s a town that is wildly popular for tourism and will continue to be so for the foreseeable future. A business license only costs $100 a year and there is also a $25 administrative fee. You will be subject to a tax of 4% on all retail sales. If your business is well-run, this tax will be a minor irrelevance as you make a healthy profit year after year.
Crested Butte proves that a town’s small size is no impediment to its success. The area may be sparsely populated when it comes to permanent residents but there is life in Crested Butte 12 months of the year with jobs and business opportunities always available.