Gunnison Valley, Colorado | Live Here | Community Values

Federal lands comprise 85% of the Gunnison Valley. YOUR trails, rivers and public lands will be OPEN as the snow melts, but personnel cuts at the Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management and Park Service mean all of us will need to keep stewardship top of mind this summer. Pack out all trash, and be extra careful with fire. Together, we can keep our backcountry beautiful!

Gunnison Valley Community Profile

The tight-knit residents of the Gunnison Valley are passionate about the outdoors. Easy access to public lands and adventure sports makes up for the challenges of living in a rural mountain town. This guide to the communities of Gunnison and Crested Butte includes information about:

  • Cost of living
  • Public lands, trails and outdoor activities
  • Infrastructure
  • Housing and real estate
  • Workforce
  • Childcare and schools
  • Western Colorado University

Keep reading to learn more about what it’s like to live, work and operate a business here.

Business in the Gunnison Valley

Considering moving your business to Gunnison or Crested Butte? Western Colorado University grads provide a high-quality hiring pool to draw from. Connectivity to this remote part of Colorado is made easy with the Gunnison-Crested Butte Regional Airport. Plus, free support from the ICELab can bolster your growing company. Learn more about prospective local employees, transportation and commercial amenities by clicking the tiles below.

Housing and cost of living

Click on the tiles below to discover what it takes to reside in Gunnison County. Costs of living are lower in Gunnison than Crested Butte, but even Crested Butte is more affordable than some other Colorado mountain towns. Real estate and housing rental inventory in Gunnison County is tight, but the resources below can help you find a place to live here for you or your employees.

Public lands and mountain towns

Visitors flock to Crested Butte and Gunnison to immerse themselves in the vast swaths of scenic National Forest surrounding the valley. It’s the same reason business owners choose to move their companies here, whether for product testing or just to improve their own quality of life. Popular summer activities include hiking, mountain biking and fishing. Downhill skiing and cross-country skiing are the area’s two top winter sports. The charming mountain towns of the Gunnison Valley add to the area’s allure.

Childcare, schools and higher education

Public schools in Gunnison and Crested Butte provide more than your average K-12 education. Children in the Gunnison Valley also gain exposure to outdoor adventures right in their own backyards through unique school programs. Western Colorado University adds to the valley’s educational tapestry and enhances the vitality of the community.

More about Gunnison Valley economic development

Read more articles about business in Gunnison and Crested Butte.

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