Once again, Elk Avenue is being transformed into a one-way street for the summer to allow businesses more opportunity for outdoor seating. With this, Crested Butte council members have also decided to lower the speed limit from 15 mph to 10 mph on Elk, Sopris, and Maroon Avenues, near downtown. It has also been decided to implement new parking regulations, as well as to enforce current ones, due to a low turnover rate from cars being parked on or nearby Elk Avenue for long periods of time. Currently, there are signs posted stating a 2-hour limit for parking on Elk; however, parking limits have not been strongly enforced in past years.

Due to increasing tourism to the area, council members believe it is now time to begin enforcing these restrictions. Council members are also considering whether or not to issue parking permits for locals who live on Sopris and Maroon, and for employees who work on Elk, in order to accommodate current residents in the area. Kendra Walker of the Crested Butte News writes, “Elk Avenue two-hour parking will be enforced between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. during the summer and winter seasons. Two 10-minute parking spaces will be available across from the post office. Neighborhood permits will be distributed to residents and employees for parking along Sopris and Maroon. Every residence with insufficient off-street parking will receive free parking permits, one free visitor permit and short-term rental permits, if necessary.” Parking enforcement is set to begin on July 5 and will continue through October 15 for the summer. Winter enforcement will begin on December 17 through April 22, 2022.

Use the link below to access the full story by Kendall Walker from the Crested Butte News:

http://crestedbuttenews.com/2021/05/cb-parking-enforcement-begins-this-summer/