Sustainable Crested Butte was born from hope and a shared commitment to protect the stunning yet fragile environment that defines our mountain community. Nestled at the end of the road in Crested Butte, Colorado, we believe that every individual whether a local resident, part-time visitor, or passing guest has the power to make meaningful choices that safeguard our home and planet. Our mission is clear: to build a waste-free future for the Gunnison Valley. Through education, collaboration, and community-driven action, we inspire people to take responsibility for their environmental impact and to join us in preserving the beauty that makes Crested Butte a paradise worth protecting.

Our roots trace back to 2015, when Crested Butte Community School student Benjamin Swift launched the “Plastic Bag Free CB” campaign, sparking a local movement that led to the town’s single-use plastic bag ban in 2018. Since then, Sustainable Crested Butte has grown into a driving force for sustainability in the valley. From pioneering our Waste-Free Events program diverting tens of thousands of pieces of single-use waste to installing public water bottle filling stations, we continue to lead initiatives that turn environmental awareness into tangible impact. Today, we remain dedicated to empowering our community to make sustainable choices and to fostering a culture of stewardship for future generations.