Crested Butte Airpark – A Place Outside the Ordinary Where the Flying is Spectacular
Perfectly Pristine Powder and Highly Technical Terrain
CO – Nestled deep within the interior of the majestic Rocky Mountains, Crested Butte, CO, stands as a picturesque treasure that beckons travelers with its unique mix of stunning natural beauty and small-town allure. Renowned for its impressive landscapes, the town is flanked by towering snow-capped, jagged-sharp peaks, lush meadows, and dense forests, creating a unique backdrop that changes with the seasons. When winter arrives, its world-class ski slopes attract enthusiasts from near and far, offering perfectly pristine powder and highly technical terrain.
Crested Butte captivates all who visit with its highly inviting community spirit. The area’s colorful Victorian buildings and historic downtown set it apart from many other mountain destinations. Annual music festivals and quirky celebrations are a common theme. The area boasts a rich history of well-preserved architecture and museums, lending to the town’s once-thriving mining past. Charming Elk Avenue is lined with eclectic shops, galleries, and eateries, providing a genuine blend of art, culture, and gastronomic adventure.
Picture 14,000-Foot Rocky Mountain Peaks
Crested Butte stands as a clear testament to the enchanting allure of Colorado’s high country, and there is so much more. For example, those with an itch to live in a special place where parking a private aircraft in a hangar is attached or adjacent to a luxury home need look no further than Crested Butte Airpark.
This prized Colorado airpark has been a fly-in community of choice for more than four decades. It all started as what was known as Buckhorn Ranch. The ranch was purchased and developed by investors and eventually became the airpark it is today, featuring dozens of one and two-acre homesite lots. With some of the best skiing in the world just minutes away and outstanding views of 14,000-foot Rocky Mountain peaks at every turn, it could very well be the perfect airpark community.
An Iconic Colorado Airpark
Daren Truitt is one homeowner living in the Crested Butte Fly-in community. We recently spoke with Daren about this iconic Colorado fly-in community. Daren was first drawn to Crested Butte because of his love of flying. His dad was an airline pilot with Eastern Airlines back in the day, so his passion for flying stems from early childhood.
Daren is a 7th-generation Coloradan raised in Steamboat Springs. He would first solo a super cub at just 16 years old. He went on to do some crop dusting in Colorado and even lived in Hawaii for a time, where he did a variety of contract flying and was a business owner.
Eventually, he sold his businesses and moved back to Crested Butte.
Whitewater Rafting and Fly Fishing
We asked Daren why he always seems to return home to Crested Butte, Colorado. He says one reason is the world-class fishing. The area is designated as “gold medal” trout fishing, which simply means it’s the best in the world. From whitewater rafting to fly fishing, this is a place like no other. Just 35 miles away is the Blue Mesa Reservoir. The reservoir features outstanding freshwater salmon fishing and a fish hatchery.
There is so much more, says Daren, including that Crested Butte is the wildflower capital of the country. It backs up to national forest land and is well-known for some of the best mountain biking found anywhere. If motorcycle riding, ATV adventures, fishing, and hunting are your thing, then look no further. It offers the full package with hundreds of miles of trails, herds of elk, the best backcountry skiing in the country, and a thick and rich national forest.
The Club at Crested Butte
Daren also chose to build his dream home in Crested Butte for other reasons. It is just across the street from a premier golf course. The Club at Crested Butte was designed and developed by Robert Trent Jones II, and the owner is Rick Divine.
Daren has owned several unique aircraft over the years, including a 690 Turbo-Commander. He is currently in the market for a Kodiak, another prized aircraft among those with experience in private aircraft ownership.
4000 Feet of Usable Take-Off and Landing Surface
One big draw of the Crested Butte Fly-in Community is that every homesite connects directly with the runway. Homes listed for sale often use the term “Beachfront” in the description. We asked Daren what this signifies. He explains that “Beachfront” simply means that a homesite has direct access to the runway. Currently, there are 40 lots in total with nearly a sold-out status. However, there is good news: As of this writing, there are two homesites up for resale.
The runway has approximately 4000 feet of usable take-off and landing surface. It was fully resurfaced five years ago, and there is a planned widening from 30 feet to 50 feet next summer.
Perhaps one of the most alluring things about Crested Butte is the community’s comradery. If you are thinking of calling Crested Butte home anytime soon, expect friendly BBQs and regular social gatherings. In the past, the community has also hosted EAA (Experimental Aircraft Association) events and is also a sponsor of the Young Eagles, an organization promoting aviation in high schools across the region. Community members routinely assist with search and rescue efforts and medivac when called upon by local emergency services.
Alaska To Start a New Chapter in Life
During our conversation, Daren shared with us that he has a new grandchild on the way and has decided to relocate to Alaska to start a new chapter in his life. He says leaving Crested Butte is difficult, but that family is always first. As such, he has recently listed his impressive Crested Butte Airpark luxury home for sale with plans to explore all that Alaska flying has to offer. Most importantly, he will be close to his daughter and new grandchild.
With thousands of square feet of living space and a front-row view to the mid-point of the runway at Crested Butte, this property won’t last long. If you are interested, the property is currently listed at Aviation Property Network. The cavernous hanger that measures 61 feet by 53 feet will easily accommodate aircraft ranging from a King Air to a Pilatus or slightly larger.
Perhaps most notable of all is the fact that this coveted fly-in community in Colorado is extremely dog-friendly. So, your Labrador retriever or even Bermanses mountain dog will fit right in and be comfortably at home watching planes take off and land.
Crested Butte Contact Information:
FAA Identifier: 0CO2
Lat/Long: 38-51-06.9730N 106-55-58.1540W
38-51.116217N 106-55.969233W
Elevation: 8980 ft.
Variation: 12E (1985)
From city: 3 miles SE of CRESTED BUTTE, CO
Time zone: UTC -7 (UTC -6 during Daylight Saving Time)
UNICOM: 122.8
Runway 11/29 Dimensions: 4000 x 40 ft. / 1219 x 12 m
Surface: asphalt
Runway edge lights: non-standard
Operational restrictions: SLOPES 2 PERCENT SE; ARR UPHILL RWY 29; DEP DOWNHILL RWY
CRESTED BUTTE AIRPARK ASSOCIATION
PO BOX 3450
CRESTED BUTTE, CO 81224
Phone 702-497-3137