Letter from the President
“The greatest danger to our future is apathy.”
— Jane Goodall
October 2025
Dear Friends of the Crested Butte Public Policy Forum,
It’s an honor to introduce myself as the new President of the Crested Butte Public Policy Forum. I’ve been involved with the Forum for several years, most recently as Vice President, and it has long been one of my favorite parts of summer in this valley. Each Tuesday evening reminds me how important it is for our small mountain community to stay connected to the big ideas, issues, and conversations shaping the world beyond the peaks that surround us.
Before looking ahead, I want to extend my deepest gratitude to Gabi Prochaska for her extraordinary leadership and dedication as President over the past several years. Her energy, warmth, and vision has shaped the Forum into one of the most vibrant and respected traditions in Crested Butte. Her shoes can’t truly be filled—but I’m excited to take the reins and continue her work, adapting the Forum to our times while building on everything that makes it so meaningful.
Our Board is already hard at work planning the 2026 season, with the goal of bringing a dynamic lineup of speakers to Crested Butte. We hope to improve upon every aspect of the Forum—from how we engage the community to how we share ideas, inspire curiosity, and stay connected beyond the summer months.
I want to thank our dedicated Board members, our Executive Director, our interns, and the generous donors and community members who make this work possible. The Forum thrives because of your engagement, your curiosity, and your belief that informed citizens make stronger communities.
If you have ideas for future speakers or topics, please don’t hesitate to reach out—we always welcome your input.
Thank you for your continued support and participation. Keep checking out the website and follow us on social media @cbpublicpolicyforum to see updates throughout the year as we look forward to 2026!
Warmly,
Devon Cone
President, Crested Butte Public Policy Forum
a forum for civic engagement
Promoting civic dialogue, debate and community engagement with distinguished expert speakers on issues of international, national, and local significance in the Gunnison Valley since 2003.
Friends of the Forum, Our Sponsors
We are a not-for-profit organization supported by sponsorships and donations from our local community.
The Forum is broad and inclusive
The Crested Butte Public Policy Forum is an avenue for information, not advocacy. The speakers reflect a wide range of ideologies, beliefs, and political affiliations.
The Forum is not associated with a particular political party nor does it espouse a particular political ideology.