Lights in the dark: WinterGlow gives Elk Avenue that postcard look

By Katherine Nettles

As picturesque a mountain town as Crested Butte is, that magic wintery look doesn’t happen on its own. Sure, the mountains and the snow set the tone, but it came to the attention of some business owners and self-described holiday lovers over the last few years that downtown CB was a bit lackluster in the winter months. With no organized Christmas tree lighting and minimal holiday decorations, Elk Avenue was decidedly dark in the early weeks of December. Not so anymore—those giant, sparkling trees on the third block of Elk have set a new standard, and the spirit has caught on with other businesses.

“We call ourselves the commissioners of Christmas,” says Kim Raines, owner of Mountain Colors lighting, paint and hardware shop. She and Jesse Ebner, owner/broker of Signature Properties began their mission to light up the heart of CB back in 2023. “I have always loved Christmas time, but I know the holidays aren’t always happy for everybody,” Raines acknowledges.

At first, Raines says the “glow up” was a bit rogue with just lighting the large evergreen tree outside Signature Properties and inviting friends and clients to watch. “But we did it and people showed up. People like gathering and people like being welcomed into our community,” she says. Others pitched in, too. Local builder Ben Somrak offered his lift to reach the treetops, Decorate CB owner Darcie Perkins offered her holiday lighting expertise and rancher/Elk Avenue property owner Bill Lacy supported the cause and allowed them to decorate trees on his property. The CB Chamber of Commerce has also been an enthusiastic supporter, helping promote the light-up notion. “This is an event that’s community-driven,” says Raines. “People are coming together because they think it’s important.”

This year WinterGlow celebrated its third annual glow up for Elk Avenue, with the Signature Properties evergreen having become an anchor for a street festival atmosphere in early December. On the night of the official tree lighting, the street fills with fire cauldrons, outreach booths for the valley’s nonprofits, a Santa visit at the Crested Butte Museum with cookies and hot cocoa, and the CB Chamber sells Butte Bucks that can be used at local businesses. All businesses are encouraged to stay open late to make it a shopping/dining event as well. In 2025 several food vendors also joined the party.

As it has grown, Raines says the WinterGlow event itself has boosted sales for participating businesses and has given visitors and residents a reason to come to town during a historically slower time of year.

“Helping someone else feel better about this time of year can be as easy as putting lights on a tree,” says Raines.