A ragtag citizens group was started in 1972 with an ambitious goal of preventing development of the Marble Ski Area and a related real estate scheme.  The little group that helped defeat the Marble Ski Area celebrates its 50th anniversary.  The Crystal Valley Environmental Protection Association continues to help protect the special place!

 The origins of CVEPA began back in 1970 when a handful of Marble residents and others in the Crystal River valley, decided to form a group to oppose the development of a proposed major ski area in Marble, which also included a massive surrounding residential development. J.E. Devilbiss, a Carbondale lawyer who later became District Judge, drafted the charter for a non-profit to oppose it and named the new group the Crystal Valley Environmental Protection Association (CVEPA).  

Jack Roberts was a well educated artist who loved western history. One of his other passions was the Crystal River Valley.

He used his artistic talents to help spell doom and increase public interest for not only the plans for the Placita Dam (West Divide) project, but also the Marble Ski Area proposed development. Mr. Roberts created many cartoons that tell the story of CVEPA’s battles on behalf of the Crystal Valley, depicting the characters and situations in uniquely pointed ways. CVEPA is fortunate that Jack Robert’s son, Gary Miller, made these cartoons available for our website.