Crystal Valley Environmental Protection Association

Help Us Protect Our Valley

Since 1972 the Crystal River Environmental Protection Association (CVEPA) has been fighting for the water, land, air, and rural and wilderness culture of the Crystal River Valley. Although we are a small, volunteer organization with no paid staff, we have an impressive history of fighting to protect the incredible environment surrounding us. CVEPA stopped the development of an alpine ski area above Marble, helped to oversee the reclamation of a major coal mine, helped prevent a proposed dam from destroying the upper Crystal River Valley, and continuously works to ensure public access to public lands around the valley.

We hope your mission matches ours. Dues start at $20 per year. Visit our Join Us page and complete the New Membership Form and/or sign-up for our Newsletter.

We'd be happy to have you join us!

Latest News

CVEPA Featured in the Aspen Times

Marble Wetlands Preserved CVEPA & TLR Victory!

Lead King Loop - Public Listening Session

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!

Read Scott Condon's article in the Aspen Times

Lead King Loop - Public Listening Session

Marble Wetlands Preserved CVEPA & TLR Victory!

Lead King Loop - Public Listening Session

Center for Public Lands Will Facilitate April 28 Listening Session to Share Ideas Workshopped by the Lead King Loop Stakeholder Group.

Over the past five months, the Lead King Loop stakeholder group, on which CVEPA has two members, has been collaborating to develop management strategies that will alleviate issues associated with increases in recreation-based visitation on the Lead King Loop outside of the Town of Marble. The stakeholder group has worked closely with local and federal government to understand the feasibility of proposed actions, parameters of policy and funding, and associated tradeoffs.

After multiple sessions of workshopping ideas, the group has identified a range of priority actions that could be taken in the short- and long-term to mitigate impacts to the Town of Marble, visitor experiences, and the ecosystem. These ideas will be shared with the community to garner feedback at a public listening session.

Fire Station in Marble, Colorado

April 28, at 6:30pm.

A virtual listening session will be held separately at a later date.

Marble Wetlands Preserved CVEPA & TLR Victory!

Eighteen months ago, CVEPA entered into a partnership with the Aspen Valley Land Trust with the goal of putting 55 acres of valuable wetlands near Marble into conservation. CVEPA sought assurances from the State of Colorado to protect any non-profit that would accept the property from environmental liability due to a smelter site remaining from a mining project that was decommissioned, circa 1913.

In a remarkable acquisition that traveled full circle, it was the nimble and fast acting Trust for Land Restoration that accepted this property for the benefit of future generations. The TLR Board consummated in three days’ time what so many had worked to achieve for many years. The donor’s generosity, patience, and persistence to conserve this property for posterity became a reality on December 30th.

Learn more