Mission

The community has united to discuss ways to protect the beloved Crystal River. A facilitated Stakeholder Process is underway to ensure all voices are heard and positive conversation leads to the best solution to protect the Crystal. EcoFlight is happy to be a part of the efforts to protect the Crystal and the Steering Committee. We flew with the facilitators of the Steering Committee and local media to familiarize those involved in the Steering Committee with the waterway and its many values.

A collective appreciation for this watershed and all that it provides is a unifying force. The Crystal supports local, sustainable agriculture, and generational family ranches. Recreational opportunities abound: fly fishing, rock climbing, wilderness backpacking, four-wheeling and snowmobiling, backcountry skiing, and more. The watershed also remains a haven for wildlife, with critical summer and winter habitat. Some of Colorado’s most popular hunting units are adjacent to the Crystal River, bringing tangible economic benefits to the valley each year. The Crystal Valley provides a peaceful haven for residents and visitors alike.

Recognizing the ecological and community importance of the Crystal, in April 2023, a public meeting at the Marble Fire Station kicked off a facilitated stakeholder process that will consider ways to protect the Crystal, including the feasibility of a federal Wild and Scenic River designation. EcoFlight is excited to be part of this process, help secure permanent protections for the Crystal that would prevent dams and out of basin diversions, and continue providing flights as a platform for community members to get to know one another while enjoying this beloved river and spectacular valley from above.