Letter from the President
“Democracy is based upon the conviction that there are extraordinary possibilities in ordinary people”
Harry Emerson Fosdick
Supporters ~
Welcome to the 21st season of the Crested Butte Public Policy Forum! We are looking forward to another exciting and thought-provoking summer of public policy discussions.
The Board has worked hard to bring you an outstanding group of engaging speakers on a variety of issues currently facing our planet, our nation and our community. Indeed, this season's program promises to be one of our best by taking on several of the most important topics of our time.
We begin the Forum co-sponsoring with the Town of Crested Butte a topic very close to home. Justin Farrell and Neal Payton will provide their perspectives on how best to plan for the healthy future of mountain towns.
From this critical, local discussion on 'Resort Economics,' former astronaut Sandy Magnus will take the PPF far from CB, discussing the global implications of congestion and traffic coordination in space. Allison Nordt, given her experience with the James Webb telescope, will speak on space science and the influence of technology on scientific discovery.
On a national level, Dr Paul Spiegel will focus the Forum on the ongoing humanitarian emergency in Gaza, while Dan Drezner will bring us a political perspective on the transformation of American Foreign Policy in a rapidly changing world.
American university policies and the "Free Speech Battle" making headlines across our nation's college campuses will be the topic of Sophie Rosenfeld's presentation. The Forum will also continue our commitment to bringing leading climate experts to the Gunnison Valley with Lisa Dale, whose research focuses on rural communities' capacity to adapt to climactic change.
The Forum's amazing speakers and the time we share together discussing some of the most important public policy issues facing us today is always a highlight of my summer. I so appreciate the global, national and local experts who choose to join us in Crested Butte for the Public Policy Forum without honoraria, along with our dedicated Board of Directors and amazing sponsors without whom the Forum would not exist.
Thank you so very much for your continued engagement and commitment,
Gabi Prochaska
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.