Our Roots

Since 1986

The Wildflower Festival began in 1986 through the efforts of a few insightful Crested Butte locals who envisioned a wildflower celebration in one of the most picturesque valleys in Colorado. The Festival has grown into a summer-long season with over 150 events offered by over 40 instructors, tour guides, and volunteers.

Our Mission
To advocate for the preservation and appreciation of wildflowers.

Wildflower Preservation

Let it Grow
Please do not pick, cut, or walk on wildflowers or other plants! If you see someone doing this, please give them a friendly reminder not to, and ask them to pass it along to others.
Stay on the Trail
Please stay on the trail. If another trail user needs to pass you, please gently step off the trail and wait for them to pass. Please do not create multiple, parallel trails. If a trail is wet, snowy, or muddy, please do your best to keep to the main trail. This will prevent the creation of parallel trails.
Protect our Pollinators
The fauna in the Valley play an imperative role in our unique ecosystem. While you explore the magic of Crested Butte, if you happen upon one of our many types of pollinators, please give them space and do not disturb their hard work.
Learn & Share
One of the most important tools in preservation is awareness. Take what you learn at the Festival and pollinate the knowledge!

Help Preserve the Wildflowers

Get Involved

Board of Directors

President
Board Member

Kristi Bezler has lived in Crested Butte since 2017 and fell in love with the community in 2010. She and her husband have two children, and they all greatly enjoy the activities and personal connection the community has to offer. Kristi joined the Wildflower Festival Board in 2024 and is looking forward to deepening her connection to the community through her love of wildflowers. In her spare time, she enjoys trail running, hiking, mountain biking, skiing, reading as well as spending time with family and friends.

Leanne Benton
Secretary

Ken Collins
Board Member

Lynn Cudlip
Vice President

Dr. Luke Tembrock
Board Member

Luke Tembrock was born in Delta, Colorado and grew up along the North Fork of the Gunnison where he first began to examine plants and nature on the family orchard west of Hotchkiss. After graduating Hotchkiss High School in 1997 Luke studied at Western State College (now Western Colorado University) in Gunnison, CO for two semesters before traveling and working in Western Europe for a year. Upon returning to the U.S. Luke worked for the Colorado Division of Wildlife (now Colorado Parks and Wildlife) as a field technician around Durango, CO and then with the Bureau of Land Management and Bureau of Indian Affairs as a cadastral surveyor around Ignacio, CO. Luke completed his undergraduate Bachelor of Arts in geography with a minor in biology in 2005 from the University of Colorado, Boulder and then worked as a tropical horticulturist with the Denver Botanic Gardens until 2008. In 2015 Luke completed his doctoral degree in botany from Colorado State University in Fort Collins, CO where his work focused on the East African stimulant plant qat (Catha edulis, Celastraceae). From 2015 to the present Luke has worked as a research scientist in the department of Agricultural Biology at Colorado State University and in collaboration with the U.S. Department of Agriculture where he studies invasive insect species.

Peggy Langewisch

Peggy Langewisch
Treasurer

Peggy has been visiting since the early 90’s and living full-time in the Gunnison valley since 2000. She began her career at a large management consulting company before founding a consulting partnership focused on strategy development and implementation. After enjoying extensive travel for work, she now relishesstaying home and hiking, biking, and skiing. Peggy joined the Wildflower Festival Board in 2017 and appreciates the opportunity to contribute to sharing and preserving the beauty that surrounds us.

Nieset LeFevre
Board Member

Board Vacancies

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Dr. David Kish
Executive Director

After many years as a Festival participant, Member, Hike Assistant, CBWF Photography Contest winner, and workshop leader, we are pleased to welcome David Kish as our CBWF Executive Director. David has been photographing, hiking, and mountain biking in Crested Butte since 2005, and he brings two decades of non-profit and business experience to the role of Executive Director. David's nature photographs have appeared in the Crested Butte Magazine, Denver Post, and various Colorado State Parks publications. As Professor of Music at Metropolitan State University, David teaches band and music education courses with a strong focus on preparing future educators for the rigor of the teaching profession. He earned the DMA and MM degrees from the University of North Carolina-Greensboro and the BM degree from Susquehanna University. In addition to teaching, David is an active author, researcher, and clinician. His textbooks are used by universities throughout the United States and Canada.

Olivia Murphy-Welconish

Olivia Murphy-Welconish
Assistant Director

Born and raised in Boulder, Colorado, I have always been one for the outdoors and soaking in the abundant natural Colorado beauty through travel, rock climbing, skiing, and yoga! I first started calling the Gunnison Valley my home in 2017 when I began as a Psychology and Philosophy student at Western Colorado University. Since then, I have made it my mission to give back to the Gunnison Valley particularly through the lenses of community involvement, non-profit service, and event planning. Since 2021, I have loved being a part of the Crested Butte Wildflower Festival planning team and helping this incredible event come to fruition for locals and visitors alike!

Employment Opportunities

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Publicity

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The Crested Butte Wildflower Festival operates in the Gunnison National Forest under a special use permit and is an equal opportunity service provider.