Countdown to Early Event Registration Access For Members

2025/03/31 10:00:00

Member Support is Essential for Our Success!

Renew or Become a Member Today
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We are busy at Festival Headquarters planning our 2025 Wildflower Festival  – so mark your calendars for July 11th-20th, 2025! We are happy to invite you back (or for the first time!) to Crested Butte and share the magic of our wildflowers with you.

As a nonprofit organization, we owe much of our success to our Members! Your Membership allows us to continuously improve the Festival experience, this includes but is not limited to offering new and exciting events each Festival, implementing preservation campaigns that allow us to further our mission, and even improving our online systems. None of this would be possible without the incredible support of our Members. We thank each and every Member for their support. We cannot exist without YOU – the reason we’ve been able to host the Wildflower Festival since 1986!

Become a 2025 Member!

As we look ahead to the 2025 Crested Butte Wildflower Festival (July 11-20), we want to take a moment to express our heartfelt gratitude for your past support. Your membership is not just a ticket to our vibrant events; it is a vital contribution to the flourishing community we cherish. Would you consider becoming a member or renewing your membership in 2025?

Your membership helps us continue our vital outreach programs that enrich our environment and strengthen our community bonds. We are excited to highlight several initiatives your membership dollars supported in 2024:

  1. National Trails Day: With your help, we sponsored new trail construction through the Crested Butte Mountain Bike Association National Trails Day (June 1). Over 140 volunteers constructed almost a mile of new single-track trail at Brush Creek. Together, we can ensure our trails remain a source of joy
    and adventure for generations to come.
  2. Land Trust Weed Pull Event: In our efforts to protect local ecosystems, your membership contributed to the Land Trust Weed Pull event (July 30). We removed hundreds of invasive weeds and fostered community involvement in preserving the natural beauty of our surroundings.
  3. Paradise Place Pre-School Event: Education and engagement start early! Your support allowed us to host an educational event for young children (August 1), inspiring the next generation to appreciate and care for the environment. Together, we are planting the seeds of stewardship and love for nature.
  4. Porta-Potty Sponsorship at Brush Creek Trailhead: To ensure that our outdoor spaces remain enjoyable for everyone, your membership helped provide necessary amenities, enhancing the experience of all who visit our beloved trails.

By becoming a member or renewing your membership for 2025, you not only continue to support these essential programs but also reaffirm your commitment to the beauty and preservation of our beloved wildflowers in Crested Butte. Every membership makes a difference, allowing us to expand our initiatives and reach even more community members and visitors. Membership also comes with specific benefits at each level and those benefits are included in the enclosed supplement. We are planning some very special “Members Only” events in 2025 including presentations and meals in Gothic with our partners at the Rocky Mountain Biological Laboratory (RMBL).

Join us in this journey of preservation, education, and celebration of wildflowers. Together, we can ensure that our Wildflower Festival and the surrounding community thrive.

With gratitude,

Dr. David Kish (CBWF Executive Director) & Dr. Chelsea Stangl (CBWF BOD President)

Become a CBWF Member Today!

Registration Dates:

  • March 31st – Garden Level & Fairy Slipper level Members can start registering for events
  • April 2nd – Mariposa Lily, and Scarlet Gilia can start registering
  • April 4th – Columbine level Members can start registering
  • April 7th – Lupine Members can start registering
  • April 10th – Blue Flax Members can start registering
  • April 14th – General registration opens
  • June 14th – Cancellation & transfer deadline

All registration waves open at 10am MTN. Members will be emailed instructions for registering early at the time their registration waves opens.

2025 Membership Packages

Membership FAQ

Now! Our Memberships become available following each Festival and remain open through that year’s Festival. You may purchase a Membership anytime between then, even during the Festival. Most folks like to purchase Memberships before registration begins to take advantage of the early registration benefits Members at all levels receive.

Our Members Only Events will be listed in the 2025 Program Guide, published in February right here on our website.

Members will receive an email with special instructions at 10am MTN on the day their Membership level’s registration wave opens.

Our 2025 Program Guide will provide descriptions on this year’s Members Only Events. Members will be emailed directly by Festival staff to RSVP to these events at the same time as their early registration access begins.

We will send out official RSVPs for our Member and Sponsor Appreciation Party during the early summer via email.

Yes, two people can share a Membership.

Membership with the Wildflower Festival at any level will allow for the Membership holder and their participants to register early for events, so long as the Member and the participants are both attending the same events that are being registered early for.  If you have others in your party that would like to register early for events separately than the ones the Member is attending, they can wait until general registration opens to register for those events or they can purchase a Membership for themselves and secure their spots early.

Memberships with the Crested Butte Wildflower Festival do not rollover year to year. This allows more flexibility for our Members to select the Membership packages that works best for their needs and interests each year.

Columbine level Members and above can pick up their free 2025 poster at the Festival by checking in with a staff member! Members unable to do so will have theirs shipped to their address on file after the Festival.

Stay Up to Date: Join Our Newsletter!

2025 Member Only Events

Scarlet Gilia Members & above will receive an email with links to register for both our regular and Members Only events on the day Member registration opens for their wave. Please use the following guidelines when registering:

Scarlet Gilia Members:
• Register yourself for one Members Only event

Mariposa Lily Members:
• Register yourself +2 guests for our Dinner or Lunch with a Wildflower Scientist
• Register yourself for two additional Members Only events

Fairy Slipper Members:
• Register yourself +4 guests for our Dinner or Lunch with a Wildflower Scientist
• Register yourself for three additional Members Only events

Wildflower Garden Members:
• Register yourself +4 guests for our Dinner or Lunch with a Wildflower Scientist
• Register yourself for an unlimited number of Members Only events

Lupine Members & Above
Member Appreciation Party

Come mingle with Festival Leaders, staff, and Board of Directors, and enjoy appetizers and cocktails. You won’t want to miss this fun-filled event, which includes a drawing for great door prizes. Reservations required – we will email a link to RSVP for the party in the early summer.

• Lupine, Columbine & Scarlet Gilia Members +1 guest
• Mariposa Lily Members +2 guests
• Fairy Slipper & Wildflower Garden Members +4 guests

(M04) Saturday, 7/12 4:30-6pm

Scarlet Gilia Members and above

Alpine Wildflowers of Mt. Crested Butte with Leanne Benton
Level: ■ Intermediate
Length: 2+ miles rocky, steep, uneven terrain

Join Leanne for a wonderful opportunity to see alpine and subalpine wildflowers without having to hike up! You’ll ride up the Silver Queen lift and do some hiking on Mt. Crested Butte to around 11,500 ft. Leanne will show you the significant features of gorgeous alpine wildflowers while you enjoy the spectacular views of the valley, especially on the lift ride down.

(M05) Sunday, 7/13 9am-1pm
(M13) Saturday, 7/19 9am-1pm

Scarlet Gilia Members and above

Gothic Townsite Tour with Greta Schoonover
Level: • Beginner Length: 1 mile of walking

Explore the historic Gothic Townsite on a guided tour through the heart of Gothic, Colorado, home to the renowned Rocky Mountain Biological Laboratory. Discover the rich history, fascinating stories, and scenic beauty of this charming alpine town. This tour offers a unique glimpse into the past while showcasing the area’s natural wonders. Join us for an unforgettable journey through Gothic’s captivating history and stunning landscapes!

(M07) Monday, 7/14 8-10am

Scarlet Gilia Members and above

Reading the Landscape with Jackie Fitzgerald
Level: ■ Intermediate

Length: 4+ miles with rocky, steep terrain

Hike in the shadow of Gothic Mountain and explore stunning wildflower displays while learning the fascinating stories of the land’s evolution. Our guide will share how geological forces and human history have shaped the ecosystems, offering a deeper understanding of the environment. Unlike typical hikes that focus on plant identification, this experience invites you to see the landscape through a historical and geological lens, making it ideal for nature lovers, history buffs, and anyone curious about the land’s rich heritage.

(M01) Tuesday, 7/8 9am-12pm

Scarlet Gilia Members and above

RMBL Herbarium Tour with Rick Williams

Join Dr. Rick Williams for an informative tour of the Rocky Mountain Biological Laboratory Herbarium. Delve into the fascinating world of plant specimens, learn about the important research conducted at the Herbarium, and discover the diverse flora of the region. Dr. Williams will share his expertise and insights as you explore this valuable resource. Don’t miss this opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of plant science in one of the most biodiverse areas of the Rocky
Mountains!

(M10) Wednesday, 7/16 8-10am

Scarlet Gilia Members and above

Evening of Wildflower Photography with Jan Runge
Level: Beginner-Advanced

Need: Digital camera, tripod 4WD/high-clearance vehicle recommended.

Build your understanding of digital camera settings, how to control exposure, sharpness, and speed, as well as point-and-shoot options and limitations. Understand the difference between beautiful and photogenic! You’ll learn to make the most of low, medium, and high contrast, and how to work with the
direction and intensity of light.

(M12) Friday, 7/18 4-8pm

Scarlet Gilia Members and above

Gardens & Ghosts with Glo Cunningham
Level: • Beginner
Length: 2 miles of level, paved walking

Is Crested Butte haunted? Perhaps, but the ghosts of this town are of the Casper variety – friendly, harmless, and playful. On this tour you’ll stroll the alleys and gardens of Crested Butte while listening to stories about the antics of old timers whose spirits remain.

(M08) Monday, 7/14 3-5:30pm

Scarlet Gilia Members and above

Tour of Crested Butte Gardens with Roxie Lypps
Level: • Beginner
Length: 2 miles of level, paved walking

Enjoy a guided tour of our local gardens while you admire and identify both wild and tame flowers. Our stroll will move at a leisurely pace; however, plan to walk up to 2 miles.

(M11) Thursday, 7/17 10am-12pm

Scarlet Gilia Members and above

Wildflower ID Walk with Jackie Fitzgerald/Greta Schoonover
Level: • Beginner
Length: 2-3 miles on well-packed, rolling terrain

Join us for a wildflower identification walk at a leisurely pace, with time for questions and photographing the beautiful blooms! We’ll take you where the flowers are at their best!

(M02) Friday, 7/11 10:30am-12:30pm Jackie Fitzgerald
(M09) Tuesday, 7/15 8:30-10:30am Greta Schoonover

Scarlet Gilia Members and above

Wildflower Watercolor & Wine with Zach Bauer

Join local watercolor artist, Zach Bauer, for a step-by-step watercolor painting class with wildflowers as the subject. Zach will guide the group through a watercolor painting from start to finish, giving instruction on setting up to paint, wash and watercolor painting techniques, composition, and more. Wine and wine spritzers are provided to participants 21 and older, so you can relax and create! All watercolor supplies and your wine or wine spritzer are included. Absolutely no watercolor experience is necessary!

(M06) Sunday, 7/13 4:30-7pm

Mariposa Lily Members and above

Lunch with Wildflower Scientist Dr. Carol Boggs

Join Dr. Carol Boggs for an engaging event at the Rocky Mountain Biological Laboratory! Enjoy an insightful talk followed by a complimentary buffet-style meal in the beautiful Dining Hall at RMBL. This event offers a unique opportunity to connect with fellow nature enthusiasts, learn from Dr. Boggs’ expertise, and indulge in delicious food in a stunning mountain setting on the RMBL campus. Don’t miss this memorable experience!

(M14) Thursday, 7/17 11:30am-1:30pm

Mariposa Lily Members and above

Dinner with Wildflower Scientist Dr. Paul CaraDonna

Join Dr. Paul CaraDonna for an engaging event at the Rocky Mountain Biological Laboratory! Enjoy an insightful talk followed by a complimentary buffet-style meal in the beautiful Dining Hall at RMBL. This event offers a unique opportunity to connect with fellow nature enthusiasts, learn from Dr. CaraDonna’s expertise, and
indulge in delicious food in a stunning mountain setting on the RMBL campus. Don’t miss this memorable experience!

(M03) Friday, 7/11 5:30-7:30pm

 While we are unable to offer refunds on Memberships for any reason, we are happy to help you upgrade your Membership at anytime! Simply send us an email at info@cbwildflower.com

Thank you for your support of the CBWF!

Member Highlights

Leslie Eidem

Scarlet Gilia Member

Meet Leslie Eidem, one of our 2021 Festival’s Scarlet Gilia Members! Leslie has been a member of the Wildflower Festival for several years now, but her roots in our Festival’s history date even further back.