University of Denver Spring 2025

What is your biggest challenge as mayor?

How do you collaborate with each other?

Cer kv eni k : Affordability. People have been priced out. We received a grant through the state’s Department of Local Affairs and the Division of Housing for $3.04 million to purchase 11.3 acres right on the edge of Fraser that is dedicated to affordable workforce housing. Phase 1, including two buildings with a childcare center, begins construction in April. Infrastructure for the entire project, which includes five apartment buildings and 13 for-sale townhomes, is already in the ground. K utru m bos : Colorado’s mountain towns generated over $4.4 billion in taxable spending from November 2022 through March 2023, but our communities have very small population bases—so, we get limited state funding to support community housing, sustainability initiatives, state road maintenance, fire mitigation, etc. Over the last 10 years, mountain towns have created coalitions to build political capital at the state and federal levels. Our voices are being heard, but it will always be a challenge to compete for funding with the major metropolitan areas. Cer kv eni k : I always had some interest in leadership. I didn’t necessarily think I would get into politics, but when we found ourselves up here in Fraser, that changed pretty quickly. I got on the town board and realized what a big impact it has. Our decisions affect so many more people than just those living in Fraser. The Pioneer Leadership Program had a lot of emphasis on civic roles, and back then I didn’t know if I would use that, but here I am. K utru m bos :What’s great about DU is the networking. Being an elected official, it’s all about building relationships, getting out there in the community and talking about these issues that we all face together and finding creative solutions. DU does a great job connecting people. How did your DU education prepare you to be mayor?

Cer kv eni k :My first thought after moving up here was, “Why do we have these two little towns that are literally right next to each other? Why not combine them?” My attitude has changed in that regard. The two towns have a very different feel and oftentimes different goals. But when we’re looking to accomplish the same thing, it makes a bigger impact to have two towns with a united message. I’m all for Nick’s plan for the gondola and having a neighboring town say, “We also want this to happen,” is helpful. We also share some services to help save our taxpayers money, and we’ve worked together, along with the ski resort, to build a valleywide sustainability plan, which includes everything from environmental sustainability to responsible growth. K utru m bos :Winter Park and Fraser are two unique communities that share a municipal boundary that makes it difficult to tell where one town ends and the other one begins. Brian and I meet regularly, and we have a lot of ideas to make our communities a better place to live and raise a family. I am excited to see Brian’s influence on Fraser and look forward to working on collaborative projects. Most mayors in our resort communities are ski bums that were previously “lifties” (ski lift operators) or bartenders or restauranteurs turned politicians. It’s a benefit to the community because we are accessible. Conversations with constituents are much more productive while chatting with an ice-cold beer or riding a chairlift.

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UNIVERSITY OF DENVER MAGAZINE | SPRING 2025 UNIVERSITY OF DENVER F MAGAZINE | SPRING 2025