A History of the Colter Pass, Cooke City, Silver Gate Community Council

 

The Colter Pass, Cooke City, Silver Gate Community Council (CCCC) started in 2002 as a subcommittee of the Colter Pass, Cooke City, Silver Gate Chamber of Commerce.  Its goal was to begin the research needed and implement processes to accomplish Community projects. Foremost, was the need for funding with a community income (resort tax) to build, operate and maintain Community buildings such as; A Community Center which would house public restrooms, museum and visitor information. Networking with other entities, local and regional the resort tax became the community income and began in 2006. Meanwhile, The Community Council obtained its status as a 501 C 3 Status, separating it from the Chamber of Commerce, thus the CCCC non-profit status would open many opportunities for donations and grants. The Council worked with locals and volunteer organizations to assist with their specific needs. The volunteer Council board was set up to recruit representatives of all 3 communities.

​

The Cooke City Community Center – A CCCC Project

For years the  local Chamber of Commerce provided visitor information from a seasonal small one room log building. This one room building had no public restrooms. The Community used the well worn-out top floor of the Fire Hall for Community meetings & receptions. The vision of using several adjacent lots to connect the community properties to build new buildings developed from concept to construction in 2009 of Phase 1, the Community Center which opened its doors the summer of 2010! The Non-profit Community Council Organization was established from a subcommittee of the Chamber. The Council is owner of the Community Center building and leases to the Chamber Visitor Center and Chamber office.  The Council is independent from the Chamber but continues to network with the local organization for the needs of the Community with the centerpiece being the Community Center.  See early building picture below.  

​

Resort Tax Area 

On October 4, 2005 the Colter Pass, Cooke City, Silver Gate Resort Tax area was passed.  See Ordinance No. 18 for information and details on the Colter Pass, Cooke City, Silver Gate Resort Tax Area.