What is Choice Pass?
Choice Pass is a triangle of support and celebration! 6th-12th graders (public or online/home schooled) commit to being healthy, substance free, and good citizens of the community. Secondly, parents commit to having open, honest conversations and providing safe, substance free environments for their kids to hang out with friends. Parents also must attend one parent education dinner to learn from a variety of topics affecting teens and how to better engage in difficult conversations with their adolescent. The third piece of the triangle is community. GCSAPP (Gunnison County Substance Abuse Prevent Project)- the parent umbrella of Choice Pass- supports youth and families with monthly parent education dinners November-May. What’s more is over 60 businesses in the Gunnison Valley and Lake City celebrate teens’ commitment by offering discounts!
In addition to the perks, Choice Pass partners with professionals throughout the Gunnison Valley to offer amazing programs at discounted prices. Programs include: avalanche safety course, backcountry skiing, outdoor youth leadership, pottery classes, and more! Many of the programs are also available for high school credit! It’s a community high five for healthy choices!
History of Choice Pass
Choice Pass started as a pilot program for freshmen in high school in the late 1990s. The idea was to provide teens with healthy alternatives to drugs with a cheap ski pass.
The program was successful!
Choice Pass has grown and changed in many ways from the first program. What started as a handful of community partners continues to grow. In 2023 there were 40 businesses; in 2025 we are excited to have over 80 local businesses celebrating youths’ healthy decision making!
In 2015 Choice Pass programming grew to include an avalanche safety course! As of 2025, avalanche safety continues to be taught each year, as does backcountry skiing, wilderness first aid, a week long outdoor youth leadership (with one over night) for high schoolers, a 3 day-2 night backpacking leadership course for middle schoolers, middle school climbing club, and several pottery classes! Courses at the high school level are often eligible for credit from Gunnison Watershed School District and volunteer hours for Lake City High School.
In 2024, Signature Properties in Crested Butte committed to honoring TWO Choice Pass seniors with $1000 scholarships for five years. What an amazing way to celebrate seniors who stick to the program! Thanks Signature Properties!
