Founded in the 1870s, the town of Gunnison has a number of historic buildings, ranging from log cabins to fancy 1880s homes -- many in Gothic revival and Italianate styles -- plus the 1882 stone Episcopal Church. A free walking-tour brochure is available at the chamber of commerce visitor center.
Star Parties -- The brand-new Gunnison Valley Observatory, 2 miles southwest of Gunnison on Yucca Court (tel. 970/642-1111; www.coloradoskies.org), is home to a 30-inch telescope open to the public most Friday nights. It also plays host to some Saturday night lectures on astronomical topics of all kinds. Contact the Observatory or consult the website for the current calendar.
