Gunnison, Colorado is the County Seat, and is located approximately 28 miles south of the Town of Crested Butte. Gunnison is an attractive community with a diverse economic base. It is the center for the County's ranching interests, and is home to Western State College, a four-year liberal arts college. It also contains the district offices of the National Forest Service, Colorado Division of Wildlife, and the National Park Service. Like Crested Butte, Gunnison's main industry is tourism, and is popular with both summer and winter visitors. It is one of the main "jumping off" points for big game hunters in the fall. Because the area is so dependent upon tourism, the Gunnison County Airport has extended the runway to 10,600 feet, and has increased the size of the modern terminal by 40%. American Airlines started direct flights to the Gunnison County Airport eight years ago. During the winter ski season, the area is served by American Airlines, United Airlines, Delta Airlines, and two different charter airlines. These direct flights arrive from cities such as Atlanta, Chicago, Dallas, Los Angeles and other similar large cities. The flights come directly to Gunnison, avoiding Denver's expansive Denver International Airport, and are making the Gunnison/Crested Butte area one of the most accessible in the United States. The management of American Airlines has been pleased with the profitability of these flights, and they will be continuing service on an expanding basis as demand escalates. These direct flights and improvements to the airport are a definite plus to the tourist industry that is so important to the County, and should help to establish the Gunnison/Crested Butte recreation area as one of the most accessible in the United States. Gunnison is served by two supermarkets, three "quick stops", eight filling stations, some of the state's finest restaurants, eleven churches and numerous specialty shops. The school system serves grades K through 12 and the presence of Western State College gives education strong support. Because Gunnison is such an "outdoors" oriented community, the City's park and recreational system is one of the finest per capita in the State, with three outdoor skating rinks, tennis courts, an elaborate three field softball complex, cross country skiing trails, basketball courts, and parks.