Playing the Long Game with Marble Distilling

At the east end of Main Street you can find a one of a kind business and sustainable distilling operation- Marble Distillery and Inn. We got a chance to catch up with CEO and CoFounder Connie Baker about why Carbondale is the perfect place to be industry leaders, and their vision for Marble’s long game.

CEO and CoFounder Connie Baker in a 2022 feature with Bourbon Women

For anyone that may not know, can we get the elevator speech version of inception for Marble Distillery? How did this business land (and grow) in little Carbondale, CO?

“Marble Distilling was born out of a deep connection to Carbondale. Living here since 1992, we chose this town intentionally and broke ground in 2014. Carbondale is a green mecca in Colorado—a community that values sustainability, creativity, and local impact. We believed the most sustainable distillery on the planet belonged in a place that truly lives those values. Marble isn’t just located here; it’s part of the community, built to reflect the land, the people, and the future we want to help shape, sourcing local and working with ranchers and businesses to support our community.”

Marble has long emphasized sustainability in all aspects of business. Can you share some of those efforts and metrics with us?  Are there any future plans that may reinforce those sustainability goals?

In 2025, Marble will save more than 5M gallons of water and harvest 2 billion BTUs of energy from waste heat to power our building. Marble is 65% solar powered with plans to be fully powered by renewable energy in 2026. All spent grains are recycled to local (Neislanik) ranchers for feed – nothing goes down the drain, and a low-carbon footprint to recycle locally, helping to sustain local ranchers and our coffee is sourced and roasted locally by Bonfire. We source from Osmia Organics and Steamboat Organics, keeping it as local as we can.

What have been the biggest challenges in balancing small-batch artisanal craftsmanship with sustainable production?

The biggest challenge is balancing the cost of true sustainability with small-batch craftsmanship and price-sensitive consumers. Sustainable systems require upfront investment, especially at craft scale, so we’re focused on solutions that deliver real impact while driving long-term efficiency. It’s a constant trade-off, but we believe sustainability has to be authentic and built into the process—not just added to the story.

Can you walk us through the decision to launch the Club Marble membership model? What are the goals, and how do you envision it shaping your relationship with the local community? For all of those people who love Marble but can't join the Club, how can they still visit and drink Marble's spirits?

Club Marble grew out of what Marble already was—a gathering place. The membership model helps us create stability in a volatile industry while offering more experiences for our most engaged supporters. At the same time, Marble remains open and welcoming to everyone. The tasting room is still very much for the community. As it evolves, we will update and inform all – we are open to the public.

As a hospitality operation right in the heart of the Creative District, how do you see Marble contributing to the broader cultural and economic life of Carbondale?

In addition to community events and hosting non-profits, Marble is a generous sponsor for valued cultural events. Local businesses generate tax revenue, provide jobs, and regularly support nonprofits and cultural programming. Sustainability means recognizing that businesses need to thrive, too. A healthy community depends on balance to support a truly creative district – culturally and economically. This is a win/win for business and non-profits to thrive. With Club Marble, we are hosting more “experiences” and The Distillery Inn brings outside guests to experience Carbondale on a “local” level – we need more of that in town!