Aspen
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Belly Up: An Aspen Music Venue
Tucked away in the charming streets of Aspen, Belly Up Aspen is where the magic of live music meets the most intimate of settings. Since its grand opening in 2005, this 450-capacity venue has consistently punched above its weight, drawing in the kind of talent that typically commands stadium crowds in coastal cities. With a capacity less than one-twentieth the size of Red Rocks, Belly Up features some of the same acts that fill Mile High Stadium and Folsom Field, including Zach Bryan, Illenium, and Odesza in the last year alone. The mountain venue offers a concert experience that’s both electrifying and personal, putting fans close enough to the artists to see their guitar picks. It’s no wonder this venue has become a must-play for musicians and a must-visit for music lovers.
Beware the NIMBY spin on ‘straight shot’
A couple of intense, local political brouhahas are playing out this year. There will be winners and losers. Wealthy people are used to getting what they want and not getting what they don’t want. Lawyers and consultants have been hired. Beware of political misinformation and propaganda. Hopefully citizens will...
Day: Alcohol is too accessible among valley teens
Too many students all over the nation abuse alcohol, and it can have major impacts on development, success, and mental health. The Colorado Healthy Kids Survey showed that almost 50% of students at Aspen High School believe it is acceptable to drink alcohol underage, 20% of students have consumed more than a few sips of alcohol before the age of 13 (5% higher than the national average), and 30% of students frequently binge drink (having more than four alcoholic beverages in a few hours, this is double the national average of 15%).
Marolt: Feds: Go pack sand under someone else’s airstrip
Aspen’s economy is a cruel illusion. Money talks. Real estate, construction and tourism activity bustles. Its buildings are expensively restored and meticulously maintained. There are no bargains and customers don’t care. Streets are clean. Tended flowers adorn. Everything is “world class.” And yet, nearly every job created by this booming economy pays less than what the worker needs to barely afford a home within 40 miles of town. It is an economy unable to host its own lifeblood. It is madness!
Mareks: Something lost with Aspen Ideas Festival
Every summer for the past 20 years one of the highlights for us was the Aspen Ideas Festival. We would always attend one of the three-day sessions. Eventually we were priced out of the main event ($5,000 per person for each three-day session). We then turned to Aspen Ideas...
Government leaders talk solutions to polarized politics at the Aspen Ideas Festival
“Can I just see by show of hands, how many people here think that we are living in more divisive times than ever before?”. It’s Friday at the Aspen Ideas Festival, and journalist Liz Kreutz is kicking off a panel on productive discourse. If there’s one thing most people can agree on, it’s the answer to her question, as the bulk of the crowd raises a hand.
Another election, another lineup of bad choices
Once again, our cursed two-party system has given us no good choices in the upcoming elections. Locally, it’ll be Grand Junction lawyer Jeff Hurd for the Republicans and former Aspen City Councilman Adam Frisch for the Democrats in the 3rd Congressional District replacing the carpetbagging Lauren Boebert. Neither is for the people of the third district.
Tye: Time to put Hunt on notice
For over five years I have politely written to Aspen City Council. I have been reminding them that Mark Hunt removed all local tenants and promised to build new employee housing on this site (at corner Park/Midland avenues) … And now, it still sits abandoned, and an extreme fire danger, an eyesore and out of character with any other building in town … Except the Boomerang.
Roberts: Encouraging veterans, active-duty members to participate in Aspen’s Fourth of July parade
On the Fourth of July, Americans gather to celebrate that day in 1776, when we declared our independence from Great Britain. It was a rocky start, and standing independent as a democracy has continued to bring many challenges. Even as we argue among ourselves and sometimes become discouraged, we should remember that it is because of our hard-earned freedoms that we are free to speak our minds and to determine our country’s direction.
Ireland: A prophet with honor in his own county
We don’t often stop to honor the leadership role of city of Aspen and Pitkin County staff. An exception needs to be made for the late county attorney, John Ely. While elected officials are legally vested with the responsibility to make policy for local government, it’s almost always staff members that have to point the way to accomplish the goals set forth.
USFS clears way for trail linking Redstone, McClure Pass
Trail connectivity between Redstone and the McClure Pass summit is officially approved after months of negotiations. The White River National Forest issued their final decision and what’s called a “Finding of No Significant Impact” on Friday, approving Pitkin County Open Space to build and maintain the trail across 5 miles of federal land.
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