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Aspen Journalism
Data dashboard: Occupancy is lagging from past years
Aspen Journalism is compiling a data dashboard highlighting metrics of local public interest, updated weekly. Occupancy has been on the decline following 2021’s peak. Paid occupancy in Aspen reached 72.6% in July, down from 75% last year. Snowmass recorded 57.5% paid occupancy, down from 2022’s 61.3%, according to the July 2023 occupancy report for Aspen and Snowmass lodges, compiled by local tourism officials and reservations tracking firm Destimetrics. July occupancy reached 65.3% for the two towns combined this year, down from 68.4% last year.
As Boomerang property languishes, city investigates
The old Boomerang Lodge property eyed as a residential component of the “Aspen ecosystem” collaboration between developer Mark Hunt and luxury-furnishings titan RH has attracted the city’s attention because of its deteriorating state. City officials have been actively formalizing a process that could lead to their issuing...
Data dashboard: Aspen’s air temperature drops as monsoon season starts
Aspen Journalism is compiling a data dashboard highlighting metrics of local public interest, updated weekly. Local streamflows are slowing down as snowpack is entirely melted and temperatures keep rising. At Stillwater, located upstream of Aspen, the Roaring Fork River ran at 68.7 cfs on Aug. 6, or 81.8% of average,...
Pitkin County aims to bring back beavers
During the summer of 2020, Woody Creek landowner Jennifer Craig noticed that beavers had taken up residence on her property, building a dam across the channel and creating a pool. The network of dams, pools and lodges has continued to grow over the past few seasons, creating a lush, muddy...
Data dashboard: Streamflows keep slowing down
Aspen Journalism is compiling a data dashboard highlighting metrics of local public interest, updated weekly. Local streamflows are slowing down as snowpack is entirely melted and temperatures keep rising. At Stillwater, located upstream of Aspen, the Roaring Fork River ran at 79.5 cfs on July 30, or 82% of average,...
Air taxis and drop-and-go’s: In the mix that makes up 80% of ASE operations
On-demand and chartered private flights known as air taxis have gained popularity since the pandemic at Aspen-Pitkin County Airport (ASE), surpassing operations from commercial carriers at an airfield where general aviation and air taxis make up 80% of the flights. Also, general aviation operations in 2021 reached their highest level since 2008.
Pandora’s expansion proceeding on track with logging, lift construction
It’s hot and dusty amid the tree stumps and the intermittent squawking of a chainsaw punctures the steady growl of heavy equipment, but Jules Campbell is focused on skiers ripping through this forest next ski season. “It’s fun to think about your turns all summer long,” said Campbell, a...
Data dashboard: Air temperatures up, streamflows and Lake Powell down
Aspen Journalism is compiling a data dashboard highlighting metrics of local public interest, updated weekly. Local streamflows are slowing down as snowpack is entirely melted and temperatures keep rising. At Stillwater, located upstream of Aspen, the Roaring Fork River ran at 84.9 cfs on July 23, or 71.9% of average,...
Studies say Janeway site promising for Crystal River backup water supply
Two studies have shown that a large meadow on the east side of the Crystal River known as Janeway shows promise as a potential site for a water-replacement project. But at least one Pitkin County official is questioning the need for a basin-wide water replacement plan at all. Engineers say...
Data dashboard: Summer occupancy for Aspen and Snowmass remains behind from the past couple of years
Aspen Journalism is compiling a data dashboard highlighting metrics of local public interest, updated weekly. Paid occupancy in Aspen reached 59.6% in June, down from 62.6% last year. Snowmass recorded 44.2% paid occupancy, up from 2022’s 42.9%, according to the June 2023 occupancy report for Aspen and Snowmass lodges, compiled by local tourism officials and reservations tracking firm Destimetrics. June occupancy reached 52.2% for the two towns combined this year, down from 53.1% last year.
Data dashboard: Most local streams are running above average
Aspen Journalism is compiling a data dashboard highlighting metrics of local public interest, updated weekly. Transbasin diversion resumed two weeks ago slowing down local streamflows. At Stillwater, located upstream of Aspen, the Roaring Fork River ran at 96.8 cfs on July 9, or 40% of average, down from last week when the river ran at 194 cfs, or 62.8% of average.
Ute removal policy comes to a head in the 1887 ‘Colorow War’
Editor’s note: This is the third and final part of Aspen Journalism’s series on the removal of the Ute people from western Colorado. Parts one and two detailed the Battle of Milk Creek and the subsequent killings at the White River Indian Agency of Indian Agent Nathan Meeker and his staff.
Data dashboard: Transbasin diversion resumes and slows down local streamflows
Aspen Journalism is compiling a data dashboard highlighting metrics of local public interest, updated weekly. The Fork’s streamflow dropped after transbasin diversion restarted. Transbasin diversion resumed last week slowing down local streamflows. At Stillwater, located upstream of Aspen, the Roaring Fork River ran at 194 cfs on July 2,...
Tensions erupt in violent retribution at Meeker’s Indian agency
Editor’s note: The second part of our three-part series on the removal of the Ute people from western Colorado begins on the first day of the six-day Milk Creek stalemate, which provoked the killings of Nathan Meeker and others at the White River Indian Agency, 17 miles southwest of the battle. Part One traced events leading to the Northern Utes’ historic Battle of Milk Creek against U. S. troops. Part Three will explore the concluding aftermath of the resulting “Colorow War.”
Federal, state officials promise more tribal inclusion in Colorado River negotiations
Federal and state officials have promised more tribal inclusion on the next round of negotiating the operating guidelines for the Colorado River, but what exactly that will look like is still unclear. On June 16, the Bureau of Reclamation released a notice of intent (NOI), which formally advanced the process...
Data dashboard: Increasing temps, diversion pause lead to peak streamflow
Aspen Journalism is compiling a data dashboard highlighting metrics of local public interest, updated weekly. The upper Roaring Fork River saw its highest streamflows of the season on June 23. At Stillwater, located upstream of Aspen, the Roaring Fork River ran as high as 842 cfs on June 23, or 200% of average, before dropping to 559 cfs on June 25, or 138% of average. Last week, the river ran at 242 cfs, or 52.8% of average.
At Milk Creek, Northern Utes defend their territory
Editor’s note: This is the first in a three-part series on the events that led to the Northern Utes’ expulsion from western Colorado. Part one focuses on the events leading up to the historic Battle of Milk Creek against U.S. troops in a canyon 17 miles northeast of today’s Meeker. Part two, to be published on July 2, starts on the first day of the six-day Milk Creek stalemate, which provoked the incident at the White River Indian Agency where agent Nathan Meeker and his employees were killed. Part three, expected to run July 9, recounts the concluding aftermath, resulting in the “Colorow War.”
Colorado River endangered fish recovery sees some success
In May, students from Palisade High School gathered on the bank of the Colorado River to kiss goodbye to 250 juvenile, endangered razorback suckers and release them into the muddy, fast-moving spring runoff, marking the 50th anniversary of the federal Endangered Species Act (ESA). For the past three years, PHS...
Data dashboard: Roaring Fork River flowing at almost 850 cfs above Aspen
Aspen Journalism is compiling a data dashboard highlighting metrics of local public interest, updated weekly. Upper Roaring Fork River streamflow has increased by 600 cfs since Sunday. The upper Roaring Fork River streamflow was down from last week as of Sunday but gained 600 cfs since June 18. At Stillwater,...
Roaring Fork flows to spike early next week as Twin Lakes diversion pauses
The upper Roaring Fork River will likely see its highest flows of the season beginning early next week as the transbasin diversion from its headwaters to the other side of the Continental Divide is shut off. Twin Lakes Reservoir and Canal Co. is expecting to stop diverting from the headwaters...
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Aspen Journalism is a local, nonprofit and investigative journalism organization in Aspen, Colorado. Our mission is to produce excellent journalism, as well-informed citizens make better decisions and journalism is key to a functioning democracy.
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