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Tuesday, July 16
On today's newscast: Pitkin County is considering a ballot question for a new property tax in the upcoming November election, Glenwood Springs is helping residents make dollars and cents of how the city spends money on infrastructure, the city of Aspen is re-launching its Aspen 311 Connect app, and more.
How does APCHA fit into the city’s affordable housing plan?
Did you know the city of Aspen just updated its affordable housing strategic plan? If you are that informed, you may be asking: The Aspen-Pitkin County Housing Authority oversees over 3,200 affordable housing units, how does it fit into the strategic plan? The answer: in so many ways. The 14...
Construction at Grizzly Reservoir Dam causes water discoloration at Roaring Fork River, Lincoln Creek
The gradual drawdown of water from Grizzly Reservoir, initiated in early July for scheduled dam construction, has led to temporary discoloration in Lincoln Creek and the Roaring Fork River on Tuesday. According to a Pitkin County alert, this phenomenon is due to an increased release of sediment, which can remain...
Pitkin County appoints new interim county attorney
Richard “Ry” Neiley was appointed as Pitkin County’s interim county attorney during a Tuesday Board of County Commission work session. Neiley, a native of the Roaring Fork Valley, has strong connections within the community. “My goal with being in an interim position is to make this transition...
Civilian Conservation Corps camp
Residents of Aspen, Pitkin County were invited to the weekly open house for the Civilian Conservation Corps camp at Lenado on Woody Creek each Friday, according to The Aspen Times during the summer of 1934. “Boxing and wrestling matches were put on by the boys for the entertainment of the visitors, and following the program, refreshments of ice cream and cake were served in the mess-hall….. Work on the program of the local CCC camp is progressing at a rapid rate. Already, members of the ‘fly-camp’ sent to Snowmass creek have completed a picnic ground at the foot of Snowmass hill, just over the Brush Creek divide, having fenced the area completely, built tables, fire-places, etc. This picnic spot is now ready for public use. Next week, the crew will start building the trail to Snowmass lake. Assistant Forest Supervisor Snow of Glenwood Springs and Ranger Shoemaker of this city this week surveyed the trail, preparatory to the start of building.” Image of the CCC at the Forest Service Ranger Station in Woody Creek, 1934.
Airport foes: Be careful what you wish for
Regarding Chuck Butler’s latest commentary on Citizens Against Bigger Planes’ ballot campaign (“Butler: Let the people decide on moving the ASE runway,” July 14, Aspen Daily News), although the five members of CABP’s petition committee may tell themselves that “CABP wants the very best and safest airport for Pitkin County,” that’s not what would result if their petition succeeds. If they succeed, Aspen-Pitkin County Airport will not be “the very best;” it will be second rate, less safe and definitely not world-class.
Bridging the gap between AABC and Brush Creek
Some consider the stretch of the Rio Grande Trail between the Brush Creek Park and Ride as a missed opportunity for trail connectivity in the upper Roaring Fork Valley, while others consider more trail projects an unnecessary expense that would not decrease vehicular traffic on Highway 82. Options for trail...
The Optimist: Managing ‘growth’
Growth. This word has become a catch-all for our community’s most challenging problems. But does “growth” accurately capture the root issue? While it doesn’t feel this way, we do not have traditional growth in Pitkin County. The population and number of jobs has been roughly flat. SkiCo visits were down this past year. If it’s not growth in the traditional sense, what is the pain that our community feels?
Aspen, Pitkin County talk Twin Bridges Alignment proposal at Monday joint session
The city of Aspen and the Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) hosted a joint work session Monday to discuss the proposed multi-use trail bridges — referred to as the Twin Bridges Alignment proposal — at Aspen Airport Business Center (AABC) and Brush Creek Park and Ride (BCPR). Conceptual...
The artistic journey of Sopris Mine
Nestled along Avalanche Creek between Carbondale and Redstone in Pitkin County, the Sopris Mine is up and running — finally. After years of legal and regulatory hurdles, the mine isn’t just a site for extracting marble and alabaster. Owner Robert Congdon dreams of transforming the mining operation into a burgeoning hub for artists and sculptors from around the world.
Obituary: John Michael Ely
John M. Ely, 67, passed away peacefully on June 28, 2024 in the presence of his beloved family. The only child of Norman and Doris Ely, John was born in Connecticut and spent his youth hiking and canoeing the New Jersey Pine Barrens with his four-legged soulmate, Champ. John earned a degree in Biology from Colgate University in 1981, culminating with a scientific journal publication about the territorial instincts of the Jamaican Dusky Damselfish. In 1984, John graduated with honors from Denver University School of Law, pursuing his fierce dedication to environmental conservation.
Aspen Real Estate Snapshot, July 15
Below is the highest- and lowest-priced closing on a free-market, private, whole-ownership sale from the most recent Pitkin County Clerk & Recorder’s Office report. This studio apartment at the Aspen Square is around 500 square feet. $1,800,000. Low. Redstone. This parcel of land in Redstone is approximately 6,000 square...
City helping Aspen restaurants comply with compost mandate
Jimena Baldino spends part of every week checking dumpsters — or rather, the relatively new green compost bins that sit next to dumpsters in Aspen’s alleys. She stands on tiptoe to lift the huge, heavy metal latch and peek in the bear-proof containers. “I can tell from looking...
Butler: Let the people decide on moving the ASE runway
We have celebrated Independence Day and the founding of the American experience with democracy. Now is the perfect time to consider our democratic spirit in Pitkin County. You may know that Citizens Against Bigger Planes is circulating a petition to put a measure on the ballot that would require a vote of the people to move the runway at the Aspen-Pitkin County Airport. This would ensure the community approves any decisions that would result in moving or widening the runway, thus allowing for bigger planes.
PitCo secures $10M loan for Open Space and Trails
Pitkin County Open Space and Trails secured an interest-free $10 million loan to boost its liquidity following the program’s most expensive land acquisition. Earlier this year, OST purchased the storied 650-acre Snowmass Falls Ranch for $34 million. The acquisition was widely celebrated, but left OST with little money in the bank for future land purchases.
Another meeting on Brush Creek bridge and trail concepts planned
Local officials will participate in a site visit on Monday to gain a better perspective on possibilities for a pedestrian trail linking the Brush Creek Park and Ride with the Aspen Airport Business Center. Pitkin County commissioners will meet at Harry Stein Park near the bottom of Cemetery Lane at...
Taylor: We have a choice with the Federal Aviation Administration
We are seeing letters from the same group of people regarding the airport. They obviously speak for Pitkin County since many are on county boards, and all promote bigger. The latest “party line” seems to be the public (represented by Aspen Fly Right and CABP) is somehow “playing chicken” with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). This is an interesting phrase to use considering the last time the FAA tried to bully Pitkin County into conforming to a standard that negates our situation, the BOCC (of old) held a firm line for the standards of the community.
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