Snowmass
GOVERNMENT
When JD Vance came to Aspen
Two public appearances JD Vance made in Aspen in the 2010s offer a glimpse into the early stages of his transformation from a Never Trump conservative into a rising MAGA superstar. Vance’s statements here were consistent with his past remarks and shifting conservative views that have been analyzed and scrutinized...
Taylor: County can’t build its way out of problems
As I write this, it occurs to me that this should concern everyone in the Roaring Fork Valley … and anyone that commutes daily or weekly or lives anywhere nearby. Whatever spills out of Aspen and Pitkin County coats everything. I have attended many meetings of the BOCC and...
Construction Continues on New Snowmass Chairlift
At Snowmass, Colorado, one of Aspen Snowmass’ four ski areas, construction continues on the new Coney Express lift. Slated to open at the start of the 2024-2025 season, the four-person, high-speed lift will function as a replacement for the pre-existing Coney Glade lift. However, unlike ...
Council members hope for Castle Creek Bridge decision next week
After months of study and discussion, Aspen council members hope to make a decision about replacing the aging Castle Creek Bridge at a work session on Aug. 12. Consultants from global engineering firm Jacobs Engineering presented reports on replacement options for the bridge during a work session on Monday. Jacobs is scheduled to present additional information at the Aug. 12 work session, after which council will deliberate on how to move forward.
Basalt library closed Saturday amid staff shortage
The Basalt Regional Library was closed on Saturday due to a staffing shortage, with signs taped to locked doors. It’s the first time in her three-year tenure that Executive Director Amy Shipley recalled having to close library doors due to insufficient staffing — though the library has come close before.
APCHA’s essential repair program provides homeowners maintenance support, with limitations
The Aspen/Pitkin County Housing Authority regulates deed-restricted home sales in several communitites, including Burlingame, where Steven and Ashley Miller have lived for 10 years. Steven works in operations at Aspen Country Day School, and Ashley is a physical therapist. It meant everything to them when they first won the APCHA...
Ireland: A fork in the road untaken
Insiders say we’ll be voting a lot this fall — more than the usual load of deciding the future of the universe (again). In addition to a vote on amending the Pitkin County charter to strip the Pitkin County commissioners of their authority to expand the Aspen-Pitkin County Airport runway without a public vote, it appears the city of Aspen is set to ask for a vote that could prohibit future use of the Marolt Open Space for an entrance to Aspen. Meanwhile, the county might just cut to the chase with a ballot question authorizing the runway expansion allowing larger planes.
Time waits for no bridge, especially Castle Creek’s
It’s time to get over the “either/or” thinking about the entrance to Aspen. The debate is no longer “straight shot” versus a new Castle Creek Bridge or a “split shot” versus a new Castle Creek Bridge. Today, the Castle Creek Bridge, which has...
PitCo wants strategic plan on airport climate goals
During a work session on Tuesday, Pitkin County commissioners voiced support for more funding and focus toward climate goals for the Aspen-Pitkin County Airport. They also revealed an intent to submit their own ballot question on the future of the airport for the Nov. 5 general election. George Newman, a...
Aspen City Council to consider bridge reports
Aspen City Council will consider the findings in six reports about the possibilities for replacing the deteriorating Castle Creek Bridge during a work session tonight. The reports, prepared by global engineering firm Jacobs Engineering, analyze traffic impacts, economic implications, funding possibilities and legal ramifications around several options for the replacement of the aging Castle Creek Bridge — Aspen’s primary point of entry from downvalley and its most important route for emergency evacuation.