News Flash

Independence Pass Closed for the Season

Independence Pass is closed for the season.  Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) crews will keep the Aspen and Twin Lakes winter gates closed for the season. Crews have recorded over a foot of snow that fell along the pass from the storm...

City Council and Opposers Reach Settlement on Conditional Water Storage Rights

PRESS RELEASE 

City Council and Opposers Reach Settlement
on Conditional Water Storage Rights on Maroon and Castle Creeks

TheAspen City Council has reached settlement agreements with all opposers to
Aspen’s two pending water court cases regarding its conditional storage rightson Castle and Maroon Creeks. The settlement stipulations are a result of
negotiations between the City and all parties over the proposed sites of thefuture reservoirs.  The next steps will
be obtaining water court approval of the stipulations and entry of decreescontinuing the conditional water rights for another six-year period. 

“This
is a great example illustrating that collaboration and working toward common goalscreated a water storage solution that is better for all parties involved,” said
Margaret Medellin, City of Aspen Utilities Portfolio Manager.  “There is great reason to celebrate when youbegin a process at opposite ends of the spectrum and end the process in
agreement.  This is a big win for ourcommunity.”

Throughout
this process, the City’s primary concern, in concert with its commitment toenvironmental values, has been to safeguard its water storage rights to meet
the needs of its water customers with a sufficient, legal, and reliable watersupply, now and into the future, despite future risks and uncertainty, most
notably from climate change.

Overthe last few months the City of Aspen reached agreements with opposers
including Wilderness Workshop, Western Resource Advocates, American Rivers,Trout Unlimited, Pitkin County, the U.S. Forest Service and private land
owners.  Last week, the City reached anagreement with the final opposing party. 

Forthe last year and a half, the City has been working with these parties to find
a suitable resolution where the City’s water storage rights would be protectedwhile also providing environmental protections for these delicate areas.  

“The
City of Aspen has always had the interest of its water customers and community in the forefront of itsgoals to ensure Aspen could deliver adequate and safe water to its residents
and visitors,” said Mayor Steve Skadron.

“Throughout thisprocess, City Council was acting in the best interest of its current and future
water customers as part of prudent water management. I am proud we were able tosafeguard our future water storage needs while also collaborating to protect
sensitive wilderness areas,” he added.

Inaccordance with the stipulations, Aspen will file a water court application to
transfer both of its water storage rights to one or more locations that are notin wilderness areas.  The new storage
locations include City-owned land in the Woody Creek area, the Aspen GolfCourse, Cozy Point Ranch, Zoline Open Space, Vagneur Gravel Quarry and/or any
other location agreed to in writing by the City and the parties opposing thecurrent cases. In addition, Aspen has agreed to limit the total amount diverted
annually to storage to a total of 8,500 acre-feet.

Aspenhas held its conditional water storage rights on Maroon Creek and Castle Creek
since 1965.  Over decades, Aspen CityCouncil has protected its water storage rights in order to be responsible
stewards of the water supply needed for Aspen’s utility customers, now and intothe future.   In 2016, as required by
law, Aspen filed applications with the Division 5 Water Court to continue theseconditional water storage rights for another six-year period.  A total of ten parties filed statements of
opposition to one or both applications.  

Afterthe stipulations have been approved and the decrees entered in the current cases,
Aspen can begin planning and engineering work and developing a water courtapplication to change the location of the storage rights to one or more of the
new sites outside of the Wilderness Area. 

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Ballot Fact Sheets

Click here for these fact sheets: 2B- Charter Amendment for Enterprise Fund Bonding; 2C - Charter Amendment for Franchise Agreements; 2D - City Office Space Location

Stormwater Cleaning Work - October 15-November 1

Stormwater Cleaning Work

The City of Aspen is conducting necessary work to clean the underground storm drains throughout Aspen during the month of October.  The work is an essential part of maintaining the City’s stormwater infrastructur...

Community Forest Management Plan Open Houses - October 10 abd 17

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October 10 and 17

The City of Aspen Forestry Department has just completed an update of the Community Forest Management Plan.  The public is invited to learn about the plan and ask questions at...

City and CORE Offering Free Home Energy Assessments for Aspen Residents

City and CORE Offering Free Home Energy Assessments for Aspen Residents

Contact: Laura Armstrong, Climate and Sustainability Programs Associate at 970.920.5104 or laura.armstrong@cityofaspen.com.

Aspen, Colorado – October 3, 2018 &nda...

Free Residential E-Waste Day - Saturday, October 6, 2018

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Shining Mountains Film Festival - October 7 and 8

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Bicycle Friendly Community Survey

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Open House for Stage 2 Water Shortage

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City of Aspen Enacts Stage 2 Water Shortage

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Electric Vehicle Sales EVent Offers Discounts on Plug-In Cars

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Six local auto dealers showing gas-electric hybrids, all-electric models

The Electric Vehicle Sales Event, aimed at drivers in Garfield, Eagle and Pitkin counties, will offer discounts ...

Community Picnic - August 15 at Red Brick Center for the Arts

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Castle Creek Bridge/Hallam Street Project Construction Phase Three Date Pushed to September 4

Phase Three date Pushed to September 4 for Castle Creek Bridge / Hallam Street Project

Power Plant detours to resume following Labor Day weekend

Aspen, CO – The City of Aspen announces that phase three construction and detours for the Castle Creek...

New Bike Lockers for Rent at Buttermilk Parking Lot

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City Seeking Community Input on Potential City/JAS Partnership

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FAQ on Lake Christine WIldfire and City of Aspen Impacts

https://bit.ly/2u9xSzB

Air Quality Health Information for Wildfire Smoke

Air Quality Health Information for Wildfire Smoke

 Due to the Lake Christine Wildfire in Basalt, it is possible that those with compromised health are experiencing challenges with smoke in the air. If smoke is thick or becomes thick in your neighb...

Lake Christine Wildfire, Aspen Power Outage, and Update Information

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City Council Monday Worksessions Now Begin at 4pm

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City of Aspen Signs Contract to Purchase 517 E. Hopkins for Office Space

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Pitkin County Sheriff announces Stage 1 Fire Restrictions

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The Aspen Citizens Academy is now open for applications.

The Aspen Citizens Academy is now open for applications.

Have you ever wondered how Aspen’s local government operates? Apply to be in the Aspen Citizens Academy!

The Aspen Citizens Academy is a community program designed to inform and empower resi...

City Council Votes to Support Moving Conditional Water Rights off Wilderness Areas

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The Aspen City Council voted unanimously at its meeting tonight, May 29, to approve a resolution supporting settlements reached with several opposers to Aspen’s tw...

Colorado Supreme Court Upholds Aspen’s Bag Fee

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Aspen City Council Enacts Stage 1 Water Shortage

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City of Aspen Unveils New Brand and Logo

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New Traffic Pattern Begins April 30 for Castle Creek Bridge/Hallam Street Improvement Project

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Electronic Waste Collection Events

Business E-Waste

By appointment now through May

Make your appointment for pick-up by emailing john.meier@ERIdirect.com

Pricing is at a per pound rate with a minimum of $100 per location

Personal E-Wastae

Free drop off for personal e-waste

Saturday, May 12 9am-1...

Free Training for the Public on MAP ASPEN

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Castle Creek Bridge/Hallam Street Project Update

This configuration will be day, night and weekend.  

Outbound traffic will turn on North 5^th St. then turn left on West Hallam and head out of town on the Castle Creek Bridge. Inbound traffic will stay on Castle Creek Bridge and continue on Hallam...

Eddy Out: A Pause in the Fast Flow of Information

Join us for a series of casual conversations about water issues in Aspen.  Water affects all of our lives, yet we rarely have the opportunity for dialogue on the subject with approachable experts who can offer insight and interesting information....

Talk about Parking and Transit in the Aspen Core with City Staff

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Come for coffee and conversation to talk about parking and transit in the Aspen core with City of Aspen staff.  Wednesday, April 4 at the Pitkin County Library Meeting Room at 10am, ...

Historic Preservation Benefits Survey Available Now

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Aspen Ascent Experience

Aspen Ascent Experience:

March 31 from 9am – 3pm at Buttermilk

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What Do You Think of E-Bikes on the Rio Grande Trail?

The City of Aspen Parks Department, along with valley wide partners, is engaged in a public outreach effort to gather public opinion regarding e-bike use on paved trails. In addition, a series of April events will allow anyone who's interested to demo an ...

Aspen Golf Simulator Open House

Aspen Golf Simulator Open HouseFree Swings, Food & Fun

Wednesday March 14, 2pm – 7pm

Join us to demo our Full Swing Golf Simulator and get ready for the upcoming Golf Season at the Aspen Golf Club. Play famous courses, hit the driving range or...

Opening Reception at Red Brick Center for the Arts

Color of EmotionOpening Reception with the ArtistsRed Brick Center for the ArtsThursday, March 15th from 5-7pm

This exhibits theme is Color of Emotion, come see the work and meet the selected local artists.

Featuring Artists: Sherly Smith Bogatz I Katalin D...

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Moss in the ARC Pool? Yes, please!

Moss in the ARC Pool?  Yes, Please!

Cleaner, Less Chlorinated Pool Thanks to City Grant

 For the last nine months the ARC family pool has been utilizing a natural Sphagnum Moss as a form of filtration that has reduced daily chlor...

Winter is the Best Time to Test for Radon

Radon is a colorless, odorless radioactive gas that enters the home from the natural decay of uranium in the ground. Exposure to radon over a long period of time can lead to lung cancer and over 21,000 lung cancer deaths in the U.S. each year are attribut...

Apply to Serve on a City Board or Commission

To apply for one of the following openings please contact The City Clerk’s office at 970.429.2687 and visit the webpage to learn more about the boards.Board of Adjustment: 2 Alternate MembersHistoric Preservation Commission: 1 Alternate MemberCo...

Free Christmas Tree Composting

Bring trees with no lights or decorations to the Rio Grande Recycling Center Christmas tree corral. You can also recycle your old holiday lights in our special recycling container at the Rio Grande Recycling Center. Please remember we do not accept wreath...

South Aspen Street Condominiums Available For Sale

South Aspen Street Condominiums Available For Sale

Bids due: January 3, 2018

Lottery: January 8, 2018 

14 Units are now available for sale as part of the new South Aspen Street Condominiums development. Units available for sale are a mix of Category...

Changes in Tobacco Law and Taxes Coming to Aspen

Changes in Tobacco Law and Taxes Coming to Aspen

In November 2017, Aspen voters elected to put an additional $3 sales tax per 20-pack of cigarettes in City limits and change the purchase age of tobacco from 18 to 21 years old starting January 1, 2018. The ...

Aspen Community Saves $1.6 Million in Energy Costs Over Two Years Through Aspen Energy Challenge

The City of Aspen and the Community Office for Resource Efficiency are pleased to announce that the organizations helped facilitate $1.6 million in energy savings in the community, compared to a 2013 through 2014 baseline in partnership Holy Cross Energy ...

What Does "Locally Serving Restaurant" Mean to You?

In the past, the rent for the restaurant has been subsidized in an effort to serve and attract local diners, including those attending Wheeler events. But what does "locally serving" really mean? We want to hear your opinions so we have a broad ...