Aspen

Aspen is a very ritzy town in Colorado and home of the Aspen ski resort. Aspen's mix of sport and culture make it a wonderful vacation spot, and this site will provide information and travel suggestions for your consideration.

Overview
Aspen is the largest city and county seat of Pitkin County, Colorado. Aspen receives it name because of the abundance of aspen trees in the area.

Founded as a mining camp, Walter Paepcke and Friedl Pfeifer in the 1930s transformed Aspen into a world-class ski area. The city emerged as a skiing mecca following World War II and the foundation of the Aspen Skiing Company by Walter Paepcke.

Aspen is the place were the rich and famous people get together. Aspen offers the perfect mix of sport and culture that makes the place worth visiting.

History
The first Aspen residents were the Ute Indians and they called the area Shining Mountains. Once the population reached 300 residents, the area was renamed Aspen because of the abundance of Aspen trees.

Around 1890 the town grew as more people arrived in Aspen to work in the mountain mines. All of Aspens' significant buildings and Victorian residences were built over a short ten year period.

Aspen's mining fortunes fell in 1893 when silver was de-monetized. Many of the larger mines shut down and, as mining declined, the local economy became more and more dependent on ranching and farming. The population decreased significantly.

Around 1930's, a new group of pioneers had come to the area in search of the ideal location for a ski resort. They hired famous Swiss ski industry expert Andre Roch.Walter Peapcke, and his wife Elizabeth, developed a vision of Aspen as much more than a ski resort. They saw Aspen as a year round cultural center, set in a place of great natural beauty.

The first chair lift was constructed on Aspen Mountain. In 1950 Aspen hosted the World FIS Downhill Championships. The Aspen resort complex continued to grow with the opening of Aspen Highlands and Buttermilk in 1958, followed by Snowmass Mountain in 1967.

Aspen Areas
The town of Aspen consists of three basic areas: Downtown, the West End and the East End.

Downtown

Consists of three lined street with Victorian buildings and brick retail shops, restaurants and pubs.

The Cooper Avenue, Hyman Avenue and Mill Street Pedestrian malls act as the centerpieces of the area.

The ski slopes of Aspen Mountain serve as the scenic background to downtown.

West End

Is a quiet residential area with Victorian homes. Along with the residential homes, you will find a good number of the area hotels and condos scattered about the West End, especially on Main Street.

The lower West End is where Walter Paepcke laid a literal foundation to the "Aspen Idea" with the construction of the Aspen Meadows Conference Center and Hotel, which houses the Aspen Institute.

East End

The Roaring Fork River splits the East End, and there so many trees spread across this neighborhood, that you get the feeling you have stumbled into a residential forest. The East End streets are a perfect place to walk for peace and quiet. Or, after a long day on the slopes, you might instead want to check out the Aspen Club & Spa.

Climate
Aspen's climate is characteristic of high altitudes with low humidity and intense sunshine. Sunglasses and sunscreen are recommended for all seasons.

Summer
Aspen's summer weather is warm and dry with temperatures occasionally as high as 90 degrees during the day. Brief afternoon showers are frequent, so bring a raincoat. Evening temperatures drop to 50 degrees and below; a lightweight coat or warm sweater is a good idea.

Fall
Aspen's fall weather is generally warm and dry, although cold spells do occur, and it can snow in the surrounding mountains. Daytime temperatures can reach the high 70's, dropping to the 30's at night. A warm sweater or lightweight coat is still a good idea for evenings. The last two weeks of September and the first of October are noted for their fall color beauty.

Winter
Aspen is renowned for its warm winter sun. Daytime temperatures range from 20 to 40 degrees in town and from 10 to 30 degrees on the mountain. Once the sun goes down, the temperature drops dramatically.

Spring
Aspen's spring weather ranges from warm to cool both day and night. Showers and snowfalls are possible; so don't forget to pack a jacket.

Recreation
The City of Aspen provides and operates 26 public parks, the Wheeler Opera House, the James E. Moore municipal swimming pool, an 18 hole golf course, two tennis courts, four ball fields, two ice skating rinks, a summer program for children and manages 266 acres of open space. Not to mention over 200 miles of Nordic skiing/walking/biking paths and unsurpassed beauty enjoyed by locals and visitors. Check out the City of Aspen Parks and Recreation opportunities.

Pitkin County Open Space and Trails Program purchases have protected approximately 8,200 acres of open space lands, and over 20 miles of trails. The Program has assumed responsibility to restore and maintain another 491 acres of County Open Space (such as the North Star Preserve) and 15.04 miles of Pitkin County trails acquired before the program started (such as the Rio Grande Trail). In total, the Program's stewardship includes 8,700 acres and 35 miles of trails. Aspen is also home to the 10th Mountain Division Hut Association and the Alfred A. Braun Hut System. Aspen in the winter offers the best of Alpine and Nordic skiing, snowmobiling, ice-skating, sleigh rides, snowshoeing and more. The summer months offer a haven for outdoor enthusiasts for golfing, biking, hiking, fishing, tennis, horse back riding, racquetball, jeep tours, whitewater rafting, paragliding, air ballooning, windsurfing, and sailing.

Culture
Aspen has the widest array of arts and cultural events in the state. The city offers an eclectic life style appealing to a wide variety of people from the most physically active to those seeking to enjoy the cultural arts and intellectual pursuits.

Aspen is home to the following organizations and seminars:

ARTS & CULTURE, MEDIA

Anderson Ranch Arts Center Aspen Art Museum Aspen Choral Society Aspen Community Theatre Aspen FilmFest Aspen Gay & Lesbian Ski Week Aspen Music Festival & School Aspen Santa Fe Ballet Aspen Stage on the Air Aspen Theater in the Park Colorado Mountain College Center for Excellence in the Arts Food & Wine Classic Free Summer of Music Grass Roots Television, Inc. Grassroots Aspen Experience Heritage Aspen International Design Conference Jazz Aspen Snowmass Red Brick Council for the Arts Wheeler Opera House

ENVIRONMENT, EDUCATION

Aspen Center for Environmental Studies Aspen Center for Physics Aspen Global Change Institute The Aspen Institute Aspen Wilderness Workshop Aspen Writer's Foundation CORE Environmental Research Group The Given Institute Independence Pass Foundation Leadership Aspen Rocky Mountain Institute White River Interpretive Association The Windstar Symposium World History Association
CIVIC, HEALTH, YOUTH, RELIGION

Aspen Jewish Congregation Aspen Center for New Medicine Aspen Junior Golf Aspen Sister Cities Aspen Valley Community Foundation Aspen Valley Medical Foundation Aspen Valley Ski/Snowboard Club Aspen Youth Center Buddy Program Challenge Aspen Henry Crown Fellowship Mountain Rescue - Aspen Neighbor to Neighbor Foundation Response Seniors Independent, Inc. Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation Valley Partnership for Drug Prevention Young Life

Aspen Statistics
Taxes

Sales Tax within the City of Aspen is 8.6 percent (2.9% state, 2.2% city, 3.5% county)

The City of Aspen assesses an additional 1 percent sales tax on lodging.

Real Estate Transfer Tax: One-half percent is assessed on all purchases of property within the City of Aspen corporate limits, plus 1 percent is assessed on all real estate transactions over the first $100,000 (deed restricted units excluded).
Population

City of Aspen: 5,914
Male: 3,165
Female: 2,749
White: 5,615
Hispanic/Latino of Any Race: 363
Mexican: 252
Puerto Rican: 5
Cuban: 5
Other Hispanic: 101
Black: 26
Indian/Alaskan: 14
Asian: 86
Hawaiian/Pacific: 5
Asian Indian: 2
Chinese: 30
Filipino: 9
Japanese: 20
Korean: 12
Vietnamese: 10
Other Asian: 3
More Than One Race: 71
Other: 97
Median Age/City of Aspen: 36.7

Attractions
Wheeler Opera House

Attraction type: Opera; Landmark/point of interest
Krabloonik Dogsled Rides

Offers dog sled rides and lunch for families in Snowmass Village in Aspen. Attraction type: Ski area
Ashcroft Ghost Town
Once a prosperous silver mining town, the silver disappeared, the people moved out and the ghosts moved in. Twelve empty buildings stand as an eerie reminder of the community that was. Attraction type: Ghost town
Silver Queen Gondola
For great views of the surrounding area, hop aboard this popular gondola that takes 18 minutes to get to the top of Aspen Mountain. Attraction type: Tram
Grizzly Lake Trail
A three-mile hike through scenic woods leads you to sparkling Grizzly Lake, an ideal spot for a picnic. Attraction type: Hiking trail
Ashcroft Ski Touring
Attraction type: Cross-country ski area
Crater Lake Trail
This easy, one-day hike from Maroon Lake is a great outing for the entire family. Attraction type: Hiking trail; Lake
Independence Ghost Town
Visitors can tour the remnants of this former mining town, deserted in the late 1800s after a severe storm knocked out supply routes. Attraction type: Ghost town
Aspen Club & Spa
Attraction type: Health club; Spa
Aspen Center for Environmental Studies
Educational programs to learn about the environment. Attraction type: Educational site
Grottos Trail
Attraction type: Hiking trail
Maroon-Snowmass Trail
Attraction type: Hiking trail
Mid-Way Creek Trail
Attraction type: Hiking trail
Smuggler Mountain
Attraction type: Hiking trail; Biking trail (mountain)
Hotel Jerome
Attraction type: Architectural building

Famous Residents
John Denver lived most of his life in Aspen. Bill Joy has a house in Aspen, and is a frequenter of the city's Zélé Café. Hunter Thompson lived in the Aspen area, where he was involved in land use regulation and once ran for Pitkin County Sheriff. Harold Ross was born in Aspen. Mariah Carey has lived in Aspen for the last few years. Kevin Costner maintains a residence near Aspen. Goldie Hawn has been a part-time resident for several years. Martina Navratilova, tennis star Several members of the rock band The Eagles. John Oates, musician Jimmy Ibbotson, member of The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band Jack Nicholson, actor Michael Douglas, actor Michael Eisner, former CEO of Disney


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