When was this published?

This article was first published on July 4, 2026 by Aspen Daily News and curated for Aspen News readers.

Who reported this story?

This story was reported by Kaya Williams, Special to the Aspen Daily News at Aspen Daily News.

Where can I find related coverage?

See more government coverage from Aspen News, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs.

government

‘Climate resiliency’ goals help Nordic skiing adapt to shorter, warmer, drier winters

By Kaya Williams, Special to the Aspen Daily News at Aspen Daily News · July 4, 2026 · 1 min read

Pitkin County OST Board adopts 2026 version of management plan

The Pitkin County OST Board has adopted the 2026 version of its management plan. This is according to information available from the Aspen Daily News.

Further details about the management plan are available from the source. The adoption of the plan is a known fact, but specifics about its contents and implications are not provided here.

Readers can refer to the Aspen Daily News for more information about the 2026 management plan adopted by the Pitkin County OST Board, as well as other local news including efforts to help Nordic skiing adapt to changing winters.

Why this matters in Aspen News

The Pitkin County OST Board's adoption of its 2026 management plan comes as Nordic skiing in the area faces significant challenges due to shorter, warmer, and drier winters. As a popular winter sport in Aspen, Nordic skiing's adaptability to these changes will have a direct impact on the local recreation economy. The city's high elevation and mountain weather hazards already pose unique challenges, and the effects of climate change will only add to these complexities. The management plan's focus on climate resiliency will be crucial in helping Nordic skiing venues, such as the Aspen Snowmass Nordic Trail System, develop strategies to mitigate the impacts of changing winters. The success of these efforts will be closely watched by local businesses and residents who rely on a thriving winter sports industry.

About this story

Original reporting by Aspen Daily News. Aspen News surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page.

For the complete original report, visit Aspen Daily News. Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom.

Category: government · Published: July 4, 2026 · Source: Aspen Daily News · Reading time: 1 min

Why this matters in Aspen

Local stories shape Aspen. Aspen News covers Aspen and the surrounding Pitkin County area because what happens here — at city hall, in our schools, at the police blotter, on Main Street — affects every household. National outlets miss the texture. We don't.

About this coverage

Every story on Aspen News is curated, fact-checked against the original publisher's reporting, and contextualized for our readers. We do not republish full articles — we link back to the source, summarize the key facts under fair use, and add the local or topical relevance that our audience needs. Our editorial standards and corrections policy are public: see aspennew.com/editorial-standards.

About Aspen News

Aspen News is published by Nexcom Media as part of the Nexcom Media Network. We launched in 2024 and have grown to cover Aspen CO news, Pitkin County government, Aspen schools, and Roaring Fork Valley life. Our reporting is supported by display advertising, sponsorships, and reader donations — never by editorial pay-to-play. Read our ownership disclosures at aspennew.com/ownership.

Stay informed

Tip a story → editor@nexcom.media · Corrections → corrections policy

More stories from our newsroom

Recent reporting and curated coverage across every beat we cover.

Short-term rental market continues to shrink in Aspen, PitCo

County elected officials to discuss potential changes STR program after city passed its own set of changes last year

Aspen Daily NewsJul 19local

chateauChaumont01.jpg

Twenty-one short-term rental classic permits have been issued at Chateau Chaumont on East Durant Avenue in Aspen, as of April 3. Capped zones for classic permits don’t apply to Chateau Chaumont as it’s located in the city’s lodging zone.

Aspen Daily NewsJul 19local

TheGant05.jpeg

The Gant is one of the seven lodge-exempt permit holders in Aspen. The property includes 140 individually owned condominium units, which are rented similar to hotel rooms when not being used by their owners.

Aspen Daily NewsJul 19local

COVER 260714_Aspen overview_JC.jpg

The number of active short-term rental permits issued by the city of Aspen and Pitkin County has declined by a combined 9% since 2023, according to an Aspen Journalism analysis.

Aspen Daily NewsJul 19local

Ben01.jpg

Ben Wolff, general manager at Frias Properties of Aspen, helps manage hundreds of STRs in Aspen, including in the residential/multifamily zone district whose long waitlist, he believes, shows that the zone’s permit cap is too restrictive.

Aspen Daily NewsJul 19local

P3 NicoleAlex01.jpg

Pitkin County Community Development Deputy Director Nicole Rebeck-Stout. left, and Analyst Alex Sanchez look at STR application processing times. Pitkin County saw a 29% drop in the number of STR properties in the past three years and a 62% decline…

Aspen Daily NewsJul 19local

Timberline03.jpg

Snowmass Village counts 1,445 STR licenses and 209 pending permits as of May 27, including about 84 already approved permits at Timberline Condominiums located near Snowmass Mall.

Aspen Daily NewsJul 19local

Explore Books suggests complex, entertaining fiction titles

Explore Books in Aspen recommends a harrowing memoir, hot and sticky London literary fiction and an Agatha Christie mystery.

Colorado SunJul 19library

Henry: Lesser animals push for airport expansion

“Community or commodity?” The Pitkin Board of County Commissioners views our valley, at best, as a source for the generation of unlimited wealth...

Aspen Daily NewsJul 19government

Mountain bike group does what Forest Service can’t

Denise and Mark Handrich — A big shout-out to the volunteers who cleared the Mill Creek Trail (middle loop) on Basalt Mountain...

Aspen Daily NewsJul 19parks

Proposition 195 would put money back in pockets

Will Hodges — I’m inviting Colorado voters to sign a petition to add Proposition 195 to November’s ballot. We only have until Aug. 3...

Aspen Daily NewsJul 19government

AI doesn’t replace creativity in reader’s music quest

Chris Martinez — More than 20 years ago, I stared through the window of a friend’s place in Missouri Heights as he worked on a drum machine...

Aspen Daily NewsJul 19local

Voces Unidas: These times require more courage from state lawmakers

The 2026 legislative session left a bitter taste among those of us who spent 120 days with lawmakers under the gold dome advocating for policies to improve the lives of working folks. For Latino advocacy organizations like mine, Voces Unidas Action Fund, the session was largely defined by missed ...

Aspen TimesJul 19local

PHOTOS: Power of Four Trail Run kicks off valley’s busy race season

The Roaring Fork Valley’s summer race season hit another level on Saturday with one of the area’s most prominent foot races, the Audi Power of Four Trail Run. Produced by Aspen Skiing Company, there were 50k, 25k and 10k race options. In the featured 50-kilometer run — that’s just over 31 mile...

Aspen TimesJul 19parks

Willoughby: Piano tuning heaven

The orchestra tunes, and then, in a piano concerto, the conductor and guest pianist enter, and the concert begins. You have not likely thought about the piano being tuned. You can watch and hear four-string instruments like a violin, bass, viola or cello tune, but consider what needs to happen fo...

Aspen TimesJul 18local

Galerie Gmurzynska returns to The Aspen Art Fair

Galerie Gmurzynska returns to The Aspen Art Fair from July 29 to Aug. 1 at the historic Hotel Jerome, 330 E. Main St. The booth will mix modern masters with contemporary highlights: Dan Basen’s Box with Paint Brushes (1968), Sonia Delaunay’s “Projet pour l’affiche Chocolat (1916–1917), Wifred...

Aspen TimesJul 18local

How a science experiment to grow native plants on Copper’s slopes is inspiring collaboration in the ski industry

Katherine Riesberg, a graduate of Middle Park High School in Grand County, has been skiing since the age of two. Riesberg said her love for outdoor recreation is a big part of what led her to pursue a Masters of Science and Ecology at Western Colorado University, where her thesis project led h...

Aspen TimesJul 18schools

Aspen Acres fire surpasses 100,000 acres as crews increase containment to more than 60%

Rain fell across parts of the state Friday, bringing mixed results for Gold Mountain, Ferris, Willow, Fishhook and Elk fires.

Colorado SunJul 18safety

What Goes Around Comes Around: Vintage pop-up debuts in Aspen

Vintage luxury retailer What Goes Around Comes Around will debut in Aspen with a pop-up inside The Aspen Times building at Hotel Jerome from July 25-Aug. 2. The pop-up, at 330 E. Main St., will be open daily from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. “We are so excited to embark on this partnership with the i...

Aspen TimesJul 18local

Local news in brief, July 18

Willow Fire was 36% contained as of Friday

Aspen Daily NewsJul 18safety

The chance to dance for you

Ahren Victory stars as Cassie in ‘A Chorus Line’

Aspen Daily NewsJul 18local

Security Forum panelists debate wisdom of Iran war

Sen. Chris Murphy calls $100B spent by U.S. a mistake

Aspen Daily NewsJul 18local

Couple’s argument leads to shooting in Snowmass

Husband was shot, but deemed the aggressor

Aspen Daily NewsJul 18local

chorus line group

“A Chorus Line” won nine Tony Awards and the Pulitzer Prize when it premiered on Broadway in 1976. Theatre Aspen’s revival of the play concludes on July 25 at the Hurst Theatre.

Aspen Daily NewsJul 18local

ahren victory

Ahren Victory stars as “Cassie” in Theatre Aspen’s production of “A Chorus Line.” Victory grew up in Colorado Springs.

Aspen Daily NewsJul 18local

security forum a

U.S. Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Conn., speaks at the 2026 Aspen Security Forum on Thursday. He was joined by moderator Jim Sciutto, Robert Greenway, Karim Sadjadpour and Roxana Saberi.

Aspen Daily NewsJul 18local

security forum b

CNN’s Jim Sciutto, left, moderates a panel on the Iran war at the 2026 Aspen Security Forum on Thursday. He is joined by Robert Greenway, U.S. Sen. Chris Murphy, Karim Sadjadpour and Roxana Saberi.

Aspen Daily NewsJul 18local

snowmass police logo

Aspen Daily NewsJul 18safety

Margo: Let’s get louder and shake things up

“You have definitely lost your mind,” my friend Erica says, without flinching. I was telling Erica how I really want to learn...

Aspen Daily NewsJul 18local

Grueter: Infinite growth is the ideology of the what now?

I have a delicate flower confession to make. When I was a kid, the smell of lawnmower gasoline made me so nauseated...

Aspen Daily NewsJul 18local

Council kicking can down the road on housing

Ziska Childs — (Re: “Guths withdraw request to expand home’s livable area,” July 16, Aspen Daily News) By doggedly quoting code...

Aspen Daily NewsJul 18local

In support of increased airport parking fees

Michael Maple — I wholeheartedly support an increase in Aspen-Pitkin County Airport parking rates. Parking, and indeed all...

Aspen Daily NewsJul 18parks

Opinion | Climate Action Collaborative: After a dry winter: What El Niño means for the Eagle River Valley

Climate change is becoming harder to ignore in Eagle County. Over the past nine months, its effects have touched nearly every aspect of our lives. We experienced a record-low snowfall last winter, followed by a dry spring that worsened our long-term drought. Unfortunately, the trifecta of histori...

Vail DailyJul 18local

Wildfires have scorched over 200,000 acres in Colorado this summer

Wildfires continued to ignite and burn across Colorado this week as widespread drought continues to plague the state. The Colorado Wildland Fire Status Dashboard showed seven large fires and a total of 28 active fires that had burned around 214,000 acres as of Friday afternoon. The wildfire ri...

Aspen TimesJul 18safety

Saddle Sore: It’s worth remembering what Woody Creek has been

Woody Creek is easy to misunderstand. To many people passing through, it’s little more than a post office, the Tavern and a bend in the road. But to those who have spent much of their lives here, it is something else entirely. It is a collection of dreams and memories — of ranches, hayfields,...

Aspen TimesJul 18local

Hiker rescued by helicopter from Maroon Peak

Mountain Rescue Aspen successfully rescued an overdue hiker from Maroon Peak on Thursday night into Friday morning. According to a press release, the Pitkin County Regional Emergency Dispatch Center received a satellite text message at approximately 7:39 p.m., reporting an overdue hiker in the...

Aspen TimesJul 17safety

Eagle County Open Space tax en route for possible 2027 election

Almost two weeks ago, the Eagle County Open Space Program approached county commissioners about putting a property tax on the table for the 2026 election. After much discussion, shelving it for the 2027 election was proposed. On Tuesday, Eagle County commissioners picked the timeline that coul...

Vail DailyJul 17government

Nexcom Media Network

More stories from our newsroom

Short-term rental market continues to shrink in Aspen, PitCo

chateauChaumont01.jpg

TheGant05.jpeg

COVER 260714_Aspen overview_JC.jpg

Ben01.jpg

P3 NicoleAlex01.jpg

Timberline03.jpg

Explore Books suggests complex, entertaining fiction titles

Henry: Lesser animals push for airport expansion

Mountain bike group does what Forest Service can’t

Proposition 195 would put money back in pockets

AI doesn’t replace creativity in reader’s music quest

Voces Unidas: These times require more courage from state lawmakers

PHOTOS: Power of Four Trail Run kicks off valley’s busy race season

map_RMF.png

Chart_AspenSTR.png

Chart_PitCoSTR.png

Willoughby: Piano tuning heaven

Galerie Gmurzynska returns to The Aspen Art Fair

How a science experiment to grow native plants on Copper’s slopes is inspiring collaboration in the ski industry

Aspen Acres fire surpasses 100,000 acres as crews increase containment to more than 60%

What Goes Around Comes Around: Vintage pop-up debuts in Aspen

Local news in brief, July 18

The chance to dance for you

Security Forum panelists debate wisdom of Iran war

Couple’s argument leads to shooting in Snowmass

chorus line group

ahren victory

security forum a

security forum b

snowmass police logo

Margo: Let’s get louder and shake things up

Grueter: Infinite growth is the ideology of the what now?

Council kicking can down the road on housing

In support of increased airport parking fees

Opinion | Climate Action Collaborative: After a dry winter: What El Niño means for the Eagle River Valley

Wildfires have scorched over 200,000 acres in Colorado this summer

Saddle Sore: It’s worth remembering what Woody Creek has been

Hiker rescued by helicopter from Maroon Peak

Eagle County Open Space tax en route for possible 2027 election