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News
Defendant’s bond conditions modified due to pregnancy
Public defender requests stay of court proceedings
Local
Aspen explores fee deferrals for locals redeveloping free-market homes
Council doesn’t want ‘cost-prohibitive’ permits to push out longtime residents
Local
ideas journalism a
Jelani Cobb, Katie Couric, Jerusalem Demsas and Aaron Parnas participated in an Aspen Ideas panel called “Journalism’s Next Chapter” on Saturday.
business
ideas journalism b
Katie Couric, former co-host of NBC’s “Today” and anchor of the “CBS Evening News,” has moved into new media with her company Katie Couric Media.
Local
courthouse
Hearings were held in Pitkin County District Court on Monday for defendants Vanessa Leighton and Nathan Keen, who face numerous felony charges in connection with an alleged assault and kidnapping of a local woman in early July 2025....
government
790 castle creek road
This home at 790 Castle Creek Road is under construction. The property’s homeowners requested a fee waiver from the Aspen City Council last year because of the high cost of fees, which launched a conversation about fee deferrals for local…...
safety
willow fire smoke
Lake County wildfireSmoke from the Willow Fire west of Leadville is seen from the Aspen Meadows campus on Sunday evening. As of press time on Monday, the fire was still burning, about two miles northwest of the Leadville Fish Hatchery…...
business
Butterfly action
Two western tiger swallowtails fly between milkweed plants near Catherine's Store Road outside of Carbondale on Thursday afternoon.
Local
PHOTOS: Actress Jodie Foster highlights the Afternoon of Conversation at Aspen Ideas Festival
The Aspen Institute’s annual Aspen Ideas Festival reached its peak on Sunday with the Afternoon of Conservation, the centerpiece discussion held inside the Michael Klein Music Tent. Highlighting the talk was famed actress and filmmaker Jodie Foster — “Freaky Friday,” “The Sile...
Local
What to know about running at altitude
At over 7,000 feet above sea level, running in the upper Roaring Fork Valley can pose a significant challenge for those used to running at lower elevations. But the answer isn’t to simply “try harder.” Science-backed reasons why exercising at high elevations is difficult also...
safety
Mountain Rescue Aspen responds to West Maroon Pass medical emergency
Mountain Rescue Aspen successfully rescued a subject experiencing a medical emergency roughly five miles up the West Maroon Pass trail, at approximately 11,200 feet, Sunday afternoon. Mountain Rescue Aspen was notified at about 2:04 p.m., according to a press release, and disp...
News
Glenwood Springs engineering firm celebrates 40 years of service
SGM first opened its doors in Glenwood Springs in 1986 with a goal of serving its community’s unique engineering needs. Now, 40 years later, the firm has grown into one of Western Colorado’s largest locally owned engineering and surveying companies. Over the past 40 years, th...
safety
Wildfires are spreading quickly in Colorado’s drought-stricken mountains as demand for firefighting resources tightens nationwide
Wildfires fueled by high winds and historic drought conditions raged across Colorado and the West this weekend — burning thousands of acres, forcing evacuations and resulting in the deaths of three firefighters. Firefighters on Friday achieved full containment on the Dry Creek...
schools
Albert Schweitzer Days highlight humanitarianism in Aspen, Basalt
When Albert Schweitzer visited Aspen in 1949, he made such an impact that his purpose is still being honored in 2026, as the second annual “Albert Schweitzer Days Celebration” graces The Arts Campus at Willits in Basalt on June 30 and Aspen on July 1. The events are aimed at ...
government
Garfield Re-2 budget reduces planned deficit
The Garfield Re-2 school board approved a $90.3 million budget for the 2026-27 school year on Wednesday, reducing its planned General Fund deficit. Finance Director Jason Lynch told the board that the district’s financial outlook has improved from earlier projections, though ...
News
BLM pursues changes to oil and gas leasing in hopes of spurring new development, but environmental groups have concerns
The U.S. Department of the Interior is proposing changes to the Bureau of Land Management’s oil and gas leasing process. While the industry is lauding the proposal as a repeal of punitive measures implemented during former President Joe Biden’s administration, environmental advoc...
Local
Aspen Ideas Festival: What will music sound like in 250 years?
Damian Woetzel, artistic director of Vail Dance Festival, spoke on a panel at Aspen Ideas festival on Monday along with Charles Yang and Caroline Shaw about music — and what it might sound like in 250 years, in alignment with Aspen Ideas’ theme: “Declarations of Independence: Pas...
News
Laughter as Medicine event coming to Vail
SpeakUp ReachOut, whose mission is to prevent suicide in Eagle County, is proud to present the second annual Laughter As Medicine Comedy Show in partnership with Vail Comedy Show. This dual language comedy event will take place at Manor Vail Lodge in Vail and will feature perform...
Local
Voss: Hidden dangers of mountain waterways for pups
One of the joys of a warm summer day in the Roaring Fork Valley is the variety of water activities we have to explore. Our dogs enjoy splashing around in alpine lakes, rivers and streams just as much as we do — while this can be a great way to spend an afternoon with your pup, mo...
government
Confluence tax district names first executive director
The Confluence Early Childhood Development Special Service District has named Samantha Markovitz as executive director, following a nationwide search. Markovitz will begin July 27, according to a news release from the district. The district, approved by voters in November ...
safety
Amid firework cancellations, Colorado’s mountain towns look to alternative celebrations for the country’s 250th Independence Day weekend
Fourth of July celebrations are heating up for Colorado mountain resort towns — figuratively and physically As more counties face increasing wildfire risk and respond with stricter fire restrictions, many are looking to firework alternatives to celebrate the country’s 250th an...
library
GreenPal lawn care launches in Rifle
GreenPal, a lawn care app described by co-founder Gene Cabellero as the “Uber for lawn care,” has launched in Rifle, allowing homeowners to book same-day or next-day lawn care appointments directly from their phone. “We saw people signing up in Rifle already, so we knew ther...
Local
Simon: Transportation needed from Denver, not just Eagle
I understand plans are underway to provide ground transportation from the Eagle County Regional Airport to Aspen when the Aspen Airport is closed next year. While this will be needed, ground transportation from the Denver Airport all the way to Aspen will be much more important. ...
safety
‘The calm in the storm’: Mesa County range rider fills gap outside of state wolf program
Collbran resident Christina Vander Berg had a 25-year career investigating fires and built a life as a Western Slope cattle producer and rodeo judge. Over the past two years, she’s stepped into a new role that draws on her passions and experience: serving as a range rider amid Co...
safety
Rifle police increasing enforcement of bike, e-bike and scooter violations
The Rifle Police Department will increase enforcement of bicycle, e-bike, e-moto and scooter violations in the coming weeks after officers observed a growing number of unsafe riding behaviors throughout the community. Police said officers have become increasingly concerned abo...
safety
Rifle cancels fireworks for July 3 Celebration
The City of Rifle is canceling fireworks for its July 3 Celebration after consulting with the Colorado River Fire Rescue due to extreme fire danger, the city announced in a press release on Thursday. Rifle is under Stage 2 fire restrictions along with the rest of Garfield Cou...
Local
Mack: One valley, one plan, one gondola
Some of the most impactful conversations of my life have happened on the gondola — with friends, family and strangers. Imagine that gondola camaraderie woven into daily life in Aspen, not just powder days. Aspen is about to spend $410 million improving employee housing and nea...
safety
Identities released of 3 firefighters who died responding to Knowles Fire in Colorado
MESA COUNTY, Colo. — Federal wildland fire officials released the identities of three firefighters who died while responding to the Knowles Fire in western Colorado on Saturday. The firefighters were assigned to the Rifle Helitack crew and were engaged in initial attack operat...
safety
Fire southwest of Pueblo explodes to 23,000 acres amid 100-mph wind gusts
The Aspen Acres fire was the latest wildfire to ignite across southern Colorado and the Western Slope amid extremely dry conditions, strong winds and extreme heat...
safety
3 firefighters killed, 2 injured while tackling wildfires on the Colorado-Utah border
BEAVER, Utah — Three firefighters were killed and two sustained burn injuries when they were overcome by flames from fast-moving wildfires in hot, windy conditions near the Colorado-Utah border. The firefighters deployed emergency shelters for themselves during the so-called b...
News
New head of GarCo libraries wants to protect the ‘freedom to read’
Korah takes the helm amid censorship efforts, growing use
Local
Ask a Broker: How do off-market deals work in Aspen?
In a real estate market as nuanced and relationship-driven as Aspen and Snowmass, not every transaction plays out...
News
jonathan delk
library
korah and staff
Newly appointed Garfield County Libraries Executive Director Abraham Korah, left, and Branch Director Nancy Barnes, right, stand with three staff members at the Glenwood Springs Library in front of their “summer reading” posters on Tuesday. According to the library district,…...
library
jamie larue
Then-Garfield County Libraries Executive Director Jamie LaRue stands in front of the Glenwood Springs public library in this photo from early 2025. LaRue, who retired April 9, has been a staunch advocate for intellectual freedom amid local and national efforts…...
library
nancy barnes
Garfield County Libraries Branch Director Nancy Barnes stands in front of the “summer reading challenge” prizes at the Glenwood Springs Library on Tuesday. Barnes served as the interim executive director during the library district’s hiring process and was one of…...
Local
christian mcbride
Christian McBride performs a tribute set called “Remembering Ray Brown” at the Limelight Hotel Aspen.
Local
Pedestrian Mall Lanes
During the Mall Fest 50 art parade on Saturday to celebrate 50 years of Aspen’s pedestrian mall, Tim Sack, executive director of Buckhorn Public Arts, bowls a keg down East Hyman Avenue — recreating an old Aspen tradition frequently organized…...
government
Aspen old-timer endorses Doyle for BOCC
Jim Wingers — I am a certified “Aspen geezer,” since I am over 80. I am a non-affiliated voter who leans right. John Doyle is my...
government
Vote Torre, who stands up for locals
Lisa Markalunas — Torre is excellent and he is my choice for Pitkin County commissioner in District 1. He is well-versed...
government
Romero has earned a place in Congress
Erin Rigney — Please vote for Dwayne Romero for U.S. House District 3. I cannot say enough positive things about Romero’s integrity...
government
Ireland: No need to whine — just vote
Celebrate the 250th for what really counts. Better than a cage match on the White House lawn. More important than...
Local
Parrott: Long love Aspen, long love skiing
The Aspen Daily News article on Aspen One’s plea for help (June 10, “Aspen One’s success relies on community support...
government
voting
In-person voting for the primary elections is available at the Pitkin County administration building, 530 E. Main St., today from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and also on Tuesday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Ballot drop-off locations (deadline is…...
News
andrew
Local
Vail music venue revival raises the question: How many live shows will Eagle County support?
In 2005, when Michael Goldberg was first opening Belly Up Aspen, rival ski town Vail still had 8150 – a legendary music venue named for Vail’s elevation and steeped in a tradition of intimate, local talent and frequently big-name musicianship served up to a few hundred people on ...
safety
Leadville wildfire column visible from Pitkin County
A “significant wildfire column” from the Willow Fire that has broken out west/northwest of Leadville in Lake County was visible from Pitkin County as of 5:48 p.m., according to a Pitkin Alert. The fire grew to more than 1,000 acres in a matter of hours Sunday evening. Evacuati...
News
Moon Mondays: Hot tips for the best Mercury retrograde of your life
The sky is falling! The sky is falling! Mercury is going retrograde today. What impending catastrophe is going to befall us now? Aren’t things already bad enough? Tonight’s a double whammy, the full moon and Mercury reversing simultaneously. If there ever was a time to relinq...
safety
As Eagle County towns cancel shows, fire officials watch for uptick in personal fireworks use on July 4
Eagle River Fire Chief Mick Woodworth is no stranger to an uptick in personal firework activity surrounding Independence Day. From smaller sparklers and firework cones to giant bottle rockets, he’s seen it all. However, this year, while he hopes not to see any firework activity, ...
safety
Public access, recreation closed on Colorado River downstream of Fruita amid fire danger
GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. — Colorado Parks and Wildlife has issued an emergency closure for all public access and downstream recreation on the Colorado River from James M. Robb-Colorado River State Park in Fruita to the Utah state line. Working with the Mesa County Sheriff’s Offi...
News
Colorado Supreme Court rejects redistricting plan that sought to flip congressional seats for Democrats — including on the Western Slope
The Colorado Supreme Court unanimously shot down a package of ballot initiatives on Monday, June 29, that sought to redraw the state’s congressional maps in favor of Democrats. Coloradans for a Level Playing Field, a group formed earlier this year to support the redistricting...
schools
Carbondale educator creates self-guided, comprehensive path to understanding college applications
It is never too early to start laying out a path to higher education, but for some, compiling essays, transcripts, letters of recommendation and extracurriculars can feel like navigating space. Carbonale resident Robin Colt first realized the complex nature of the college app...
safety
Two Rifle Helitack firefighters among three killed in Knowles Fire incident
The U.S. Department of the Interior on Monday released the names of three firefighters who died Saturday while responding to the Knowles Fire in western Colorado, including two assigned to the Rifle Helitack crew. The firefighters were engaged in initial attack operations on t...
Local
PHOTOS: Jazz Aspen Snowmass June Experience gets funky in Aspen
Jazz Aspen Snowmass hosted its annual June Experience over the weekend at various venues across Aspen. Numerous artists took part, headlined by Karl Denson’s Tiny Universe and Cory Henry & the Funk Apostles playing at Belly Up Aspen. Other acts included The Family Stone, Robert C...
safety
Willow Fire grows to 1,066 acres near Leadville
Editor’s note: This story has been updated to reflect new growth of the Willow Fire. A wildfire that grew to more than 1,000 acres in a matter of hours near Leadville in the evening Sunday, June 28, sent smoke rolling into Summit County and led emergency officials to ask resid...
schools
Temporary art installations engage the senses at Aspen Ideas festivals
As part of the Aspen Ideas festivals, which run through July 1, the Aspen Meadows Campus showcases several temporary art installations. While people need a pass to attend the Ideas’ sessions and activities, all but two of the temporary art installations stand outdoors, so the pu...