government
Pitkin County and Aspen discuss airport closure impacts, solutions
By Beau Toepfer Follow
btoepfer@aspentimes.com at Aspen Times
· June 23, 2026
· 4 min read
Editor’s note: This article has been updated to reflect that Kara Silbernagel is the official county manager.
Aspen City Council and the Pitkin County Board of County Commissioners met on Monday to discuss community impacts they expect from the 2027 airport closure and redesign, including work...
Key takeaway While Doyle told the Aspen Times that the reduction in hours has not yet been finalized, he expects hours will be lowered in some capacity to support locals who are at risk of having reduced hours.
Why this matters in Aspen News
The discussion around the 2027 airport closure and redesign brings to the forefront the delicate balance between supporting local workforce members and managing the influx of construction workers. With the potential for reduced hours in certain industries, the adjustment of working hour requirements by the Aspen/Pitkin County Housing Authority could provide some relief for locals. However, the prospect of strong competition for construction jobs may also lead to an influx of outside workers, putting a strain on the valley's already limited housing stock. The idea of a "man camp" on airport property, as suggested by Mayor Rachel Richards, could help mitigate this issue, but its feasibility and potential impact on the community will need to be carefully considered. As the city and county move forward with planning, they will need to navigate these complex issues to ensure that the needs of both locals and construction workers are met, while also minimizing the disruption to the community and the local economy.
About this story
Original reporting by Aspen Times . 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 Times . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: government ·
Published: June 23, 2026 ·
Source: Aspen Times ·
Reading time: 4 min
Get more Aspen News stories like this
Free weekly briefing covering government and other local news. Curated by our editorial team. No spam.
By subscribing you agree to our privacy policy . Unsubscribe anytime.
Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? Editor’s note: This article has been updated to reflect that Kara Silbernagel is the official county manager.
Aspen City Council and the Pitkin County Board of County Commissioners met on Monday to discuss community impacts they expect from the 2027 airport closure and redesign, including work...
When was this published? This article was first published on June 23, 2026 by Aspen Times and curated for Aspen News readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Beau Toepfer Follow
btoepfer@aspentimes.com at Aspen Times. To learn more about how Aspen News selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more government coverage from Aspen News, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
← Back to all news
More government →
Today’s briefing
Subscribe to newsletter