NEWimportance.RESIDENTS: WELCOME
We are glad to have you here and look forward to getting to know you & welcoming you into our unique mountain community. Originally inhabited by the Uncompahgre tribe of the Ute Nation, Aspen was a fruitful location for Ute summer hunting camps. Then in the late 1800’s Aspen established itself as a lucrative silver-mining town. There are many landmarks around town and in the mountains from the mining days. With the demonetization of silver in 1893, Aspen descended into what was called the quiet years and remained quiet for 50 years with ranchers and farmers making up the majority of the population. In 1937 the first ski run was cut on Aspen Mountain. In 1945 Walter and Elizabeth Paepcke began their influence on Aspen, remodeling historic buildings, and building Aspen as a new cultural center, a place where mind, body, and spirit could be one. Many of the arts & cultural institutions that our community cherishes have roots back to the Paepcke’s vision. The Aspen Historical Society is a wonderful resource, be sure to check out their programming to further acquaint yourself with your new home’s history.
Here are a few tips & tricks to get you feeling like a local in no time.
Aspenites are proud of our history and take great care of the organizations (everything from volunteering to housing student musicians) that set us apart from other mountain communities. The protection of the natural landscape and outdoor recreational opportunities it provides for our residents is of utmost TO ASPEN!
• Water is the number one way to help your body adjust to our high and dry air. You need to drink twice the amount of water here as you would at sea level. While many people are not affected by the altitude at all, some do notice the altitude and may experience symptoms including shortness of breath when walking upstairs, a slight headache, increased thirst and sometimes, disturbed sleep.
ROCKY MOUNTAIN HIGH AT 7,908 FEET:
• Turn on a humidifier in your bedroom to alleviate dryness while you sleep.
Adjusting to Altitude • Before coming to altitude, and in the first few days, drink extra water, eat more carbohydrates, and if you can, ascend to altitude slowly. Upon arrival take it easy on the exercise and alcohol giving your body ample time to acclimate.
Aspen Tap Water – better than bottled! We encourage you to drink Aspen tap water in an effort to reduce the unnecessary waste created by single use plastic bottles.
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Mid-April: Snow level around 8,000 feet. Mid-May: Snow level around 9,500 feet. Mid-June: Snow level around 10,000-10,500 feet. Mid-July: Snow is usually clear except on the highest north-facing slopes and passes. Lightening is prevalent in the summer months, especially in the afternoons. Plan high elevation activities in the mornings. Snow starts sticking in the valley around Halloween, but storms can roll through beginning in September.
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7,908 feet above sea level gives us a high alpine climate with low humidity & year-round sunshine. We receive almost 300 days of sunshine a year! Always dress in layers and wear sunglasses and sunscreen every day. • Snowmelt rates vary from year to year, but on average: »
THE FOUR SEASONS
• Did you know that 80% of wildfires are caused by humans? Trust us, you don’t want to be the one that starts a wildfire in Aspen. Winter snowpack and springtime runoff directly affects our wildfire risks, which are particularly high in drought years.
WILDFIRE
• We encourage you to sign up for Pitkin Alerts (text pitkinalert to 888777) while you are in town – this is a text message alert system that will notify you of evacuation information in the event it is needed.
• Wildfires and associated secondary impacts like mudslides can cause road closures. Know before you go with latest road conditions at www.cotrip.org.
• Fire restrictions are common throughout our valley in the summer months. Be proactive in understanding what stage restrictions we may be in and respect those restrictions. This may mean an evening without grilling burgers, camping without a fire, the inability to smoke a cigarette outside, and a favorite holiday without fireworks. www.pitkinemergency.org provides Fire Restriction Information. Even without fire restrictions, you should never throw smoking materials on the ground or out of vehicle windows, leave outdoor fires unattended, or light fireworks that explode or leave the ground.
• To see current air quality conditions in Aspen, please visit www.aspenairquality.com
Aspen has black bears. There are no grizzlies in our neck of the woods.
Bears • In the spring, summer and fall, when they’re not hibernating, Bears often come into downtown Aspen looking for sustenance, particularly during drought years when their food supply is scarce.
• Remove attractants by taking down bird feeders, cleaning grills, keeping pet food indoors, clearing fruit from trees and the ground, and locking home doors and windows so bears don’t get inside. It happens!
• Lock your trash. Make sure that trash receptacles are latched, secure, and bearresistant - it’s the law in Aspen and failure to comply can result in fines up to $1,000.
We are seeing an increase to the moose population. If you find yourself in the vicinity of a moose, back away slowly. Moose do not fear humans as much as most other wild animals, do not let this fool you.
• We also have a lion population. healthy mountain
A diverse array of animals live amongst us in the Elk Mountains. Bears, deer, elk, foxes, coyotes, moose and mountain lions are just some of large mammals you may hear about.
Aspen values recycling – please make note of the recycling & trash pick up times and be mindful of bear safety when placing the trash in the appropriate location.
• Moose view dogs as coyotes, which are a threat, and they will attack, which is why you should always keep your dog on a leash in common moose territory (which does include Smuggler Mountain Road).
Moose & Mountain Lions
» In the unlikely event you are confronted by a mountain lion – fight back! Cats don’t like to be challenged. Trash that Trash!
• Do not leave food in your car – bears are known to break windows to get to food. Believe it or not, they also know how to open car doors. While Aspen is not known for theft, it’s a good idea to lock your car doors to prevent bear damage.
Check out wildlivescolorado.org for moreWILDLIFEinformation.
Using alternative transportation is a recipe for frustration free movement PLUS it reduces your carbon footprint. We invite you to take part in the variety of transportation options we have to Checkoffer. out some of our public transit options below and choose the one that suits you best. When using a car, be mindful of the speed limit. Since we are so bike & walk friendly, there are many pedestrians out and about and they have the right of way, so be alert and mind that speed limit! ASPEN – FRIENDLY, BUT HARD TO PARK: RFTA Bus Service rfta.com We-Cycle Ride Share Bikes we-cycle.org Downtowner On-Demand Downtown Shuttle Service ridedowntowner.com/aspen Biking aspenchamber.org/explore/recreation/biking City of Aspen Parking Information cityofaspen.com/314/parking
Dogs •
HAPPY TRAILS –TRAIL ETIQUETTE
General Trail Etiquette: Who gets the right of way? Uphill hikers/bikers have the right of way of other hikers/bikers. Hikers have the right of way over bikers, and equestrians have right of way past both hikers and cyclists. Stay on the trail to avoid damaging vegetation. Stay out of wildlife closure areas and other areas closed to the public. When hiking in winter: Add stabilizers to your shoes give you more traction. Bikes Walk your bikes and e-bikes on the brick pedestrian malls. Ride with traffic (i.e. stay to the right side of the road) unless you are turning left or passing a fellow biker. Dogs must be leashed downtown and on all trails in Aspen and Pitkin Co. Open Space, including the pedestrian malls and the Rio Grande Trail, unless there is a noted exception. Dogs are allowed off-leash at Rio Grande and Wagner Parks, Marolt Open Space (and its pond which is open to dog swimming), as well as Smuggler Mountain Road. Pack out your dog poop. There are waste bags in a variety of convenient locations – so no excuses!
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WHETHER ASPEN IS MY HOME SWEET HOME, OR MY HOME AWAY FROM HOME:
Aspen is an inspiration. A community. A home. To not just extraordinary individuals, but to extraordinary natural spaces and wildlife. Here, ideas and art and progress are made possible by the endless inspiration found in nature. Here, our community is defined by all those who defy ordinary every single day. So take the Aspen pledge and commit to helping Aspen’s beautiful and unique community flourish for years to come. ACRA will be making a donation of $18.80 for each pledge signed, which honors the year Aspen was incorporated, 1880. Those signing the pledge can choose between the Independence Pass Foundation and Roaring Fork Outdoor Volunteers as the beneficiary organization. For the initial launch, ACRA has committed up to $50,000 in donations.
I WILL TRAVEL BY FOOT, BIKE, OR BUS WHEN I CAN, AND DRIVE CAREFULLY WHEN I CANNOT. I WILL HONOR THE HISTORY AND HERITAGE OF THOSE WHO WERE HERE BEFORE ME AND PRESERVE THE LAND FOR THOSEWHO COME AFTER ME. I WILL ACCEPT OUR DIFFERENCES AND CELEBRATE OUR DIVERSITY. I WILL BE KIND TO COMMUNITY MEMBERS OF EVERY KIND. I PLEDGE TO TAKE CARE OF THIS LITTLE PLACE CALLED ASPEN.
Join the mission: aspenchamber.org/pledge
I WILL EXPLORE RESPONSIBLY. I WILL PREPARE FOR ANY EXPERIENCE. I WILL FIND ADVENTURE, BUT NOT VENTURE OFF THE MARKED TRAILS. I WILL CARVE THE SNOW AND NOT THE TREES. I WILL GET LOST IN MY THOUGHTS, BUT NOT IN THE WOODS. I WILL REMAIN IN ONE PIECE BY LEAVING THE WILDLIFE IN PEACE. I WILL GO SIGHTSEEING WHILE LEAVING THE SITES WORTH SEEING.
THE ASPEN PLEDGE
