The Aspen Times

People enjoy a summer day in downtown Aspen. Austin Colbert/The Aspen Times The results of the 2026 Pitkin County Community Survey were released Tuesday, with 85% of people rating Pitkin County as an excellent or good place to live. But affordability lagged behind, with just 8% saying there was ample affordable housing and only 6% giving high marks to the cost of living.

Aspen City Council considered the regulations of yard signs at a work session Monday, after they were offered the options of repealing the code regulating temporary signs and yard signs or amending the regulations of their time, place and manner. City council originally initiated and adopted Policy Resolution 118 Series of 2025 to consider amendments to the Land Use Code Section 26.510 (Signs) in September 2025.

The Frontiers of Knowledge symposium returns from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Aug. 23 at the Wheeler Opera House for a second year, with a new theme exploring “Consciousness in the Living World.” Speakers will explore animal minds, ecology, artificial intelligence, philosophy and how humans fit into the wider natural world. “This year, we dwell within the earthly realm by attending to the wisdom and intelligence of the animal kingdom.

Earlier this summer, we shared our company’s view of some of the challenges facing Aspen One, the ski industry and our community at large with a range of our elected officials — the Aspen City Council, Snowmass Village Town Council and Pitkin County Commissioners. In those forums, we discussed what those challenges might mean over the longer-term, and the need for faster action on issues like housing, congestion and affordability.

A nonprofit has acquired 262 acres of land accessing a lesser-known mountain in a range popular for its 14,000-foot peaks. The Conservation Fund Senior Field Representative Kelly Ingebritson said the national nonprofit plans to transfer the private land it purchased on Loveland Mountain in the Mosquito Range to the U.S. Forest Service. An existing trail brings hikers up the ridge of the about 13,700-peak, offering views of nearby 14ers.

Vail Resorts has announced its tentative opening dates for the 2026-2027 winter season, with five Colorado resorts slated to open in October and November, as long as weather permits. “While no one can predict exactly what Mother Nature will deliver, the possibility of blockbuster snowfall has us feeling optimistic about the winter ahead,” said Bill Rock, the president of Vail Resorts’ Mountain Division, in a recent press release.

Registration for Aspen Valley Ski and Snowboard Club’s recreational program, Aspen Supports Kids (ASK), will open Sunday, Aug. 23, at 5 p.m., giving local families the chance to sign up for winter programs before spots fill up. According to a press release, AVSC is known for their national and international-athletes from the Roaring Fork Valley, where many of them first discovered skiing and snowboarding through the recreational program.

The Snowmass Village Community Outreach Fund would like to extend its sincere appreciation to Clark’s Market in Snowmass Village for its generous donation of $4,347.35 through the Clark’s Cares program. We are especially grateful to Store Director Geoff Baker and the entire Clark’s Market team for supporting our mission and the Snowmass Village community. Clark’s Market served as our primary contributor this year, and its generosity will directly help local residents facing financial hardship.

New updates to a proposed 42-unit workforce housing development on Daly Lane were brought before the Snowmass Town Council and Planning Commission Monday. The applicant — the town of Snowmass Village and the Snowmass Village Community Foundation — initially presented a “Pre-Sketch” version of the plan back in March.

We would like to express our sincere appreciation for the professional and caring manner in which you have addressed the recent bat infestation situation at Building 3. From the moment the situation came to your attention, the response has demonstrated a genuine concern for the residents and a strong commitment to resolving the problem properly.