Aspen, Colorado Recognized Among 2024 Green Destinations Top 100 Stories

Green Destinations Top 100 Stories honors Aspen for third year in a row

ASPEN, Colo. (Oct. 23, 2024) – Aspen Chamber Resort Association (ACRA) today announces Aspen has been selected as part of the 2024 Green Destinations Top 100 Stories list. 2024 marks the third year in a row that Aspen has been honored as a Top 100 Story by Green Destinations. 

Every year the Green Destinations Top 100 Stories competition collects good practice stories from destinations all over the world to be shared as inspiring examples to others, from tourism professionals to travelers. By telling their stories, destination management organizations are acknowledged and recognized for the solutions they have implemented in response to challenges and problems to sustainable development they have faced. With the tourism sector facing very challenging times in the past years, the resiliency and hard work of these destinations to become more responsible should be celebrated.

“We are thrilled to receive this recognition from Green Destinations for a third year,” shared Eliza Voss, Vice President Destination Marketing for Aspen Chamber Resort Association (ACRA). “Following our Mountain IDEAL Certification this past summer, we are proud that Aspen continues to be recognized on a global scale for our sustainability efforts.”

The 2024 selection included Aspen with the story “Aspen’s Climate Commitment: Pioneering Sustainability in the Rockies,” which highlighted both the City of Aspen and ACRA’s commitment to addressing climate change via policies, programs, and initiatives that holistically address the community’s sources of greenhouse gas emissions (energy, buildings, transportation, and waste). The Good Practice Story highlighted four key programs that are helping the community reach its climate goals and realize a sustainable future: the Building IQ policy, organics diversion policy, electric vehicle strategy, and a new program, the Colorado Green Business Network of Aspen, that provides technical assistance and recognition to businesses in the community for sustainable practices.

• Building IQ: As of 2024 the BIQ program has benchmarked 36% of square footage in the Aspen community with a 100% compliance rate, giving building owners powerful, quality data and connecting them with technical assistance and available grants and rebates. Through partnership with the Community Office for Resource Efficiency (CORE), 10 buildings under the Building IQ program received $190,000 in funding for retrofit projects.
• Organics Diversion: The organic waste diversion ordinance, passed by Aspen City Council in February 2023, has resulted in a 70% increase in the amount of food waste kept out of the trash and made into compost, due to the participation and efforts of our restaurant community.
• Electric Vehicle Charging Strategy: As of October 2024, the City of Aspen has 23 charging plugs conveniently located around town in line with the Public Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Masterplan. New electric vehicles are added to the City of Aspen fleet each year which now includes 15 battery electric vehicles across multiple departments. 
• Colorado Green Business Network of Aspen (CGBN of Aspen): Launched in 2024 by the City of Aspen and ACRA, the CGBN of Aspen provides technical assistance and recognition to businesses working to integrate sustainability into their operations and practices.

Submissions were evaluated by the Green Destinations Top 100 Team, country experts and Green Destination Partners, coordinated by Green Destinations. The Top 100 Committee stresses that selection to the Top 100 list does not imply the destination is sustainable, but that the destination has been pre-selected based on a minimum level of compliance with the core criteria of the Green Destinations Standard and selected to the list based on the assessment of their Good Practice Story.

The competition is held under the auspices of the Top 100 Partnership, with special contributions by: Green Destinations, QualityCoast, ITB Berlin, Asian Ecotourism Network, Ecotourism Australia, DEL Turismo, Slovenia Green, Global Ecotourism Network and the Future of Tourism Coalition. 

The story “Aspen’s Climate Commitment: Pioneering Sustainability in the Rockies” and the whole 2024 Top 100 list is available on the Green Destinations website. For more information on the City of Aspen’s climate efforts, visit www.aspen.gov/climate.

About Aspen

Aspen, Colorado is an authentic, historic mountain town that is renowned for its year-round outdoor lifestyle, robust cultural calendar, and vibrant downtown ambiance. Aspen is defined by an urban feel that belies its small-town charm. An Aspen vacation is an experience that enriches the mind, body, and spirit, whether soaking in mountain beauty and over 200 days of annual sunshine or taking part in a favorite adventure. Located 18 miles west of Independence Pass, Aspen is nestled in the heart of the White River National Forest at the confluence of the Roaring Fork River, Hunter Creek, Maroon Creek, and Castle Creek, and encircled by the peaks of the Elk Mountain Range in the central Rocky Mountains. Aspen/Pitkin County Airport (ASE) is conveniently located only three miles from downtown Aspen. 

About ACRA

Aspen Chamber Resort Association (ACRA) is a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting Aspen’s business community and enhancing the visitor experience. ACRA is a unique blend of a traditional chamber of commerce and a visitors' and convention bureau made up of approximately 750+ local businesses, a strong, diverse board of directors, and a dedicated staff.  ACRA’s four departments which support the Aspen business community are Destination Marketing and Group Sales, Membership, Special Events, and Visitor Services. For more information visit www.aspenchamber.org or call 970-925-1940.

About Green Destinations

Green Destinations is the world's largest network of destinations committed to sustainability, supported by more than 50 program partners worldwide. Our goal is to support destinations in improving quality and sustainability based on the UN Sustainable Development Goals and globally agreed principles. Over 600 destinations and 400 businesses in 60 countries have already joined our programs. and 400 businesses. For more information visit our website: www.greendestinations.org. 

About Top 100 Green Destinations

The Top 100 competition recognizes and honors tourism destinations worldwide that are working toward more sustainable and responsible tourism practices. Each year, the competition invites destinations worldwide to submit their stories, showcasing how they address key challenges in environmental protection, social equity, cultural preservation, and economic viability in tourism. Visit our website: www.greendestinations.org/top-100-destinations/.