Location:

Located in Pitkin County, Aspen is nestled in the heart of the White River National Forest surrounded by the peaks of the Elk Mountain Range in the central Rocky Mountains.

History:

More than a century ago, silver prospectors braved the wilderness of the upper valley of the Roaring Fork River, entering a favorite summer hunting ground of the Ute Indians to discover one of the richest silver lodes in the world. In a few short years, Aspen’s silver mines would produce nearly $100 million of silver ore.

Aspen was founded in 1880. By the time the first ski runs were developed in the 1940s, the town already had a 60-year-old history marked by its surroundings, historic buildings and character. This establishment and the visionary guidance of community leaders in the 1940s and 1950s made Aspen an enclave for art, science and culture.

Access:

Aspen is in the southeastern end of the Roaring Fork Valley, 220 miles southwest of Denver and 130 miles southeast of Grand Junction.

Highway 82 is the major roadway leading in and out of Aspen connecting to Interstate I-70 at Glenwood Springs to the north and 12,095-foot Independence Pass to the south.

Another scenic route from Denver is 1-70 West to 91 South, through Leadville, to 24 South, then west onto Highway 82 over Independence Pass. (The Pass is open only from May through October.)

Altitude:

7,908 feet/ 2,422 meters at Aspen’s base elevation

Airline Access:

Aspen/Pitkin County Airport (ASE) is the local airport, located only three miles from downtown Aspen.

Aspen is served by United Airlines and American Airlines.

Aspen is a 30-minute flight from Denver International Airport (DEN) via United Express and American Airlines, or is a 3.5-hour, 220-mile drive from Denver.

There is also non-stop service from Los Angeles, San Francisco, Houston and Chicago on United Airlines as well as Dallas and Los Angeles on American Airlines.

On-demand air charter service is also available through Aspen Base Operation, the privately owned component of Aspen’s air transfer.

A popular air service alternative is Eagle County Airport (EGE) located 78 miles from Aspen.

Ground Transportation:

Colorado Mountain Express offers shuttle service from Denver International Airport and from Eagle County Airport. Colorado Limousine Service offers private limousine and Suburban service from all major airports in Colorado. VailCoach offers privately chauffeured transportation to Aspen from both Denver and Eagle airports as well.

Most hotels, shops and restaurants are within comfortable walking distance, and taxis, limos and hotel courtesy vans provide service to and from the Aspen airport and around town. The Roaring Fork Transit Authority (RFTA) provides extensive bus service between Aspen and Snowmass, as well as service to other Roaring Fork Valley communities including Basalt, El Jebel, Carbondale and Glenwood Springs. RFTA shuttles depart from the Rubey Park Transit Station, located on Durant Avenue at least twice per hour from 6 a.m. – 2:15 a.m. daily. Service is free around town and as far as the Aspen airport.

Size and Population:

Aspen spans 3.66 square miles.

Year-round population is approximately 6,000.

High-season population is approximately 27,000.

The average daily population in Aspen is 20,871. Generally, the heaviest days for visitation occur during July and early August.

Climate:

Characteristic of high altitudes with dry air, low humidity and intense sunshine, Aspen boasts an average of 300 days of sunshine annually.

In the spring, temperatures during the day range from 50 degrees to 70 degrees and drop to 40 degrees and below at night.

Summer weather is warm and dry with temperatures occasionally as high as 85 degrees during the day. Brief afternoon showers and thunderstorms are frequent. Evening temperatures may drop below 50 degrees.

The last two weeks of September and the first two weeks of October are noted for the intense fall foliage. Temperatures range from 60 to 70 degrees in the daytime, and evening temperatures range from 30 to 40 degrees.

 Lodging:

Approximately 75 lodging properties

Stay Aspen Snowmass is the official central reservations desk for Aspen and Snowmass. (www.stayaspensnowmass.com; 888.670.0788)

Fast Facts:

Restaurants/Bars: Approximately 130

Shops/Boutiques: Approximately 235

Grocery/Convenience Stores: 3

Dog friendly? Yes. Many lodges accept dogs.

Smoking regulations? Yes. In 2006, Colorado Governor Bill Owens signed the Colorado Clean Indoor Air Act, which bans smoking in public places, including restaurants and bars. Smoking is still allowed at The Cigar Bar in Aspen, a cigar-tobacco bar, exempt from the new law.

Additional Amenities:

Aspen Valley Hospital

Pharmacies – Carl’s Pharmacy

Recreation Centers (public) – Aspen Recreation Center, Red Brick Recreation Center

Golf course (public): Aspen Golf Course

Parks: 30

Skating rinks (public): Indoor rinks—Lewis Ice Arena and Aspen Ice Garden; outdoor rink—Silver Circle Ice Rink (seasonal)

Tennis court facilities (public): Numerous around town and Har-Tru courts at Aspen Golf and Tennis Club

Library: Aspen/Pitkin County Library is in the center of town and includes a children’s library on the lower level.

Fitness facilities: (public and private)

Soccer fields

Sand volleyball courts

Alpine gardens

Outdoor amphitheater

Open space

Recreational paths

Real Estate:

Total Value of Pitkin County real estate: $26.6 billion (2011 Pitkin County Assessor’s Office evaluation)

Average price of a single family home in Aspen: $1.31 million (according City-Data.com)