Aspen Pitkin County Airport

Aspen Snowmass is ready for visitors in 2027. As of summer 2026, we are aware that The Gant and Little Nell Hotels will be closed during the airport closure, all other hotels will be open for business. All annual special events are planned as usual.

Key Messaging Toolkit for Community & Business Use!

ACRA conducted a business and community preparedness survey garnering 271 responses from business owners, employees, full-time and part-time residents, and other stakeholders. While awareness of the closure is high, preparedness is still developing. About 43% of respondents reported feeling either completely or somewhat unprepared for the disruption ahead. We are using these findings to shape our programming and communications efforts.

Our Visitor Profile Survey included questions specific to the 2027 airport closure, results begin on page 104. 66% of visitor surveyed say the closure will have no impact on their plans to travel to Aspen.

As a result of the planned closure of Aspen/Pitkin County Airport (ASE) beginning in April 2027 for the reconstruction of the airport runway, Pitkin County assembled a Community Continuity Committee comprised of regional stakeholders to prepare for and mitigate the impacts of the closure on residents, visitors, businesses, and the local economy.

Within the larger Community Continuity Committee, two sub-committees were established: Transportation, and Communications & Marketing. Below are updates on work of the committees as of September 17, 2026.

ASE Closure Marketing & Communications Subcommittee:

• Comprised of representatives from Aspen One, Aspen Chamber Resort Association, Snowmass Tourism, City of Aspen, Basalt Chamber of Commerce and Pitkin County
• The group has met biweekly since early June 2026, participated in a community town hall in July, and has worked collaboratively to respond to presentation requests and inquiries into marketing activity for summer 2027
• All Tourism Partners (ACRA, Snowmass Tourism, Aspen One) are planning summer visitation campaigns targeting National, International and of course drive market visitation
• All tourism partners & Basalt Chamber will update individual websites as information is confirmed for ground transportation between regional airports and Aspen Snowmass in a “how to get here” type content page.
• All events are proceeding as scheduled
• Aspenchamber.org/airport contains resources for businesses to use similar language for their own communications.
  
  ASE Closure Transportation Subcommittee:
• Co-chaired by Kurt Ravenschlag, CEO of Roaring Fork Transportation Authority (RFTA) and Chris Miller SVP of Sustainability for Aspen One. With representatives from Aspen Chamber Resort Association, Fly Aspen Snowmass, Basalt Chamber, Town of Snowmass Village, City of Aspen, and Pitkin County.
• The group has met biweekly since early June 2026, participated in a community town hall in July, and has worked collaboratively to identify transportation strategies that will help maintain access to and from the Roaring Fork Valley during the airport closure.
• The sub-committee's recommendations focus on ensuring continuity of transportation services, minimizing traveler inconvenience, and providing clear and coordinated information to residents and visitors. Key recommendations include:
  • Establishing an airport shuttle service connecting the upper valley with Eagle County Regional Airport, including multiple stops throughout the valley to accommodate the anticipated increase in airline activity at Eagle Airport.
  • There were 2 viable responses submitted to the RFQ which was distributed in June which are being evaluated, with selection likely by the end of October.
  • Evaluating the feasibility of a direct shuttle service between the upper valley and Denver International Airport (DIA).
  • Identifying locations for overnight and long-term parking to support airport shuttle passengers.
  • Relocating the existing ASE rental car facility during the closure period.
  • Ensuring adequate rental car inventory at both the relocated rental car facility and Eagle Airport.
  • Developing a process to vet, coordinate, and promote private transportation providers, including limousine, taxi and shuttle services.
  • Coordinating local transit services with existing Bustang routes to facilitate better connections to Eagle, Grand Junction, and Denver.
  • Collaborating with CDOT and local jurisdictions to coordinate construction activities and minimize impacts on travelers.
  • Creating and maintaining a single, comprehensive source of information regarding all available transportation options for travel into and out of the Roaring Fork Valley during the airport closure.

ACRA is actively getting information to our members as it becomes available. Most recently, we hosted airport and county representatives at our Business Over Breakfast event to speak directly with the business community about the closure. Survey feedback made it clear that members want more of these opportunities to hear directly from project leaders, ask questions, and understand what to expect.

We are planning additional listening sessions and workshops focused specifically on closure preparedness. The goal is to provide a reliable, up-to-date source of information for both members and visitors.