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.
We are also finalizing our annual Visitor Profile Survey, which this year includes specific questions about 2027 visitor awareness and travel planning intentions. Results are expected this spring.
ACRA is an active participant in Fly Aspen Snowmass, the coalition working on air service and ground transportation alternatives, and we have ongoing coordination with the City of Aspen, Pitkin County, Snowmass Tourism, and Aspen One toward a unified approach. The county-led Community Continuity Group brings together valley leaders from transportation, hospitality, arts, emergency management, and government. The group meets monthly, with subcommittees standing up quickly around two priority areas: ground transportation coordination and valley-wide communications alignment.
We are also tracking ground transportation options from Eagle County and Grand Junction Regional airports as part of that coordination effort.
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.
