A pedestrian bikes along a path at the Marolt Open Space in Aspen in 2023.
Ray K. Erku/The Aspen Times

Aspen’s open space is credited for defining the city’s character and making it a desirable place to live. 

To protect this essential asset, Aspen resident Barb Pitchford has launched a petition aiming to raise the threshold for voter approval required to make changes to open space use.

“It’s pretty simple actually,” Pitchford said. “Currently, if the city wants to change any uses to an open space or park, they have to bring it to a ballot vote. How the law is written, it only takes a simple majority. We want that to change to a firm majority.”

As it stands, the approval threshold is 50% plus one. Pitchford is concerned about how slim margins can impact the community, referencing the Lift One Corridor Project, which passed by only 26 votes in 2019, despite thousands of residents casting ballots. 

“People came out and voted; thousands of people voted,” she said. “It was pretty 50/50, except for 26 votes.” 

She questions whether such a narrow margin reflects the true will of the community. 

“It was that simple, and that’s why we want to change the deciding number of voters to change an open space or park use,” she added.

The Lift One Corridor Project aimed to revitalize Aspen’s historic ski area, extending from South Aspen Street and Dean Street to the base of Aspen Mountain’s Lift 1A. The redevelopment included plans for a new tele-mix lift, which would move the ski loading area closer to downtown near Dean Street and restore the base to its original 1946 location.

Aspen City Clerk Nicole Henning outlined the process for Pitchford’s petition, noting she will need nearly 340 signatures by Dec. 4. 

“I would verify the signatures, then the issue would go in front of City Council, possibly in early January,” Henning said. “It would be on the March ballot if everything is approved.”

Pitchford’s efforts have garnered support from Aspen City Council member Bill Guth, who emphasized the unique value of Aspen’s open space. 

“Most of us use our open space in different ways, but the common thread is that we all use them and treasure them,” Guth said. “Our Parks Department and the services and facilities, amenities are some of the most appreciated, and we need to be good stewards of them.”

One focal point in the open space debate is the Marolt Open Space, especially regarding the Eqntrance to Aspen. The 1998 Record of Decision (ROD) for the entrance to Aspen, which suggests routing Colorado Highway 82 across Marolt Open Space to a second Castle Creek Bridge, remains a point of division in the community. 

Guth highlighted the unique recreational opportunities in Marolt Open Space, saying, “There is walking, hiking, a community garden, and cross-country skiing, just to name a few.”

He added that Marolt’s value extends beyond recreation. 

“When you first drive into Aspen, you are not driving into this dense, suburban, semi-urban enclave,” he said. “The first thing you see when driving into Aspen proper is this beautiful field. Even if you’ve never stepped foot on it, just it being there is really important.”

Mayor Torre also supports preserving Aspen’s Open Space, acknowledging its role in the city’s allure and success. 

“There are many things that make Aspen unique, but one of them is the natural environment,” he said. “All you have to do is look 360 degrees around, and you can see that.”

Torre sees potential for compromise in balancing community growth and preservation. 

“Respecting the open space, natural surroundings, and natural settings for the intrinsic values that it has is paramount to the Aspen way of life,” he said. 

He mentioned a “modified-split-shot route,” proposing a single bus lane and general traffic lane in and out of town, with inbound traffic lanes going around Marolt Open Space and over a second Castle Creek Bridge.

City Council is set to open a new Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) through the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) sometime soon, which will allow for further evaluation of entrance to Aspen options, including a new, existing Castle Creek Bridge and a possible second Castle Creek Bridge, either around or through the Marolt Open Space. 

Pitchford’s petition aligns with the approach Torre envisions. 

“What I am looking for are solutions that enhance and protect the Marolt Open Space,” Torre said. 

While he remains undecided on requiring a 50% plus one or a 60% voter approval for open space changes, he believes any adjustments should prioritize public input.