HomeMy WebLinkAboutresolution.council.003-22RESOLUTION # 03
(Series of 2022)
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ASPEN, COLORADO,
ADOPTING A 2022 REGIONAL, STATE AND FEDERAL POLICY AGENDA
WHEREAS there has been submitted to the City Council a 2022 Regional, State and
Federal Policy Agenda, a true and accurate copy of which is attached hereto as Exhibit "A";
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
ASPEN, COLORADO:
That the City Council of the City of Aspen hereby approves that 2022 Policy Agenda, a
copy of which is annexed hereto and incorporated herein and does hereby authorize the Mayor or
City Manager to approve said policy agenda on behalf of the City of Aspen.
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INTRODUCED, READ AND ADOPTED by the City Council of the City of Aspen on the
o444-�' 2022. 7�
TORRE, Mayor
I, Nicole Henning, duly appointed and acting City Clerk do certify that the foregoing is a
true and accurate copy of that resolution adopted by the City Council of the City of Aspen,
Colorado, at a meeting held on the day hereinabo ted.
4.
Nicole Henning, Cio Clerk
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CITY OF ASPEN - 2022 POLICY AGENDA
CITY COUNCIL
Torre, Mayor
Torre@aspen.gov
(970) 948-2023
Skippy Mesirow
Skippy.Mesirow@aspen.gov
(847) 530-0811
CITY MANAGER
Ward Hauenstein, Mayor Pro -Term
Ward.Hauenstein@aspen.gov
(970) 948-3858
John Doyle
John.Doyle@aspen.gov
(970) 948-6251
Sara G. Ott
Sara.Ott@aspen.gov
(970) 920-5083
Rachel Richards
Rachel. Richards@aspen.gov
(970) 710-1038
SR. PARALEGAL
Tara Nelson
Tara.Nelson@aspen.gov
970-920-5059
Mailing Address:427 Rio Grande, Aspen, CO 81611 Website: www.cityofaspon.gov/1276/Policy-!agenda
CITY OF ASPEN - 2022 POLICY AGENDA
0 N T E No T
PURPOSE OF THE POLICY AGENDA 4
PRINCIPLES ('not in any particular order of preference)
5
DELIVER QUALITY ESSENTIAL SERVICES
6
ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY
6
LANDS & NATURAL RESOURCES
7
HEALTH, HOUSING & HUMAN SERVICES
7
SERVICE INTEGRATION & COLLABORATION
8
LOCAL CONTROL
8
FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY
8
DELIVER ASPEN AREA COMMUNITY PLAN THEMES
9
INCLUSION AND EQUITY
10
ELECTIONS
10
PRIORITIES ('not in any particular order of preference)
11
AFFORDABLE HOUSING
12
CLIMATE ACTION AND RESOURCE CONSERVATION
13
PUBLIC LANDS - NATURAL RESOURCES, WILDLIFE, PARKS, RECREATION
14
PUBLIC HEALTH & SAFETY
15
TELECOMMUNICATIONS
16
WATER AVAILABILITY & CONSERVATION
16
RIVER HEALTH
17
EARLY CHILDHOOD
17
RENEWABLE ENERGY
18
REGIONALISM
18
TRANSPORTATION
19
PROCESS
20
WHO'S WHO - OUR LEGISLATORS
20-21
DISTRICT MAPS AND DISTRICT NUMBERS
22-23
CITY OF ASPEN - 2022 POLICY AGENDA
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The purpose of the City of Aspen's 2021 Regional, State and Federal Policy Agenda (hereinafter "Policy Agenda") is to inform city advocacy
on policy decisions that have the potential to significantly impact 81611 and surrounding jurisdictional boundaries. This includes legislative
decisions that may be made by the Colorado General Assembly or the U.S. Congress. It also includes various non -legislative decisions
that can be opined at the federal, state and regional levels, including but not limited to those before Colorado agencies (i.e., Air Quality
Control Commission, Public Utilities Commission, Department of Transportation, Department of Regulatory Affairs), federal agencies (i.e.,
Environmental Protection Agency, Department of Transportation, the Federal Communications Commission), regional governments (i.e.,
Regional Transportation District) and intergovernmental coalitions (i.e., Colorado Municipal League, Mountain Pact, Colorado Communities
for Climate Action, Climate Mayors, Northwest Colorado Council of Governments, Colorado Association of Ski Towns, Water Quality/
Quantity Committee, Elected Officials Transportation Committee)
The City offers the Policy Agenda as a guideline to regional, state and federal policy leaders for reference when considering decisions
impacting the City of Aspen. This agenda was developed in advance of the 2022 Colorado General Assembly. With the coordination of the
Sr. Paralegal, policy team staff and the City Manager, it will be used by individual City Council members and city staff to inform city positions
taken on specific bills once these legislative sessions begin. At that point. Council may consider adopting amendments to the Policy Agenda
to address specific bills that have been proposed.
Council may revisit the Policy Agenda at any point. It may do so as a body or with the Policy Advisor fellow as no intergovernmental affairs
committee exists. City Manager has created this position for the purpose of convening on an ad hoc basis as necessary when one or more of
the following circumstances exist:
1. There is an immediate need for council members to participate with staff in developing a strategy to advance or defeat a proposed
policy which is clearly addressed by the City's Policy Agenda or other council -approved policy documents, or
2. A decision is expected to be made on regional, state or federal policy that affects a matter which council has previously provided
general direction on and that could significantly impact the city, but which council did not provide sufficient specific direction on (either
through its Policy Agenda or other approved policy documents) and with timing that will not allow for council direction to be obtained.
In these limited situations, the City Manager and Senior Paralegal may discuss such policy proposals so that the city can advocate
accordingly. Council is to be informed whenever such direction has been provided and may choose to subsequently revisit such
direction.
Modifications to this Policy Agenda require consistency, when applicable, with the criteria listed below:
1. Uniformity with current city council goals, community expectations and Aspen Area Community Plan;
2. Impact on our citizens general health, safety & welfare;
3. Expected relevance in the upcoming or present state and federal legislative sessions;
4. Uniqueness of issue or impact to the City of Aspen and/or to our regional partners;
5. Viability or likelihood of achieving goal weighed with importance of beginning to address/highlight critical issues;
6. Opportunity for providing funding for City of Aspen or its community partners; and,
7. Availability of metrics of success that would allow the position to be deleted from future agendas if achieved
This policy agenda recognizes circumstances arise wherein a City Council member may be a lone representative of an organization and must
address and/or vote on a policy position on the spot. Departures from these criteria are made in unique circumstances as determined by
council, such as when adoption of a city position is important to support its regional partners, even while the policy in question is otherwise
of limited consequences to the city. Further, departures may broaden our approach for advocacy with policies that align with our values and
intention for our state and nation even when they are benign towards Aspen or may disadvantage Aspen for a larger good or shared goal.
This policy agenda further recognizes that Aspen may look at how affiliations and like- minded organizations may take position on certain
pieces of legislation. Aspen will strive to take position with the recognition that it is unique, and although guidance from interest groups and
Colorado Municipal League may be sought, there are times where our position may not be consistent or aligned.
The City welcomes the opportunity to discuss the Policy Agenda. Please direct any questions to Tara Nelson.
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PRINCIPALS
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CITY OF ASPEN - 2022 POLICY AGENDA
-Deliver Quality
=: Essential Services
The City urges Congress and the
General Assembly to expand resources
for those essential services that serve
the city's most vulnerable, including
childcare assistance, access to affordable
health care, mental health and addiction
services, and protect the community and
the environment. As identified in the
Aspen Area Community Plan, the City
of Aspen's intent is to ensure a broad
visitor base over the long-term, bolstering
the sustainability of our visitor -based
industry. In addition, this plan calls for
more aggressive measures to ensure that
the commercial sector provides essential
products and services, and to ensure
balance between a local -serving and
visitor -oriented commercial sector. We
foster policy to facilitate the sustainability
of essential businesses that provide basic
community needs. It is apparent that
gaps still exist in the provision of essential
services including adequate housing and
health care options for all community
residents. We value a collaborative
approach to finding creative, sustainable
solutions. As a principle, we are guided
by professional, legal and community
standards that provide opportunities
for people of all ages and abilities to
achieve a higher quality of life through:
self-reliance, public safety, health and well-
being, education and lifelong learning.
Environmental
Sustainability
The City of Aspen maintains its commitment to
promote environmental stewardship and lead
climate action efforts throughout the Roaring
Fork Valley and beyond. We will continue to
advance policy that supports our ability to
protect our unique local environment, conserve
resources and deliver a sustainable future for
all. We will investigate and support efforts and
policies that offset and reduce greenhouse gas
(GHG) emissions in meaningful and measurable
ways as well as those that reduce waste through
prevention and diversion. We support policies
that reduce pollution from resource extraction
activities on public lands that have local and
regional impacts to our air quality, water quality
and GHG emissions. Aspen's Climate Action
Plan (CAP) is the community's roadmap for
reducing GHG emissions in Aspen and is used
to inform which strategies and policies should be
pursued by the City to further the mitigation of
climate change.
CITY OF ASPEN - 2022 POLICY AGENDA
Lund & Natural Resources
The City of Aspen has established a dynamic natural resource program that encompasses both the urban
forest and the surrounding natural resources. With over i,ioo acres of open space being 'locally secured'
and protected by taxpayer funded acquisitions situated within a county comprised of thousands of acres of
Federal BLM and Forest Service lands, we are committed to preserving and protecting these vital resources
as well as enhancing our natural surroundings. We work to preserve open spaces for recreational use,
wildlife habitat, scenic view planes and sustainment of our agricultural heritage; protect water sources and
ensure a sustainable water supply; protect air quality and water quality to reduce impacts to residents; and
support programs and funding for equitable access to public space and services.
;i Health, Housing & Human Services
Aspen is dedicated to supporting and sustaining healthy communities that strengthen individuals and
families while providing reasonable health and human services for anyone who calls the Aspen area home.
We will strengthen the quality of life and well-being for all people in our community by practices that
provide and promote opportunities in housing through the lens of policy that expands access and aids in
inclusion and equity regionally and statewide. We strive to advance the framework for jobs and access to
services, such as education, public safety and health through all phases of life. We value a collaborative
approach to finding creative, sustainable solutions and are guided by professional, legal and community
standards in providing opportunities for people of all ages and abilities to achieve a higher quality of life
through:
• Self Reliance: We must work together to help each person in our community meet basic needs and
remain self-sufficient to the greatest extent possible.
• Public Safety: We must continue to ensure that our safety services (police, sheriff, fire, child and adult
protection, Mountain Rescue and emergency response, etc.) are efficient, effective, accessible and
coordinated.
• Health and Well -Being: We must encourage the highest level of personal health for everyone in our
community through programs that encourage healthy lifestyles, reduce risks and create access to
quality health care regardless of age, income or ability. Local and regional public health agencies, local
boards of health, providers and non -profits must work together to ensure community -wide access to a
comprehensive set of health services.
• Education and Lifelong Learning: We must work together to ensure educational opportunities are
available to all members of our community
CITY OF ASPEN - 2022 POLICY AGENDA
Service Integration
Q _....& Collaboration
City of Aspen aims to ensure effective use
of taxpayer funds and successful outcomes
through efficient service delivery and integration
of public programs and services. To increase
efficiency and effectiveness, City of Aspen
engages in and strongly supports collaborative
efforts within city departments and with
partner agencies and organizations in the local
community, regionally, and state-wide.
Local Control
As a home rule municipality, the City of Aspen
believes the authority to address issues that
pertain to the city must reside within. Local
governments are best suited to identify
solutions to local issues particularly regarding
the services provided and land use decisions
we make. Local authority also includes the
flexibility to determine use of funding locally
and precludes unfunded mandates from the
state or federal government.
` Fiscal Responsibility
r i
City of Aspen budgeting reflects a priority
on high -quality government services through
six strategic focus area being:
• Community engagement
• Fiscal health & economic vitality
• Smart customer -focused government
• Environmental protection
• Safe, lived-in community of choice
• Development of publicly funded
housing, including broader support
and involvement in the creation of
non -mitigation affordable housing,
public- private partnerships
• City of Aspen believes it is critical to
the health of our economy to address
the state revenue structure that
restricts the state's ability to respond to
changing economic conditions, including
the Taxpayer Bill of Rights (TABOR),
Amendment 23, and the Gallagher
Amendment.
CITY OF ASPEN - 2022 POLICY AGENDA
M0,` D04liver Aspen Area
I
i_ Community Plan Themes
We are committed to revitalizing and sustaining the underpinning of our thriving community, the
Aspen Idea. Our vision, map and plan of action for achieving goals rests with our Aspen Area
Community Plan (AACP). We strive to encourage collaboration among non-profit organizations,
local government, local businesses and individuals while fostering greater inclusivity and
participation in cultural events amongst the spectrum of community residents and visitors while
supporting activities and infrastructure, both social and physical, that enable and sustain the
Aspen Idea.
Implementing the themes of the 2012 AACP will require collaboration and cooperation among
public sector agencies, businesses, private non -profits, local institutions and the general public.
We are committed to:
• Revitalizing and sustaining the Aspen Idea
• Achieving sustainable land use practices that support a healthy year-round community and a
thriving, vibrant visitor -based economy
• West of Castle Creek Corridor area should provide a transition from rural expanses of
Pitkin County to urbanized atmosphere of downtown Aspen
• Providing an efficient, multi -modal and integrated transportation system that reduces
congestion and air pollution
• A strong and diverse year-round community and a viable and healthy local workforce are
fundamental cornerstones for the sustainability of the Aspen area community
• Aspen will be a local, regional, state and national leader in all aspects of environmental
stewardship
• Preserving our historic resources differentiates us a community and contributes to our
long-term cultural awareness and sustainability as a community
• Strengthen the quality of life and well-being for all people in our community by providing or
promoting opportunities in housing, jobs and access to services, such as education, public
safety and health through all phases of life
• Supporting programs and policies that promote affordable housing locally, regionally and at
the state level
CITY OF ASPEN • 2022 POLICY AGENDA
V1_.";'.Inclusion & Equity y
L__J
The City of Aspen is committed to
creating an inclusive and equitable
community. By "inclusive", we mean that
we strive to give all people a place at the
table as we engage in the processes to
consider policies and make decisions
toward our shared future. We will work
to ensure that everyone, regardless of
identity, feels welcome and is able to
contribute to, and enjoy, the vibrancy
of the community. By "equitable", we
mean that the outcomes of our inclusive
processes aim to create conditions
where all people, especially historically
marginalized groups, have full and equal
access to the opportunities and resources
necessary to thrive in the community. We
will identify and remove any structural
inequities in our city policies, land
use regulations, city charter, or other
governing documents. In this commitment,
we are affirming that our individual
and collective diversity in gender, race,
ethnicity, religion, national origin, age,
sexual orientation, gender identify,
citizenship status, education, disability,
socio-economic status, or any other
identify is a valuable asset to Aspen's
present and future. Accordingly, we will
support policies and efforts that have the
potential to increase, promote, achieve
and foster inclusivity and equity in Aspen
and the great Roaring Fork Valley region.
-Elections
The City of Aspen conducts municipal
elections on the first Tuesday of March
in 2019, and biennially thereafter, and
special elections as required by the citizen
(or Council) initiative process. The City
of Aspen has full faith and trust in the
elections of Colorado and is committed to
conducting a clear, legal and trustworthy
city and county election. However, the
validity of our vote can be deteriorated
by other states when it comes to final
selection of the Senate and the Congress.
Steps need to be taken to ensure
quality civic dialogue. The City supports
efforts at a state, regional and national
level that strengthen our democracy,
including but not limited to, increasing
transparency, reducing or eliminating
corruption, campaign finance reform,
reducing or eliminating money in politics,
gerrymandering and redistricting, open
primaries, voter enfranchisement, process
improvements such as mail -in ballots,
steps that encourage voter participation
and increase voter choice, and additional
mechanisms to protect election integrity.
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Affordable Climate Action Public Lands - Public Health
Housing and Resource Natural Resources, & Safety
Conservation Wildlife, Parks,
Recreation
MB
Telecommunications Water Availability River Health Early Childhood
& Conservation
Renewable Energy Regionalism Transportation
The following are the City of Aspen's priorities for the 2022 legislative session, NOT including references to legislation
that will be introduced in the General Assembly. City staff will closely monitor active legislation introduced in these
areas as well as request regional support for bills that pertain and have interest to us.
CITY OF ASPEN - 2022 POLICY AGENDA
QAffordable Housing
This policy area includes deed restricted and free market owner -occupied and rental housing
units which house Aspen and Pitkin County residents whose annual income is up to 2409% of
AMI. Affordable housing is essential to the economic and social health and sustainability of
the City of Aspen. The City of Aspen is focused on the provision of quality affordable housing
to ensure the continued viability of the community. As such, the City advocates for State and
Federal policies and regulations which support its affordable housing program, including:
• State laws respecting home -rule authority and permitting municipal government to raise
revenue and budget for the development of affordable housing to meet local demand;
• State laws which enable local government to acquire or dedicate land for the development
of affordable housing;
• Increased federal and state funding for affordable housing tax credits, vouchers, subsidies
and other financial tools to support the development of affordable housing;
• Federal and state funding assistance for housing authorities to support the development
and management of affordable housing.
• Support for local government's ability to regulate, manage or generate alternative sources
Of funding for affordable housing, including public -private partnerships
CITY OF ASPEN - 2022 POLICY AGENDA
.y
Climate Action and
^;Resource Conservation
Climate change is leaving an indelible mark on Colorado and threatens the quality of life of residents.
The City of Aspen's Climate Action Office identifies our city as one that is dependent on a stable climate
and the maintenance of natural resources for a thriving economy. Aspen is committed to reducing
GHG emissions through programming and policy in the following categories: low and zero emissions
transportation, waste reduction, energy reduction in buildings, and advocating for state and federal
regulations that support GHG emissions reductions. We support climate change preparedness, adaptation
and resiliency efforts, the Colorado GHG Pollution Reduction Roadmap, as well as more aggressive goals
and regulations that would require the state and country as a whole to reduce GHG Emissions. Aspen's
local CAP identifies the actions necessary to achieve a sustainable future for our community. Last released
and updated in 2017, the CAP maintains our ambitious reduction targets and refocuses our commitment to
Aspen's future. The City works in collaboration with Colorado Communities for Climate Action (CC4CA)
to address the legislation that the City expects to focus the bulk of its resources and political capital
on regarding climate action. CC4CA is a coalition of local governments across the state that work to
strengthen state and federal climate policy.
The City also engages with other coalitions, such as The Mountain Pact and Climate Mayors, to advance
climate change mitigation and resiliency efforts at the regional and federal levels. Aspen is committed
to resource conservation through the elimination of single use items, converting organic material into
compost, increased recycling education, and diverting construction and demolition materials away
from landfills. Per the AACP, Aspen supports policies which will promote resource conversation by
these methods. The City of Aspen understands that greenhouse gas emissions, including methane and
carbon dioxide, are produced from numerous sources, including those sources and activities not directly
controlled by the City of Aspen. One such source of warming causing emissions is abandoned coal mines
located across the west. The City of Aspen supports the activities necessary to reduce, capture and
eliminate the vast amounts of methane gas that is emitted from regional coal mines and the partners and
organizations leading and contributing to that work.
Furthermore, we support the preservation and expansion of local governments' ability to engage in
climate action efforts that include local and multi -city commitments. These partnerships and affiliations
leverage successes at the state, national, and international level and create further value for our
community and others.
CITY OF ASPEN - 2022 POLICY AGENDA
Public Lands -
Natural Resources, Wildlife, Parks, Recreation
Pitkin County is 88% public land. Those lands provide essential resources, landscapes, and recreation
opportunities which support the health and sustainability of our community, economy, and ecosystems.
The proper management of public lands mitigates community impacts from natural disasters, ensures
these lands support ecological health and biodiversity, provides diverse recreation opportunities, and
supports commercial and conservation uses. Given Aspen's proximity to public lands, dependence on
those lands for community sustainability, and prioritization of climate and environmental action, the City
advocates for policies and regulations which deliver the following:
• Proactive forest management and wildfire mitigation which reduces threats from wildfire at the
Wildland-Urban Interface and provides resources for wildland fire mitigation and management;
• Federal lands management rooted in best practices and which balances recreation development and
commercial uses with conservation ensuring the long-term health and biodiversity of public lands;
• Federal lands policy and regulatory processes focused on public engagement and input,
collaboration, responsiveness, and adaptation to local needs and conditions;
• Recreation management focused on habitat preservation, user experience, diversity of travel and
access opportunities, and the sustainable management of existing resources.
• Extremely limited support for transfer of public lands to the states in cases where public access and
public benefit remain unchanged
• Adequate funding for Colorado Avalanche Information Center and overall adequate funding for
Forest Service and emergency agencies enacting and removing fire fuels, load mitigation, campsite
restoration and maintenance
CITY OF ASPEN - 2022 POLICY AGENDA
Safety .Public Health& Sa ty
Providing for these quality of life factors is one of the core functions of municipal government. Community
policing, safe drinking water, clean clear air, and a healthy environment, development regulations, safe
transportation, and parks, recreation and open space programs are essential elements of a health
community. The City of Aspen is dedicated to providing these community services. The City is focused on
advocating for policies and regulations which assist in providing the services essential to a healthy, safe
community, including:
• Federal and state policies supporting community policing, intervention, prevention, public health, and
rehabilitation programs which support local control of public safety and health outcomes;
• Financial and policy support for inter -governmental coordination in the provision of public safety and
health services and programs;
• Local control over land use and development regulations which guarantee Aspen's ability to implement
planning, zoning, and design controls on the built environment, and assess impact fees and other
exactions on development activities to deliver community goods and off -set the impacts from
development;
• Regulatory and financial support for the conservation of lands and provision of recreation services to
support public and environmental health;
• As members of the Western slope and residents of rural Colorado, a less populated side of Colorado,
we would like to see equitable distribution of resources needed to protect our community health and
safety
• In the event of an epidemic, pandemic, crisis or future public health concern, ensure medical services
are equally accessible to everyone.
(NI
°} Telecommunications
Like transportation, water, sewer, and
energy services, telecommunications
infrastructure is an essential public utility.
The 21st Century economy relies on
fast, reliable, accessible, and affordable
telecommunications services. As a rural
community, Aspen and its surrounding
area are underserved by private
telecommunications providers, particularly
widely accessible high-speed broadband
access. Aspen is focused on ensuring
that telecommunications infrastructure is
responsibility deployed and managed to
mitigate impacts to community aesthetics,
public health, and public property
while providing accessible, reliable
telecommunications utility services.
Aspen supports policies and regulations
which:
• Support the development of
municipally owned or managed
telecommunications utilities
infrastructure and franchises, including
cellular and broadband services;
• Oppose federal or state preemption
of municipal control over access
to and regulation of infrastructure
and development within public
rights -of -way and the preemption of
imposition of design controls over
utilities infrastructure;
• Ensure equitable and affordable
access to high-speed, quality mobile
and broadband telecommunications
services
Water Availability
& Conservation
Providing a safe, legal and reliable water
supply to the City's water customers
is necessary for supporting a vibrant
community. Water, especially in the West, is
a precious resource that must be diligently
protected. The City promotes the efficient
management of water through:
• Long-range planning efforts to identify
future water needs and projects;
• Legal strategies that protect the city's
water rights;
• Conservation programs that promote
efficient water use;
• Coordinated responses for drought
management;
• Participation in State-wide efforts to
manage water resources to the benefit of
Colorado communities, especially on the
West Slope;
• Recognition of the importance of water
storage in providing a reliable water
supply. With less than a day's worth of
storage, Aspen is especially vulnerable to
disruptions in the water supply.
CITY OF ASPEN - 2022 POLICY AGENDA
-'River Health
Like all of our natural environment, our local
rivers are some of the community's greatest
assets and the reason many people choose
to visit or make the Aspen area their home.
Our rivers provide for a high quality life;
support recreational, real estate, and tourism
economies; and provide our downstream
neighbors with drinking water. The health of
these rivers remains of highest importance to
our citizens and is identified in several guiding
documents for the City, including the Aspen
Area Community Plan and the Ecological Bill
of Rights. As such, the City is committed to
making choices and implementing programs
that protect, preserve, and promote river
health now and into the future, and is focused
on advocating for policies and regulation which
deliver the following:
Watershed and water resources protection
and/or enhancement;
Local control over water resources projects
and regulations that have the potential to
impact the quality or quantity of water in
the Roaring Fork watershed;
Local control over land use and
development regulations which guarantee
Aspen's ability to implement planning,
zoning, and design controls on the built
environment, and assess impact fees and
other exactions on development activities
to deliver environmental protection and
off -set the impacts from development
A Early Childhood
B C
Early childhood education is a pressing issue
that has the potential of providing infrastructure
for or holding back a thriving economy. When
parents who want to work can't fully participate,
we hurt ourselves. Childcare is difficult to find,
especially infant care, forcing many families
to use less desirable care, work less, delay
returning to work, or leave the community.
Childcare is expensive, often costing a family
more than housing. The rising cost of childcare
has dampened women's employment by 13 %
for those with children under age 5• Childcare
is a 3-legged stool: a functioning system that
supports families and children requires investing
in affordability, accessibility and high quality. If
a childcare proposal focuses only on bolstering
one leg, the others will grow weaker under the
pressure. More childcare spots won't necessarily
mean parents can afford them. More money for
parents won't help address quality or access.
The City of Aspen advocates for:
• An early childhood education comprehensive
plan that addresses high quality, access, and
affordability.
• Paid Family Leave that benefits children,
families, and the community
• Labor and workforce recognition and support
for the needs of families with young children
• Workforce development in early care and
education field, including scholarships,
training programs, and assessment and
coaching support
CITY OF ASPEN - 2022 POLICY AGENDA
cRenewable Energy
Aspen has long -supported efforts to minimize reliance on fossil fuels. In 2015 the City became the 3rd
City in the nation to provide l00% renewable energy to its customers. Aspen continues to support
efforts by other communities to reduce reliance on fossil fuels. Aspen should continue to develop and
invest in energy resiliency. New and creative options such as storage, local renewable energy generation,
and other emerging technologies should be explored to address community needs, enhance energy
choices, and respond to emergency preparedness on our local scale.
4� Regionalism
By exploring innovative and collaborative ways to close the gaps and meet demands, the City government
plays an important leadership role in the ethic of community. Regional and multi -jurisdictional cooperation and
collaboration enhances our quality of life. The City of Aspen engages in and strongly supports collaborative
efforts within city departments and with partner agencies and organizations in the local community, regionally,
and state-wide. The City of Aspen supports statewide legislation that would encourage, but is not limited to:
• Cooperation amongst community including affordable housing goals
• Proposals that recognize the range of impacts and advocate for reform
• around short term rentals in our community
• Health and well being
• Trails & Open space systems and acquisitions
• Adequate funding for Colorado transportation needs
• Healthy rivers and streams
• Early childhood education funding
• Fiscal funding for K-12 education
• Emergency Plans / Public Safety / Emergency Response
• Public Lands / Forest Management / Wildfire Mitigation
• Broadband
• Post COVID-19 recovery efforts
• Legislation that affects and relates to elections: ensuring enfranchisement, campaign finance reform,
increased civic and voter participation, and that elections remain fair, open, accessible and honestly run for
all registered voters
• Improvement of government transparency and accountability
CITY OF ASPEN - 2022 POLICY AGENDA
Transportation
The City of Aspen is a leader in Transportation Demand Management, actively supporting programs,
services and infrastructure that promote the use of transit, cycling, walking and shared mobility over
single occupant vehicle travel. We support commuter fringe benefits that encourage transit, bicycle,
walk and other non-SOV transportation modes and oppose fringe benefits for parking and others that
encourage SOV travel for commute trips. As new transportation technologies and services emerge and
evolve (e.g.: dockless mobility, autonomous vehicles, etc.) the City of Aspen supports efforts to maintain
the authority for local regulation of these services. The City supports efforts aimed at regulating the
share mobility industry to ensure safety, equity, data sharing, customer privacy and fair treatment of
employees. We support new transportation funding for:
• projects that maintain existing infrastructure and that are multimodal in design, legislation that
encourages "complete streets" that accommodate people using all modes of travel
• policies that support increased transportation funding for both ongoing and new transit planning
efforts, transit operations, clean transit vehicles and safe transit infrastructure that reduce the reliance
on single occupant vehicle travel
• innovative multi -modal projects including bicycle, pedestrian and first/ last mile services
• for demonstration or "sandbox" projects that provide the opportunity to test emerging technologies
• resort communities for recognizing that the needs of a commuting public and the importance of a
tourism economy are directly tied to transportation improvements and reduction in traffic congestion.
• encouragement of a balanced state transportation policy that addresses the need to maintain and
expand roadway, bicycle, pedestrian, transit, carpool/ vanpool and demand management options to
improve Colorado's transportation system including preservation of the constitutional requirement
that highway user revenues be used for the construction, maintenance and supervision of the public
highways and bridges of the state
• legislation that enables and encourages the cleanest, most efficient possible technology for both
private vehicles as well as public transit vehicles while preserving local control over regulation and
local implementation
CITY OF ASPEN - 2022 POLICY AGENDA
U.) tPv 100, 11 i -
To be most effective with our voice it is vital to establish a line of communication with our
affiliated district representatives. This direct method will help us be most successful with our
pertinent goals and where we can provide the most assistance.
LEGISLATIVE DELEGATION
U.S. CONGRESSWOMAN
LAUREN BOEBERT -
3RD DISTRICT
Phone: (970) 208-046o Grand Junction office
Mike Curto, General Counsel
Mike.Curto@mail.house.gov
(202) 870-6151
Colorado Congressional Districts (Final Approved Plan)
O1st Congressional Dlatncl
2nd Congressional District
3rd Congressional Diatrkt
O!Ih Congressional DlsMct
Osat Congressional Distrct
lith Congressional District
Ttlt Congressional District
Sth Congressional District
Map promed by Colorado Indowdera Reduelcong CAmraeegne Sat
Septemesr24 2021.
CITY OF ASPEN - 2022 POLICY AGENDA
U.S. SENATOR
MICHAEL F. BENNET
www.bennet.senate.gov
Phone: (970) 243-3936 Grand Junction office
Hilary Henry, Regional Rep (970) 782-8020
Hilary-Henry@bennet.senate.gov
U.S. SENATOR
JOHN HICKENLOOPER
Washington, DC 20510
www.Iiickenlooper.senate.gov
Janeth N. Stancle, Regional Rep
Phone: (970) 342-3150
Janetli-St,)ncle@hickeiilooper.senate.gov
hickenlooper.senate.gov
CITY OF ASPEN - 2022 POLICY AGENDA
REP. JULIE MCCLUSKIE
STATE HOUSE DISTRICT 61
Email: julie.mccluskie.house@state.co.us
Phone: (303) 866-2952
Colorado House Districts Statewide - Final Approved Plan
Denver Metro Area
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CITY OF ASPEN - 2022 POLICY AGENDA
SENATOR
KERRY DONOVAN
STATE SENATE DISTRICT 5
Email: kerry.donovan.senate@state.co.us
Phone: (303) 866 -4871
" Colorado Senate Districts Statewide - Final Approved Plan
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CITY OF
ASPEN
www.aspen.gov
427 Rio Grande Place
Aspen, CO 81611