HomeMy WebLinkAboutEOTC Meeting 102424AGENDA
ELECTED OFFICIALS
TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE
October 24, 2024
4:00 PM, Pitkin County Board of
Commissioners Meeting Room
530 E. Main, 1st Floor, Aspen, CO
81611
I.CALL TO ORDER
II.ROLL CALL
III.Elected Officials Transportation Committee
III.A EOTC Agenda
IV.ADJOURN
Zoom Meeting Instructions
Instructions and link to join the Zoom meeting are available on the first page of the
agenda.
October, 24, 2024 EOTC Agenda.pdf
1
1
Elected Officials Transportation Committee (EOTC)
Thursday, October 24, 2024 - 4:00pm
Pitkin County Board of County Commissions Room
530 East Main, Aspen, CO 81611
Host and Chair – Pitkin County
MEETING IS VIRTUAL AND IN PERSON
You can view the livestream on Grassroots TV (Channel 11 CGTV)
Please click the link below to join the meeting:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88959694100?pwd=lMXJIdRcuXz3RkBK4XXzEUbIWfseJH.1
Passcode: 239289
Webinar ID: 889 5969 4100
AGENDA
I. 4:00 – 4:05 CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL
II. 4:05 – 4:10 APPROVAL OF OCTOBER 5, 2023 ACTION MINUTES
APPROVAL OF AUGUST 13 & 19, SEPTEMBER 11 & 25, 2024
ACTION MINUTES
III. 4:10 - 4:20 PUBLIC COMMENT FOR ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA
(Comments limited to three minutes per person)
IV. 4:20 – 4:30 INFORMATION ONLY: 2024 WORKPLAN UPDATES
V. 4:30 – 5:00 PUBLIC HEARING: EOTC 2025 BUDGET and WORK PLAN
Decision needed: Administrative direction authorizing staff
recommendation
(Motion, Second, and Roll Call Vote by Jurisdiction)
VI. 5:00 – 5:45 CASTLE CREEK BRIDGE DISCUSSION
VII. 5:45 – 6:00 2025 EOTC MEETING DATES & PROPOSED TOPICS
VII. 6:00 ADJOURN MEETING
(Motion, Second, and Roll Call Vote by Jurisdiction)
2
* Next Regular EOTC meeting is October 2, 2025. Town of Snowmass Village, host
EOTC Background, Documents, and Packet Materials may be found here:
https://pitkincounty.com/1322/Elected-Officials-Transportation-Committ
EOTC Vision: We envision the Roaring Fork Valley as the embodiment of a sustainable transportation
system emphasizing mass transit and mobility that contributes to the happiness and wellbeing of
residents and visitors.
EOTC Mission: Work collectively to reduce and manage the volume of vehicles on the road and
parking system and continue to develop and support a comprehensive multimodal, long-range strategy
that will insure a convenient, equitable and efficient transportation system for the Roaring Fork Valley.
Summary of State Statue and Ballot Requirements: The 0.5% County Transit Sales and Use Tax shall be
used for the purpose and financing, constructing, operating and managing a public, fixed route mass
transportation system within the Roaring Fork Valley.
3
AGENDA ITEM SUMMARY
EOTC MEETING DATE: October 24, 2024
AGENDA ITEM TITLE: 2024 Work Plan Updates
STAFF RESPONSIBLE: Linda DuPriest, Regional Transportation Director
ISSUE STATEMENT: This memo includes key updates on projects from the 2024 Work Plan.
A. Brush Creek Park & Ride FLAP Project
After delays at the manufacturer, lighting was finally installed in June of 2024, with the
completed project passing final inspection by Pitkin County Community Development
Department soon thereafter. We are still waiting on final billing resolution from the Federal
Highway Administration’s FLAP Program, which could stretch into 2025. Such a resolution
could result in return of contingency funds in the approximate amount of $1,068,355 into the
EOTC unassigned fund balance. In early 2024 we applied for a federal grant for Level 2 EV
chargers to be deployed in 35 spots at Brush Creek. We did not receive that grant. In summer of
2024, the EOTC joined a regional partnership managed through the Northwest Colorado Council
of Governments to go for a new federal grant more favorable to large-scale EV projects. We
expect to learn of the success of that application in early winter 2025.
B. Brush Creek Park & Ride Monitoring & Management Plan
In early summer 2024 staff selected planning firm DJ&A to conduct the plan. The goal of the
project is to determine how the lot is currently being used, including how many car trips are
converting to transit trips into Aspen, Snowmass and other destinations, the extent to which the
City of Aspen’s carpool program is being utilized, monitoring of overnight and camping uses,
parking activity by private businesses, and other operations activities. The scope of work
includes public outreach to users and the general public down the Roaring Fork Valley to
Glenwood Springs and beyond, plus an analysis of best practices in technological solutions for
monitoring and management. Initial existing conditions analysis has begun, with observations
during the JAS Festival and a “normal” week of commuting, to be followed by observations
during peak winter visitor and ski season. The project is expected to wrap up in late Spring 2025.
C. Permanent Automatic Vehicle Counters
After a successful trial of AI vehicle detection technology on HWY 82 near the Lumberyard,
Staff members of the EOTC and Pitkin County Public Works and Telecommunications selected
Rekor to provide the eight permanence automatic vehicle counters. Installation of the counters
began in late September 2024, but was halted temporarily as the Florida-based Rekor technicians
needed to return home in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene. EOTC staff had hoped to show a
demonstration of the final tech product at this meeting, but that won’t be possible. In 2025 staff
will utilize data from the eight camera locations in compiling a comprehensive travel report of
the upper Roaring Fork Valley that will feature not only numbers of vehicles, but the breakdown
of over a dozen different types of vehicles and the approximate amount of greenhouse gas
4
emissions attributed to each type. This data will give us a much more detailed picture of the
different types of “traffic” in the region to inform mitigation strategies.
D. Truscott to Owl Creek Trail
This project is an element of the Near Term Transit Improvement Program begun in 2021. It will
complete an important gap in the Aspen pathway system between Owl Creek Road and the
Truscott underpass near the Aspen Golf Course on the south side of Hwy 82. Residents, workers
and visitors to Buttermilk and Home Team Barbecue, plus residents of Aspen Country Inn and
the Pomegranate Condominiums will have safe and direct bicycle/pedestrian access to upvalley
RFTA stops and the tunnel connecting to the pathway system into Aspen and Maroon Creek Rd.
Consultant team lead by SGM has completed 90% design; in 2025 the final 10% will be
completed in coordination with the Truscott Tunnel improvements design being managed by the
City of Aspen. The two projects will tie in and be combined for one construction project planned
in 2027.
E. Buttermilk At-Grade Bike/Pedestrian Crossing Improvements
Planning and design of at-grade pedestrian improvements at Owl Creek Rd and the southside of
Hwy 82 began in late Spring 2024. The consultant team is coordinating with CDOT on various
strategies for making the crossing more comfortable for pedestrians including redesign of the
southeast corner, lighting, positioning of the pedestrian signal activation button, possible speed
tables, leading pedestrian interval and others. Design and approval from CDOT are expected by
early 2025, with construction planned for Summer.
F. Maroon Bells CRMP Implementation Plan
After late 2024 approval by the EOTC, the project will begin in October. The first task will deal
with user conflicts between travel modes on Maroon Creek Road, pricing of parking, shuttle and
e-bike services and studying visitor capacity.
G. Aspen Airport Business Center Bike/Pedestrian Transportation Plan
Progress of the City of Aspen’s Lumberyard housing project triggered a need to analyze, plan
and design safe bicycle/pedestrian connectivity from the development into the east access to the
AABC and RFTA bus stops. The plan will also consider bicycle/pedestrian safety issues
throughout the AABC, including the area of Sage Way and Baltic Avenue, access to Colorado
Mountain College, the North Forty neighborhood, RFTA operations facility, and to key eateries,
businesses and residential developments throughout the AABC. The plan was proposed to the
three EOTC jurisdictions separately in August and September 2024, for a desired project start
date sometime in the 4th quarter of the year. While the Councils of Aspen and Snowmass Village
approved the project, the Pitkin County Board of County Commissioners voted to further discuss
the project with the full EOTC at this October 24th meeting.
H. City of Aspen Transportation Projects
City of Aspen staff will give a brief presentation for the Castle Creek Bridge replacement
discussion in a separate agenda item.
I. Town of Snowmass Village Transportation Projects
5
Director of Transportation Sam Guarino will give a brief update on Town of Snowmass Village
transportation projects for the remainder of 2024 and 2025.
6
1
AGENDA ITEM SUMMARY
EOTC MEETING DATE: October 24, 2024
AGENDA ITEM TITLE: EOTC 2025 Budget and Work Plan
STAFF RESPONSIBLE: Linda DuPriest, Regional Transportation Director
ISSUE STATEMENT: Attached for review and approval is the proposed 2025 Budget and
Work Plan. This is to provide transparency in the work efforts proposed to advance the 2020
EOTC Strategic Plan and 2020 EOTC Comprehensive Valley Transportation Plan (CVTP). In
addition to the budget and work items, this Plan recommends a meeting date for 2025.
BACKGROUND: The creation of an annual Budget and Work Plan is a requirement of the
EOTC Strategic Plan. This Plan is to bring together the following work projects facing the EOTC
through 2025. The Plan is not intended to be all-inclusive and is anticipated to be updated as
needed.
EOTC REVENUES: Funding for EOTC initiatives in 2025 will increase slightly over 2024. In
2024, expected revenues will trail 2023 by 6.3%; in 2025, revenues will exceed 2024 by
approximately 6.8% The attached proposed budget document shows expected revenues and
expenditures from 2023 through 2029. Revenue details are as follows:
1% Transit Sales Tax, pass-through – 2024 year-end estimate is $20,683,501. The 2025
estimate is $21,775,758. 100% of this revenue category passes through to City of Aspen, Town
of Snowmass Village and RFTA.
0.5% Transit Sales Tax – 2024 Year end estimate is $10,687,786. The 2025 projection is
$11,203,664. Roughly 81% of this category passes through to RFTA, leaving the remainder for
EOTC initiatives, yielding $2,026,405 to EOTC in 2024 and a projected $2,124,215 in 2025.
Other EOTC Revenues -- This includes construction use tax, intergovernmental contributions
and interest income. Total revenues in these categories in 2024 is $1,221,750. In 2025 this
category represents $1,156,750.
Fund Balance – With the expected revenues and proposed projects and work plan, fund balance
at the end of 2024 is expected at $8,593,850. In 2025, the fund balance projection is $9,506,247.
Both of these amounts are in addition to the $6,000,000 in reserve for the Snowmass Transit
Center.
7
2
2024 WORK PLAN AND BUDGET: Note that while the Work Plan includes all proposed
projects to be undertaken by the EOTC in the coming year, some projects also require a budget
expenditure to proceed, while others require funding from EOTC but no significant staff time.
EOTC staff proposes the following for 2024:
A. Brush Creek Park and Ride
EV Charger Install – Work Plan only (tentative pending outcome of Northwest Colorado
Council of Governments regional EV grant application)
Should the grant application be successful, Staff will work with private equipment provider and
local utility on installation of 34 Level II chargers.
Monitoring and Management Plan – Work Plan and Budget: $75,000
Due to the timing of the 2024 start of this project, it is anticipated that the work will continue
into the first few months of 2025, in particularly to observe conditions unique to winter and ski
season use by the commuting workforce, visitors, seasonal workers who live in their vehicles and
winter residence by other unhoused individuals. This budget item is proposed also to fund
expansion of the original scope of work to respond to questions arising from the study, should it
be needed.
Restrooms and Bus Turnaround Bid Planning – Work Plan and Budget: $50,000 (tentative
pending recommendation from Monitoring & Management Plan
The Brush Creek FLAP project originally included two work items that had to be omitted in
2023 due to high construction costs. It is likely that one cause of the exorbitant costs and lack of
bids was the nature of the project being funded and managed by the Federal Highway
Administration; many potential bidders avoid federally-managed infrastructure projects. It is
possible that a locally-managed bid process could yield more reasonable costs that would allow
the original vision for improving Brush Creek Park & Ride to be fully realized. In addition,
questions remain about the practicality of providing restrooms at the Park & Ride unless there is
a monitoring and management strategy, details of which will not be fully understood until the
Brush Creek Monitoring & Management Plan is well underway, and recommendations are
presented to the public and ultimately to the EOTC for approval. Issues with providing a heated
building at a lot that has seen camping and long-term occupation by unhoused individuals
include safety for all lot users, staffing for opening and closing the building each night, plus
janitorial services, and additional law enforcement needs.
EOTC Near Term Transit Improvement Program
B. Truscott to Owl Creek Trail – Work Plan and Budget: $10,000 (tentative; work could
occur in 2026)
8
3
Remaining 10% design, construction documents, identification of funding sources, coordination
with City of Aspen trails capital planning.
C. Buttermilk Bike/Pedestrian At-Grade Crossing Improvements – Work Plan and
Budget: $240,000
Design, public outreach, funding identification (if additional needed), and implementation for
alternative pedestrian safety treatments including prohibiting right turn on red and providing a
pedestrian leading interval at Owl Creek Rd plus right-turn-on-red prohibition, speed table across
Owl Creek Rd, additional signage and lighting, enhanced law enforcement during ski season, and
other potential solutions.
D. Permanent Automated Vehicle Counters -- Work Plan and Budget: $10,000 software
and communication annual costs
Counters will be installed in eight locations by late 2024: Brush Creek Rd; Owl Creek Rd;
Airport/AABC Area; McClain Flats Rd; Castle Creek Bridge; Power Plant Rd; Maroon Creek
Rd., Hwy 82 east of Aspen. A Comprehensive Travel Data Report to be compiled in 2025 will
include motor vehicle counts, transit ridership, bicycle/pedestrian volumes on selected trails.
After installation and deployment of the system, there will be an annual cost of approximately
$10,000 per year for ongoing software license and communication access.
E. Maroon Bells Comprehensive Recreation Management Plan Implementation Plan –
Work Plan only
With the work on the project beginning in 4th Quarter of 2024, it is anticipated that the approved
project budget of $36,800 will be spent in 2024, with some project coordination and
administration continuing into 2025.
F. AABC Bicycle/Pedestrian Transportation Plan – Work Plan and Budget: $100,000
Pending discussion with the full EOTC at the October 24th meeting and subsequent approval,
work on this project will begin in the 4th quarter of 2024. It is estimated that roughly half of the
project budget of $200,000 may be spent in 2024.
Additional Work Plan and Budget Items
Ongoing Transportation Project funding – Work Plan and Budget Only: $140,000
This budget item is the ongoing contribution to regional WE-Cycle system. The EOTC director
participates in the RFTA regional First/Last Mile Mobility advisory committee.
Project Contingency Fund – Budget and Work Plan: $100,000
Now that the EOTC will meet altogether one time per year in the Fall, staff is proposing
flexibility with a budget line item to address transportation challenges and opportunities that may
9
4
come up throughout the year. Another use for this budget category is to expand the scope of
current projects should it be needed.
X Games Transit Subsidy – Discussion and presentation by Aspen Skiing Company staff –
Budget only; $115,000
Member jurisdictions transportation projects support – Work Plan only – EOTC staff will
participate as appropriate in studies, committees and other work carried out by Pitkin County,
City of Aspen, Town of Snowmass Village and RFTA.
Aspen Pitkin County Airport multimodal transportation planning -- Work Plan only –
EOTC staff will assist with the second of RAISE grant application as needed, and provide
multimodal transportation planning expertise for Airport Layout Plan project, ongoing in 2025.
2025 EOTC Meeting Date
Staff proposes Thursday October 2, 2025, 4:00 to 6:00 pm at the Town of Snowmass Village.
The Work Plan also calls for additional meetings, if necessary, in order to complete necessary
tasks identified within the Plan. These meetings would be conducted individually at the three
member jurisdictions.
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
Adopt staff recommended 2025 EOTC Budget, Work Plan and Meeting Schedule
(Motion, Second, and Roll Call Vote by Jurisdiction)
Adoption of the annual EOTC Work Plan and Meeting Schedule requires resolutions of approval
from the City of Aspen, Town of Snowmass Village, and Pitkin County. Draft resolutions are
attached to this memo. An affirmative vote by each jurisdiction at the EOTC meeting authorizes
signature on these resolutions.
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Proposed 2025 Budget
10
2023 Actual
2024 Initial
Budget
2024 Budget
Adjustments
Projected
Savings &
Overages
2024 Year-End
Estimate 2025 Budget 2026 Budget 2027 Budget 2028 Budget 2029 Budget
Revenues
1% Transit Sales Tax 20,800,615 20,663,501 - - 20,663,501 21,775,758 20,904,728 21,949,964 23,047,462 24,199,835
Pass-Through of 1% Sales Tax (20,800,615) (20,663,501) - - (20,663,501) (21,775,758) (20,904,728) (21,949,964) (23,047,462) (24,199,835)
Net 1% Transit Sales Tax - - - - - - - - - -
0.5% Transit Sales Tax 10,716,082 10,687,786 - - 10,687,786 11,203,664 10,755,517 11,293,293 11,857,958 12,450,856
Pass-Through of 0.5% Sales Tax (81.04%)(8,684,313) (8,661,381) - - (8,661,381) (9,079,449) (8,716,271) (9,152,085) (9,609,689) (10,090,173)
Net 0.5% Transit Sales Tax 2,031,769 2,026,405 - - 2,026,405 2,124,215 2,039,246 2,141,208 2,248,269 2,360,683
Use Taxes 892,118 695,000 - 55,000 750,000 775,000 775,000 775,000 775,000 775,000
Intergovernmental 500,000 - - - - - - - -
Fees and Charges for Services 5,400 - - - - - - - -
Other Revenue - - - - 55,200 - - - -
Interest Income 530,187 461,750 - 461,750 507,157 461,880 530,820 503,410 565,790
Total Net Revenues 3,959,474 3,183,155 - 55,000 3,238,155 3,461,572 3,276,126 3,447,028 3,526,679 3,701,473
Expenditures
Salaries and Wages 117,250 125,066 - 125,066 155,174 159,829 164,624 169,563 174,650
Employee Benefits 24,190 26,580 - 26,580 31,301 32,240 33,207 34,203 35,229
Health Insurance 10,598 11,642 - 11,642 14,552 15,280 16,350 17,495 18,720
Professional & Technical Services 18,661 32,487 - 32,487 68,436 70,147 71,901 73,699 75,541
Studies / Planning / Consultants 248,028 160,000 138,028 298,028 292,000 - - - -
Property Services 185,973 104,500 - 104,500 115,500 118,388 121,348 124,382 127,492
Other Services 8,347 12,900 - 12,900 13,600 13,940 14,289 14,646 15,012
1,444 1,000 - 1,000 1,000 1,025 1,051 1,077 1,104
- - - -
Machinery & Equipment 5,269 252,500 - 252,500 - - - - -
Computers & Computer Equipment - 2,000 - 2,000 2,000 - - - -
Projects
Snowmass Mall Transit Station - - - - - - - - -
Pedestrian Access to SMV Mall - 650,000 - 650,000 - - - - -
Brush Creek P&R FLAP Grant Match 3,198,317 500,000 1,068,355 (1,068,355) 500,000 1,068,355 - - - -
Buttermilk Pedestrian Crossing Improv.- 250,000 - 250,000 250,000 - - - -
WE-Cycle Site Planning - 50,000 - 50,000 - - - - -
Other Grants & Contributions 217,434 218,000 - 218,000 140,000 143,500 147,088 150,765 154,534
Other Expenditures 180,613 285,878 - (106,971) 178,907 397,257 407,188 417,368 427,802 438,497
Total Expenditures 4,216,123 2,682,553 1,206,383 (1,175,326) 2,713,610 2,549,175 961,537 987,226 1,013,632 1,040,779
Transfer to Other Funds (25,000) (35,000) - - (35,000) -
(281,649) 465,602 (1,206,383) 1,230,326 489,545 912,397 2,314,589 2,459,802 2,513,047 2,660,694
Beginning Available Fund Balance 14,104,305 14,593,850 15,506,247 17,820,836 20,280,638 22,793,685
Ending Available Fund Balance 14,593,850 15,506,247 17,820,836 20,280,638 22,793,685 25,454,379
Reserved for Snowmass Village 6,000,000 6,000,000 6,000,000 6,000,000 6,000,000 6,000,000
Unassigned Fund Balance 8,593,850 9,506,247 11,820,836 14,280,638 16,793,685 19,454,379
2025 Budget & Five-Year Plan
Supplies
Property
Annual Surplus/(Deficit)
Pitkin County Transit Sales & Use Tax Fund
11
To: Elected Officials Transportation Committee
From: Aspen Skiing Company
Date: October 10th, 2024
Re: 2025 X Games Aspen Transportation Funding Request
In January, 2024, Aspen Snowmass hosted the 23rd consecutive X Games at Buttermilk Mountain with
the support of our community partners. The event featured strong crowds, festival like feel, and incredible
athletic highlights. It also helped us showcase everything our amazing resort and community has to offer
on media platforms across the globe as well as providing top-tier winter sports athletes a venue to
showcase their talents in a true ski town.
X Games continues to help fill occupancy in January, drive local tax revenues and increase global
awareness of our sports and resort. X continues to offer a great means of communicating and interacting
with youthful audiences on mainstream channels for the benefit of Aspen/Snowmass. One of many goals
in hosting an event of this magnitude is to influence the influencers in the sport in an effort to support the
youth in the sport and feed the generational pipeline for the sports of skiing and snowboarding.
Successful execution has always taken a collaborative effort between local entities, agencies, ASC and X
to pull off an event of this caliber. The efforts resulted in record-breaking coverage of X Games Aspen.
2024 Recap
• 2.5 Billion media impressions earned:
(Facebook, Instagram, Tik-Tok, Snapchat, Twitch, Caffeine and YouTube) 113% increase YoY
• 13.5 hours of Live TV reaching millions across the US in original programming, plus countless re-
airings and repackaging highlighting Aspen Snowmass via global linear distribution.
• Televised and packaged for rebroadcast globally to 197 countries and more than 500MM homes
• 70+% of audiences between ages 18-34
We are looking forward to the 2025 X Games, with the return of a full competition schedule, music, on-site
activations and spectators along with all the energy and vitality of a younger demographic coming to visit
our valley and we need safe and efficient mass transit planning to accommodate attendees
We again request up to $115,000 in EOTC transit reimbursement, subject
to final numbers, to support ASC’s and the RFV’s efforts to provide a safe
mass transit experience for residents and destination guests at X Games.
(This EOTC support level has not changed in value in 15 years despite significant cost escalation)
Thank you for EOTC’s continued support of this valuable community-wide initiative.
Joey Woltemath
Director of Event Operations
Aspen Skiing Company
X Games
Aspen
12
ELECTED OFFICIALS TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE (EOTC)
DECISIONS REACHED & ACTION MINUTES
INDIVIDUAL JURISDICTION MEETINGS
August 13, 2024, Aspen City Hall
August 19, 2024, Snowmass Town Hall
September 11, 2024, Pitkin County BOCC Room
Elected Officials in Attendance:
Aspen Pitkin County Snowmass
Mayor Torre Chair Greg Poschman Mayor Bill Madsen
John Doyle Steve Child Tom Fridstein
Bill Guth Patti Clapper Britta Gustafson
Ward Hauenstein Francie Jacober Susan Marolt
Sam Rose Kelly McNicholas-Kury Alyssa Shenk
______________________________________________________________________________
ISSUE STATEMENT: EOTC staff is proposing two additional regional transportation projects
for late 2024, to be added to the workplan and budget. Included in the IGA establishing the
EOTC in 1993, and later renewed in 2021, is a provision allowing for items to be brought before
individual EOTC members at their regular meetings when the full 15-member EOTC is not
available to meet at one time. Staff is presenting these two projects slated for Q4 in 2024
individually to the Councils of the City of Aspen and Town of Snowmass Village and the Pitkin
County Board of County Commissioners in August 2024.
BACKGROUND: Two opportunities for regional transportation planning, including promotion
of public transit and active transportation to reduce dependence on single-occupant vehicles in
the upper Roaring Fork Valley have arisen for late 2024. EOTC staff sees these opportunities,
and the transportation challenges they work to solve, as appropriate for EOTC funding and focus,
as they affect transportation within Pitkin County, beyond the borders of the City of Aspen and
Town of Snowmass Village. Those projects are:
1) Maroon Bells Comprehensive Recreation Management Plan (CRMP)
2) Aspen Airport Business Center Transportation Plan.
EOTC staff seeks approval for these projects to be added to the 2024 Work Plan and Budget.
Project descriptions are as follows:
Maroon Bells CRMP: Transit, Parking and E-Bike/Cycling Management
In 2023, with support from the John A. Volpe National Transportation Systems Center (Volpe
Center), Pitkin County, the City of Aspen, the WRNF, Roaring Fork Transportation Authority
(RFTA), Aspen Skiing Company, and the Aspen Chamber Resort Association developed a
comprehensive plan to sustainably provide for and manage recreation at the iconic Maroon Bells
13
Scenic Area. The Maroon Bells Comprehensive Recreation Management Plan (CRMP) provides
a framework to sustainably manage recreational access to, and activities within, the Maroon
Creek Valley. This plan identifies goals and recommendations to improve sustainable access to
and recreation in the Scenic Area while accounting for local economic and other community
impacts. All modes of transportation and types of recreation activities were considered as part of
this planning process.
Several transportation areas have emerged as needing further study and management strategies;
1) the RFTA shuttle and early-morning private shuttle reservation system, 2) parking availability
and reservations, and 3) user conflicts along Maroon Creek Rd between groups of e-bikers and
motorized traffic. Funding is needed to study and manage these transportation issues that affect
Pitkin County as the manager of Maroon Creek Road, the City of Aspen and the Aspen Chamber
and Resort Association in their outreach to E-bike rental companies, and the other partners. The
cross-jurisdictional nature of mitigating user conflicts and optimizing the transit element lends
itself to support from the EOTC in its mandate to manage regional transportation. The proposed
EOTC budgetary contribution to the Maroon Bells CRMP over the next 18 months is $36,800. A
draft of the Implementation Plan provided by the Volpe Center is attached.
Aspen Airport Business Center Bicycle/Pedestrian Transportation Plan
The Lumberyard residential development in the vicinity of the Aspen Airport Business Center
(AABC) is triggering significant changes to transportation access along the Hwy 82 corridor.
These include the addition of a traffic signal for access to the Lumberyard and the elimination of
the “right in, right out” access at the east end of the AABC. Two priority issues resulting from
these changes are the need for enhanced bicycle and pedestrian access from the Lumberyard to
the AABC and both upvalley and downvalley RFTA bus stops; plus, consideration of additional
motor vehicle traffic that will be diverted from the eastern access to the signal at Hwy 82 and
Baltic Avenue (the main entrance into the AABC).
As the AABC has developed over time, with the addition of the North Forty and other
residential development, plus eateries and other uses, significant transportation infrastructure
needs and safety issues have emerged. The development lacks sidewalks and bicycle facilities,
both on- and off-street parking is under supplied, streets lack markings, and the intersection of
Baltic Avenue and Sage Way is particularly hazardous for pedestrians and bicyclists due to its
proximity to Hwy 82, lack of crosswalks, and conflicts with motor vehicles accessing Roxy’s
Market and the gas station across Baltic. In addition to the new bicycle, pedestrian and vehicle
traffic that will be generated by the Lumberyard and closing of the east access, potential future
changes triggered by a multimodal plan for the airport, plus introduction of WE-Cycle into the
AABC and Airport all call for a focused effort to improve access, connectivity and safety for
all modes. The cost estimate for an AABC Bike/Pedestrian Transportation Plan is maximum of
$200,000, split between Q4 2024 and FY2025.
BUDGETARY IMPACT:
Going into 2024, EOTC held a reserved fund balance of $6,306,456, and is projected to remain
on that course through the end of 2024. These two proposed projects represent an additional
expenditure of approximately $136,800.
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
14
EOTC staff recommends approval of two additional projects in Q4 2024
DECISIONS REACHED:
The City of Aspen and Town of Snowmass Village Councils voted to approve both of the
proposed projects. The Pitkin County Board of Commissioners requested additional information
and discussion on the AABC Bike/Pedestrian Transportation Plan, and so voted to consider the
two new projects in the presence of all 15 EOTC members at the October 24, 2024 meeting. It is
understood that after discussion with the full EOTC, the AABC project will come back to the
Pitkin County BOCC for two readings in November 2024.
15
ELECTED OFFICIALS TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE (EOTC)
DECISIONS REACHED & ACTION MINUTES
REGULAR MEETING
October 5, 2023
Location (In Person and Virtual) –Aspen City Hall
City of Aspen - Host & Chair
• For a video production of this meeting, go to:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P3-BFhqWhpA
• To access the Elected Officials Transportation Committee meeting packet material:
https://www.pitkincounty.com/1322/Elected-Officials-Transportation-Committ, then
‘EOTC Archived Packets’)
Elected Officials in Attendance:
Aspen – 4 Pitkin County - 5 Snowmass - 4
Mayor Torre Chair Francie Jacober Mayor Bill Madsen
John Doyle Steve Child Alyssa Shenk
Ward Hauenstein Patti Clapper Britta Gustafson
Sam Rose Kelly McNicholas-Kury Susan Marolt
Greg Poschman
______________________________________________________________________________
CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL
Mayor Torre called the meeting of the Elected Officials Transportation Committee (EOTC) to
order at 4:00 p.m. followed by a roll-call for attendance.
APPROVAL OF THE APRIL 6, 2023 ACTION MINUTES
Mayor Torre asked for a motion to approve the Agreements and Decisions reached from April 6,
2023. Commissioner Clapper made the motion; it was seconded by Commissioner Jacober. A
group vote was called; all members voted Yes.
PUBLIC COMMENT FOR ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA
Gail Schwartz, President of Habitat for Humanity of the Roaring Fork Valley and Pitkin County
Sheriff Michael Buglione addressed the committee on the need for affordable housing in the
upper valley, for the general workforce, and in particular to help recruit and retain first
responders. Sheriff Buglione said that some deputies and other employees must commute from
far away as Newcastle, which puts stress on operations and employees during emergency
response times. While it is not a requirement for deputies to live in Pitkin County, it is highly
preferable for first responders to live close to where they work. Ms. Schwartz presented the idea
of developing affordable housing on the Brush Creek Park & Ride site, in the bare area to the
north of the developed parking lot. Members discussed this idea, noting that Colorado
16
Department of Transportation owns the land through, with regulations attached about what uses
can occur on the property. Ms. Schwartz stated that she has had conversations with CDOT
Region 3 staff about the site. Members further discussed issues with the site, and some history of
conversations around use of the property.
Rachel Richards addressed the committee to offer comments and her concerns about projects
proposed for the 2024 Workplan and Budget, suggesting that funding should be preserved for
higher priority, “big picture” solutions to reduce single occupant vehicles and encourage more
people to use transit. Ms. Richards said the EOTC should be more involved in discussions about
the Entrance to Aspen.
Toni Kronberg addressed the committee on the need to prioritize the workplan and budget to
focus on the big picture by making sure proposed projects fulfill the EOTC’s mission statement.
She also expressed concerns about the safety of HWY 82.
Cecily D’Angelo of Roaring Fork Safe Passages introduced the organization and described its
efforts to create wildlife crossings of Hwy 82 in the upper valley. Ms. D’Angelo looks forward to
working with the EOTC and other transportation leaders in the future.
2023 WORKPLAN UPDATES
Updates were given on the following 2023 workplan items:
-Brush Creek Park & Ride FLAP project – Members discussed the new improvements to the
lot, and had several questions regarding how the future electric vehicle (EV) charging
infrastructure would be set up and how it would be managed; dealing with workers living at the
lot and other issues. Ms. DuPriest said that any operations questions can be addressed in the
monitoring and management analysis proposed for the 2024 Workplan and Budget, to be voted
on later in the meeting.
-Permanent Automatic Vehicle Counters – Staff reported on the pilot project wherein one
vendor, Rekor, has installed a camera and AI program on Hwy 82 near the Lumberyard property.
An example of a report the vendor can provide was shown, eliciting questions and discussions on
what the technology will show and how the data will be used. Mayor Torre gave direction to
staff to compose a memo at a later date that would explain what the data will be used for.
-HOV Lane Enforcement – Staff reiterated from a prior EOTC discussion that EOTC funds
cannot be utilized for work on non-public transportation strategies. Commissioner McNicholas-
Kury expressed a need for a forum for the EOTC to deliberate on this topic outside of the limits
of the funding mandate. It was suggested as a topic for a future EOTC retreat.
-City of Aspen Transportation Projects – Staff updated the group on the Castle Creek Bridge
replacement project and the Parking/Transportation Demand Management study, both currently
underway. Commissioner McNicholas-Kury inquired about the EOTC’s role in projects that
affect the region such as the Entrance to Aspen. Mayor Torre replied that input from all the
elected officials in the region is welcome. Councilmember Hauenstein agreed that there should
be an opportunity for input.
PUBLIC HEARING ON 2024 WORKPLAN AND BUDGET
Staff presented the 2024 Workplan and Budget and recommended approval. Members asked for
additional detail on the proposed Snowmass Village Pedestrian/Bikeway, Brush Creek Rd from
Divide Road to Mall project. Town staff Mike Horvath and Anne Martens plus Mayor Bill
17
Madsen answered questions about the need and proposed budget. Members had questions about
how this project related to the Snowmass Transit Project for which the EOTC had committed $6
million to in prior years. Snowmass staff stated this project would be in addition to that request.
Members discussed whether funds for this new project could be allotted from the transit center
budget. Pitkin County Manager Jon Peacock clarified the process that set aside the $6 million
and how it would require a separate resolution from the Board of County Commissioners to re-
appropriate funds. Councilmember Shenk proposed that the Town could apply to RFTA for a
First/Last Mile Mobility (FLMM) grant to offset some of the funds being requested of the
EOTC. Town of Snowmass Village Manager Clint Kinney offered comments virtually about the
need for the project; Planning Director David Johnson and CEO Dan Blankenship of RFTA
suggested ways the Town could apply during RFTA’s FLMM grant budget cycle. Mayor Torre
proposed leaving a placeholder in the budget for the project, conditioned on the Town applying
for various grants.
Staff presented the remaining projects in the 2024 Workplan and Budget. Mayor Torre opened
the Public Hearing to receive comment. Toni Kronberg spoke on the need to collaborate on high-
level solutions to maximize the transit system to reduce number of vehicles.
Member interest in City of Aspen projects as well as the HOV Lane Enforcement and other “big
picture” goal setting, as discussed earlier in the meeting during 2023 Workplan updates, led to a
motion for the EOTC to hold a retreat in 2024. Mayor Torre asked for a motion; Commissioner
McNicholas-Kury made the motion; Commissioner Child seconded. A roll call vote resulted in
all ayes.
Decision reached: Staff is directed to present a proposal for a retreat in 2024.
Mayor Torre asked for a motion to approve the 2024 Workplan and Budget. Commissioner
Clapper made the motion; Councilmember John Doyle seconded. A roll call vote was called
resulting in all Ayes.
Decision reached: Approval of 2024 Workplan and Budget.
EOTC COMMITTEE MEMBER UPDATES
Commissioner Poschman told the group of a letter received from RFTA CEO Dan Blankenship
and invited him to speak on the need for housing for RFTA employees who support upper valley
transportation. Mr. Blankenship stated that operations are complicated by employees living so far
away from their workplaces, particularly in the upper valley. Commissioner Poschman suggested
this topic for a future EOTC meeting.
ADJOURN REGULAR MEETING
Commissioner Clapper moved to adjourn the meeting at 6:31pm. Councilmember Doyle
seconded. Mayor Torre asked and received Aye votes from all members.
City of Aspen
_________________
Torre, Mayor
City Council
18
_________________
Nicole Henning
City Clerk
Town of Snowmass Village
_________________
Bill Madsen, Mayor
Town Council
_________________
Megan Boucher
Town Clerk
Pitkin County
___________________
Greg Poschman, Chair
Board of County Commissioners
___________________
Sam Engen
Clerk to the Board of County Commissioners
___________________
Linda DuPriest
Regional Transportation Director
19
ELECTED OFFICIALS TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE (EOTC)
DECISIONS REACHED & ACTION MINUTES
INDIVIDUAL JURISDICTION MEETINGS
September 25, 2024, Pitkin County BOCC Room
Elected Officials in Attendance:
Pitkin County
Chair Greg Poschman
Steve Child
Patti Clapper
Francie Jacober
Kelly McNicholas-Kury
______________________________________________________________________________
ISSUE STATEMENT: EOTC staff is proposing two additional regional transportation projects
for late 2024, to be added to the workplan and budget. Included in the IGA establishing the
EOTC in 1993, and later renewed in 2021, is a provision allowing for items to be brought before
individual EOTC members at their regular meetings when the full 15-member EOTC is not
available to meet at one time. Staff presented these two projects slated for Q4 in 2024
individually to the Councils of the City of Aspen and Town of Snowmass Village and the Pitkin
County Board of County Commissioners in August and September 2024.
Two of the three EOTC member jurisdictions approved both of the two proposed projects at their
meetings on August 13, 2024 for the City of Aspen and August 19 for the Town of Snowmass
Village respectively. The Pitkin County BOCC considered the two projects on September 11,
2024, and decided one of the projects, the Airport Business Center Bicycle/Pedestrian
Transportation Plan warranted additional information and discussion with the entire 15-member
EOTC present. The other project, the Maroon Bells Comprehensive Recreation Management
Plan Implementation Plan, did not warrant additional consideration, but was combined with the
other project as one item to be approved.
Pitkin County legal department later determined that the Maroon Bells project could be brought
before the BOCC again, for a decision on just the one project. Staff brought this project back to
BOCC on September 25, and it was approved unanimously for the board.
20