HomeMy WebLinkAboutInformation Update 061025AGENDA
INFORMATION UPDATE
June 10, 2025
5:00 PM,
I.Information Update
I.A May Destination Marketing Report from ACRA
I.B W Hopkins Ave Traffic Delineation
I.C Wagner Park Playground Construction
I.D Aspen 360 Info-Only Memo
May2025_DMReport.pdf
2025.01.22_Info Only Memo_Hopkins Ave.docx
250530 Wager Playground Info Only Memo.docx
Aspen 360 Info-Only Memo (2).pdf
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May 2025 Destination Marketing Report for Council
Destination Marketing: Debbie attended the Colorado Association of Destination Marketing Organizations annual meeting at
the beginning of the month in Longmont. The resident sentiment study results are in and are being presented at the board
meeting. The full report can be found on the website here. We are working with Day Fire Company and other local
videographers to increase our video asset library to support website and social channel content, we will look to capture
throughout the summer. We hosted the arts & culture meeting on Thursday May 22, minutes from that meeting are included
here. Summer Media is live, and you should also be able to see new creative throughout town on all We Cycle stations. Pitkin
County has released the public survey on the 2025 North Star Preserve Management Plan Update. April PR report can be
found here. The Month at a Glance Data report is available here.
The sales team is working on eblasts including Colorado Meetings + Events and Destination Colorado. ACRA will be extending
our $2,025 master account credit to all contracted group blocks that are sourced through ACRA. Initially this was focused to
corporate meetings, but we will offer it to any contracted social groups as well. This booking incentive is another way to
support our hotel partners close more group business this year. The sales team hosted our biannual coffee chat with hotel
group sale managers to share ACRA updates and hear needs and updates from our group hotel partners. Nichole is serving on
the Destination Colorado marketing committee. Sarah attended the Adventure Travel Trade Association AdventureElevate
conference and marketplace in Denver. The team is working on upcoming FAMs including ACRA’s wedding planner FAM,
international PR media FAMs, and CTO travel trade FAMs. We hosted final Queenstown webinar in spring series. We will
restart the webinars in the fall.
Special Events: We are less than a month away from the Food & Wine Classic, June 20-22, 2025. Passes are still available, so
don’t miss this opportunity to enjoy three incredible days filled with cooking demonstrations, wine & spirits tastings, and
panel discussions! We currently have 426 volunteers confirmed with about 93 more on the waitlist. Food & Wine is excited to
announce the Food & Wine Classic Talk Series, hosted at the Aspen Film ISIS Theatre, will once again be open to the public for
FREE (no pass needed). Keep an eye out for details at the beginning of June. Congratulations to Taylor Smith for completing
the Roaring Fork Leadership Women’s Mastermind Program this spring – a five-month women’s collaborative leadership
program. Be sure to check out our ACRA online community events calendar which is filling up fast with exciting summer
events and programming.
Airport Guest Services: The airport closure from May 5th to June 1st has been a nice break for the Guest Services Team who
work very hard all winter long. Many are out visiting family and friends during this time and are appreciative of the break. The
phones have been forwarded to the main office line and there are only about 2 calls/day mostly pertaining to hours of
operation for the rental car companies. Meanwhile Art Burrows and BVK are busy with the re-branding of the ACRA booth
which is hoping to be completed by early June and will be a small but nice change in appearance for all who visit ASE.
Visitor Centers: The Armory location opened this month on May 1st and has just recently started to see daily visitors. The
front area is coming together with wall maps, a diverse language welcome sign, chair lift seating and literature distribution.
We are training a Guest Service Representative to help with daily interaction as the visitor center becomes busier this
summer. The Cooper Mall pavilion has remained steady with an average of 35 guests/day. The Destination Specialists
continue to direct visitors to the few events that happen around town as well as to the restaurants that stay open during this
slower time. It is such a lovely time of year to visit as these guests have a special slower more serene town to explore before
the summer season begins! The Wheeler also remains open and has seen an average of 5 guests/day. Often these may be
locals who are interested in the student theatre plays that were performed recently. This is a nice opportunity for ACRA staff
to interact with locals who visit the Wheeler. We are busy putting together the summer schedule for each of these four visitor
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center locations as well as organizing our annual Summer Kickoff where local organizations present the summer activities to
our Destination Specialist staff in June.
Sales Tax Reports: As of the March 2025 Consumption Tax Report, released in, May the 2025 Tourism Promotion Fund
came in 9% above projections and 5% ahead of 2024 collections.
Recent Press Coverage
Occupancy statistics and commentary, as well as visitor center counts, website data and air service information can now
be found on the following page in the Defy Ordinary Dashboard. All data points are sourced from our monthly report
with Blue Room Research and can be found in the Data Center on the website.
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HOTEL
OCCUPANCY
ASE
PASSENGER
DATA
VISITOR
CENTER
COUNTS
KEY
TAKEAWAYS
WEBSITE
STATS
ACRA's 4 Visitor Information Centers
experienced 18% increase in traffic in
April 2025 as compared to April 2024.
Staff assisted 5,521 individuals this year.
MAY 2025
In April 2025, Aspen's lodging properties reported the following:
•Occupancy grew 16% YOY to 41%
•Average Daily Rate grew 4% YOY at $412
•Room Nights Available were -10.4% YOY
•Room Nights Booked were up 3.5% YOY
The Winter season (December-April) saw an increase +8% YOY, which actually
represents a compounded annual growth rate of 2.55% over the past six years.
April total passengers were also up 9% YOY.
United is scheduled to resume service to ASE with their evening inbound flight this
Sunday, June 1st and full service again begins June 2nd.
Aspen website top performing blogs and pages for April 2025
Blogs:
1.5 Reasons to Consider an Aspen Wedding (1,864
views)
2.Independence Pass (1,033 views)
3.Hiking Around Maroon Bells (1,001 views)
4.This week in Aspen (815 views)
5.Spring Dining in Aspen (594 views)
Pages:
1.Maroon Bells Reservations (11,054 views)2.Event Calendar (5,656 views)3.Plan Your Trip (5,072 views)4.Maroon Bells (4,984 views)5.Homepage (3,905 views)
o “Booking lead-times and length-of-stay (LOS) are also reflecting some of the pressure consumers are feeling.
When coupled with the declines in international travel from Canada, the shorter lengths-of-stay and lead-time
for bookings is turning into a lot more than a blip.”
o “Five consecutive months of plunging consumer confidence and three months of Wall Street turmoil have
created consumers that are reporting the same levels of concern about spending, jobs, and inflation as they did
in the heat of the Great Recession in 2009. Much of the consumer concern is showing up in the summer
booking data, with continued soft booking pace and only slight gains in occupancy. Fortunately, room rates are
outpacing inflation and providing a bit of a buffer for properties that have had a hard time keeping up with the
cost of doing business.”
o Bookings from Canadian travelers to US mountain resorts for the summer are down -45.5%, bookings from
Western Europe are down -30.3%, and domestic bookings are up 3.7%. Bookings from Mexico are up a strong
33.3%.
Source: Destimetrics & Blue Room Research Report
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INFORMATION ONLY MEMORANDUM
TO: Aspen City Council
FROM: Simeon Britting, Project Manager
Jack Danneberg, P.E., Senior Project Manager
Brian Long, Trails Systems Manager
THROUGH: Tyler Christof, P.E., Public Works Director
Tricia Aragon, P.E., City Engineer
MEMO DATE: June 2, 2025
RE: W Hopkins Ave Traffic Delineation
PURPOSE: This memorandum is to inform City Council of staff’s plan to install two
temporary traffic control measures along W Hopkins Ave’s ped-bikeway. Staff intends
on installing signage and speed humps to force motorized vehicles to turn right off the
ped-bikeway at the intersections of 1st St and 3rd St.
SUMMARY:
Current Ped-Bikeway Systems
The W Hopkins Ave ped-bikeway is a direct pipeline for bikers entering and exiting town
between the Marolt Bike Path and the Aspen downtown core. For biker safety, motorized
vehicles are limited to one block of travel on the ped-bikeway.
The City has received consistent complaints about the traffic volume, speed, and duration
of motorized vehicles along the ped-bikeway. The Pedestrian and Bike Safety Team
(PABST), an internal team made up of Parks, Police, Streets, Transportation, Parking,
and Engineering representatives, has a goal to ensure that all residents and visitors of
Aspen can safely walk, bicycle and have easy access to transit as part of their daily
routine by minimizing and mitigating the impacts of vehicle traffic on residents and visitors.
Staff has explored and implemented various traffic calming measures in response to ped-
bikeway concerns such as speed tables, raised crosswalks, additional signage, and
flower pot placement.
Other municipalities have successfully reduced vehicles traveling multiple blocks on a
ped-bikeway by installing concrete islands and signage forcing a right turn at periodic
intersection. This configuration is pictured below in Figure 1. By including a gap sized for
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bikers and emergency vehicles to pass through, it still functions as the intended roadway
for pedestrians and bikers.
Figure 1: Concrete Island and Signage
City Proposed Installation
After discussions with the Parks Department and PABST, staff decided that a temporary
installation in a configuration similar to Figure 1 would allow us to test the concept. The
City plans on installing temporary speed humps in an island configuration and plastic
bollards to support signage indicating to motorized vehicles where to be redirected as
referenced below in figure 2. This installation will only be active from June through
October so snow removal activities are not required.
A goal of this test will be to garner public feedback on community acceptance. Targeting
locations with lower vehicle traffic will result in limited impacts and allow us to receive
public feedback at a smaller scale. The intersections of W Hopkins Ave at 1st St and 3rd
St were chosen by staff due to their lower vehicle traffic volumes. If this test receives
positive public feedback, future permanent installations along Hallam St ped-bikeway will
be pursued.
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Figure 2: Temporary Traffic Delineation
Public Outreach
Door to door outreach will be done for the impacted community to present the
infrastructure solution, time frames, and extents of temporary installations. People living
to the West of the installation will need to drive to their residences from Main St, or bike
through the temporary installation. There is a We-Cycle station on 4th St immediately
West of the installation available for resident use. In emergency situations, vehicles
have the capacity to drive around the installation.
After installation, the Parks and Engineering Departments will cond uct public
engagement to receive feedback from cyclists, drivers, and neighbors.
NEXT STEPS: No action is requested of Council as long as the plan for installing
temporary traffic delineation is acceptable. If further discussion is warranted a work
session can be scheduled. Based on public feedback from this temporary installation,
there is an opportunity to expand installations on both Hopkins Ave and Hallam St ped -
bikeways in future years.
CITY MANAGER NOTES: Please contact the City Manager if there are questions or
follow up needed regarding the information provided.
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INFORMATION ONLY MEMORANDUM
TO: Aspen City Council
FROM: Mike Tunte, Landscape Architect and Construction Manager
THROUGH: Matt Kuhn, Parks and Open Space Director
MEMO DATE: June 10, 2025
RE: Wagner Park Playground Construction
PURPOSE:
The Parks and Open Space Department respectfully requests Council direction on their preferred
approach to building the Wagner Park Playground.
SUMMARY:
On February 25, 2025, Council approved a fabrication contract with Earthscape Play for a playground
replacement at Wanger Park. Since then, Parks and Open Space staff have worked to plan a construction
schedule that balances community impact, site construction requirements and the desire to complete
playground construction in 2025, as stipulated in our donor agreement.
Wagner Playground
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During the May 27, 2025, meeting, Council indicated a desire for additional information on alternate
approaches to construction that may minimize community impact during the peak summer season.
Below are two viable approaches:
Alternate 1 – Project as Planned
The project is scheduled to begin on July 7 and with completion in 2025. Construction activities have
been strategically planned to avoid interference with major community events, including the Food &
Wine Classic and Fourth of July celebrations. Additionally, work will pause during Motherlode and
Ruggerfest to further minimize disruption.
While some flexibility will be necessary to accommodate evolving construction needs, our goal is to
maintain active work Monday through Thursday, with limited activity on Fridays and Saturdays, only if
required. When feasible, construction fencing will be retracted over weekends to reduce impacts on the
surrounding area. The project budget remains unchanged at $727,500, and the grand opening is
scheduled for October.
Pros:
On-time and on-budget project delivery
Coordination already underway with other departments and nearby businesses
Cons:
There will be disruption to downtown during the peak summer season
Alternate 2 – 2026 Installation
Under this option, project installation would be delayed until spring 2026. To minimize disruption during
peak summer events, demolition and concrete footing preparation would begin after Ruggerfest this
year, with the installation of playground structures and surfacing occurring the following spring. While
final costs are still being determined, we anticipate this approach will likely incur the following
additional expenses:
Alternate 2 - 2026 Installation
Current Project Budget $727,500
Additional Expenses
Contracted concrete footings $30,000
Play structure storage and insurance fee $10,000
Construction materials escalation (10%)$22,750
Subtotal $62,750
Contingency (15%)$9,413
Budget Increase $72,163
Percentage Increse 10%
Alternate 2 Project Budget $799,663
Prices are estimates pending actual quotes
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Pros:
Significantly reduces disruption to downtown during the peak summer season
Our donor is amenable to this change
Cons:
Delay in full project completion
No playground will be available during the upcoming winter
Increased project cost
The donation agreement will need to be amended
Impact on 2026 projects, including golf course improvements and Koch Park enhancements
Two additional approaches were reviewed and removed from consideration:
Alternate 3 – Delayed Installation
The project start date would shift from July 7 to August 18, with a revised grand opening planned
for late November. This requires contracting portions of the installation. Securing a specialized
installation team this late in the season is unlikely. Because some components, such as concrete and
poured in place rubber surfacing, are temperature-sensitive, tenting and heating will be necessary
during installation.
Alternate 4 – Split Installation
This option mirrors Alternate 3 in delaying the project start to August 18, but instead of tenting for
winter conditions, the playground would open with temporary wood fiber surfacing. This surface would
be removed and replaced with poured-in-place rubber surfacing in spring 2026.
After careful evaluation, we have removed Alternates 3 and 4 from further consideration due to
significant practical and community-related concerns.
Tenting, as proposed in Alternate 3, is not feasible given the adjacent tree canopy and
the complex shape of the playground. More importantly, the poured-in-place rubber
surfacing requires open-air conditions for proper installation and curing, making
tenting inadvisable from both a technical and quality standpoint.
Alternate 4, which proposed a temporary wood fiber surface, was dismissed due to
its incompatibility with the project’s accessibility goals. Installing a non-compliant surface, even
temporarily, would undermine the trust and relationships we’ve built with the community and
diminish the inclusive intent of the playground.
Both options also introduce additional costs and logistical complexity without delivering a meaningful
benefit over the remaining alternatives.
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NEXT STEPS:
Two alternatives are available for Council’s consideration and direction.
Alternate 1 – Project as Planned, balances construction activities with major community events, and
ensures the playground is completed and open in 2025.
Alternate 2 – 2026 Installation, recognizing its key benefit of minimizing disruption during the peak
summer season. This option allows for demolition and footing preparation after Ruggerfest in 2025, with
full installation in spring 2026.
If Alternate 2 is preferred, this summer staff will prioritize deferred maintenance items in Ute Park,
Promontory Parks, Herron Park and Syner Park, as well as improvements at the municipal golf course.
Both options are viable, and staff welcomes Council’s recommendation.
ATTACHMENTS:
None.
CITY MANAGER NOTES:
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INFORMATION ONLY MEMORANDUM
TO: Aspen City Council
FROM: Emily Ford, Communications Specialist
THROUGH: Jenna Ioffredo, Communications Co-Manager
MEMO DATE: June 10, 2025
RE: Aspen 360° (Formerly Citizen’s Academy)
PURPOSE: The purpose of this Information Only memo is to update Council on the
Aspen 360° program. This memo serves to provide information and there is no specific
request of Council.
SUMMARY AND BACKGROUND: Aspen 360° is designed to provide participants with
insight into the roles, responsibilities, limits, and services offered by our local
government. These sessions consist of a series of informative meetings and field trips.
By engaging in this program, residents can become more informed and engaged
citizens, equipped to contribute positively to our community.
DETAILS:
The Aspen 360° class will meet for a total of seven sessions over a three-month period.
Class topics will include a city overview, city services, the environment, the built
environment and infrastructure, tax dollar funds and special services, parks and open
spaces and community involvement. The below schedule will be followed for the
program:
Applications Open: June 12, 2025
Applications Close: July 14, 2025
Classes Begin: August 21, 2025
Classes End: October 3, 2025
Number of Sessions: 7
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Session Times: Class sessions will be held from 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm, with field
trips scheduled from 12:30 pm to 2:00 pm.
CITY MANAGER NOTES:
Please contact the City Manager if there are questions or follow-up needed regarding
the information provided.
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