Aspen Police to host bike auction May 31
Abandoned bikes to be auctioned to highest bidder
The Aspen Police Department’s annual bike auction will take place Friday, May 31, 2024. The auction will be held in front of the Aspen Police Department, located at 540 Main St.
Inspection and check-in will begin at 11 a.m. followed by the auction beginning at noon. The auction will be held in a standard format with bikes going to the highest bidder.
City celebrates Building Safety Month
ComDev highlights safe, resilient wins in built environment
In May, the city of Aspen celebrates National Building Safety Month. This recognizes the need for modern, regularly updated building codes and the city’s team of professionals who work year-round to ensure safe construction of buildings.
The resilience of the buildings in the Aspen community exists because of the devotion of vigilant guardians like building safety and fire prevention officials, architects, engineers, builders, tradespeople, design professionals, laborers, plumbers, and others in the construction industry.
The progressive building and energy code amendments passed by Aspen City Council last year have garnered local and statewide attention, highlighting the Community Development Department’s commitment to crafting thoughtful local policy in response to climate change and to maintain a safe and resilient built environment.
Bonnie Muhigirwa, the city’s chief building officer, has provided insight into the work being done in the built environment and how the city has celebrated Building Safety Month.
Q: How has the city of Aspen recognized building safety month this year?
A: By celebrating the hard work of our building department, including; permit intake, plans examiners, inspectors, building officials, and administrative support staff.
Q: What has the city and Community Development done recently that addresses Building Safety Month and the advancements of the International Code Council?
A: This link to the GIS map shows the volume of building activity across the city: https://experience.arcgis.com/experience/4328ecb658c94672ac484857a6de5ce5/
Building codes that are enforced through permits and inspections ensure that all these projects meet safety and resiliency standards to protect occupants and the community at large.
Here is a snapshot of building activity in Aspen year-to-date:
- 1,517 completed building inspections
- 518 building, mechanical, electrical, and plumbing permits issued
- 96 projects have received certificates of occupancy
Q: Can you speak to local policies and building code updates that address maintaining a safe and resilient environment?
A: Codes are updated on a six-year cycle. This past year, staff has worked to implement and apply the major code updates that were passed in 2023. These include new fire sprinkler requirements, wildfire resiliency requirements, and energy efficiency and carbon reduction measures.
Current codes can be found here: https://www.aspen.gov/197/Energy-Building-Codes
Staff has created many resources that can be found on the city’s website to assist applicants in complying with the new codes: https://aspen.gov/1391/Building-Document-and-Resource-Library
Additionally, building department officials remind everyone to check the batteries in their smoke detectors, make sure carbon monoxide alarms are functioning properly, and get a wildfire mitigation assessment of your property by the Aspen Fire Department.
Right of way work paused during summer
Encroachment and ROW excavation not allowed
As May ends and summer begins, it’s time to focus on a resort town atmosphere and a vibrant commercial core. With that comes increased restrictions on construction related impacts.
The summer season for Aspen starts on Saturday, June 1, 2024. This means there is a pause on permitting encroachments and right of way excavation permits within the commercial core, central resort area, and the Main Street and Highway 82 corridor.
Some items of note also include the upcoming Food and Wine Classic in Aspen scheduled from June 14 to June 16. During this time, no construction is allowed in the central resort area, however projects outside of this zone will be permitted to work. The restrictions during Food and Wine also include a requirement to remove all encroachments in the city right of way and ensure all right of way excavations are fully repaired and patched specifically in the central resort area.
Additionally, the Fourth of July holiday this year falls on a Thursday, so special attention will be given to sites along the parade route and all encroachments will be removed. No work will be permitted within city limits on the holiday. Work can resume on Friday, July 5. The city asks that if your projects resume on July 5 that site supervisors should be considerate of the heavy impacts, such as loud work, to neighbors.
For more information, go to https://www.aspen.gov/257/Engineering.
Aspen 360° returns in 2024
Formerly known as Citizen’s Academy, applications open June 1
Aspen 360° is designed to provide participants with insight into the roles, responsibilities and services offered by 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 to our community.
The Aspen 360° class will meet for a total of seven sessions over a three-month period from August to October. Class topics will include a city overview; city services; environmental protection; the built environment and infrastructure; tax dollar funds; parks and open spaces; and community involvement.
For more information and applications please visit: https://www.aspen.gov/1663/Aspen-360
City of Aspen hosting free bike drop-off
Event aims to keep bikes out of the landfill
The city of Aspen is hosting a free bike drop-off event on Saturday, June 14 from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the Buttermilk parking lot, located at 38700 Highway 82. Drop off your old bike and it will be recycled instead of ending up in a landfill. The event includes free giveaways, a bike maintenance 101 class, snacks, and discounts.
The event is co-sponsored by the city of Aspen, Carbondale Bike Project, Cripple Creek Backcountry, and Aloha Mountain Cyclery.
For more information, go to https://www.aspen.gov/357/Waste-Recycling.
Bike box installation on Mill Street
Project designed to enhance safety for drivers and bicyclists
The city of Aspen will install a new bike box on Mill Street on June 4, 2024. This bike box, a green area on the road with a white bicycle symbol, is designed to enhance safety at intersection by preventing collisions between bicyclists going straight and drivers turning right.
Installation Details:
- Date: Tuesday, June 4, 2024
- Location: Mill Street
- Time: 9:30 a.m. until the following morning
Traffic Impacts:
- Southbound lane: Will be closed from Bleeker Street to Main Street from 9:30 a.m. until the following morning
- Northbound lane: No impacts
- Bus routes: No impacts
For more information, go to https://aspen.gov/257/Engineering.
Resurfacing project on 82 to cause delays
Work will continue through June
This month the Colorado Department of Transportation will be completing the Snowmass Canyon resurfacing project on Highway 82. This project will have traffic impacts and cause delays.
Motorists should plan for 24/7 single lane closure with 40-minute delays for bridge work from May 28 to June 28.
After bridge repairs are complete, motorists should plan for a single lane closure and 15-minute delays. Delays are anticipated during construction hours, which are Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
To reduce delays for commuter traffic, there will be no traffic impacts for eastbound lanes from 6 a.m. to 9 a.m. and westbound lanes from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.
For more information, click here.
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