Public Service Announcement  Applications available for city of Aspen food tax refund Apply online now  Aspen, CO – Aspen residents who lived within city limits for the entire year of 2025 and who have been registered to vote since Jan. 1, 2025, or before, are eligible to apply for a $136 food tax refund, which is now available as an online application. Applicants are required to apply online to reduce paper use and expedite the administrative process.  To qualify for the food sales tax refund all applicants must: Submit the food sales tax refund application by the deadline of April 15, 2026. Have resided within the Aspen city limits for the full 2025 year. Have been registered to vote in the city of Aspen from Jan. 1, 2025 – Dec. 31, 2025. Be able to prove residency within Aspen city limits for 2025 and if still living within the city, ensure your current address is the same as your registered voter address. Residents who are not eligible to register to vote due to non-citizenship or a felony conviction may still apply by providing alternative proof of residency for the full calendar year, as determined by the finance director.  Applicants who do not need their refund this year may choose to donate some or all of their awarded amount to a nonprofit organization of their choice. Donations may be tax-deductible and offer an opportunity to support local causes and programs.  The city of Aspen created food sales tax refunds as an incentive to encourage voters to support a sales tax referendum in 1970. It was intended to reimburse voters for the approximate amount of sales tax that they would pay annually on grocery purchases due to the imposition of a city sales tax.   To apply or learn more, visit aspen.gov/382/Food-Sales-Tax-Refunds.  If qualified applicants need assistance completing the application, please visit the finance window located on the second floor of City Hall at 427 Rio Grande Place.    The deadline for applications is April 15, 2026, at 5 p.m. Late applications will not be accepted. ###  For more information please contact:  Kate Fuentes, accounting manager  Phone: 970-920-5252  Email: kate.fuentes@aspen.gov Madie Bailey, communications coordinator  Phone: 970-309-1569  Email: madie.bailey@aspen.gov 

Public Service AnnouncementWinter Bike to Work Day to be held Feb. 13 Aspen, CO - The city of Aspen transportation department has announced Winter Bike to Work Day will be on Friday, Feb. 13, 2026. This event aims to encourage cycling and walking as alternative modes of transportation during the winter season.   “Winter Bike to Work Day is a fun way to show that getting around Aspen without a car is possible year-round,” said Sandy Doebler, mobility administrator for the city of Aspen’s transportation department. “By biking, walking, or taking transit in the winter, our community supports a healthier lifestyle while helping reduce traffic and environmental impacts, and we’re excited to celebrate those efforts together.” After biking, walking, or taking the bus, stop by Paepcke Park from 7:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. to enjoy free food and drinks, learn about commuter safety, and have a chance to win prizes. Participants are encouraged to pledge to ride, which helps the city measure the impact of biking and walking. For more information visit www.driveless.net , www.biketoworkday.co or call (970) 920-5042.  ###For more information, please contact: Sandy Doebler, mobility administrator Phone: 970-920-5042Email: sandy.doebler@aspen.gov Emily Ford, communications specialist  Phone: 970-379-9373  Email: emily.ford@aspen.gov

Press Release The city of Aspen announces 2026 Cultural Vibrancy Fellowship cohorts  Twelve adult artists and 10 youth artists have been selected to participateAspen, CO – The city of Aspen is pleased to announce the selection of 12 adult artists and 10 youth artists for the 2026 Cultural Vibrancy Fellowship, an initiative that celebrates and supports local creative talent by providing funding for artistic projects while fostering connection and collaboration within the arts community. Artists were notified in January and will meet regularly until the final celebratory gathering in mid-May. The selected adult fellows represent a wide range of creative fields. Agustina Flores Maini blends visual art and sound to create interactive experiences. Andy Curtis is a photographer who tells stories through his images. Axel Livingston works with blacksmithing, ceramics, and glassblowing to transform reclaimed materials into nature-inspired art. Chris MacDonald is a documentary filmmaker focused on storytelling. Daysi Mayer is a musician inspired by upbeat, jazz-influenced music, collaborating with local artists. Hector Chacon is a singer-songwriter rooted in regional Mexican music. Jessica Mansor is a painter who uses acrylic and larger canvas to express emotion and is expressive through color and mark-making, and Josefina Mendez Cattaneo is a musically talented artist. Michael Bonds is a ceramic artist and educator who experiments with glazes and firing techniques.Miller Ford uses comedy to create welcoming spaces where people connect through laughter. Tristan Trincado is an independent singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist. Whit Boucher creates detailed pen-and-ink drawings highlighted with gold leaf and watercolor.Adult fellows may receive up to $5,000 to support their projects. This year’s cohort highlights the wide variety of talent in Aspen’s creative community, spanning photography, visual art, music, ceramics, film, and comedy. The fellowship aims to help artists connect, grow in their artistic practice, pursue innovative projects, and bring more art to the community.The 2026 youth fellows bring a vibrant mix of creative talents. Aaron Levey channels his passion for graphic and fashion design, crafting logos and visuals that stand out. Bo Pfaffmann uses photography and videography to reveal the hidden stories and natural beauty of the community. Dante Clark shines as a young performer and musician, while Jacob Barrow captures compelling moments through his lens. Outdoor enthusiast Koston Tanner is eager to bring the thrill of adventure to life through film.Lillo Oppenheim’s Edible Art Lab transforms food into vibrant, textured, and sculptural creations that delight both the eye and palate. Maya Calle breathes life into fashion with her skillful drawing and imaginative designs. Micah Scott, transitioning from watercolor to oil painting, is expanding their artistic voice by exploring new media like ink, photography, gouache, and spray paint. Norah Glasgow, inspired by recent studies, passionately designs clothing that is as wearable as it is creative. Yaroslav Loboda is a visual artist known for his bold and unique paintings that push creative boundaries.Youth fellows will receive $750 in funding to support their art. These young creatives showcase their talents within Aspen’s youth community. Inspiring and dedicated, they represent the growing future of the local arts scene.In 2026, fellowship gatherings will go beyond traditional discussions to include immersive experiences. Fellows will attend select performances at the Wheeler Opera House followed by intimate conversations with the presenting artists, fostering artistic exposure and inspiration. Both youth and adult cohorts will participate in five workshops from February through May, culminating in a celebratory event at the Wheeler.On behalf of the city of Aspen, the Wheeler Opera House, and the Red Brick Center for the Arts, Sarah Roy, executive director of the Red Brick Center for the Arts, said, “We are thrilled by the remarkable number of talented artists who applied for the grant this year. The breadth of artistic work happening in our community is truly inspiring.“This year’s finalists demonstrated extraordinary innovation, tenacity, and commitment to their art, showcasing projects ranging from the Aspen Yearbook to multisensory visual and sound installations to the recording of new albums. We are fortunate to live in a town that celebrates and supports this meaningful work.”For more information on the 2026 Cultural Vibrancy Fellowship, follow @redbrickaspen on Instagram and Facebook or visit aspen.gov. ###For more information, please contact:  Sarah Roy, Red Brick Center for the Arts Executive Director Phone: 970-366-2579 Email: sarah.roy@aspen.govMariela Hale, Digital Communications CoordinatorPhone: 970-309.9959Email: mariela.hale@aspen.gov 

Press ReleaseCity of Aspen announces updated parking rates effective Feb. 16Aspen, CO – The city of Aspen will implement updated parking rates beginning Feb. 16, 2026, as approved by Aspen City Council.  These changes aim to promote turnover, make parking more accessible for shoppers and diners in the downtown core, and support the city’s goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions from single-occupant vehicle trips. This marks the first adjustment to parking fees since 2018. To encourage availability, a maximum of four hours of parking per license plate will be allowed per day. Rates vary by season and time of day: Peak season (January–March, June–September, December | Monday–Saturday; Sunday free):10 a.m.–10:59 a.m.: $5/hour 11 a.m.–2:59 p.m.: $7/hour 3 p.m.–5:59 p.m.: $5/hour Off season (April, May, October, November | Monday–Friday; Saturday–Sunday free): 10 a.m.–10:59 a.m.: $3/hour 11 a.m.–2:59 p.m.: $5/hour 3 p.m.–5:59 p.m.: $3/hour Residential day passes: $9/day, Monday through Friday Free on Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays Carpool permits: For vehicles with three or more occupants of driving age Issued at the carpool kiosk at the Brush Creek Park and Ride lot Valid in residential zones A, B, C, D, or E Not valid in the downtown core Rio Grande parking garage: 30 minutes and under remain free 0–1 hour: $3 1–2 hours: $6 2–3 hours: $9 3–24 hours: $15 daily max Discount passes:$7 per exit/day (refillable at the parking department) $70 for 10 exits/days $140 for 20 exits/days Electric vehicles:To support the ongoing maintenance and accessibility of residential neighborhoods, drivers of electric vehicles will be required to pay for parking in all residential zones in Aspen, effective Feb. 16, 2026.Drivers utilizing the city of Aspen’s electric vehicle chargers are required to pay for both charging and parking. Parking rates at EV chargers are determined by the zone in which they are located.  For questions regarding parking rates or permits, please visit aspen.gov/Parking###For more information, please contact:Blake Fitch, parking directorPhone: 970-429-1760 Email: blake.fitch@aspen.gov  Emily Ford, communications specialist Phone: 970-379-9373Email: emily.ford@aspen.gov