The Aspen City Council held its final regular meeting of 2025 on December 16 at 5 p.m. in City Council Chambers. Mayor Torre Richards presided with all council members present: Councillors Rachel Benedetti, John Doyle, Bill Guth and Sam Rose.
Council unanimously approved an off-cycle grant for Aspen Public Radio as part of the station’s campaign to raise $500,000 to replace lost federal funds. Resolution #165 passed on the consent calendar without discussion.
Executive Director Breeze Richardson appeared during citizen comment to thank Council. “If the Council decides to proceed with staff recommendations, we will successfully succeed our goal of raising $500,000 to replace lost federal funds,” Richardson said.
The radio station will celebrate 45 years in 2026. Federal funding cuts forced the local fundraising campaign.
Richardson thanked Council for representing the community in Washington. The funding supports an institution serving Colorado’s mountain corridor since 1980 with news and cultural programming.
Climate Research
Councillor Bill Guth shared climate research during council member comments. The Guardian reported glaciers in the European Alps will reach peak extinction rates in eight years, with more than 100 melting permanently by 2033. Glaciers in the Western U.S. and Canada face similar peak loss rates with 800 disappearing annually.
Guth cited BBC reporting on climate progress. Wind, solar and renewable power sources overtook coal as the world’s leading electricity source this year, driven by China’s clean energy expansion. A global high seas protection agreement was ratified in September 2025. Endangered species including sea turtles and crocodiles experienced comebacks. One year after removing four dams along California’s Klamath River, salmon returned to traditional spawning grounds.
Ute Properties Management Plan
Council adopted Resolution #163 approving a management plan for 7.6 acres between the Roaring Fork River and Ute Avenue. The plan combines management of Ute Cemetery open space, Ute Park and the Benedict parcel.
Ute Cemetery was established in 1880 and listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2002. The plan took two years to develop using Tatanka Historical Associates, Peak Ecological and Sopris Engineering.
Public feedback focused on a proposed fence along the cemetery’s north and east sides. Staff revised the proposal to clearly mark property corners instead of installing continuous fencing. The Open Space and Trails Board voted unanimously November 20 to recommend approval.
Transferable Development Rights Debate
Council approved six TDR certificates for 500 West Francis Street on second reading, but Mayor Richards questioned whether the program should continue. The ordinance passed unanimously 4-0.
Since 2004, the city approved 120 TDR certificates on 38 properties. Of those 120, 71 have landed at other locations while 49 remain outstanding.
“That leaves 49 out there. That’s a lot of square footage,” Richards said. “I just don’t know that we should continue to encourage historic preservation by that means.”
Richards noted homes on the east end are massively oversized from TDR transfers. “We’re going to save this neighborhood by sacrificing that neighborhood,” she said. “Now it’s like we’re just creating more of them like tribbles every other day.”
Richards suggested lowering TDR amounts to 150-175 square feet. She supported the current application because it follows existing policy. The most recent TDR certificate sold for $700,000 in February 2025.
Demolition Allotments
Council approved two demolition requests representing the final 2025 allocations. Both passed unanimously 4-0.
Resolution #168 approved demolition at 184 McSkimming Road. Nancy Thomas, 88, and Roger Davis, 96, purchased the 1965 home in 1976 after falling in love with Aspen during music festival visits.
Sarah Glorian, Nancy’s daughter born at the old Aspen Valley Hospital in 1969, joined via Zoom from Washington State. She said the blended family still uses the house when visiting but Nancy is “very sad not to be there anymore.” The couple recently moved to Sopris Lodge in Carbondale due to mobility and age issues.
Resolution #169 approved demolition at 1160 River Drive for a 1971 home in the Cemetery Lane neighborhood’s far north end. Representative Chris Benden described it as needing redevelopment through stream margin review.
Consent Calendar and Routine Business
The consent calendar also approved an addendum to the ACRA Tourism Promotion Fund Agreement and contracts with Azavar Audit Solutions and Deckard Technologies to replace short-term rental tracking software. Richards said the city is making improvements to help STR applicants move through the system more easily next year. Council approved draft minutes from December 2.
Board Reports
Councillor Sam Rose reported Ruedi Water and Power Authority interviewed three executive director candidates and discussed threats from zebra mussels and invasive species that could eliminate recreational access. Richards and Rose attended a Colorado Municipal League policy meeting where Richards added an item opposing gambling expansion beyond Central City, Cripple Creek and Black Hawk. Councillor John Doyle reported APCHA will debut a new website in early 2026. Rose updated on Sister Cities activities including Garmisch-Partenkirchen’s 60th anniversary celebration in Aspen next September. Richards reported RAFTA is waiting for final results of the fare-free experiment, noting ridership was down in November even with free service.
Council members and staff praised the Winter Skull celebration for its new date and format. Council entered executive session to discuss potential litigation regarding property at 455 Rio Grande Place. The meeting was the final regular council meeting of 2025.
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