A campaign against Aspen Referendum 1 is beginning to take shape. The Aspen Chamber Resort Association says it’s part of a coalition of organizations aiming to convince residents to vote against the ballot question. If passed, it would amend the City Charter to require a public vote on development projects with exceptions for height, size, parking, or affordable housing.
Debbie Braun is President and CEO of the Chamber. After surveying business members, and Board deliberations, the group decided to join the campaign.
“Land use belongs in the land use code, not the charter,” says Braun. “And we fear outside developers could come in and buy votes with a slick marketing campaign.”
The Chamber is donating resources to the effort against Referendum 1, mainly worker hours and about twelve dollars so far for registering a website. Braun says the campaign will include local advertising.
The Aspen Skiing Company is also supporting the campaign, but likely will be lending only its name rather than cold hard cash. A spokesman for the company said Thursday it’s not clear when the last time was that Ski Co got involved in a local political issue.