Panels and ticket prices at the Aspen Ideas Festival this year had some locals questioning if the Aspen Institute has lost touch with locals. But organizers are still trying to expand community access.

In her latest book Fierce Country, Heather Hansman tells the stories of three women whose experiences helped shape the region, but whose stories have largely gone untold.

The six-month closure of the Aspen-Pitkin County Airport will force forum organizers to move the event next summer.

The city of Aspen broke ground on the state of Colorado’s first car-to-pedestrian transition in 1976. A series of public events and installations honoring the landmark’s 50th anniversary this summer culminated in an art parade last month.

One performance combines climbing and dancing — and will take place on the exterior walls of the Wheeler Opera House this weekend. BANDALOOP Artistic Director Melecio Estrella said all art transcends political divides.

Panels in this year’s Aspen Ideas Festival will use art and music to highlight America’s past, while the world’s top thought leaders will discuss the country’s future.

Some vendors dropped out of the festival last year, in part due to the financial pressure of tariffs. While some can return for 2026, economic uncertainty remains as refunds stall and potential new tariffs loom.

Director Ruth Katz talks about this year’s lineup of topics and speakers, including the pediatrician and philanthropist Priscilla Chan. During the closing session, Chan will discuss her initiative to use AI-powered technology to cure or prevent all diseases by the end of the century.

Meghan Umber will succeed Alan Fletcher as president and CEO of the Aspen Music Festival and School. Umber will bring two decades of experience at the Los Angeles Philharmonic to the Roaring Fork Valley.

Healthcare workers use resource directories to direct people to the help they need. Now, the nonprofit West Mountain Regional Health Alliance has one for a range of Pitkin, Garfield and Eagle Counties’ organizations. This story is part of our “On the Ground” radio series that highlights solutions to local and global issues from Roaring Fork and Colorado River valley organizations.