Last month, Pitkin County released a report detailing the environmental impacts of proposed changes at the airport. The public can skip the 250-page document and learn about the project in person this week.
Airport staff said improvements are needed to keep up with modern technology and safety. The regional jets that currently fly into Aspen are slowly being replaced with larger aircraft, and officials say the airport could be out of compliance and lose commercial service without the changes. They propose moving the runway to further separate it from the taxiway and widening it by 50 feet.
There is also a proposal for a new terminal.
A consulting company completed the draft environmental assessment and presented to county commissioners last month. The expansion would mean damage to wetlands near Owl Creek Road. Mitigation efforts would be coordinated with the Army Corps of Engineers.
The assessment also considered air and water quality, wildlife and noise.
The public can learn more at an open house Monday at the Pitkin County Library from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. or Tuesday at Town Hall in Snowmass from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m.