City of Aspen

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.

A committee of community leaders is in the process of contracting transportation services to help provide ground transportation to Aspen from other regional airports while the Aspen-Pitkin County Airport is closed for eight months next year.

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.

Four Galena Street intersections will receive a new paint job. It is a part of an effort to beautify an area of town undergoing construction, while making pedestrian walkways more visible.

The fledgling initiative is a series meant to showcase locals’ talent in the Roaring Fork Valley — especially during Aspen’s off season.

The Aspen Institute awarded Maria Reva with its Aspen Words Literary Prize on Thursday. She won the prize for her novel, “Endling,” which focuses on the ongoing Russia-Ukraine War.