Pitkin County

Over 7,000 animals were killed in wildlife-vehicle collisions on Colorado roads in 2025. Local nonprofit Roaring Fork Safe Passages has worked since 2022 to make Highway 82 safer. 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.

The White River National Forest would like Pitkin County to take over the management of the Maroon Bells Scenic Area. That's due to a budget gap and staffing woes.

The county estimated the entire project would cost about $31 million. FCI Constructor’s bid came in at around $40 million.

After Pitkin County agreed to fund a feasibility study for wildlife crossings, Roaring Fork Safe Passages went on an EcoFlight on Monday. Colorado’s Wildlife Collision Prevention Act is also making its way to the state house floor, which would fund similar projects.

Data-privacy concerns raised about Glenwood Springs' Automatic License Plate Recognition cameras are widespread across the Roaring Fork and Colorado River valleys, an Aspen Journalism analysis found.

Pitkin County recently approved an updated management plan for the North Star Nature Reserve. While the process has been contentious in recent years, Elizabeth Stewart-Severy reported for Aspen Journalism that the county has been pouring resources into balancing the community and ecological interests in the area.

Aspen Public Radio published a story on April 1 about a ski patroller leaving the profession. Some of her coworkers spoke out in defense of the career choice.

Artnauts is an artist collective that works to draw attention to global issues through the visual arts. Despite originating in Colorado, the group usually shows internationally, and making a stateside appearance is rare.

Snowmass patroller Katy Willcox has ski patrolled for a decade. As climate change makes winters increasingly unreliable, she decided that this season will be her last.

Highlands’ closure comes a few days after Buttermilk Mountain closed for the season. It marks the end of a historically warm ski season for the mountain.