Aspen Pitkin County Airport

Last week, the Aspen Pitkin County airport unveiled a series of upgrades just in time to accommodate holiday travelers.

Airport administrators moved their offices across the street, making way for 109 new seats in the lounge and expanded floor space. In hopes of easing traffic congestion, the airport also added 100 new parking spaces and a cell phone waiting lot.

It can be hard to find parking in Aspen, much less cheap parking. But some people looking for an inexpensive place to leave their car for the day found a way around feeding the meters in town. Just a few minutes down the road, people found cheaper parking at Aspen-Pitkin County airport.

But now, the airport is bumping up rates to discourage people from using the parking lot for the day.

Officials are looking for solutions to packed parking lots at the Aspen/Pitkin County Airport.

Airport director John Kinney said there’s a shortage of about 120 spots at the Aspen airport, even after officials relocated rental cars and paved a dirt lot late last year. Officials say people who are not traveling are also using the airport’s long-term parking lot. 

This week: The City of Aspen will build new offices, it’s up to the public to decide where, a look into life in the valley for the many undocumented workers, and the allure of the solo hike, even though we all know it’s dangerous.  

  The Pitkin County Board of County Commissioners held their mid-year retreat Tuesday and got a full briefing from airport director John Kinney.

  Each year, the Aspen Chamber Resort Association holds a community breakfast to look back at the winter season and forward to new business and tourism projects.

This winter, the Rocky Mountain Wolf Project has launched public awareness campaign meant to familiarize Coloradans with wolves and garner enthusiasm for reintroducing wolves in the state. They’ve teamed up with the nonprofit Living with Wolves to bring a photo exhibition to a unique setting in Aspen.

The Eagle County Regional Airport held an emergency response drill on Wednesday. This happens once every three years. In a prepared scenario, 80 volunteers littered the runway, all with fake injuries. First responders then had to react.

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.

The Pitkin County Board of Commissioners heard an update Tuesday about the potential environmental impacts from a proposed expansion at the airport.

  The busy summer months in the upper valley are coming to an end. News director Carolyn Sackariason has been digging into summer occupancy numbers for both Aspen and Snowmass. She discusses them with producer Christin Kay.

To hear more stories like this, subscribe to our new podcast The Dial.

  This summer, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) made a ruling that will result in longer delays at the Aspen Pitkin County Airport.

Beginning Aug. 7, travelers looking to fly between Denver and Aspen can use an app to book a seat on a chartered plane.

The results are in from an environmental analysis of the proposed expansion of the Aspen-Pitkin County Airport. The public has a chance to learn more Thursday evening.

A busy holiday season in Aspen had more people than ever moving through the airport.

On this week’s Mountain Edition, hosts Alycin Bektesh and Elizabeth Stewert Severy present a compilation of the week’s news.

The week between Christmas and New Year's is one of the busiest of the year at the Aspen/Pitkin County Airport. And, due to weather, it’s also one of the most dangerous.

The Aspen/Pitkin County Airport is improving its baggage screening system by enlarging the conveyor belt used to screen bags once they’re checked in.

Pitkin County officials hosted an open house last night to present the latest iteration of conceptual plans for an expanded airport. Carolyn Sackariason has more.

Welcome to Valley Roundup. I’m Carolyn Sackariason.

The presence of law enforcement will be constant at the Aspen Pitkin County Airport for the near future. Aspen Public Radio’s Carolyn Sackariason has the details.

Just like many places around the country, security is being beefed up at Sardy Field in response to Monday’s terrorist attacks in Brussels. Pitkin County Sheriff Joe DiSalvo says he was asked by John Kinney, the airport’s director, to provide a deputy on site. The sheriff says an armed officer will be at the airport from the time it opens to the time it closes — for at least the next few days.

Aspen Pitkin County Airport Director John Kinney told City Council on Tuesday that it’s important to reach out to all interested parties prior to launching an environmental assessment required for a terminal expansion.

The Aspen Pitkin County Airport is working on an Environmental Assessment of a new runway and terminal. The airport plan has been through several rounds of comment and review.

  This month Aspen Pitkin County Airport is experiencing its highest passenger volume in almost two decades. Aspen Public Radio takes a look at what this means for a short-staffed Transportation Security Administration.

The busiest time of year for the Aspen Pitkin County Airport is also the most tenuous as far as weather delays and cancelations. This year a waiting area expansion project adds to the chaos.