[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6471560,"mediaKeyId","5856896-4ebd65a2e0af129e39a33540beb144e0","parentId",5856896,"title","Pitkin County readies limited response if federal Maroon Bells facilities close during a government shutdown","audioSeconds",510,"startMs",4440000,"endMs",4950000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5856896-4ebd65a2e0af129e39a33540beb144e0&start=4440&end=4950","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5856896-4ebd65a2e0af129e39a33540beb144e0/thumbnail_4440000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6471560/Pitkin-County/Colorado/Pitkin-County-readies-limited-response-if-federal-Maroon-Bells-facilities-close-during-a-government-shutdown","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6471560-aa3e6313261f01b6b1d1115f43e49840/orig.mp4?Expires=1770593859&Signature=ciZ7kiGShMi4GbLRRTtLgjIqK3B5jkICmdHq8HH4n-2DKtqeOP8YbU55MnRUhXgWHAAR9m1-xxDUvtoO9nJ4gq5bdHY8c7w8dYexPm28L5~n81-wQ7ayEcpxmBSaK2ZUBshrFtYnqWn~Z0b3pSW8qNJzeNZs4laCuqrFCFkKbZ3BTDcwuIgzw9gClpJ8xx2r6GIggruCO6w4S3q8PLBhTnFeldnuSj6Cs3eyI3MMQir4rS3QHm7-87g88bnp5c4l5N21q1gvDgMcvKW~0fMd8hpT9W-qMZ84ukeqJVjZQ1se4H5X6UhxlD7xckwxVBD5~bvCaVHiFsJDLZPleXGpJQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Pitkin County","date","2025-09-30T15:58:19Z","article","Pitkin County commissioners discussed contingency steps to manage recreation access and resources at Maroon Bells should a federal government shutdown close federal facilities and remove National Park staff from onsite management.

Staff told the board that, if federal staff are not available to operate visitor services, the county’s immediate options would be limited but include placing porta-potties at upper trailheads for nonvehicular users (bicyclists, hikers) and closing vehicle access gates to limit impacts and preserve resources. Staff cautioned the county cannot operate federal reservation systems or assume full park-management duties in place of federal staff, and said Riparian/visitor-management decisions would be limited by available county personnel.

Commissioners noted that reservations for Maroon Bells and related shuttle services are often handled through ACRA and the reservation vendor; staff said they would coordinate with ACRA and transit providers to ensure visitors who hold reservations are contacted about cancellations or changes. County staff acknowledged significant practical problems if visitors expect bus service or reserved trail access but the federal agency is not operating on site; Rafta and other transit providers may also curtail services if federal facilities are officially closed.

Board members discussed public-safety risks, potential parking overflow at road gates and trailheads, and how to direct visitors to alternative sites. Commissioner Greg Poschman said he wants long-term solutions to avoid vulnerability to future federal staffing interruptions and urged staff to plan options in advance. Commissioners asked staff to coordinate communications to help visitors understand closures, to consider temporary restroom placements for nonvehicular users and to work with ACRA on messaging for reservation-holders.

Staff said they will follow up with ACRA and transit partners to coordinate messaging and to prepare a county-level approach that prioritizes resource protection and public safety if a shutdown occurs.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","BOCC Work Session (1st and 3rd Tuesdays) - 09/30/2025","oneSentenceSummary","Pitkin County commissioners on Sept. 30 discussed limited local contingency steps — porta-potties, gate closures and coordinated messaging with ACRA and transit providers — if federal Maroon Bells facilities were closed during a government shutdown.","taxTitle","Pitkin County, Colorado","taxId",27807,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6471580,"Pitkin County: Emma Fields distillery noise mitigation found compliant; county follows up on weed complaint",557,303000,860000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5856896-4ebd65a2e0af129e39a33540beb144e0&start=303&end=860","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5856896-4ebd65a2e0af129e39a33540beb144e0/thumbnail_303000.jpg","/articles/6471580/Pitkin-County/Colorado/Pitkin-County-Emma-Fields-distillery-noise-mitigation-found-compliant-county-follows-up-on-weed-complaint","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6471580-9b8eb7452fcb1a9c89a6fc66d4bdef03/orig.mp4?Expires=1770593859&Signature=YizM~WXGxkHMUG0Qf5lHwvvFpznO7ivVeZUxcAEzJ46CKT18REW~SNg5Zun0data~yBDV3H4Q~MH1YZmTN07a3Cb~tIMUu8HVYZbiVVbBRqtl9bsXjKFDcMGiWCjdtZZIctR8LggFLslFU~EzcbBWKjRzT5Ur19wTcKwl3PDm-cflmiuQTaKr72eyP0mdRv5WoEX55EVGE0bxaXI4rieSnVX2~Y0pOrFk2~FaK3YIwqt2DFspv4dXI4tQP7pFIMi6nwLH1AydgeW3UU5KfxdOXwkH2CfhxfaLiA65N1XTCcBDw1p302W5AJEOSUg7R74YSJHJHLHhcIbA~47AUThAg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Pitkin County commissioners on Tuesday heard an update on noise and site conditions at the Emma Fields distillery, with staff reporting that the operator had installed the mitigation measures the board required and that recent sound testing showed compliance with the Pitkin County noise ordinance.

Commissioner Jeffrey Woodruff opened the discussion by asking for the update and telling staff, “I do not think we need 30 minutes for this,” while explaining the background: the board had directed the applicant during its January annual-review process to implement noise mitigation and then test the results.

County staff said the applicant hired EDI (Engineering Dynamics) to recommend and test noise-mitigation measures. Those measures included a blanket on a chiller, baffling on two vents to redirect sound, and a rebuilt sound wall around a transformer. Staff reported that a July nighttime test measured sound at agreed locations. Staff also said Holy Cross required the applicant to move the sound wall a few feet to provide emergency access to the transformer and that the owners complied.

Staff told commissioners the county’s calibrated sound meters will use the EDI measurement locations as the baseline in any future complaint-driven response. Staff added that, under the distillery’s approved operations plan, the facility is not to operate on weekends nor before 7 a.m. or after 7 p.m., and that the Pickin County—corrected in county records to Pitkin County—noise standard becomes more restrictive after 7 p.m., meaning certain upset or emergency activations that run equipment after 7 p.m. could exceed local limits and would require immediate notification of community development and possibly the fire department.

The board also heard that routine sound testing was sometimes impeded: during one visit the chiller would not turn on because temperatures were too cold; on a later night the team could not measure inside a nearby home because the homeowners, Michael and Elizabeth Murison, had put the property on the market and were unavailable. Staff said the lack of an interior measurement means the county lacks direct data about in-home sound levels at that residence.

Separately, the county reported it has an outstanding weed complaint about the four-acre parcel the applicant had proposed to plant with an agricultural crop. Romany of Public Works conducted site visits with the distillery operations manager, Jared Day, and recommended state funding links for noxious-weed treatment; Romany will continue follow-up and escalate if necessary. Staff noted recent fill imported to the four acres—soil from a drained lake—proved lower in nutrients than expected, requiring soil amendment work before planting could succeed.

Staff said the distillery’s full annual review is scheduled for January, when the board will again receive a formal report and any recommendations. For the present work session, staff emphasized there are no new enforcement actions pending: the facility is operating within Pitkin County’s noise ordinance and the outstanding matter is the weed complaint and the required annual report. The county will treat the EDI studies as the baseline for future complaint responses and continue monitoring.

Commissioners pressed for follow-up and for timely reporting at the January annual review. Several commissioners expressed relief that the sound measures appeared to be in place, and others asked staff to keep pursuing the weed issue. Staff confirmed they will continue to monitor, notify the board as needed and include the matters in the January review.

","At a Sept. 30 Pitkin County work session, staff told commissioners the Emma Fields distillery has implemented most noise-mitigation measures and is in compliance with the county noise ordinance; a separate complaint remains open about four acres the applicant had pledged to cultivate, staff said.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6471565,"Pitkin County staff to draft code amendments on camping in road rights-of-way; public input and enforcement remain open questions",275,3024000,3299000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5856896-4ebd65a2e0af129e39a33540beb144e0&start=3024&end=3299","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5856896-4ebd65a2e0af129e39a33540beb144e0/thumbnail_3024000.jpg","/articles/6471565/Pitkin-County/Colorado/Pitkin-County-staff-to-draft-code-amendments-on-camping-in-road-rights-of-way-public-input-and-enforcement-remain-open-questions","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6471565-f01fa1e8909a387807bcc1cafb47aaea/orig.mp4?Expires=1770593859&Signature=OuhHiFpvC3AxfVu1n6KiebhlG21KGE570Fgkq5vMHyzfK2cCjd29~iP41osaENeq4Y~np-5aIBilYk5qiNYxEijVDspfdi~5DlUlsIAPCCBuxCWxqZzJ-xa~0MMJYwG5zyukDBTww2~VOee1~N2jWTnA4noAUmD~bfCyXEzG55wCFY5vvZTLnm3Of8afnnmVLPwpPu7dvBZ19H~vzMzXYsjlFBVeXMPuyak2FORVdS9k8wUSAHD9lF7aH6S0P5PrHxp12mCcF-659rmqjXl6Gu3w7aAr5ddzDBdfSgMjpEhJCraD8Ot45DJUkZhZokFgsNX0kT9ObR8ZUhzTFmF12g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Pitkin County commissioners on Sept. 30 discussed staff plans to draft code amendments addressing camping in county road rights-of-way, with staff and law enforcement flagging public-safety and enforcement discretion as central issues to resolve before any proposed ordinance is publicly noticed.

County staff told commissioners the conversation will be two-tiered: staff will prepare code-amendment recommendations for how camping in road rights-of-way should be regulated and will also outline how law enforcement would use discretion in enforcement. Commissioners asked whether the board prefers public comment at the Oct. 14 work session or a wider public-engagement process before formal hearings; staff said they would take direction and present a proposed schedule.

Commissioners and staff noted practical distinctions that complicate the topic: short-term roadside camping by hunters or early-morning hikers is different from people establishing long-term residence on rights-of-way. Commissioners urged staff to compile data and examples and to coordinate with the sheriff’s office about public-safety implications. Staff said the likely focus will be county road rights-of-way rather than county-owned parking facilities (which are managed differently and may be subject to separate rules at park-and-ride or recreation sites).

Staff also said they heard substantial public comment in East of Aspen caucuses and from neighbors, and that attorney’s office and sheriff’s office input would be part of staff recommendations. The board agreed staff should bring code-amendment language and a recommended public-input schedule to the Oct. 14 work session and then, if the board directs, proceed to noticed public hearings.

","Commissioners discussed possible code amendments to restrict or regulate camping along county road rights-of-way. Staff will bring recommendations and are seeking guidance on the level of public input the board wants before hearings, and law enforcement said enforcement discretion and public-safety considerations will be central.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6471570,"Cloud 10 Aspen land-use hearing: site visit set; commissioners weigh Oct. 22 continuation vs November dates",335,2609000,2944000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5856896-4ebd65a2e0af129e39a33540beb144e0&start=2609&end=2944","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5856896-4ebd65a2e0af129e39a33540beb144e0/thumbnail_2609000.jpg","/articles/6471570/Pitkin-County/Colorado/Cloud-10-Aspen-land-use-hearing-site-visit-set-commissioners-weigh-Oct-22-continuation-vs-November-dates","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6471570-a3f3ec42e7539011efb562570bf9fd4a/orig.mp4?Expires=1770593859&Signature=Nlv2nqRdy8wFscEx0psH23uq3Es9YrcP13i3x9~deSXchdGd-ahJ0CcDedw3f7y40lW-0S6EHTjVNb4Ff94zbOrE7eG4JFSL8b5rQ2JVB9FTxWDxXASRvQkuR3owhxrKf33iXOM7XIeUSgKJ~fZSebNTOO8TT55lkuN~oGQRomTeN73OGyvevr3Z-zKhXj~sMrOO-7u5HHsT58bNP6-fpoqjJjCbrXPETWWPa5Nxj9rsuZ0GwFoFai5YtbngrMxkuKfQ0FJNOqPdd2cH8Ts6ovHDzDhqnbsmMQmp1eeElEubRAl5f5sCVwfiswfSLD456gByTgATgiCDMoS0~IngiQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Pitkin County commissioners called a special meeting and scheduled a site visit on Sept. 30 to inspect the Cloud 10 Aspen LLC activity envelope and site-plan application and agreed to continue the formal public hearing to a date certain, with Oct. 22 the proposed continuation date.

County staff said the site visit was noticed as a public hearing and that staff planned to present a full report, recommendation and the applicant’s materials at the Oct. 22 meeting. Staff told commissioners the applicant will be unavailable for much of November, and that key staff (Tammy) will be on maternity leave later in November; for those reasons staff and the applicant had asked to hold the hearing on Oct. 22 if the board could do so.

Commissioners discussed availability: several said they might be absent for some dates in November and that beginning the hearing on Oct. 22 and continuing it, if necessary, would allow staff to identify issues and provide the applicant an early opportunity to respond. Commissioners emphasized the public-site-visit component would be treated as a public meeting and that county staff would ensure proper on-the-record proceedings when the formal hearing resumes.

Staff also reminded the board that rural-remote zoning triggers special-review items that commonly bring applications for activity-envelope and site-plan review to the BOCC; examples include setbacks and any proposed deviations from activity-envelope size limits. Staff said they would clarify the specific rural-remote triggers that apply to this application and flag any requested deviations in their Oct. 22 packet.

Commissioners agreed to start the public site visit and then continue the record to the Oct. 22 date for a full hearing and staff recommendation; the board noted the hearing could be continued again if necessary to accommodate full participation or applicant availability. The board also asked staff to use the site visit to identify any major issues that should be addressed in advance of the Oct. 22 hearing.

","Pitkin County commissioners scheduled a site visit and public hearing continuation for the Cloud 10 Aspen LLC land-use application; staff and the applicant proposed continuing to Oct. 22 so the applicant can attend and staff can finalize recommendations, while some commissioners noted absences that week.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6471575,"Airport Advisory Board to consider turning pilot flight-safety task force into standing subcommittee; county to take task to two readings",1094,1312000,2406000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5856896-4ebd65a2e0af129e39a33540beb144e0&start=1312&end=2406","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5856896-4ebd65a2e0af129e39a33540beb144e0/thumbnail_1312000.jpg","/articles/6471575/Pitkin-County/Colorado/Airport-Advisory-Board-to-consider-turning-pilot-flight-safety-task-force-into-standing-subcommittee-county-to-take-task-to-two-readings","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6471575-80065819a88d119495500ba490ea38cc/orig.mp4?Expires=1770593859&Signature=hKN5B4vSQtZed~o2wjHi8I~hnrYcw1cTvlF5uadUcqPVeAYnvvAGTgrzR9~u~XJ0PlL3w7jooK0LIHTPS5n3LE1SVoZKpCZkxxD4VNXaEMiAAht4cfq94Hyls3iy9tI4cXC2YJ0qGkOb2gWyFb4qZr98xLNmAggOUz4cmj-uESM6uiNxeQpUo89UvJHIJh60EsvlQdOXvZDz5YNU09JYUSYe-bZGMp8nMZue8dXGe2xIifTVf10ACO5LE91gYbbIxs-LIGfcnkgh8Q34Q2ZKh5T9rZOiEojIzt18BceWnP8kSER5ogHKtJUqn-9ZXNMx0Jsi1C4CnL5Tg6a6QDIIlQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Pitkin County commissioners on Sept. 30 reviewed a proposal to elevate a pilot-run Flight Safety Task Force to a standing subcommittee of the Airport Advisory Board (AAB), and gave staff direction to advance the proposal to two readings.

Diane and Nora, county staff working with airport advisory efforts, told the board the task force began in 2022 with 12 pilots focused on pilot safety on the ground and in the air. The recommended change would formalize that group as a standing AAB subcommittee with appointees vetted by the county.

Proponents said the group’s narrow focus on pilot-to-pilot education—briefings, videos and peer outreach—is intended to improve safety for pilots landing at Aspen-area airports and to help visiting pilots understand local approaches and wind conditions. The group would also support AAB priorities such as the wind study and training for new pilots.

Commissioners and other board members questioned whether the subcommittee should be limited to pilots or include scientists, tower staff and other subject-matter experts. Commissioner Greg Poschman asked why the group would be pilot-only and suggested that nonpilot perspectives, including scientists, have provided useful review in prior safety investigations. Diane and Nora said the subcommittee could invite outside experts to attend meetings and that the AAB would remain the oversight body; appointees would come through the existing advisory-board appointment process.

Commissioner Kelly asked how the subcommittee would reach visiting pilots who have never flown into Aspen; staff said outreach tools could include the airport’s fixed-base operator (FBO) and dispatcher channels, and that the group could develop materials or prompts for pilots filing flight plans. Board members emphasized that the group is advisory: county staff and commissioners reminded attendees that the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) retains regulatory authority over airspace and operational rules.

Board members and staff discussed oversight and potential conflict of personalities in an advisory group; Nora said she would attend the subcommittee meetings to provide county oversight. The board’s consensus was to ask staff to proceed: Diane told the commissioners she would take the proposal to the AAB, and staff asked the BOCC to allow the matter to advance to two formal readings.

Commissioner Jeffrey Woodruff summed the administrative decision: the county will treat the conversion as an AAB matter with oversight and will return to the BOCC after the AAB and two readings. No binding change to FAA authority was suggested: staff and commissioners repeated that the subcommittee’s role would be advisory only.

","Pitkin County staff asked commissioners to support moving a pilot-focused flight-safety task force into a standing subcommittee of the Airport Advisory Board; commissioners directed staff to proceed to two readings and raised questions about membership, FAA authority and outreach to visiting pilots.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Pitkin County readies limited response if federal Maroon Bells facilities close during a government shutdown

Pitkin County: Emma Fields distillery noise mitigation found compliant; county follows up on weed complaint

Pitkin County staff to draft code amendments on camping in road rights-of-way; public input and enforcement remain open questions

Cloud 10 Aspen land-use hearing: site visit set; commissioners weigh Oct. 22 continuation vs November dates

Airport Advisory Board to consider turning pilot flight-safety task force into standing subcommittee; county to take task to two readings