Pitkin County delays vote on resolution urging reevaluation of 'Entrance to Aspen' record of decision

Pitkin County commissioners on Wednesday, May 14, continued consideration of an informal resolution asking the Colorado Department of Transportation and the Federal Highway Administration to reevaluate the Entrance to Aspen record of decision rather than immediately opening a new environmental impact statement. The board set a date-certain of May 28 to revisit the resolution.

The resolution, drafted after an April work session, would ask CDOT and FHWA to undertake a reevaluation that could be the first administrative step toward implementing the project known as the preferred alternative — a modified alignment that includes two general-purpose lanes, two dedicated bus lanes, a cut-and-cover tunnel and restoration of green space across Murrell Open Space. "The authority over the record decision in the entrance to Aspen rests with CDOT and FHWA," said Brian Pettit, Pitkin County public works director, during the presentation to the board.

The board and staff framed three formal options: do nothing; request a reevaluation of the existing record of decision and move to implement the current preferred alternative; or seek a brand-new environmental impact statement (EIS). Andrew Knapp, Pitkin County engineer, reviewed the project’s original purpose-and-need language and 10 community goals, saying the need statement still reads as relevant: "The capacity of the existing transportation system is insufficient during peak periods," Knapp read from the EIS.

Public commenters were divided. Megan Ruby, a full‑time county resident, told the board she "strongly support[s] a county resolution for a reevaluation of the PA," saying a reevaluation is faster than a new EIS and can preserve more local control. Mike Maple, a Cemetery Lane resident, urged haste on the reevaluation, citing the condition of Castle Creek Bridge and the potential for multi-year access disruptions if the bridge must be rebuilt. "The urgency of moving forward with the preferred alternative is many, many of these issues," Maple said, adding that the preferred alternative would also expand dedicated transit lanes.

By contrast, Toni Kronberg urged caution and argued the county should align with the City of Aspen’s process. "A reevaluation only goes so far as Buttermilk. It does not include the airport," Kronberg said, emphasizing that the city’s letter-of-intent process may cover a broader corridor than a reevaluation would. Several commissioners said they wanted to hear results from an elected officials transportation committee (EOTC) meeting and from recently installed permanent traffic counters before taking a formal position.

Staff and presenters described new traffic-data capabilities now in place. Knapp said the Roaring Fork Transportation Coalition and EOTC have installed eight permanent automated counters at locations including Brush Creek Road, Owl Creek Road, Maroon Creek Road, McLean Flats, Castle Creek Bridge, Power Plant Road and East of Aspen near North Star. The counters use video-based analytics and vehicle classification to yield continuous volume, speed and vehicle-type data. Knapp said staff hopes to present substantive counter data to the three jurisdictions that funded the system once an adequate sampling period is collected.

Commissioners also raised emergency-egress questions. Several speakers said wildfire risk and the need for reliable evacuation routes have changed the context since the 1995 record of decision. Commissioners discussed whether Cemetery Lane should retain a conditional emergency connection to the roundabout to provide additional egress during evacuations; staff said such emergency-only configurations could be more flexible than a permanent roadway.

After commissioners debated timing and strategy, Commissioner Greg moved to continue the item so the board could consider information from the EOTC and the city’s pending discussions; Commissioner Patty seconded. The motion to continue until May 28 passed. The board did not adopt the resolution at the May 14 meeting.

Why it matters: the Entrance to Aspen project has guided decades of corridor investments and remains the most consequential near-term deployment affecting access, emergency egress and transit capacity into Aspen. A reevaluation is a procedural step that could validate the existing preferred alternative and permit implementation; a new EIS, by contrast, would restart technical screening and could take years and cost substantially more.

Next steps: staff will return with updated counter data, and the board will reconsider the resolution on May 28. Pitkin County staff and the commissioners indicated they will continue coordinating with Aspen, Snowmass Village and state/federal partners.

Speakers quoted in this article are identified in the meeting record as: Andrew Knapp, Pitkin County engineer; Brian Pettit, Pitkin County public works director; Megan Ruby, full‑time county resident; Mike Maple, Cemetery Lane resident; Toni Kronberg, community member who spoke during public comment. Other speakers who addressed the board on the item include Ward Howenstein, Anne Mullins and multiple commissioners.