Molly Aspen Lodge approved for 39-day rooftop tent trial despite staff concerns over massing and energy use

The Aspen City Council voted to grant a temporary, seasonal use permit for the Molly Aspen Lodge to install a rooftop tent on its second-floor deck for up to 39 days in 2025 as a one-year trial. Applicant Mitch Hass argued the tent is a temporary, commercially customary feature for hotels and covers roughly half the rooftop deck to provide shelter for permitted activities. "The tent covers about 50% of the roof of the deck... so that's it blends," Hass said, noting last year’s council-approved 39-day trial went unused.

Staff zoning administrator Sophie Varga reiterated prior staff concerns about extended use of temporary structures, energy impacts from heating or cooling an uninsulated tent, and how plastic materials fit commercial-design standards, but told council staff would facilitate an additional one-year trial as directed by council. Councilors asked about noise curfews (the resolution references midnight; members emphasized enforcement of a 10 p.m. noise ordinance) and whether tents would remain up for back-to-back events. After discussion emphasizing neighborhood monitoring, the council approved Resolution 54 by roll call (all yes).

Why it matters: The decision permits a downtown hospitality business to test an event-use configuration while staff and council seek policy clarity on extended tent use, energy implications and noise enforcement.