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Aspen council advances Clean Air Act update to match state rules, adds vaping restrictions for some outdoor events
Summary
City air-quality staff recommended aligning the City of Aspen Clean Air Act with state law to reduce public confusion by explicitly banning vaping wherever smoking is prohibited; council gave the measure a first reading and asked for additional public-health materials.
The Aspen City Council gave a first reading to Ordinance No. 4, Series of 2025, which updates the City of Aspen Clean Air Act to align local nonsmoking rules with the state Clean Air Act and explicitly prohibit vaping wherever smoking is not allowed. Natalie Savdos, the city’s air-quality program manager, told the council the change would reduce confusion for businesses and the public and bring local code language into line with state law.
“The purpose of the City Of Aspen Clean Air Act is to protect the public from exposure to secondhand smoke,” Savdos said, and the proposed update would add the definition of “electronic smoking device” and prohibit vaping in indoor public places and certain designated outdoor areas and public special events. Savdos said businesses would no longer be required to post no-smoking signage at every entrance, matching the state’s approach.
Council members expressed general support for modernizing the ordinance and requested more background on youth vaping health risks for upcoming meetings. Mayor Richards noted past testimony during state hearings on flavored vape products and asked staff to include additional health information at the council’s next opportunity. The ordinance proceeds to a subsequent reading for adoption and will return to council with the requested supplemental materials.
