Aspen appoints interim city manager

Aspen City Council has appointed Pete Strecker as interim city manager following the resignation of Sara Ott on Feb. 28. 

The decision, made during the council’s Monday, March 17 meeting, places Strecker at the helm of the city’s administrative operations while a search for a permanent replacement unfolds — a process expected to take several months.

Strecker, who has served as Aspen’s finance director since 2018, expressed gratitude before the vote. 

“I am honored to be considered for this interim role and will look forward to working with the council and staff to continue to provide exceptional customer service for residents, visitors, business members, and the entire community, all of which contribute to making Aspen the special place that it is,” he said.

Diane Foster had been serving as acting city manager after Ott’s departure, but the council unanimously approved a resolution directing staff to finalize Strecker’s appointment. 

“I just wanted to say thank you to the mayor and council for your understanding that I am all in and I love my job. I will be supporting Pete Strecker 100%, but I am not interested in the role of city manager,” Foster said. “However, I am fully committed to the organization, so I thank you for your understanding and support.”

With more than two decades of experience in state and local government, Strecker brings a strong background in leadership to the role. His career includes serving as budget director for Colorado’s Health Care Policy and Financing (Medicaid) and Agricultural departments, as well as Chief of Economic Forecasting under former Gov. Bill Ritter Jr. After moving to the Roaring Fork Valley in 2011, he joined the city of Aspen as assistant finance director in 2012 before advancing to his current role.

A mathematician by training, Strecker earned his degree from St. Olaf College in Northfield, Minnesota. Early in his career, he worked as an actuary, consulting on pension plans for large corporations before transitioning to public service, according to a news release.

Now stepping into interim leadership, Strecker emphasized his commitment to maintaining stability. 

“I am here to support the council, the community, and the organization to continue on during this interim period,” he said. “I am excited to be able to have this chance, and hopefully, I can do a lot of good while I’m here.”

Council members pointed to his financial expertise and leadership experience as key qualifications for the position. 

“I just want to say thank you,” Mayor Torre said to Strecker. “I look forward to this venture.”

Under the terms of his appointment, Strecker will receive an annual salary of $250,000 and will be entitled to all benefits provided to city employees as outlined in Aspen’s policy manual.

“Pete’s deep knowledge of municipal operations, combined with his extensive leadership experience in both state and local government, makes him well-suited to guide Aspen through this transition,” Torre said in the release. “We are confident in his ability to provide steady leadership as we begin the search for a permanent city manager and have the confidence in the strength of the rest of the team that will be supporting him during the interim period.”