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Aspen City Council candidates talk city entrance, manager position at Squirm Night

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Westley Crouch

From left, Aspen City Council candidates Scot Woolley, John Doyle, Torre, Emily Kolbe, Tyler Wilkinson-Ray, and Christine Benedetti take part in Squirm Night on Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2025, at the Wheeler Opera House in Aspen.
Austin Colbert/The Aspen Times

Aspen’s City Council candidates took the stage at the Wheeler Opera House on Wednesday for the second Squirm Night event of the election season. 

Hosted by The Aspen Times, Aspen Public Radio, GrassRoots TV, and Aspen Daily News, the forum gave voters a chance to hear directly from the six candidates vying for two open seats in the March 4 election.

The panel included incumbents Mayor Torre — who is running for a council seat due to mayoral term limits— and Council member John Doyle, along with newcomers Scot Woolley, Emily Kolbe, Tyler Wilkinson-Ray, and Christine Benedetti. The discussion was moderated by Aspen Times Editor Ray Erku and Aspen Daily News Editor Andre Salvail.

One of the first topics tackled was the long-debated Entrance to Aspen, with candidates weighing in on whether a new Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) is necessary before moving forward with changes. 

Kolbe expressed support for a new EIS, emphasizing the need for updated data and expert input.


“I do not have the overall answer. I look to experts to inform the decision-making process. I will support whatever is concluded once we utilize all the existing information,” she said. “The current information is outdated. I strongly encourage a new EIS, so we can move forward and take action on a better program for our community.”

She added that mobility solutions will require collaboration and incremental progress.

Woolley took a more direct approach, urging action instead of further studies. 

“I’ll tell you right now: The best solution is not more studies or million-dollar surveys — it’s more action. I was 10 years old when we voted on the Preferred Alternative. Over the last 30 years, the voters of Aspen have felt more disenfranchised,” he said. “I think it’s time for action.”

Scot Woolley takes part in Squirm Night for the Aspen City Council candidates on Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2025, at the Wheeler Opera House in Aspen.
Austin Colbert/The Aspen Times
Emily Kolbe takes part in Squirm Night for the Aspen City Council candidates on Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2025, at the Wheeler Opera House in Aspen.
Austin Colbert/The Aspen Times

He stressed that Aspen must account for the full cost of its commuter economy — social, economic, and environmental — and lead the way in finding solutions that benefit the broader region.

Candidates also addressed the two referendum questions on the March ballot. 

Referendum 1 would require a 60% majority vote for any changes to Aspen’s open space, while Referendum 2 would determine whether to preserve the right-of-way across Marolt Open Space for future transportation solutions, including the Preferred Alternative.

Torre did not mince words, opposing both measures. 

“I am recommending a ‘no’ vote on both referendums. I appreciate the citizen-led efforts, but I do not think either one of those is an opportunity to get us any closer to our actual goals,” he said.

John Doyle takes part in Squirm Night for the Aspen City Council candidates on Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2025, at the Wheeler Opera House in Aspen.
Austin Colbert/The Aspen Times
Christine Benedetti takes part in Squirm Night for the Aspen City Council candidates on Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2025, at the Wheeler Opera House in Aspen.
Austin Colbert/The Aspen Times

He reiterated his support for a “Modified Split-Shot” alternative, which would provide a second bridge without impacting Marolt Open Space. His proposal would also eliminate a stoplight at Seventh Street and allow traffic from Cemetery Lane to flow both into town and downvalley.

Wilkinson-Ray expressed concerns that Referendum 1 would create unnecessary bureaucracy for managing Aspen’s open space but saw value in the second referendum. 

“I like the idea of Referendum 2, and although I wish it was worded differently, it does a good job of weighing where our community is on this issue,” he said.

He also pushed for alternative transit solutions, including making the Roaring Fork Valley Transit Authority free valley-wide, exploring e-bike subsidies, and preparing for emerging technologies like autonomous taxis.

When asked about Aspen’s city manager position, which is being vacated after Sara Ott announced her resignation earlier this week, Doyle emphasized the importance of hiring a candidate who can work closely with the next mayor. 

Tyler Wilkinson-Ray takes part in Squirm Night for the Aspen City Council candidates on Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2025, at the Wheeler Opera House in Aspen.
Austin Colbert/The Aspen Times
Torre takes part in Squirm Night for the Aspen City Council candidates on Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2025, at the Wheeler Opera House in Aspen.
Austin Colbert/The Aspen Times

“We will be looking for a city manager who can work as an equal partner with our mayor. I think that is how our city government is designed,” Doyle said. “They need to work in concert together and find a city manager who is deeply invested in the community and wants to stay here and raise a family, and ideally, being a skier would be great.”

He added that strong leadership and innovative thinking are essential to addressing Aspen’s complex challenges.

Benedetti, a mother of two, highlighted childcare as a critical issue. 

“We are very fortunate to have a 0.45% sales tax in the city of Aspen that funds Kids First. I do not think the issue right now is a lack of space. What is happening is affordability and accessibility for childcare centers are the issue,” she said.

She noted that families, even with financial aid, often pay 15% of their incomes toward childcare — more than double the national average of 7%. She suggested reassessing the Kids First budget to ensure funds are being allocated effectively.

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