Aspen City Council votes to support Pitkin County ballot measures on airport, affordable housing

Aspen City Council discussed supporting two Pitkin County ballot measures at Tuesday’s regular meeting. 

Measure 1C deals with Pitkin County commissioners’ authority for the Home Rule Charter as it relates to the airport expansion project. Measure 1A proposes an annual property tax mill levy for up to 25 years to fund affordable housing.

Both measures will appear on the November 2024 ballot. 

Ballot issue 1C

1C proposes an amendment to the Pitkin County Home Rule Charter, reaffirming the Pitkin County Board of County Commissioners’ authority over decisions related to the layout, safety, and infrastructure improvements of the Aspen-Pitkin County Airport. 

Aspen resident and airport modernization advocate Greg Goldfarb spoke during public comment and expressed concern over City Council opposing a ballot that was pushed forward by the county commissioners.

“There is a responsibility as civil servants to support each other, and in particular, not encourage other civil servants to breach contract,” he said. “Everything that we do in town is through representative government. There are many issues we disagree on, but you do not see citizens trying to defenestrate the elected officials from their represented duties.”

1C includes expanding the runway and taxiway to meet federal safety standards and allowing larger aircraft.

Goldfarb said that it is really important to let elected officials do their jobs, especially when those representatives have a fiduciary responsibility, and cited the loss of FAA funding for the airport if changes are not made to the airport to fall in line with FAA standards.

City Council expressed support and concern over 1C. County commissioners argue that this measure would ensure local control over the airport’s operations and future infrastructure needs.

“The economic, safety, and environmental benefits are obvious,” said City Councilmember Sam Rose. “1C is an opportunity to make that happen. I hope City Council is not hypocritical on issues they say they support, such as the environment, otherwise, that would be incredibly disappointing.” 

Mayor Torre disagreed with Rose and vehemently voted no on supporting this measure.

“I think some of what Rose said there is a lot of propaganda,” Torre said. “Environmental impacts from these different planes will not be had for at least 50 years.”

Torre said that he thinks there is a way to get a modern airport done, that would still allow for FAA funding. It should be noted that the FAA has been very strict and direct about what is needed from the airport to get funding, and that anything but what they are requesting will be rejected.

“This question is really about the authority invested in the county commissioners,” Torre said. “The county already had this power, and to me, this is about suppressing the vote. 1C is violating the Pitkin County Home Rule Charter and the constitution. This whole process is a disappointment, and this whole question is ridiculous.” 

City Councilmember Bill Guth agreed with Torre on one issue, which was having the measure be about confirming the commissioners’ power, but does support this measure.

“The airport has become a bizarre proxy fight in our community. The airport is a vital part of the community, and logic should prevail,” Guth said. “The downsides of inserting our beliefs against FAA standards could have devastating results for our airport and our community.” 

City Councilmember John Doyle said that the airport issue has growth all over it and that he cannot support this measure for that reason.

“The county handles growth, not the airport,” said City Councilmember Ward Hauenstein. “Everybody on both sides of this argument said we need to upgrade the runway and terminal. I do not think the FAA will accept anything that does not conform to their required standards. For this reason, I support 1C.”

City council voted 3 to 2 in support of urging residents to vote “yes” on 1C.

Ballot issue 1A

1A proposes an annual property tax mill levy of 1.5 mills for up to 25 years to fund affordable and workforce housing in Pitkin County. 

The initiative seeks to address the growing housing crisis by providing a reliable funding source for housing projects, including the acquisition, construction, and conversion of units into affordable, deed-restricted housing.

The resolution highlights the need for housing for essential community service workers and emphasizes the importance of preserving the county’s rural character. It also aligns with the city of Aspen’s goals to support affordable housing and ensure community sustainability. 

Hauenstein said council has been urging the county commissioners to get some skin in the game when it comes to affordable housing.

Guth expressed concern over the vagueness of how the measure is written and said he could not support this measure.

“I am in support of good housing initiatives, and I think the county is long overdue on something along these lines,” Guth said. “There are no concrete plans for how this money will be put to use, and the potential uses are very wide-ranging.”

“I support this 100%,” Doyle said.

Torre and Rose both supported 1A. Rose only expressed expectations that the county will adhere to the sunset clauses written into the measure.

Torre said that voters can approve this and voters can repeal it while expressing his support.

Ultimately, council voted 4 to 1 in support of urging residents to vote “yes” on 1A and said council recognizes the measure as a necessary step in addressing the region’s housing challenges and securing long-term investment in affordable housing solutions.