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Aspen selects new police chief

Staff Report
Kim Ferber started her career in law enforcement with the Littleton Police Department.
Courtesy photo

Looks like Aspen has a new police chief.

Kim Ferber has accepted a conditional offer from City Manager Sara Ott after emerging through a national search.

“We’re excited for Kim to join the team and are confident that she will be an excellent addition to the city of Aspen Police Department and community,” Ott said. “She brings an extensive law enforcement and leadership background to this role, and we look forward to collaborating with her as she builds on Aspen’s legacy of community policing.”



City officials described Ferber as an innovative, empathetic and transparent leader with more than 27 years of rural, suburban and state law enforcement experience. In her most recent role as operations commander at the Sterling Police Department, she was responsible for leading a municipal law enforcement agency serving 1,000 residents in a rural environment. 

“I am very excited and humbled to become the city of Aspen’s next chief of police,” said Ferber. “In accepting this position, I look forward to working with such a strong team and integrating into this amazing community.”




City staff, partnering with executive recruitment firm Strategic Government Resources, created the profile for the job, which included key qualities for a top candidate developed through feedback from community members, the City Council, law enforcement professionals, and city staff in fall of 2022, city officials said.  

The field was narrowed from 44 applications to five candidates who participated in the final selection process in March. The finalists participated in a community meet and greet, two interview panels consisting of community members, law enforcement representatives, city leadership and employee working groups from Aspen Police Department. Additionally, feedback on the candidates was sought through an online community feedback. 

Ott said the decision to select Ferber was a hard one, as there were several highly qualified candidates, including two internal ones. Ferber’s interviews and materials differentiated herself with the depth of leadership experience, according to Ott, who said Ferber brings skills that complement those existing within the department, strengthening the team’s ability to meet the changing needs in the community.

In addition to her tenure with Sterling, Ferber has also served as the state of Colorado law enforcement coordinator, drug recognition expert state coordinator, and standardized field sobriety test state coordinator. 

Ferber started her career in law enforcement with the Littleton Police Department in Littleton in 1989 as a district patrol officer, motorcycle traffic officer and detective. She stepped up to handle more responsibilities when taking on the roles of patrol and investigations sergeant, investigations commander and division chief investigations/support services. She was also an adjunct professor with the Arapahoe Community College Police Academy in Littleton. Ferber possesses a bachelor of arts in criminal justice administration from Columbia College in Columbia, Missouri.

Ferber grew up in Colorado exploring and enjoying the mountains with her family and is active in many outdoor recreation activities. She is an avid fat tire and road cyclist and enjoys fishing, hiking and backpacking. She will be relocating this spring to Aspen with her dog.

As Aspen’s new police chief, Ferber will be responsible for the overall management of the police department in all areas of law enforcement and public safety, including a focus on helping people in crisis and the well-being of staff.

Following the successful completion of her confirmation with Aspen City Council on April 4, at 3:30 p.m., Ferber will plan to start in her new role. Her official start date is yet to be determined. Her annual salary will be $178,880. Her conditional offer for employment also includes a city housing unit and a $3,000 relocation bonus.

“As the new police chief, I look forward to working collaboratively with our officers, team members and community members to ensure the safety and security of everyone in Aspen.  I’m excited to learn from staff and the community about your experiences and perspectives, and to work with all on a collective vision,” said Ferber. 

“I’m looking forward to listening and learning first,” she said. “I really want to get to know each of my new team members, as individuals and about how they serve the community in their roles.  Additionally, I’m excited to get to Aspen, to being a resident and learning about the community from the local perspective.”