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Snowmass candidate Q&A: Council member Alyssa Shenk

Challenger Alyssa Shenk takes part in a debate for Snowmass Village mayor during Squirm Night on Wednesday, Oct. 23, 2024, inside Snowmass Town Hall.
Austin Colbert/The Aspen Times

Editor’s note: Due to limited editorial space, additional Snowmass Town Council race Q&As will be printed throughout the week.

As the Nov. 5 election looms, Snowmass Council member Alyssa Shenk will run against current Snowmass Mayor Bill Madsen for the open mayoral seat. The Aspen Times asked each candidate where they fall on key Snowmass issues. 

Shenk, having already served on Snowmass Town Council for the past 10 years, vies to serve her first term as mayor.



Why have you chosen to serve the Snowmass community in the past and why do you seek to serve the community in the future?

My decade of service on the Snowmass Village Town Council has been an incredible journey of learning, listening, leading, and consensus building. I’m especially proud of the thoughtful changes I’ve helped affect in our community now and for the future. While my time on council is ending due to term limits, my commitment to serving Snowmass Village remains strong. I’m running for mayor to further the considerable community and government relationships I’ve fostered and the insights I’ve gained, and to see through to completion the current important work in progress on workforce housing, improved connectivity and pedestrian safety, environmental sustainability, the Snowmass Transit Center, and the Little Red School House. These initiatives address critical needs and strike a balance between growth and preserving character. We need consistent, compassionate, and decisive leadership while navigating this pivotal time filled with both challenges and opportunities. I’m committed to providing that leadership and ensuring our community continues thriving.




Are you in favor of or opposed to Snowmass ballot question 2D which would determine funding for the proposed 79-unit, $86 million employee housing project at the Draw Site adjacent to Town Hall? Why?

As one of the council members who voted in favor of the resolution of support for the Draw Site Workforce Housing Project, I believe this initiative is crucial to maintaining the fabric of our community. Workforce housing ensures that Snowmass Village remains accessible for those who live and work here, from teachers to service workers and young families. This project aligns with our Housing Master Plan and does not raise taxes. It uses restricted funds for workforce housing, combining tourism tax revenues, rental income, and potential contributions from grants and partners. The financing plan is well-vetted and will not sacrifice other priorities. While I support the ballot measure, the project itself still needs work to promote responsible growth. The design review process is yet to come, with ample opportunity for community input and refinement to ensure the final plan balances density with the needs and values of our community.

Do you oppose or favor Pitkin County ballot question 1A, which would raise county property taxes by 1.5 mills over 25 years, providing an estimated $8.5 million in additional funding per year for affordable housing, but creating an estimated property tax increase of $121 for private properties valued at $1 million, and $435 for commercial properties valued at $1 million? Why?

This measure prioritizes housing for our critical workers, ensuring that Pitkin County remains a place where teachers, service workers, and young families can also afford to live. Without affordable housing options, we risk losing the very people who make our community thrive. This initiative also allows us to invest in the maintenance of our current housing stock and creates greater opportunities for collaboration within Pitkin County. With limited alternatives for funding through other taxing sources, this measure will generate $8.5 million annually to help close the housing gap and support essential maintenance needs. While raising property taxes is never an easy decision, the current housing fund does not generate enough revenue to meet the need. This measure provides essential funding that will help sustain our community long-term.

Are you in favor of moving the Aspen/Pitkin County Airport runway 80 feet to the west and widening it from 100 to 150 feet? Why? Are you in favor of Pitkin County ballot question 200, which would allow residents to vote on the expansion or movement of the runway, or Pitkin County ballot question 1C, which would reaffirm county officials’ ability to approve and implement changes to the physical layout of the airport on behalf of the community? 

Two things can be true at once: Expanding the ASE runway will open up FAA funds to make the airport safer and more efficient. And also, expanding the ASE runway will have environmental impacts as well as effects on the area’s future growth and identity. Community input and transparency is always critical, especially regarding ballot question 200. The Airport Visioning group spent 18 months bringing together a broad cross-section of the community to develop common ground recommendations for the airport’s future. Considering the time and resources invested, it’s unclear how returning to a public vote will bring more clarity or result in better guidance. There are ways to manage growth that may be more impactful than just what happens at the airport. The vision has been established and now it’s time to trust in the elected officials and experts tasked with its implementation.”

Do you favor or oppose construction of more available parking and RFTA transit options at the Snowmass Mall? If so, how should the project be designed?

The town has spent 30 years discussing various iterations of a Mall Transit Center. Combining RFTA and the Village Shuttle into one station would reduce confusion for transit users, enhance safety, and create opportunities for partnering with mall owners to revitalize the mall, potentially adding affordable housing units. Reimagining transit options at the mall is essential for the area’s redevelopment. To boost transit use, we need a system that is easy to navigate and accessible to all. We were close to reaching consensus on a plan that had secured federal funding to cover most of the costs, but the project was ultimately stalled. Now, we’re back to the drawing board, considering new design ideas while simultaneously exploring incremental improvements. Recognizing that size, project duration, and safety were all areas of contention with the previous design, we must continue collaborating with mall owners, businesses, and community stakeholders to ensure broad support and long-term success.

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Snowmass candidate Q&A: Incumbent Mayor Bill Madsen

As the Nov. 5 election looms, Snowmass Town Councilmember Alyssa Shenk and mayoral incumbent Bill Madsen compete to serve as the town’s next mayor. The Aspen Times asked each candidate where they fall on key Snowmass issues. 



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