‘The Future is Local’ for Earth Day in Aspen
A community-wide Earth Day gathering will focus on environmental stewardship, climate action and civic engagement
Austin Colbert/The Aspen Times
Aspen is bringing together local leaders in climate action for a free evening lecture at the Wheeler Opera House on Wednesday, April 22, with the aim of highlighting the intersection of environment, politics and community resilience for Earth Day.
The lecture will take place from 6 to 7:30 p.m., following a Community Action Fair bringing together local environmental organizations and farms from 3 to 5 p.m. The lecture will feature storytelling, data-driven insights and comedic relief in order to explore the critical connection between political decision-making and environmental survival.
“From the state and national level to the Roaring Fork Valley, we are diving deep into how policy shapes our climate, our land-use and the very resilience of mountain communities like Aspen,” a press release reads. “An inspiring, hopeful look at how local voices and decisions shape the future of the places we love.”
The evening will welcome the following speakers:
Rollie Williams (Climate Town)
On his YouTube series “Climate Town,” Williams breaks down “the most frustrating aspects of the climate crisis,” the release reads, with a mix of investigative force and humor. In Aspen, he will work to demystify complex policy issues and illuminate why politics is “the most powerful tool we have in the fight for a livable planet.”
Drew Petersen (POW Athlete & Podcaster)
Professional skier and advocate Petersen will join the lecture to discuss the mental health side of the climate movement. His work with Protect Our Winters will help him contribute insights on navigating climate anxiety.
Julie McCluskie (Speaker of the Colorado House)
Speaker Julie McCluskie (D-Dillon) will provide a briefing via an exclusive pre-recorded “State of the State” environmental address, touching on recent and upcoming environmental successes and challenges in our state.
Hannah Berman, (Sustainability & Philanthropy director at Aspen One)
Berman will provide a first look at the 2026 Colorado Climate Damages and Adaptations Costs Report.
Tara Stitzlein (CEO of the Community Office for Resource Efficiency) and Chris Lane (ACES CEO)
Stitzlein and Lane will wrap up the evening by sharing community actions and goals.
