Top 5 most-read stories last week

Stories in this list received the most page views on aspentimes.com from June 1-June 8:

1. These guns will soon require a permit and training course to be legally purchased in Colorado

Starting Aug. 1, Coloradans will need to complete hours of safety training and obtain a permit to purchase a wide variety of semi-automatic guns. 

The new rules stem from Senate Bill 25-003, passed last year by Democrats in the state legislature, which bans the sale and manufacture of semi-automatic firearms that accept detachable magazines, such as AR- and AK-style rifles and pistols. 

The law provides a carveout for purchases for those who receive an eligibility card through their local sheriff’s office and who complete a training course offered by a certified firearms instructor. That will apply to hundreds of types of semi-automatic rifles, shotguns and gas-operated handguns, according to a 150-page draft list from Colorado Parks and Wildlife, the agency tasked with implementing the program. 

-Robert Tann 

2. Pitkin County breaks ground on McClure Pass Trail

Pitkin County Open Space and Trails has officially broken ground on McClure Pass Trail, a new natural-surface trail connection in the Crystal Valley from Highway 133 to the summit of McClure Pass.

This is the first major construction phase of the larger 83-mile Carbondale to Crested Butte Trail Plan, a long-envisioned non-motorized route open to hikers, equestrians and mountain bikers. McClure Pass Trail will climb approximately 1,295 feet over 2.52 miles, according to the Pitkin County website.

“This has been a conversation for a couple of decades now,” said Jami McMannes, communications and outreach specialist for Pitkin County Open Space and Trails. “It is very exciting for the trail community.”

-River Stingray 

3. Polis makes five appointments to Colorado Parks and Wildlife Commission 

After Colorado Senators raised concerns with Gov. Jared Polis’ previous nominations for the Colorado Parks and Wildlife Commission, the governor has named three new appointees to the volunteer board tasked with guiding the state agency’s policies and regulations. 

Polis announced the three appointments — in addition to reappointments for current commissioners, Gabriel Otero and Richard Reading — on Wednesday, June 3. 

This included Dr. Peter Maguire, a veterinary neurologist in Grand Junction; Rebecca Niemiec, a tenured associate professor at Colorado State University’s Department of Human Dimensions of Natural Resources in Fort Collins; and Johnny Le Coq, who owns and lives on a ranch north of Silverthorne. 

-Ali Longwell 

4. Aspen Snowmass pioneers snow coverage in Colorado

Aspen Snowmass has become the first location in Colorado to utilize Snow Secure insulation mats as part of a pilot program aiming to cover snow from the past winter in order to use it to bolster early season snowpack for the upcoming winter.

The patented technology has been applied to terrain parks on both Buttermilk and Snowmass Mountain, effectively covering 3.5 million gallons of primarily man-made snow water equivalent and keeping it insulated throughout the summer to prevent it from melting. As of Tuesday morning, Senior Vice President of Sustainability at Aspen One Chris Miller told The Aspen Times that the temperature under the blanket at Buttermilk was 32.6 degrees Fahrenheit. 

“This very much is a sustainability story,” Miller said. “It’s enough snow to hopefully give us a good early season start. In order for us to continue to ensure the world-class experience we offer locals and guests, it will require a host of tools in this climate resilient toolbox.”

-River Stingray 

5. Kiewit jumps into role as Aspen/Pitkin County Airport construction manager at risk

Kiewit, an international construction firm that will be managing the Aspen/Pitkin County Airport airfield renovation and enabling work in 2026 and 2027, presented to the Pitkin County Board of County Commissioners at their work session Tuesday.

Kiewit is the construction manager at risk for the airfield, and will be running all construction on the airfield taxiways, runway, de-icing pad and Owl Creek Road. According to Kelsey Petersen, the Aspen Airport communications specialist, a construction manager at risk has not yet been selected for the terminal modernization, but work is still expected to start on the terminal in 2027 along with the airfield.

Pete Remington, Kiewit’s project manager who was also a part of the 2007 airfield renovation, and Ryan Konen, Kiewit’s construction manager who has worked on airfields and interstates throughout Colorado, made clear the firm’s commitment to efficiency and proper planning, meeting deadlines and serving community interests.

-Beau Toepfer