YOUR AD HERE »

Letter: Aspen Power Plant is our future

As a young business owner in Aspen, I can relate to the challenges associated with finding an affordable place to get your start. The Aspen Power Plant concept put forth by Duncan Clauss and David Cook empowers the next generation of entrepreneurs in a way I wish would have been there for me 10 years ago. This concept is a brilliant use of four ideas meshing perfectly together to enhance one another and bring something of unique benefit to our town. Providing a toehold for the next generation to make its mark will help Aspen to be fresh and innovative for the next 50 years. Our young entrepreneurs will be the people leading the way.

As a part of the community, the Aspen Power Plant will need to abide by the same rules and regulations that anyone in this location would otherwise have to follow. If there are issues with noise, parking or other neighborhood impacts, it would seem that these concerns should be part of a larger conversation regarding regulations and building code. It seems unfair to object to a tenant or hold it to a higher standard merely because of these neighborhood issues. This is especially true when we have other similar tenants of city-owned buildings.

I’m sure I am not the only one who has struggled to make their way in this town, and I know space is a significant barrier to entry for young innovators. I would have made great use of a generator space while getting my start rather than be holed up my basement for years. Not to mention the chance encounters and camaraderie afforded by having a meeting space and brewery to share a beer with my clients, collaborators or friends at the end of a long day. I am truly grateful to be a part of a community where a young entrepreneur can make their way. I know I couldn’t have done it without the support of this town. Let’s support Duncan and David and their amazing dream to bring this fantastic venture to life.



Steev Wilson

Founding partner, Forum Phi