Initiatives and referenda have always been an important part of our representative government. Our representative government includes a long and active tradition of employing public votes to decide important local issues. Aspen voters are more than capable of deciding controversial issues.

Here is a partial list:

Fur ban (led by none other than Bill Stirling)

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Ritz Carlton (now St. Regis) Hotel

The train

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The Red Brick School

The Hydro Plant

Burlingame

Open space purchases

“S” curves and Entrance to Aspen

Aspen Valley Hospital expansion and mill levy

Lodging tax

Purchase of Smuggler Mountain

Establishment of Roaring Fork Transportation Authority

Establishment of bus-rapid transit

Real estate transfer tax

Local campaign spending limits

Energy rebates

Food tax rebates

Lift One

Smoking ban

There also is a long tradition of public votes on state and national issues.

Here is a partial list:

Nuclear freeze

Bear hunting

Gay rights

TABOR amendment

Right to life

Highway funding

Olympics

Renewable energy

Aspen voters are more than capable of voting on these important issues.

This is an integral part of our home rule representative government.

Steve Goldenberg

Aspen