Aspen

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See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aspen,_Colorado


Next municipal election is March 5th, 2019, with a runoff (if necessary) scheduled for April 2nd, 2019. 2019 will be the first election with March/April in odd years, as previously with was May/June in odd years. The voters of Aspen voted in favor of the move during the coordinated November 2018 election.

Mayor and 2 At-Large council seats will be up for vote, with mayor and one councilor termed out. The second councilor is running for reelection.


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Overview

  • City Council: 3 Unaffiliated, 1 Democrat
  • Mayor: Democrat
  • County: Pitkin County
  • School Districts: Aspen 1
  • State House: HD 61 (D)
  • State Senator: SD 5 (D)
  • Congressional: CD 3 (R)


Demographics


Demographic Number Percentage Source
Population 7,359 (July 2017) x (US Census Bureau
Registered Voters ~5,800 (Nov 2018) ~78% Deputy City Clerk to Aspen Times
 
 Race and Ethnicity
White, alone 90% (US Census Bureau
White, alone (Not Hispanic or Latino) 85.5% (US Census Bureau
Hispanic or Latino 8.3% (US Census Bureau
Asian, alone 3.3% (US Census Bureau
Black or African American, alone 2.7% (US Census Bureau
Two or More Races 0.7% (US Census Bureau
American Indian or Native Alaskan, alone 0.3% (US Census Bureau
Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander, alone 0.0% (US Census Bureau
 
 Economy
Median home value (owner-occupied)
(2013-2017)
$563,900 (US Census Bureau
Median monthly costs, with mortgage
(2013-2017)
$1,794 (US Census Bureau
Median gross rent
(2013-2017)
$1,247 (US Census Bureau
Median household income (2017 dollars
(2013-2017)
$64,594 (US Census Bureau
Persons in Poverty 9.5% (US Census Bureau


For expanded information:


City Council


City of Aspen Charter


Mayor

  • 2 year terms; no more than 3 consecutive terms. Therefore 6 consecutive years. (This includes filling vacancies and resignations in the City of Aspen.)
  • Must be elected with at least 50% plus one vote, otherwise goes to runoff.


Councilors

  • 4 year terms; no more than 2 consecutive terms. Therefore 8 consecutive years. (This includes filling vacancies and resignations in the City of Aspen.)
  • Elected At-Large
  • Must be elected with at least 45% plus one vote, otherwise goes to runoff.


Mayor Pro-Tem

  • Elected by majority council at first organizational meeting after the municipal election.
  • Performs all the duties and is vested all the powers of the mayor in their absence.


General

  • Cannot serve more than 14 years consecutively between Mayor and Council.
  • Must not serve a total of 4 years in order to not count consecutively.



Title Name Party Next Election
March
Contact 2019 Margin 2017 Margin 2015 Margin 2013 Margin 2011 Margin
Mayor Steve Skadron Democrat 2019
TERMED OUT
970-920-5199
Email
66.44% (83.22%)
Lee Mulcahy 16.78%
At-Large Ward Hauenstein Unaffiliated 2021 970-920-5199
Email

(See below to expanded table)
At-Large Bert Myrin Unaffiliated 2019 970-920-5199
Email
X
At-Large Ann Mullins Democrat 2021 970-920-5199
Email

(See below to expanded table)
At-Large Adam Frisch Unaffiliated 2019
TERMED OUT
970-920-5199
Email
X


Expanded Runoff Election Results


Seat 2017 Runoff 2017 General 2015 Runoff 2015 General 2013 Runoff 2013 General 2011 Runoff 2011 General
 
 Mayor. Must be 50% plus one or more in the General, or goes to Runoff
 
Mayor (No Runoff) Steve Skadron 83.22% (i)
Lee Mulcahy 16.78%

(News Coverage)
 
 At-Large Councilors. Pick 2. Each must be 45% plus one or more in the General, or goes to Runoff
 
At-Large Ward Hauenstein 50.73%
Torre 49.27%

(Difference of 27 votes)
Ann Mullins (i) - 1,108 votes
Torre - 972 (Runoff)
Ward Hauenstein - 894 votes (Runoff)
Skippy Mesirow - 792 votes
Art Daily (i) - 635 votes (Incumbent defeated)
Sue Tatem - 71 votes

(News Coverage)
Bert Myrin 65.6%
Mike Ireland 34.4%

(News Coverage)


Meetings

Source: Official City of Aspen Website


Regular Meetings

  • 2nd and 4th Monday of every month at 5 p.m.

Work Sessions

  • 1st and 3rd Mondays of every month at 5 p.m.
  • Every Tuesday at 4 p.m.

Broadcast on CGTV Channel 11, and Webcast live and archived. (Link also includes minutes and agendas.)


Local Media


2019 Election


Sample Ballot


General Election is March 5th, 2019. Mayor and 2 At-Large council seats are up for vote.

Aspen has a runoff system, requiring the Mayor to get 50% plus one votes, and each of the two available At-Large council seats receiving 45% plus one votes to be elected outright.

The runoff is scheduled or April 2nd, 2019.

Winners will begin their terms in June.

Petitions were circulated in December.

From Aspen Clerk's Office: Election Day for the 2019 General Election will be held on March 5th. Ballots will be mailed out on February 11th and early voting will begin in the Clerk's office on February 19th from 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Mail ballots may be dropped off in the Clerk's office between 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.


News Coverage


Candidates

Current Mayor Steve Skadron is termed out. Skadron is unable to run for council due to the charter rule of serving no more than 14 years consecutively. He was first elected to council in 2007 and re-elected in 2011. He was elected as mayor in 2013 and re-elected in 2015 and 2017. As council seats are 4 year terms, the next council term for this election would end in 2023, 16 consecutive years after he was first elected, in violation of charter. In accordance to charter, he must sit out the next 4 years so they do not get counted as consecutive (partial terms are considered full terms in this regard. Charter explicitly states it). He can next be on a City Council or Mayoral ballot in 2023.

Adam Frisch is termed out of his councilor seat, and will be running for Mayor.


Seat Name Party Issues Endorsements/Info Contact Questionnaires/
Interviews
 
 Must get 50% plus one votes to avoid runoff.
Mayor Adam Frisch Unaffiliated Current Aspen Councilor, but termed out (2011)
Previously ran for mayor in 2013
On steering committee for Compact Governance of Colorado, an organization that addresses climate change at the municipal level
Aspen Institute fellow (2009 candidacy announcement with more info)
Website
Facebook
Twitter
Radio Interview - Aspen Public Radio
Aspen Daily News Profile
Interview RE: City Manager
GrassRoots TV Podcast
Aspen Daily News - Guest Commentary
Aspen Daily News - Candidate Interview
Mayor Cale Mitchell Green Official Facebook Issues Page
Transportation
Renewable Energy
Budget Reform
Cultural Community Development
Announcement
Signatures came up short, so curing them through new year
Tried running for mayor in 2017, but was disqualified
due to residency requirements within the City Charter. He voluntarily withdrew.
Email
Facebook
Radio Interview - Aspen Public Radio
Aspen Daily News Profile
Interview RE: City Manager
GrassRoots TV Podcast
Aspen Daily News - Candidate Interview
Mayor Ann Mullins Democrat Affordable Housing
Climate Change
Parnerships (namely Pitkin County)
Responsible and Controlled Growth
Current Aspen Councilor
Announcement, Aspen Times
Landscape Architect
LinkedIn
Website
InstaGram
Radio Interview - Aspen Public Radio
Aspen Daily News Profile
Interview RE: City Manager
GrassRoots TV Podcast
Aspen Daily News - Candidate Interview
2017 APR interview
Mayor Torre Unaffiliated Announcement
Previously a Councilor 2003-2007 and 2009-2013
Previously ran for mayor 5 times (2001, 2005, 2007, 2013, 2015)
Ran in 2017 for Councilor and lost in runoff to Ward Hauenstein.
A lot of views on local government and infrastructure highlighted
Twitter (Last posted in 2014) Radio Interview - Aspen Public Radio
Aspen Daily News Profile
Interview RE: City Manager
GrassRoots TV Podcast
Aspen Daily News - Guest Commentary
Aspen Daily News - Candidate Interview
2017 APR interview

(i) = incumbent


Seat Name Party Issues Endorsements/Info Contact Questionnaires
 
 Vote for Two At-Large Councilors. Must get 45% plus one votes to avoid runoff.
At-Large Bert Myrin (i) Unaffiliated LinkedIn
Real Estate Broker
Colorado Bar Association profile
In 2018, donated $1k towards buying property downtown for city offices
Email
Website for 2015
Facebook
Twitter
Pinterest
(970) 925-8645
Aspen Daily Times - Candidate Outlook
Aspen Daily Times - Candidate Leadership
Aspen Daily Times - Life One Plan, development
Aspen Daily Times - Affordable Housing
Aspen Times - Vision for New Leadership
Aspen Times - Why Them?
Aspen Times - Affordable Housing
GrassRoots TV Podcast
Aspen Daily News - Guest Commentary: Development/Lift One
At-Large Linda Manning Democrat Affordable Housing Aspen City Clerk (recused self from being the Designated Election Official)
Announcement
LinkedIn
Website
Email
Facebook
(970) 989-4389
Radio Interview - Aspen Public Radio
Aspen Daily Times - Candidate Outlook
Aspen Daily Times - Candidate Leadership
Aspen Daily Times - Life One Plan, development
Aspen Daily Times - Affordable Housing
Aspen Times - Vision for New Leadership
Aspen Times - Why Them?
Aspen Times - Affordable Housing
GrassRoots TV Podcast
Aspen Daily News - Candidate Interview
At-Large Skippy Mesirow Unaffiliated Affordable Housing
Affordable Business
Climate Change
Community Well-being
Announcement
Aspen Planning and Zoning Commissioner
Principal organizer to changing date of Aspen municipal elections
Ran for Council in 2017, losing the runoff by 102 votes.
LinkedIn
Hosted a candidate meet-and-greet for Jared Poliss almost a year before the primary.
Website
Website 2
Facebook
Email
Twitter
Instagram
Radio Interview - Aspen Public Radio
Aspen Daily Times - Candidate Outlook
Aspen Daily Times - Candidate Leadership
Aspen Daily Times - Life One Plan, development
Aspen Daily Times - Affordable Housing
Aspen Times - Vision for New Leadership
Aspen Times - Why Them?
Aspen Times - Affordable Housing
GrassRoots TV Podcast
Aspen Daily News - Candidate Interview
2017 APR interview
At-Large Rachel Richards Democrat 3-term Pitkin County Commissioner
Former Aspen Mayor (1999-2003) and Councilor (1991-1999; 2003-2007)
Announcement
Opinion pieces written by Richards
Mick Ireland was paid $500 on her campaign for data management
Facebook
970-710-1038
Radio Interview - Aspen Public Radio
Aspen Daily Times - Candidate Outlook
Aspen Daily Times - Candidate Leadership
Aspen Daily Times - Life One Plan, development
Aspen Daily Times - Affordable Housing
Aspen Times - Vision for New Leadership
Aspen Times - Why Them?

Aspen Times - Affordable Housing
GrassRoots TV Podcast
Aspen Times - Opinion Column as Candidate
Aspen Daily Time - Candidate Interview

(i) = incumbent


Forums

Previous

  • Thursday 1/10/19 5:30p-7:30p--"City Outreach"--Aspen Police Department community room
  • Thursday 1/24/19 (time?)--"Local Business"--Bootsy Bellows
  • Thursday 1/31/19 (time?)--"Community Health"--Bootsy Bellows
  • "Squirm Night", an Aspen tradition. A collaboration between Aspen Daily News, Aspen Times, Aspen Public Radio, and GrassRoots TV.


Campaign Finance

Filing Dates (according to Aspen City Clerk's office):

  • February 12, 2019
  • February 25, 2019
  • February 28, 2019
  • April 4, 2019


EDITORIAL NOTE: Figures between Total Contributions and subtraction of Total Expenditures will not always necessarily equal Cash On Hand. This is commonly due to money being left over from previous campaigns.


Official Campaign Finance Report Source


Candidates


Seat Name Party Total Contributions Total Expenditures Total Cash On Hand Total IECs Notable Individuals
Mayor Adam Frisch
(Report 1)
(Report 2)
Unaffiliated $15,946.84 $12,035.13 $4,177.23
Mayor Cale Mitchell
(No reports filed as of 2/28/19)
Green
Mayor Ann Mullins
(Report 1)
(Report 2)
Democrat $12,595 $12,333.43 $761.57
Mayor Torre
(Report 1)
([ Report 2])
Unaffiliated $6,315
(Plus candidate loan for $1,000)
$4,135.33 $2,179.67
 
At-Large Bert Myrin
(Report 1)
(Report 2)
Unaffiliated $6,999 $6,027.39 $2,091.39
At-Large Linda Manning
(Report 1)
(Report 2)
Democrat $4,049 $3,766.80 $282.20
At-Large Skippy Mesirow
(Report 1)
(Report 2)
Unaffiliated $14,929.98
(Plus candidate loan for $921.34)
$8,732.74 $4,073.59 Governor Jared Polis - $250
At-Large Rachel Richards
(Report 1)
(Report 2)
Democrat $19,179.99 $15,402.93 $3,777.06 Candidate Contributions - $5,750
Arapahoe COunty Commissioner Bill Holen - $100
State Rep. Julie McCluskie - $50
State Sen. Kerry Donovan - $50


Issues


Name Stance Registered Agent(s) Total Contributions Total Expenditures Total Cash On Hand Total Non-Monetary Contributions Notable Individuals
One for Aspen
(Report 1)
(Report 2)
FOR Lift One Bryan Peterson
partner at Norway Island LLC
$150 $0 $150 $67,553.81 Norway Island LLC and Lift One Lodge Aspen
Mick Ireland appears to be paid for fascilitating the mailer campaign.
 
Committee to Improve Lift One
(Report 1)
AGAINST Lift One
Op-Ed by Registered Agent
Enna Kutz, of Boston $15,000 $0 $15,000 $0 Shadow Mountain Townhome Association - $15,000
 
No on Lift 1A
(Report 1)
AGAINST Lift One Roxana Aslan $0 $0 $0 $500


Moving Elections from May to March

On the November 8th, 2018 coordinated general election, the voters of Aspen voted to move the municipal elections from May/June to March/April. 68% voted for the change; 32% against.

The rationale for the shift came from a study that was conducted by the group in favor of a new date, Aspen Citizens for Democracy, tracking the number of toilet flushes. According to this study, the most flushes were on New Years Day, due to holiday tourism, and then plummeted in May when the first round of elections were previously conducted. March was found to be the "Goldilocks" time in between the rush and the resulting lull.


Previous Turnout Figures

Aspen Municipal Turnout Source (Aspen Times)


Election Turnout
May 2017 37.7%
June 2017 (runoff) 28.57%
 
May 2015 40.75%
June 2015 (runoff) 32%
 
May 2013 51.62%
June 2013 (runoff) 39.53%
 
May 2011 55.63%
 
May 2009 44.78%