Aspen, Colorado
Aspen is a city of 6,756 people in Pitkin County, Colorado, founded in 1879.
Why visit Aspen
Townapedia lists 52 museums and landmarks, 41 parks and trails, 42 places to eat, 27 places to stay and 11 attractions in and around town.
Highlights include Wheeler Opera House, Sheely Bridge, Aspen Art Museum and Aspen City Hall.
July is the warmest month, with average highs of 76°F; January lows average 10°F, and about 171 inches of snow fall in a normal year.
Weather in Aspen
Forecast from the National Weather Service. Full forecast
About Aspen
Aspen is the home rule city that is the county seat of, and the most populous municipality in, Pitkin County, Colorado, United States. The city population was 7,004 at the 2020 United States census. Aspen is in a remote area of the Rocky Mountains' Sawatch Range and Elk Mountains, along the Roaring Fork River at an elevation just below 8,000 feet (2,400 m) on the Western Slope, 11 miles (18 km) west of the Continental Divide. Aspen is now a part of the Rifle, CO Micropolitan Statistical Area.
From the Wikipedia article Aspen, Colorado (this version), under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Things to do11
Wheeler Opera House
Cinema and theater · National Register of Historic Places · 1.0 mi
Theater and movie theater in Aspen, Colorado, United States
Sheely Bridge
Bridge · National Register of Historic Places · 1.1 mi
Bridge in CO, USA
Theatre Aspen Hurst Theatre
Cinema and theater · 1.1 mi
470 Rio Grande Place, Aspen
Museums and landmarks52
Aspen Art Museum
Museum · 1.2 mi
Non-profit organization in the USA
637 East Hyman Avenue, Aspen
Tu-Su 10:00-18:00
Aspen City Hall
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 1.1 mi
City hall
Pioneer Park
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 0.6 mi
House in Aspen, Colorado listed on the National Register of Historic Places
Bowles–Cooley House
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 0.7 mi
Historic house in Colorado, United States
Brand Building
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 1.1 mi
Commercial building in Aspen, Colorado
D.E. Frantz House
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 0.6 mi
Historic building in Aspen, Colorado
Davis Waite House
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 0.7 mi
Historic house in Colorado, United States
Dixon–Markle House
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 0.9 mi
Historic house in Colorado, United States
Holden/Marolt Mining and Ranching Museum
Museum · National Register of Historic Places
Museum in Colorado, United States
Hotel Jerome
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 1.0 mi
Historic hotel in Aspen, Colorado
Maroon Creek Bridge
Bridge · National Register of Historic Places · 0.8 mi
Bridge in CO, USA
Matthew Callahan Log Cabin
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 0.6 mi
Aspen, Colorado, listed on the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) in Pitkin County
40 more on the map.
Parks, trails and playgrounds41
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29 more on the map.
Restaurants and cafes42
Little Ollie's
Restaurant · Chinese · 1.2 mi
Aspen's favorite affordable and casual Chinese restaurant. Time-tested, mom-&-pop restaurant featuring dim sum & other Chinese classics.
308 South Hunter Street, Aspen
Mo-Su 11:00-21:30
Over Easy
Cafe · American · 0.9 mi
304 East Hopkins Avenue, Aspen
Mo-Th 07:30-14:00; Fr-Su 07:30-15:00
30 more on the map.
History
The city originated in 1879 when a group of miners ignored pleas by Frederick Pitkin, Governor of Colorado, to return across the Continental Divide to avoid a Ute uprising. The Utes were fighting to maintain possession of their land and communities. Originally named Ute City, the small community was renamed Aspen. The Aspen, Colorado, post office opened on June 7, 1880. Pitkin County was created on February 23, 1881, with Aspen as its first and only seat. The Town of Aspen was incorporated on April 1, 1881. In its peak production years of 1891 and 1892, Aspen surpassed Leadville as the United States' most productive silver-mining district. Production expanded due to the passage of the Sherman Silver Purchase Act of 1890, which doubled the government's purchase of silver. In 1883, the Apostolic Vicarate of Colorado's Bishop Machebeuf had the Reverend Edward Downey establish the first Catholic mission in Aspen.
From the History section of Aspen, Colorado on Wikipedia, under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Where to stay27
Hyatt Residence Club Grand Aspen
Motel and hotel · 1.1 mi
415 East Dean Street, Aspen
Churches and places of worship6
Aspen Community Church
Church · National Register of Historic Places · 0.9 mi
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Church · Mormon · 0.8 mi
50 Moore Drive, Aspen
Shopping6
Gas and EV charging4
Schools, colleges and libraries6
Aspen Community Charter School
School · 5.9 mi
1199 Woody Creek Road, Woody Creek
Healthcare1
Map of Aspen
196 places. The map loads OpenStreetMap tiles when you open it.
Climate by month
Monthly table
| Month | High | Low | Rain | Snow |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 32°F | 10°F | 1.9 in | 28.1 in |
| Feb | 35°F | 12°F | 2.2 in | 28.3 in |
| Mar | 43°F | 20°F | 2.6 in | 26.9 in |
| Apr | 50°F | 27°F | 2.7 in | 20.9 in |
| May | 60°F | 35°F | 2.2 in | 7.0 in |
| Jun | 71°F | 42°F | 1.1 in | 0.4 in |
| Jul | 76°F | 48°F | 2.0 in | 0.0 in |
| Aug | 73°F | 47°F | 1.8 in | 0.0 in |
| Sep | 67°F | 40°F | 1.9 in | 1.0 in |
| Oct | 55°F | 30°F | 2.1 in | 10.2 in |
| Nov | 42°F | 19°F | 2.1 in | 20.5 in |
| Dec | 32°F | 10°F | 2.0 in | 27.5 in |
U.S. Climate Normals 1991-2020 for Aspen 1Sw (1 mi away), NOAA NCEI.
People and cost of living
American Community Survey 5-year estimates, 2020-2024, U.S. Census Bureau. Estimates have margins of error, larger for small towns.
Disaster history
Pitkin County has had 4 federal disaster declarations since 2000, most often for biologicals.
- 2020-03-28: Covid-19 Pandemic (Biological)
- 2020-03-13: Covid-19 (Biological)
- 2005-09-05: Hurricane Katrina Evacuation (Coastal Storm)
- 2002-06-19: Wildfires (Fire)
OpenFEMA disaster declarations summaries.
Getting there and nearby towns
Aspen-Pitkin County Airport/Sardy Field (ASE) is the nearest airport with scheduled flights listed in OpenStreetMap, 2 miles away.
- Snowmass Village 6 mi west, about 10 min by car
- Basalt 16 mi northwest, about 27 min by car
- El Jebel 20 mi northwest, about 32 min by car
- Mount Crested Butte 21 mi south, about 34 min by car
- Marble 21 mi southwest, about 33 min by car
- Carbondale 25 mi northwest, about 39 min by car
- Edwards 31 mi north, about 50 min by car
- Avon 35 mi northeast, about 57 min by car
- Glenwood Springs 36 mi northwest, about 58 min by car
- Rifle 55 mi northwest, about 1 h 30 min by car
Drive times are estimates from straight-line distance, not routes.
Local news
Headlines from INDB, the NEMICO news database.
Reviews, tips and questions
Loading what members have shared...
Sources and licences
- NCES EDGE (Public domain): public schools
- NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991-2020 (Public domain): climate by month
- OpenFEMA (Public domain): disaster declarations
- OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL 1.0): places, airports, map data
- U.S. Census Bureau (Public domain): population, income, housing, education, commute
- Wikidata (CC0 1.0): elevation, founding date, time zone, website, landmarks and historic places
- Wikimedia Commons (see each image): photos
- Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0): overview and history text
Photo credits
- Aspen Center for Physics Smart Hall Photo Spring 2023, Aspenphysics, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Sandeep Robert Datta at Aspen Ideas 2023, Offenbach, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Aspen - panoramio - Frans-Banja Mulder (4), Frans-Banja Mulder, CC BY 3.0
- Aspen - panoramio - Frans-Banja Mulder (2), Frans-Banja Mulder, CC BY 3.0
- Aspen - panoramio - Frans-Banja Mulder (3), Frans-Banja Mulder, CC BY 3.0
- Aspen - panoramio - Frans-Banja Mulder (1), Frans-Banja Mulder, CC BY 3.0
- Aspen Community church portal on south facade, This Photo was taken by Wolfgang Moroder . Feel free to use my photos, but please mention me as the author and send me a message . This image is not in the public domain . Please respect the..., CC BY-SA 3.0
- Aspen Community church south facade 2, This Photo was taken by Wolfgang Moroder . Feel free to use my photos, but please mention me as the author and send me a message . This image is not in the public domain . Please respect the..., CC BY-SA 3.0
- Aspen Community church detail of south facade, This Photo was taken by Wolfgang Moroder . Feel free to use my photos, but please mention me as the author and send me a message . This image is not in the public domain . Please respect the..., CC BY-SA 3.0
- Aspen Community church south facade, This Photo was taken by Wolfgang Moroder . Feel free to use my photos, but please mention me as the author and send me a message . This image is not in the public domain . Please respect the..., CC BY-SA 3.0
- Aspen Community church main facade, This Photo was taken by Wolfgang Moroder . Feel free to use my photos, but please mention me as the author and send me a message . This image is not in the public domain . Please respect the..., CC BY-SA 3.0
- Secretary Kerry Walks With Aspen Institute President and CEO Isaacson and Chairman of the Board Crown (27890244991), U.S. Department of State from United States, Public domain
- Secretary Kerry Greets Members of a First-Aid and Medical Support Group Before Addressing Attendees at the Aspen Ideas Festival (27933231916), U.S. Department of State from United States, Public domain
- Secretary Kerry Addresses Attendees at the Aspen Ideas Festival in Colorado (27967722565), U.S. Department of State from United States, Public domain
- Secretary Kerry Hugs Will Field Before Addressing Attendees at the Aspen Ideas Festival in Colorado (27933229026), U.S. Department of State from United States, Public domain
- Aspen Institute President and CEO Isaacson Asks Secretary Kerry a Question During a Q&A Session at the Aspen Ideas Festival in Colorado (27967724025), U.S. Department of State from United States, Public domain
- Secretary Kerry Addresses Attendees at the Aspen Ideas Festival in Colorado (27353991403), U.S. Department of State from United States, Public domain
- Secretary Kerry Addresses Attendees at the Aspen Ideas Festival in Colorado (27890243421), U.S. Department of State from United States, Public domain
- Secretary Kerry Poses for a Photo With a First-Aid and Medical Support Group Before Addressing Attendees at the Aspen Ideas Festival (27890243901), U.S. Department of State from United States, Public domain
- AAM Exterior, Photo: Karl Wolfgang, CC BY 3.0
- Aspen City Hall, Daniel Case, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Aspen Wheeler Opera House, This Photo was taken by Wolfgang Moroder . Feel free to use my photos, but please mention me as the author and send me a message . This image is not in the public domain . Please respect the..., CC BY-SA 3.0
- Henry Webber House, Aspen, CO, Daniel Case, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Hotel Jerome, Aspen, CO, Daniel Case, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Sheely Bridge, Aspen, CO, Daniel Case, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Bowles-Cooley House, Aspen, CO, Daniel Case, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Red Onion, Aspen, CO, Daniel Case, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Aspen Community Church, Daniel Case, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Pitkin County Courthouse 2010, Daniel Case, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Dixon-Markle House, Aspen, CO, Daniel Case, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Thomas Hynes House, Aspen, CO, Daniel Case, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Smuggler Mine, Aspen, CO, bigweasel . Cropped and color-corrected by Daniel Case prior to upload, CC BY 2.0
- Davis Waite House, Aspen, CO, Daniel Case, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Ute Cemetery, Aspen, CO, Daniel Case, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Wheeler-Stallard House, Aspen, CO, Daniel Case, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Matthew Callahan Log Cabin, Aspen, CO, Daniel Case, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Hyman-Brand Building, Aspen, CO, Daniel Case, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Samuel Hallett House, Aspen, CO, Daniel Case, CC BY-SA 3.0
- La Fave Block, Aspen, CO, Daniel Case, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Collins Block, Aspen, CO, Daniel Case, CC BY-SA 3.0
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