Chapter 13: Culture Regions

Aspen is not a culturally diverse city. 94% of its population is white and a majority of the other 6% does not reside in Aspen because they cannot afford to live there. 58% of the population is religious and 56% of that group is some type of Christian. Surprisingly, 0% are Jewish. The high end neighborhoods such as City Center and Thomasville/Nest constitute the higher portion of the wealthy because of its high property values. Independence/Ashcroft contains the middle-class people that can afford to live there.


http://www.coloradodirectory.com/aspenbasaltcamp/ABMap1.jpg
Basalt and Carbondale are near Aspen.


Sources:
http://www.bestplaces.net/city/Aspen-Colorado.aspx

Chapter 12: Human Impact

Although Aspen does rely on heavy industry pollution does exist. Aspen witnesses high levels of carbon monoxide and ozone. At least 83% of its particulate pollution comes from vehicles and water pollution comes as a result of urban runoff. Aspen is being proactive in attempting to fix its environmental issues. A new stromwater treatment system has been created to reduce water pollution. The new system is supposed to remove sediment, oil, and grease from water before it enters the river. Furthermore, not only does Aspen have the 2nd largest mass transit system in Colorado but it also has numerous hybrid busses. The city also contains numerous bike and walking trails that encourages walking and riding bicycles. Aspen’s Environmental Health Department also encourages people to recycle and brings awareness about proper chemical management. Lastly, 75% of Aspen’s electricity comes from renewable wind and hydro.

Sources:
http://www.aspenpitkin.com/pdfs/depts/44/historyaspenenviro.pdf

Chapter 11: Recreational Resources

http://www.aspensnowmass.com/onmountain/default.cfm
Beautiful site of the mountains in Aspen.


Aspen is tourist city and many of its visitors come for skiing or to see its beautiful natural environment. People from all over the country come to Snowmass, Buttermilk, and Aspen Mountains for recreation. These mountains offer some of the best skiing slopes at a price not many people can afford. The slopes are open between November and April. The mountains are not only good for skiing during the snowy season but they are also good for hiking when its dry. Many people from outside the city come and enjoy a small town atmosphere, while also skiing and hiking.


http://www.flickr.com/photos/andysmolak/465339976/
Skiing looks like fun.

Sources:
http://www.aspensnowmass.com/onmountain/default.cfm

Chapter 10: Neighborhoods

There are three neighborhoods in Aspen: Thomasville/Nest, Independence/Ashcroft, and City Center. All three neighborhoods are expensive with an average median home value being about $7 million. The most expensive, however, is City Center, followed by Thomasville/Nest and then Independence/Ashcroft. A very high majority of these neighborhoods are inhabited by whites because others cannot afford to live there. Thus, there is de facto segregation since only wealthy whites can afford to live in these areas. The lower classes have to resort to commuting from bedroom communities (Basalt and Carbondale). Here is a site for a good map of the neighborhoods in Aspen: http://www.neighborhoodscout.com/co/aspen/

Sources:
http://www.neighborhoodscout.com/co/aspen/

Chapter 9: Cities

http://www.bestplaces.net/city/Aspen-Colorado.aspx


Although its population would allow Aspen to be considered a small town, the Colorado state Constitution allows it to declare itself a town or city. As a result, Aspen is a very small city in regards to population. There is not much cultural diversity in the city since about 94% of the population is white and is mostly a white-collar city. The city relies heavily on tourism and thus the city and natural environment are the main attractions. There are many people that cannot afford to live in the city and have to move outside the city and commute to work. The concentric model zone does apply for Aspen, but the lower class is taken out because they cannot afford to live in the city. The lower class and a certain portion of the middle class have to rely on commuting from bedroom communities such as Basalt and Carbondale.


http://www.ultimatetaxi.com/1999/aspen530.jpg
Picture of Aspen along the mountain during the winter.

Sources:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aspen,_Colorado#Transportation
http://www.bestplaces.net/city/Aspen-Colorado.aspx#1

Chapter 8: Modern Transportation

Although Aspen has a small population it has 2nd largest mass transit system in Colorado. The average one-way commute in is about 15 minutes. A majority of people like walking instead of driving. 42% commute alone in their cars, 7% carpool, and 11% use mass transit. The Roaring Fork Transportation Authority or RFTA provides bus service in Aspen. Local RFTA bus service is free when commuting within the city or when going to the airport. Aspen’s airport is Aspen-Pitkin County Airport and has only one runway. Highway 82 is the only highway that runs through Aspen. The city also contains numerous bike and walking trails that encourages walking and riding bicycles.


http://www.fta.dot.gov/TRO_8/TRO8_RFTA_Hybrid_Bus_rdax_300x175.jpg
Bike trails such as these encourage walking and bike riding.



http://www.flickr.com/photos/23437487@N00/2451356405/
Two small planes on the small runway of the Aspen airport.


http://rfta.com/biketrail.jpg
A hybrid bus of the RFTA.

Sources:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aspen,_Colorado#Transportation
http://www.bestplaces.net/city/Aspen-Colorado.aspx
http://www.aspenpitkin.com/pdfs/depts/44/historyaspenenviro.pdf