Regional Jet 700 ER/LR (CRJ700)
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Situational Awareness
ATC Issue All Types; Inflight Event / Encounter CFTT / CFIT
Air Traffic Control Issued New Clearance; Flight Crew Became Reoriented
Human Factors
We had asked for the visual 15 into ASE.  ASE approach was closed and we were handled by DEN center. We were taken off the DEN SID and given direct DBL direct ASE. Then a different  controller gave us a descent to 15000'. We were VMC and clear of terrain and weather so we went down. When we leveled off; another controller gave us an altitude alert and told us to climb back up to 16000 FT. We climbed back up briefly; then a hand off to the next controller where we received our approach clearance once we had the field in sight. Continued in landing ASE.Incorrect altitude issued by ATC.Not knowing the MVA's ATC uses in that area I would've questioned their clearance if I was IMC. We would've been on the airway to ZAKOR  with an MEA depicted. The MOCA's for this area on our EFB's are not really depicted. We were set up perfectly to cross DBL at the recommended altitude of 14000 and we were clear of terrain and clouds. Not being an ASE regular; I'm not familiar to what ATC does when ASE approach is closed. Next time I'll just stay on the airway till I see the field even when I'm visual.
CRJ-700 Captain reported receiving a low altitude alert on arrival into ASE even though a previous Controller had issued a clearance to that altitude.