Pitkin commissioners not receptive to large bike event in Aspen
A major Colorado bike event wants to spend three days in Aspen this summer, though Pitkin County commissioners weren't receptive Tuesday to the organizer's plans.
Mike Kraemer of the county's community development department refused to name the event but said it occurs every year in the state and that it's a tour not a race.
He told commissioners that organizers want to come to Aspen in June during the weekend before the Food & Wine Classic. They want to stage a 50 person "VIP" ride on Saturday that would take place on county roads, a 2,000-person ride Sunday on county roads, and have 2,000 riders go over Independence Pass on Monday, Kraemer said.
The Sunday ride would utilize Castle Creek and Maroon Creek roads or a combination of McLain Flats Road, Lower River Road and Owl Creek Road and almost certainly require road closures, he said. Commissioners did not like the sound of that.
"It sounds like too much impact to me," said Commissioner Rachel Richards. "It doesn't sound viable to me."
Commissioner George Newman felt the same way.
"I guess I'd say I'm not interested," Newman said. "For me, it's not going to work."
Commissioners Patti Clapper and Steve Child said they wanted more information, including where 2,000 cars with bike racks might park and if participants would stay in hotels or camp.
In the end, commissioners directed staff to accept an application and go from there.