Aspen Daily News
The Roaring Fork Valley’s largest energy provider has endorsed Pitkin County’s “energy smart” initiative, joining a growing coalition of supporters for the measure voters will decide by mail-in ballot next month. If passed, the measure would allow the county to hand out up to $7 million in loans for homeowners to make energy-efficient upgrades on their houses. Loans for the voluntary program would be paid back through participants’ property tax bills over the next 15 to 20 years. It will not affect taxes for nonparticipants.
The Pitkin County commissioners voted unanimously Wednesday to place a question on the November ballot that would allow the county to issue bonds so it can provide loans to property owners to make energy efficiency and renewable energy improvements to their homes. “It would allow our citizens to reduce their carbon footprint,” said Commissioner Rachel Richards.
Local business leaders are charging ahead with a proposed new lodging tax that would pump an expected $1 million-plus into marketing Aspen to tourists. They hope voters will pass the new tax as a November ballot initiative.