Josie Taris
@josietaris.bsky.social
Freelance reporter & audio producer in the Roaring Fork Valley (she/her)
If the federal government shuts down Wednesday, Pitkin County will likely close vehicular access to one of Colorado’s most-photographed sites.
County officials said their primary goal is to protect the Maroon Bells landscape if there’s little-to-no supervision from the U.S. Forest Service.
County officials said their primary goal is to protect the Maroon Bells landscape if there’s little-to-no supervision from the U.S. Forest Service.
Pitkin County prepares to close Maroon Creek Road ahead of possible government shutdown
If federal legislators fail to approve a new budget, the Maroon Bells Scenic Area and surrounding public lands could go unsupervised.
www.aspenpublicradio.org
September 28, 2025 at 11:12 PM
If the federal government shuts down Wednesday, Pitkin County will likely close vehicular access to one of Colorado’s most-photographed sites.
County officials said their primary goal is to protect the Maroon Bells landscape if there’s little-to-no supervision from the U.S. Forest Service.
County officials said their primary goal is to protect the Maroon Bells landscape if there’s little-to-no supervision from the U.S. Forest Service.
Reposted by Josie Taris
Nearly 70% of Colorado land zoned for housing prohibits the most affordable types of homes, study finds
Nearly 70% of Colorado land zoned for housing prohibits the most affordable types of homes, study finds
In the first comprehensive review of Colorado land use laws, the National Zoning Atlas found that you can build single-family homes almost anywhere. But apartments, condos and townhomes are widely prohibited.
coloradosun.com
July 1, 2025 at 1:07 PM
Nearly 70% of Colorado land zoned for housing prohibits the most affordable types of homes, study finds
With $12.6 pledged from local partners (largely govt), residents of two mobile parks in the RFV will be submitting offers totaling $42 million to buy their parks under a resident-owned community model.
The other offer on the table appears to be from a Dallas-based group raising rents in Jackson.
The other offer on the table appears to be from a Dallas-based group raising rents in Jackson.
Mobile home residents to submit offer as other bidder comes into focus
The residents of two Roaring Fork Valley mobile home parks are preparing to submit offers totaling $42 million in the next few days in an attempt to stave off an offer from apparent Dallas-based inves...
www.aspendailynews.com
June 27, 2025 at 7:17 PM
With $12.6 pledged from local partners (largely govt), residents of two mobile parks in the RFV will be submitting offers totaling $42 million to buy their parks under a resident-owned community model.
The other offer on the table appears to be from a Dallas-based group raising rents in Jackson.
The other offer on the table appears to be from a Dallas-based group raising rents in Jackson.
A longstanding contract b/w a Carbondale nonprofit and the White River National Forest for air and water quality data collection likely won’t be funded beyond year’s end due to budget cuts.
The contract is just $38k. Local funders could step in, but stakeholders say it’s the feds’ responsibility.
The contract is just $38k. Local funders could step in, but stakeholders say it’s the feds’ responsibility.
Federal air, water quality studies to end this year
A decades-long partnership between Wilderness Workshop and the White River National Forest to fund and facilitate air and water quality studies is expected to end this year, another casualty of the sl...
www.aspendailynews.com
June 20, 2025 at 12:33 AM
A longstanding contract b/w a Carbondale nonprofit and the White River National Forest for air and water quality data collection likely won’t be funded beyond year’s end due to budget cuts.
The contract is just $38k. Local funders could step in, but stakeholders say it’s the feds’ responsibility.
The contract is just $38k. Local funders could step in, but stakeholders say it’s the feds’ responsibility.
Pitkin, Eagle & Garfield Counties all have distinct resolutions on their cooperation with federal immigration LE/county services eligibility—but all ended up on the since-deleted DHS sanctuary list.
County managers say they’re less likely to act quickly on fed directives bc of the confusion.
County managers say they’re less likely to act quickly on fed directives bc of the confusion.
3 RFV counties named in deleted ‘sanctuary’ list
Pitkin, Eagle and Garfield counties all appeared on a since-deleted U.S. Department of Homeland Security list enumerating sanctuary jurisdictions, despite diverging language in resolutions in each cou...
www.aspendailynews.com
June 9, 2025 at 11:08 PM
Pitkin, Eagle & Garfield Counties all have distinct resolutions on their cooperation with federal immigration LE/county services eligibility—but all ended up on the since-deleted DHS sanctuary list.
County managers say they’re less likely to act quickly on fed directives bc of the confusion.
County managers say they’re less likely to act quickly on fed directives bc of the confusion.
It’s contract negotiation time for the Aspen Snowmass ski patrol union & Skico.
Patrollers union, SkiCo to enter contract talks
After a season of big events in the ski patrol labor scene, the union representing Aspen Skiing Co. ski patrollers is set to begin contract negotiations with the company on Tuesday.
www.aspendailynews.com
April 8, 2025 at 1:45 AM
It’s contract negotiation time for the Aspen Snowmass ski patrol union & Skico.
Breaking: Two White River National Forest leaders resign, at least one through the Trump admin’s “Fork in the Road” deferred resignation program. The WRNF is the country’s most visited national forest and is the cornerstone of the regional recreation economy.
White River National Forest supervisor, deputy supervisor resigning
White River National Forest Supervisor Scott Fitzwilliams and Deputy Supervisor Heather Noel are resigning from their positions with the U.S. Forest Service.
www.aspendailynews.com
February 28, 2025 at 5:59 AM
Breaking: Two White River National Forest leaders resign, at least one through the Trump admin’s “Fork in the Road” deferred resignation program. The WRNF is the country’s most visited national forest and is the cornerstone of the regional recreation economy.
Updates coming on this story, but for now: two GS-5 forestry techs talk about how the probationary period firings will risk wildfire and major human impact on the Aspen Sopris Ranger District of the White River National Forest
Fired USFS employees told jobs no longer ‘in the public interest’
The rash of federal layoffs impacted the Aspen-Sopris Ranger District, with a ‘handful’ of probationary employees receiving termination notices last Friday.
www.aspendailynews.com
February 19, 2025 at 1:30 AM
Updates coming on this story, but for now: two GS-5 forestry techs talk about how the probationary period firings will risk wildfire and major human impact on the Aspen Sopris Ranger District of the White River National Forest
Reposted by Josie Taris
Unions and attorneys who represent federal employees are telling workers not to take the offer from the Trump administration to resign from their jobs by Feb. 6 and still be paid through September.
'Not a buyout': Attorneys and unions urge federal workers not to resign
Unions and attorneys who represent federal employees are telling workers not to take the offer from the Trump administration to resign from their jobs by Feb. 6 and still be paid through September.
www.npr.org
January 29, 2025 at 7:29 PM
Unions and attorneys who represent federal employees are telling workers not to take the offer from the Trump administration to resign from their jobs by Feb. 6 and still be paid through September.
Sorry editor, I missed deadline because of this:
January 29, 2025 at 1:34 AM
Sorry editor, I missed deadline because of this:
Pitkin County employees said an uptick in tense interactions with members of the public and the greater landscape of attitude toward government pushed them to seek a permanent private security contract.
PitCo looks to hire permanent private security
Pitkin County is seeking a private security contract for its administration, human services and library buildings.
www.aspendailynews.com
January 8, 2025 at 8:30 PM
Pitkin County employees said an uptick in tense interactions with members of the public and the greater landscape of attitude toward government pushed them to seek a permanent private security contract.
Low density luxury homes or high density workforce housing in rural zones? Eagle County approved a minor subdivision up the Frying Pan, but noted the loss of high density cabins/trailer homes that once sat on the property.
Frying Pan lot to get subdivided for 3 houses
A 22-acre parcel in the Fryingpan Valley is headed for a three-parcel subdivision after the Eagle Board of County Commissioners unanimously approved an application.
www.aspendailynews.com
December 17, 2024 at 5:39 PM
Low density luxury homes or high density workforce housing in rural zones? Eagle County approved a minor subdivision up the Frying Pan, but noted the loss of high density cabins/trailer homes that once sat on the property.
Thompson Divide withdrawal likely safe under Trump admin, per local experts, though regulatory environment will transform.
Regulations for public lands likely to change under Trump
The regulatory environment surrounding big conservation decisions in the Western Slope and beyond is likely to change under the second Trump administration. The conservative policy guide Project 2025 ...
www.aspendailynews.com
December 17, 2024 at 5:37 PM
Thompson Divide withdrawal likely safe under Trump admin, per local experts, though regulatory environment will transform.
Reposted by Josie Taris
NEW: After reviewing leaked documents, we have found UnitedHealth is strategically limiting access to a treatment for thousands of children with autism across the country in order to cut costs.
Advocates say the company’s strategy may be illegal.
www.propublica.org/article/unit...
👇
Advocates say the company’s strategy may be illegal.
www.propublica.org/article/unit...
👇
UnitedHealth Is Strategically Limiting Access to Critical Treatment for Kids With Autism
Leaked internal documents show that the insurance giant is culling providers of applied behavior analysis from its network and scrutinizing the medical necessity of therapy. Advocates say the company’...
www.propublica.org
December 13, 2024 at 1:34 PM
NEW: After reviewing leaked documents, we have found UnitedHealth is strategically limiting access to a treatment for thousands of children with autism across the country in order to cut costs.
Advocates say the company’s strategy may be illegal.
www.propublica.org/article/unit...
👇
Advocates say the company’s strategy may be illegal.
www.propublica.org/article/unit...
👇
Not that I was ever a dedicated Tarheel football fan, but bringing on Bill Belichick is soooo cringe
December 12, 2024 at 2:12 AM
Not that I was ever a dedicated Tarheel football fan, but bringing on Bill Belichick is soooo cringe
I was so looking forward to this
Breaking News: A judge said he would not approve the sale of Infowars to The Onion, prolonging the tug of war for ownership of the site founded by Alex Jones.
Judge Refuses to Allow Sale of Infowars to The Onion
The Onion’s bid was supported by the families of the victims of the Sandy Hook shooting and Everytown for Gun Safety, a nonprofit focused on ending gun violence.
www.nytimes.com
December 11, 2024 at 5:02 AM
I was so looking forward to this
My predecessor told me that these type of land use questions are going to be most important to the Roaring Fork Valley going forward. If county code allows a landowner to subdivide…what’s to stop the BOCC from approving their request?
Pfister tract subdivision splits BOCC
Owners of two of the Pfister Tracts off of West Buttermilk Road hope to subdivide their land for four single family homes. In exchange, they’re willing to codify a conservation easement for 55 acres o...
www.aspendailynews.com
December 10, 2024 at 10:07 PM
My predecessor told me that these type of land use questions are going to be most important to the Roaring Fork Valley going forward. If county code allows a landowner to subdivide…what’s to stop the BOCC from approving their request?
Reposted by Josie Taris
Hey #Denver! This retailer is on a mission to bring more women to the mountains, especially the outdoors! 🏔️❄️⛷️Olympian-founded and woman-owned outdoor apparel retailer Halfdays.com opened its first brick-and-mortar store in Denver’s #RiNo neighborhood www.denverpost.com/2024/12/05/o...
Outdoor apparel retailer Halfdays opens flagship store in Denver
The brand was founded by a former Olympic skier and is on a mission to bring more women to the mountains.
www.denverpost.com
December 5, 2024 at 10:02 PM
Hey #Denver! This retailer is on a mission to bring more women to the mountains, especially the outdoors! 🏔️❄️⛷️Olympian-founded and woman-owned outdoor apparel retailer Halfdays.com opened its first brick-and-mortar store in Denver’s #RiNo neighborhood www.denverpost.com/2024/12/05/o...
First pledge pitch done!! Full circle from listening to @wunc.bsky.social pledge drives on the ride to middle school…now asking listeners for donations with Aspen Public Radio 🤩
December 4, 2024 at 4:55 PM
First pledge pitch done!! Full circle from listening to @wunc.bsky.social pledge drives on the ride to middle school…now asking listeners for donations with Aspen Public Radio 🤩
The first official E175 landed in Aspen today. The aircraft have updated flight deck tech, which allow for a different approach than what the CRJ700 uses.
Passengers off the flight said it was a much smoother arrival & a roomier plane. SkyWest operates the flights for United.
Passengers off the flight said it was a much smoother arrival & a roomier plane. SkyWest operates the flights for United.
First E-175 flight lands in Aspen today
The first official Embraer 175 flight to be employed for local commercial service touched down at the Aspen-Pitkin County Airport on Tuesday morning.
www.aspendailynews.com
December 4, 2024 at 1:34 AM
The first official E175 landed in Aspen today. The aircraft have updated flight deck tech, which allow for a different approach than what the CRJ700 uses.
Passengers off the flight said it was a much smoother arrival & a roomier plane. SkyWest operates the flights for United.
Passengers off the flight said it was a much smoother arrival & a roomier plane. SkyWest operates the flights for United.
Conservative church/school readies itself for a legal fight with Eagle County over affordable housing requirements for expansion plans:
Cornerstone ready for court action over housing requirement
Cornerstone Christian Center’s plans to expand have clashed with Eagle County’s affordable housing guidelines. The county requires one affordable housing unit for the expansion scale and expected job ...
www.aspendailynews.com
December 2, 2024 at 4:45 PM
Conservative church/school readies itself for a legal fight with Eagle County over affordable housing requirements for expansion plans:
Me: omg where is my kit I need to record a voicer!!
Also me: oh, it’s still sitting in my closet from the last time I tracked audio 3 days ago.
Also me: oh, it’s still sitting in my closet from the last time I tracked audio 3 days ago.
December 2, 2024 at 1:29 AM
Me: omg where is my kit I need to record a voicer!!
Also me: oh, it’s still sitting in my closet from the last time I tracked audio 3 days ago.
Also me: oh, it’s still sitting in my closet from the last time I tracked audio 3 days ago.
Seeking advice on how to pack out ski boots asap without just having to suffer through it!! Srsly thought I could’ve puked on the mtn today from the pain
November 28, 2024 at 12:24 AM
Seeking advice on how to pack out ski boots asap without just having to suffer through it!! Srsly thought I could’ve puked on the mtn today from the pain
It’s been so long since I shared a byline on a platform like this that I forgot to delete the URL in my first BlueSky post like a total noob. Good to be back :’)
November 27, 2024 at 2:16 AM
It’s been so long since I shared a byline on a platform like this that I forgot to delete the URL in my first BlueSky post like a total noob. Good to be back :’)
www.aspendailynews.com/news/aspen-c...
Aspen One launches the rebrand of its apparel/experiences arm today with new clothing line Aspen Collection. The design totally centers around Aspen trees & local culture, unlike past ASPENX collections. Locals’ reactions incoming…
Aspen One launches the rebrand of its apparel/experiences arm today with new clothing line Aspen Collection. The design totally centers around Aspen trees & local culture, unlike past ASPENX collections. Locals’ reactions incoming…
Aspen Collection replaces AspenX after tepid local response to ultraluxury branding
After three years of local criticism of the AspenX brand, Aspen One is relaunching its apparel and rental brand as Aspen Collections, focusing on local aesthetics.
www.aspendailynews.com
November 26, 2024 at 2:19 PM
www.aspendailynews.com/news/aspen-c...
Aspen One launches the rebrand of its apparel/experiences arm today with new clothing line Aspen Collection. The design totally centers around Aspen trees & local culture, unlike past ASPENX collections. Locals’ reactions incoming…
Aspen One launches the rebrand of its apparel/experiences arm today with new clothing line Aspen Collection. The design totally centers around Aspen trees & local culture, unlike past ASPENX collections. Locals’ reactions incoming…