ML - Aspen Peak

2014 - Issue 2 - Winter

Aspen Peak - Niche Media - Aspen living at its peak

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photography by c2 photography His Honor's picks: APRÈS SKI SNACK "The bar menu at L'Hostaria (620 E. Hyman Ave., 970-925- 9022; hostaria.com) is always great." TOP RUNS "Can I pick one on each mountain?" he grins. Aspen: "I love gaining vertical coming down Spar on the sides of Bell." Highlands: "Let everyone go to the Bowl. I'll take the P-Chutes." Buttermilk: "Walking uphill." Snowmass: "The Dykes just below Green Cabin." DOWNTIME DELIGHT "I just love the way the foor creaks and the screen door slams at Explore Booksellers (221 E. Main St., 970-925-5336; explore booksellers.com). It's one of my favorite places to just hang out." BEST ART IN TOWN "There's nothing bet- ter than the Maroon Bells [peaks in the Elk Mountains]." make an impact. "It took me two years to figure out how things worked at P&Z. But I learned how to make an argument." His success on the commission led to a six-year run on the City Council, where his most memorable vote was in dissent of majority approval of the Aspen Art Museum, which opened this year to much fanfare. It is a vote he does not regret. "I was recently asked, 'Knowing what you know now, would you change your vote?'" he shares. "I said, 'Absolutely not. I stand by it.'" His objection is based on both size and context. "While I'm not opposed to the concept of an art museum in the city core, I think the building could have been more sensitive to our standing historic structures. I think the mass and scale are out of tune with our community assets. I just think it's too big." His ascent to mayor (he bested fellow Councilman Torre—he has just one legal name—in a runoff by a mere 84 votes in June 2013) has given Skadron an opportunity to change the tenor of Aspen's govern- ment. "I think we have a more collaborative working relationship between the council and staff," he says. "It's an easier place, which encourages constructive dialogue. We state on our meeting agendas that 'tone and tenor matter,' and it's true. My goal was to make great strides toward civility in our public pro- cess. While confrontation is inevitable, citizens need to feel they can present their interests without fear, and be respected even when there's disagreement." This spirit of communication has also extended to the mayor's relationship with the business commu- nity, including the Aspen Skiing Company, Aspen's most visible employer. "Steve is a good listener who clearly cares about the community," says Ski Co. President Mike Kaplan. "He's also an incredible aerobic athlete who not only supports but lives the 'Aspen Idea.' That means you should never go for a run with him—it will hurt!" Skadron is regularly seen running the trails and backcountry of Aspen. He lives alone in the Hunter Creek condo he purchased years ago and is an emi- nently eligible bachelor. "I never dreamed I would still be single at this point in my life," he laughs. "But I firmly believe that Aspen needs a first lady, so I'm working on it." Skadron makes no bones about being bullish on Aspen's role as a leading-edge community. "Aspen has an opportunity for leadership on a local, regional, and national scale," he enthuses. "We operate more like a big city. The value of our development decisions can range into the hundreds of millions of dollars. The way we build and develop an affordable housing program, which is second to none, is extraordinary. The type of environmental leadership and the values we support both philosophically and financially are remarkable. We get national exposure." Whenever possible, Skadron likes to combine his profession with his passion. In March of this year, in a show of civic cooperation, he paired with his counter- part, Aaron Huckstep, the mayor of Crested Butte, in the epic Grand Traverse. The race takes competitors over the top of the Elk Mountains in the middle of winter, in the dead of night, on a journey between the two ski towns. It is not for the faint of heart. Just like being mayor of Aspen. AP clockwise from far left: Skadron's love of Aspen is inextricable from his love of skiing; an avid cyclist, Skadron now uses his peddling passion politically; posing with the UnitedHealthcare Pro Cycling team during last summer's US Pro Challenge. 102  aspenpeak-magazine.com PEOPLE View from the Top

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