Originally known as "Ute City" was a booming silver mining town with 12,000 people, 6 newspapers, 2 railroads, 4 schools, 3 banks, electric lights, a modern hospital, 2 theaters, and opera house and a very small brothel district. In 1893 the Sherman Silver Act demonetized silver, which marked the decline as a mining town.

In 1880 the town was renamed to Aspen. After the decline of mining in the Town, another "gold mine" was discovered - SNOW! In 1946 the Aspen Skiing Corporation was founded and in 1950 Aspen hosted the FIS World Championships, which confirmed Aspen's status as an international resort.

Aspen is located approximately 200 miles southwest of Denver and 130 miles east of Grand Junction at the southeastern most end of the Roaring Fork Valley. *

For additional information visit the Aspen Chamber of Commerce at http://www.aspenchamber.org

*Information provided by The Aspen Chamber of Commerce and The City of Aspen web sites