Ray Erku

2 weeks ago | aspentimes.com | Ray K. Erku |Ray Erku

Standing atop Ajax on Wednesday convinced me spring skiing sometimes transcends powder days. Skiers lounged upon Sundeck lawn chairs like Audrey Hepburn on South Beach. Though my favorite runs were carpeted with casseroles of mashed potatoes encrusted upon beds of coarse pebbles, phalanxes of instructors and their pupils practically diminished. Fifty-degree temps, a gentle breeze, and an iridescent, bluebird horizon cloaking snow-capped peaks greeted me at every lift.

1 month ago | aspentimes.com | Ray Erku

Less than two seconds remained in the fourth quarter. Timnath junior Jack Hemme, who eventually ended the game with 18 points, had just hit an allotted two free throws after getting fouled driving the baseline, putting the Cubs up 48-46. What seemed like a nanosecond later, Aspen junior Kristo Klavins took a miraculous inbound pass and drained what ostensibly was the game-winning 3-pointer. Pandemonium ensued. Skiers and fans rushed the court. But, according to the referees, the game wasn’t over.

1 month ago | aspentimes.com | Ray Erku

It was a recipe for success. Aspen High School senior Tommy Franceshci was reliably consistent in the paint. Fellow senior Luke Holloway nailed a 3-point buzzer-beater to close out the first half. Aspen stretched its lead to an irreparable 18 points with less than a minute left. And presto — the Skiers clipped 30th-seeded Pagosa Springs 52-30 in the first regional round of the Class 4A state basketball tournament. “This is a good reminder of the urgency,” Aspen coach Cory Parker said.

2 months ago | aspentimes.com | Ray Erku

No joke from this office jester. Aspen/Pitkin County Airport Director Dan Bartholomew, 55, was dead serious when he announced his resignation on Thursday. “This has to be a joke,” Deputy Airport Director Diane Jackson said of Bartholomew’s announcement. “He’s teasing me that he’s leaving because I truly was just as surprised as everyone.”Jokes aside, his resignation as director will be effective April 5, according to Pitkin County.

Jan 13, 2025 | aspentimes.com | Ray Erku

Aspen leaders are considering an additional $1 million in proposed design tweaks and soft costs for an ongoing project to reopen its Armory Hall as a local food hub and community gathering place, according to a Monday work session. The proposed alterations will increase project design costs to nearly $3.3 million, city documents show.