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Aspen Art Museum’s appeal to use Rio Grande Park denied

Patrick Fort
/
Aspen Public Radio

The Aspen Art Museum’s application to hold its ArtCrush fundraiser in Rio Grande Park was denied for a second time last week. The permit would have allowed the museum to close the park between July 29 and Aug. 7. Last year, the event used the park from July 24 to Aug. 2.

 

The museum’s first application was denied by a city committee. The museum then appealed and was denied in a letter written by City Manager Steve Barwick.

 

“I do not accept the assertion that the event itself is a community event,” Barwick wrote on April 27. “It is listed as a private event on the application and there was no indication that the event is open to the public in general …”

 

Although this year’s application asks for only one more day than last year, city officials say the impact on the park last year was larger than they had anticipated. Prior to 2015, the event was held at the museum’s Power Plant location.

 

Representatives at the museum say they received the city’s denial, and are deciding what to do next. Museum CEO Heidi Zuckerman declined to comment on the record.

 

The city is preparing for an appeal. If that happens, the application would be reviewed by city council.

 

Patrick Fort grew up in the suburbs of Pittsburgh, nurturing a love for ice hockey and deli sandwiches. After moving to Colorado in 2010 to attend the University of Colorado to study music, Patrick discovered his love for journalism. In 2013, Patrick created and hosted the award-winning radio program Colorado Stories, a news program that covered CU and the surrounding community. An avid mountain and road cyclist, Patrick also referees youth ice hockey. He loves '60s pop bands and and trying new recipes ranging from milk-braised carnitas to flourless cakes.