This week in Aspen history

News News | Aug 19, 2023

“Electricity, telephone, cable TV wires all adorn the spectacular Aspen scenery everywhere one looks,” noted The Aspen Times on Aug. 19, 1971. “In 1968, the City Council passed a resolution that in the future wherever possible, the wires would be put underground. This affected mainly new construction. Since then, approximately six blocks have been wired underground. Also in that year, a capital improvements program was established, which called for putting wires in the commercial core underground at an estimated cost of $720,000.

“The two main reasons that hasn’t been done, Leon Wurl, City Manager, says are lack of money and the fact that in 1963, the city of Aspen replaced all the wires, poles, and other equipment above ground. These materials are good for about 20 years. Another problem is that not all of the power lines are owned by the city. Aspen is negotiating to buy that portion of the Holy Cross system, which is inside the city limits. Now the city is considering not starting with the downtown area but beginning where the lines end and working their way back criss-crossing the city. It is believed that this would be a more practical method and would save money. On Aug. 30, the City Council will discuss a $200,000 proposal concerning one phase of the burial of electric wires. As the city puts its electric wires underground, the telephone and cable TV companies are obligated to do likewise. Wurl said that once the process is completed, there will be a tremendous savings in maintenance.”

Aug 31, 2023

Aug 31, 2023

Aug 31, 2023

Aug 31, 2023

Aug 31, 2023