When Aspen Journalism got an invited to check out the operations center staffed by the Pitkin County incident management team assembled to help handle the public safety aspects of Winter X Games, we saw it as an opening for our data desk to mine the rich vein of metrics coming out of what has historically […]
Author Archives: Curtis Wackerle
Curtis Wackerle is the Editor and Executive Director of Aspen Journalism, where he guides the nonprofit’s mission to deliver in-depth, independent reporting on environmental and community issues in Colorado’s mountain regions. He has extensive experience in journalism and editorial leadership, including 14 years at Aspen Daily News, where he covered city hall and, from 2016 until joining Aspen Journalism in 2020, served as editor in chief. Under his direction, Aspen Journalism has grown as a trusted source for nuanced coverage of water, land use, public policy and socioeconomic issues in the West. He grew up in Portland, has a journalism degree from the University of Montana, and lives in Woody Creek.
Posted inThe Roundup newsletter
The Roundup | Going to extremes to get the story
Our Water Desk broke news on two fronts. We also posted our write up from the Jan. 5 event we hosted with author Ted Conover,
Posted inAspen Journalism Events
Going to extremes to get the story
“I’m attracted to people living in ways my friends don’t know about or understand,” Conover said. “Aspen is a bit of an exception to that rule, but it is an extremity, so I was attracted to Aspen for the same reason.”
Posted inThe Roundup newsletter
The Roundup | The strongest incentive to stay
It’s clear that this stock of housing is important to the community, based on the sheer numbers. But there’s something more. The ability to own a home, affordable to those who work in the community, might be the strongest incentive there is to hold on, stick it out, keep playing “the lottery” because eventually something will work out.
Posted inThe Roundup newsletter
The Roundup | Newsroom staying warm with heavy helping from the environment, water and data desks
Help us reach a $50,000 match!As a dedicated reader of Aspen Journalism, we ask you to consider what this reporting is worth to you and the community – and double it. That’s the value of giving today, thanks to local, state, and national donors and funders who are offering a matching-gift-pool of $50,000. Will you […]
Posted inThe Roundup newsletter
The Roundup | ‘Intervention model’ in practice, Crystal clear water shortages, Maroon Bells bike trips
Nonprofit is testing ‘intervention model’ to keep trailer parks out of private equity hands; studies tackle water replacement options for Crystal River shortages; 42,000 Maroon Bells bike trips counted this year.
Posted inThe Roundup newsletter
The Roundup | Multiple angles on future growth
From local modular manufacturing to Lift One Corridor cooperation to valley-wide watering standards.
Posted inEnvironment
Lift One Corridor hotel developers say they are working together
How well-coordinated the construction sequencing would be between the new developer and the neighboring Lift One Lodge has been an open question. But the parties say they have made significant progress since September.
Posted inThe Roundup newsletter
The Roundup | Reporting spans the Colorado River basin
This week at Aspen Journalism, we are thrilled to have published two stories looking at water use from opposite ends of the Colorado River basin. Water Desk Editor Heather Sackett set out to understand what city of Aspen water use data can tell us about recent efforts to encourage more conservation, especially when it comes […]
Posted inThe Roundup newsletter
The Roundup | The importance of out-of-district fundraising in CD-3
This week at Aspen Journalism, we published the most thorough fundraising analysis to date on the campaign fundraising picture in the 3rd Congressional District race between incumbent Republican Rep. Lauren Boebert and Democratic challenger, former Aspen City Council member Adam Frisch. Data Desk Editor Laurine Lassalle looked at the candidates’ federal campaign finance reports and […]