The Roundup | J-1 worker woes, basin states deadlocked and digging in

Recently at Aspen Journalism, we dig deep into critical water issues on the Western Slope and across the wider Colorado River basin, working conditions at a key Aspen lodging and convention site, and what the fate of a small, historic former gallery in the Castle Creek Valley has to say about our community’s history and culture.

Strenuous, low-wage work or a cultural exchange? Aspen Meadows promises pay parity after J-1s raise complaints

Employers in Aspen have been increasing their reliance on J-1 visa holders — international students granted authorization for temporary work stays in the U.S., pitched as a cultural exchange program. But claims of abuse have been growing, alleging that these students are imported mainly to provide difficult, low-wage work. That was the experience a number of international students who worked at Aspen Meadows Resort this summer reported in an investigation from Eleanor Bennett for our joint social justice desk with Aspen Public Radio. Their claims include that they were locked into unfair housing contracts and that J-1 restaurant servers were not able to collect the tips they were paid via credit cards while banquet servers were paid less than domestic counterparts. In response, the Virginia-based hospitality company that manages the resort on the Aspen Institute campus denied any wrongdoing but said it is committed to continually improving its J-1 worker program. Beginning this winter, that means returning J-1 workers will be offered the same pay structure as everyone else, and will be able to keep those all-important credit card tips.

Colorado River talks deadlocked in the desert

What happens in Vegas could have troubling implications for the future of the Colorado River. Negotiations have apparently broken down between the Upper Basin and Lower Basin as officials try to hammer out post-2026 drought contingency plans. At the annual Colorado River Water Users Association conference last week in Las Vegas, which typically involves important talks amongst the states, the two sides declined to meet and, diverging from tradition, did not appear together on stage. Instead, representatives from both ends of the basin took the opportunity to double down and reiterate their differing positions on how future water shortfalls should be handled. Water Desk Editor Heather Sackett was there and lays out the state of play between the Upper and Lower basins that looks as intractable as ever.

Rebirth of Toklat tells a story of community heritage

A unique square in the tapestry of Aspen-area history has undergone a significant renovation and will reopen to the public later this month, as told by Elizabeth Stewart-Severy for our Connie Harvey Environment Desk. The story of Toklat, which has held space through various iterations as a restaurant, art gallery, convention hall and dog sledding operation high in the Castle Creek Valley for eight decades, resonates with a signature blend of environmentalism, artistic expression and community convening. There is also a thread running from Walter and Elizabeth Paepcke — who were central figures in the growth of modern Aspen and who recruited the Mace family to steward the land in the 1940s — through the Aspen Center for Environmental Studies (founded by Elizabeth Paepcke) which purchased the land 20 years ago and recently invested $9 million to help preserve Toklat for generations to come. Mace was a founding board member and intellectual touchstone at ACES, which is writing this new chapter for Toklat that opens with a winter solstice bonfire and public event from 2 to 6 p.m. on Dec. 21.

River District hopes to get ahead of Trump with funding request for Shoshone water rights

The Colorado River District has applied for $40 million in federal funding to secure the Shoshone water rights purchase, hoping to get in under the wire before the incoming Trump administration halts future funding from President Biden’s climate investment program as it has suggested it might. As Sackett reports, the application also sheds light on an important analytical issue related to the deal that Western Slope water interests see as critical to the health of the river: Just how much water do the hydro plant rights lock up? The River District is arguing that all the water siphoned from the river by the 120-year-old hydro plant should count, including flows that are released from the system before reaching the turbines. However, state records only account for water that flows through the turbines and in some cases the difference is significant. No comment yet from Front Range water providers who have an interest in limiting the amount of water locked up by the senior Shoshone right, which can curtail the amount of water that flows east of the Continental Divide. 

And don’t miss our next special event on Thursday!

Aspen Journalism is partnering with the Glenwood Springs nonprofit Community Builders to present a “Chautauqua” — a gathering for discussion — jumping off from the 10-part “In Search of Community” series written by Paul Andersen. From 6 to 8 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 12 at Morgridge Commons at the Colorado Mountain College campus in downtown Glenwood Springs, we are hosting a panel discussion that seeks to engage the community in a conversation that expands on the idea of the interrelatedness of the Roaring Fork and Colorado River valleys. Where are we at as a community? Where do we want to go? What would be a meaningful outcome? Please join us to help guide the discussion that will include opportunities for audience interaction.

Thank you, as always, for reading and supporting the valley’s only nonprofit, investigative news origination.

– Curtis Wackerle
Editor and Executive Director
Aspen Journalism

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