I am running for Pitkin County Commissioner, District 2
Since March, I have had the honor of serving as County Commissioner after being appointed to fill the seat vacated by Kelly McNicholas Kury. In that role, I’ve worked to represent our local community while learning firsthand how the decisions made at the county level shape the future of Pitkin County.
Serving as Commissioner has been an incredible experience and a meaningful opportunity to be part of the conversations and decisions that affect the people who live and work here.
The term I was appointed to fill ends this year, and I’m running this November to continue serving District 2 for a full four-year term. I remain committed to representing the residents of Pitkin County, protecting our quality of life, and helping guide thoughtful decisions for the future of our community.
My Work as a Commissioner so far
Wildfire and Wildlife
Funded a feasibility study for Roaring Fork Safe Passages, exploring wildlife crossings and safer movement corridors.
Updated building codes to improve wildfire resiliency.
Continued expanding early-warning systems, including Pano AI cameras, to help detect wildfires quickly.
Airport & Infrastructure
Approved the new Airport Layout Plan and began enabling work for the new runway.
Guided the new terminal design forward with the architect team, construction team, and finance department.
Continue refining designs and value engineer the redevelopment of the Pitkin County Solid Waste Center.
Complete construction on the new mid-valley Emergency Dispatch Center.
Approved a modernization plan for the county-owned Phillips Mobile Home Park, with work beginning this month.
Community Health
Banned flavored nicotine products to protect public health, particularly young people.
Launched a campaign to renew the Healthy Community Fund – Vote Yes on 1A in November to provide stable funding for Health & Human Services, Senior Services and public health programs for the next 25 years.
Protecting Public Lands & Open Space & River health
Approved a new management plan for Northstar Nature Preserve.
Closed on the transfer of Snowmass Falls Ranch, protecting more than 600 acres of private inholdings through Wilderness and Forest Service protection. Began construction of a new trailhead to expand public access.
Secured the withdrawal of the proposed Woody Creek racetrack application.
Approved Pitkin County’s assumption of management of the Maroon Bells Scenic Area, keeping management in public hands rather than transferring it to a private concessionaire.
Signed an intergovernmental agreement supporting potential Wild & Scenic designation for the Crystal River.
Continue to acquire upper basin water rights to promote Roaring Fork River Health
Long-Term Planning
Approved Vision 2050, the new Pitkin County Comprehensive Plan, establishes a framework for land use and policy decisions in the decades ahead.
But there’s More Work to do
Public Lands & Open Space
Continue updating management plans for county open space and recreation lands.
Advance the Snowmass Falls Ranch trailhead and public access improvements.
Implement the new management program and special-use permit system at Maroon Bells, with a focus on affordability and an improved visitor experience.
Work closely with the U.S. Forest Service and other partners to protect and manage public lands amid reduced federal funding, development pressure, and a changing climate.
Rivers & Water
Pursue additional opportunities to acquire Upper Roaring Fork Basin water shares when funding and appropriate opportunities are available.
Work with the Colorado River District and regional partners on water projects and policy, including the Shoshone project.
Continue the work toward potential Wild & Scenic designation for the Crystal River.
Airport
Closely manage the largest infrastructure project in Pitkin County’s history, using the community’s Common Ground Recommendations as a guide.
Balance the need for improved infrastructure with scale, cost, and community impacts.
Continue monitoring air and noise quality and pursue the most stringent practical standards, along with new technologies and incentives to reduce impacts.
Looking Ahead: Responsible Management
The next few years may bring significant uncertainty at the state and federal level, including changes to funding and policy. We need to be ambitious about the future while being disciplined about what we take on.
It’s exciting to consider new programs and capital projects, but we also need to focus on managing, maintaining, and completing the projects we already have underway. That means protecting the services and investments our community depends on, making careful financial decisions, and staying focused on community, conservation, and quality of life.
Together, let’s preserve what we have while planning responsibly for the future. – Ted Mahon
Wildfire Preparedness
Continue expanding wildfire prevention and early-warning technology, including Pano AI cameras, Seneca drones, and satellite imagery, as funding allows.
Work with the City of Aspen, Aspen Fire Protection District, and regional partners on active wildfire-fuel reduction and forest health projects.
Transit & Regional Mobility
Bring valley partners together—including Aspen One, the EOTC, and other stakeholders—to identify practical opportunities for better regional transportation connections.
Explore multimodal solutions connecting the Airport, Lumberyard, and AABC.
Take an all-of-the-above approach to transit, including new technologies, intermountain connections, and alternatives to relying exclusively on traditional rubber-tire transit.
Continue planning transportation solutions for the eventual preferred alternative for the Entrance to Aspen.
Land Use & Growth
Begin implementing the new land-use policies outlined in Vision 2050 to balance development pressures with responsible growth.
Evaluate tools such as maximum home size, Transferable Development Rights (TDRs), and GMQS scoring to better align development with community goals.
Update the Employee Housing Impact Fee to reflect current construction costs and building trends.
Make it easier to site and permit solar and other renewable-energy projects while maintaining appropriate land-use standards.
Public Health
Upon renewal, consider improvements to the grant review process for the Healthy Community Fund.
Closely track changes in federal and state funding for programs such as SNAP and Medicaid, and evaluate how the county can respond if critical services face funding gaps.
Housing
Monitor progress and modernization at Phillips Mobile Home Park.
Support local housing preservation and conversion opportunities through partnerships such as the West Mountain Regional Housing Coalition.
Continue assisting programs such as Good Deeds, including deed restrictions and mortgage buydowns that preserve and create attainable housing.
Explore new housing construction within the Urban Growth Boundary where appropriate and economically feasible.
Improve and refine the APCHA right-sizing program to make better use of the employee housing we already have.
Support my campaign
(Maximum donation - $500)
Supporters
Ruthie Brown
Ann Mullins
Bob and Ruth Wade
Anda and Ryan Smalls
Lorenzo Semple
Beth and Pierre Wille
Chris Lanter
Chris and Diana Lane
Amy and Neal Beidleman
Jim Kravitz
Jackie and John Bucksbaum
May and Troy Selby
Lee Bryant
Robin Severy
Jayne Gottlieb
Ruth Carver
Katie McManus
Victor Siegel
Jay Maytin
Bob Perlmutter
Ray McNutt and Kathy Kroger
Ksenja Ilic
Jay Maytin
Meg Haynes
John Doyle - Aspen Council
Pitkin County Democrats
Rachel Richards
Chris and Jessie Davenport
Will Rousch
Mick Ireland
Harris Sherman
Dr. Kim Levin
Dr. Joe Ruzbarsky
Meaghan and Robert Rubey
Joan Valentine
Ann Stephenson
Tim Mutrie
Andrew Light
John Phillips
Adam Moszynski and Darcy Conover
Dean Hill
Mike and Shelly Marolt
Jackie Kaplan
John Clendenin
Jackie Kaplan
Dan Sheridan
Maleka Vrana
Jim Light
Sarah Challinor
Greg Poschman - Pitkin County BOCC
Francie Jacober - Pitkin County BOCC
Bill Stirling
Austin and Rebecca Weiss
Christine and Gerry Goldstein
Tom Cardamone
Jodi Larner
Simi Hamilton
Fletcher Yaw
Andy Docken and Lissa Ballinger
Chris Warner
Russ Kauff
Aimee and Ben Pritzker
Bruce Gordon and Jane Pargiter
James Forester
Christina King
Trevor Washko
Jen Rupert
Ally Dryden
Kim Edwards and Jesse Bouchard
Heather Hicks
Paul Wade
Sean Shean
Joe Giampaolo
Dave Ellsweig
Dennis Handley
Gary Gleason
Jerry Sullivan
Mike Kaplan
Auden Schendler
Scot Woolley
Diana and Jared Ettlinger
Ben Dodge
Liz Bokram
Arabella and Jason Beavers
Ezra Louthis
Phillip Supino
Peter Carvelli
Jay Fletcher
MarySue Bonetti
Andy Crisconi
Julie Hardman
Scott Martin
Art Burrows
Julie Lampton
Liz Iacullo
Alex Kendrick
Ian Taylor
Chris Carmichael
Charlie Eckart
Tom Egan and Doreen Clavelli
Joe Giampaolo
Evan Marks
Chris Goss
About Me
I came to Pitkin County more than 30 years ago, fresh out of college, like many who are drawn here. I didn’t yet know exactly what path I would take, but I immediately fell in love with the natural beauty, the mountain lifestyle, and, most importantly, the strong and inspiring community.
In 2000, I met my wife, Christy, who shared those same values. Together, we chose to build our life here—and we’ve never wavered.
My career has been rooted in the local resort economy. I’ve worked in hospitality, restaurants, and property management, guided in the backcountry, written as an outdoor columnist for the Aspen Times, and spent 29 seasons as a ski instructor. I understand the challenges facing local workers because I am one.
I’ve also stayed closely connected to our outdoor recreation and conservation communities—as a lifelong mountain athlete and through my service on the City of Aspen Open Space and Trails Board and the Aspen Snowmass Environment Foundation. These experiences have deepened my commitment to protecting our landscape while ensuring it remains accessible for future generations.
After decades of witnessing change across Pitkin County—from our built environment to our public lands—I felt a responsibility to step forward and help shape its future. When the opportunity arose to serve on the Board of County Commissioners, I took it.
Today, our county faces real challenges: managing major projects like the airport, potential reductions in federal support for public health and land management, and the growing impacts of climate change—warmer winters, less reliable snowfall, and increasing wildfire risk. But above all, we need to do everything we can to preserve and support the Pitkin County residents who live and work here in a time of increasing housing and affordability challenges.
I believe my experience—as a worker, conservation advocate, and longtime community member—prepares me to meet these challenges.
Our task is simple to say, even if it’s not always easy: preserve what we love about this valley while planning responsibly for the future.
I respectfully ask for your support and the opportunity to represent District 2 as your Pitkin County Commissioner.
Send me a message
