Meet You There Initiative: Engage with Aspen City Council

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Your Voice Matters

Aspen City Council is committed to building stronger connections with the community and creating more opportunities for open, meaningful conversation with residents. Council members are not only elected leaders — they are neighbors, community members, and active participants in the daily life of Aspen. Through "The Meet You There" engagement initiative, the city hopes to make it easier for residents to share ideas, ask questions, and help shape the future of the community.

Council members understand that meaningful engagement happens beyond the walls of City Hall. Whether at neighborhood gatherings, community events, local businesses, or public spaces, City Council wants to meet residents where they already live, work, and connect. By creating more approachable and accessible ways to engage, the city aims to foster greater transparency, collaboration, and trust between local government and the people it serves.

This page is designed to be a central place for residents to stay informed, get involved, and connect directly with City Council. Here, you can learn more about your elected officials, find upcoming engagement opportunities, and share feedback on issues that matter to you and the Aspen community. Your voice, experiences, and perspectives are valued, and this initiative reflects the city’s ongoing commitment to listening and engaging in thoughtful community dialogue.

Coffee & Conversation with Aspen City Council

Roughly 35 residents joined Mayor Rachael Richards and Council members John Doyle and Christine Benedetti for Coffee & Conversation with Aspen City Council, which was held Thursday, Sept. 17, from 9–10 a.m. at 520 Grill.

This informal gathering was an opportunity to sit down over coffee, pastries and a light breakfast and have a conversation with elected officials.

Council at the Saturday Market

This summer, Aspen residents and visitors have even more opportunities to connect with their local elected officials as the city launches a new community engagement initiative focused on building stronger relationships between City Council and the community.

Aspen City Council members are often out and about at the Aspen Saturday Market, and they welcome conversations with residents, workers, business owners, and visitors. As part of The Meet You There initiative, council members will host dedicated booth hours throughout the summer, creating informal and approachable opportunities to ask questions, share ideas, and learn more about city initiatives.

The public stopped by the city of Aspen booth at the Aspen Saturday Market on the afternoon of June 27 to meet Mayor Rachael Richards and connect with city staff in an informal, welcoming setting.

Mayor Richards was joined by representatives from the city's Kids First program who were available to discuss a variety of community topics, including the new Armory Food Hall, Aspen's strategic plan, and legislative initiatives the city is advancing at the state level.

Council member Sam Rose hosted the city table on July 25 alongside representatives from the city’s utilities department and the Aspen Police Department. Visitors stopped by to discuss current drought conditions, water conservation efforts, public safety, and other community topics.

On Aug. 15, Council member Christine Benedetti joined Rose at the market booth, where city staff was available to discuss multimodal transportation safety, including e-bike education and awareness. Representatives from the Wheeler Opera House also were on hand to share updates and answer questions.

On Aug. 29, Council member John Doyle joined staff from the Aspen-Pitkin County Housing Authority, of which he is a board member serving as the city’s representative. Doyle also was at the market on Sept. 19 with the city’s environmental health and sustainability department.

The market conversations are designed to be casual, welcoming, and accessible. Whether you're interested in a specific city project, curious about how local government works, or simply want to introduce yourself, council members encourage community members to stop by and say hello.

Look for City Council members at the Saturday Market throughout the summer and join the conversation.

About Aspen City Council

Aspen City Council provides leadership, stewardship, and service to the community through an open and collaborative process. Council works in partnership with residents to:

  • Deliver essential city services
  • Preserve and enhance Aspen’s community character
  • Support the Aspen Idea — nourishing mind, body, and spirit for residents and guests alike.

Council Priorities

2025–2027 priority projects:



Council Goals


Guiding Principles

The city of Aspen is guided by the following principles:

  • Improving core service delivery with the customer in mind
  • Supporting and retaining city staff
  • Maintaining an outcome-focused approach

Council’s goals are aligned with the city’s recently adopted strategic plan, which can be found here: https://aspen.gov/1776/Strategic-Plan-Roadmap-to-2027

Your Voice Matters

Aspen City Council is committed to building stronger connections with the community and creating more opportunities for open, meaningful conversation with residents. Council members are not only elected leaders — they are neighbors, community members, and active participants in the daily life of Aspen. Through "The Meet You There" engagement initiative, the city hopes to make it easier for residents to share ideas, ask questions, and help shape the future of the community.

Council members understand that meaningful engagement happens beyond the walls of City Hall. Whether at neighborhood gatherings, community events, local businesses, or public spaces, City Council wants to meet residents where they already live, work, and connect. By creating more approachable and accessible ways to engage, the city aims to foster greater transparency, collaboration, and trust between local government and the people it serves.

This page is designed to be a central place for residents to stay informed, get involved, and connect directly with City Council. Here, you can learn more about your elected officials, find upcoming engagement opportunities, and share feedback on issues that matter to you and the Aspen community. Your voice, experiences, and perspectives are valued, and this initiative reflects the city’s ongoing commitment to listening and engaging in thoughtful community dialogue.

Coffee & Conversation with Aspen City Council

Roughly 35 residents joined Mayor Rachael Richards and Council members John Doyle and Christine Benedetti for Coffee & Conversation with Aspen City Council, which was held Thursday, Sept. 17, from 9–10 a.m. at 520 Grill.

This informal gathering was an opportunity to sit down over coffee, pastries and a light breakfast and have a conversation with elected officials.

Council at the Saturday Market

This summer, Aspen residents and visitors have even more opportunities to connect with their local elected officials as the city launches a new community engagement initiative focused on building stronger relationships between City Council and the community.

Aspen City Council members are often out and about at the Aspen Saturday Market, and they welcome conversations with residents, workers, business owners, and visitors. As part of The Meet You There initiative, council members will host dedicated booth hours throughout the summer, creating informal and approachable opportunities to ask questions, share ideas, and learn more about city initiatives.

The public stopped by the city of Aspen booth at the Aspen Saturday Market on the afternoon of June 27 to meet Mayor Rachael Richards and connect with city staff in an informal, welcoming setting.

Mayor Richards was joined by representatives from the city's Kids First program who were available to discuss a variety of community topics, including the new Armory Food Hall, Aspen's strategic plan, and legislative initiatives the city is advancing at the state level.

Council member Sam Rose hosted the city table on July 25 alongside representatives from the city’s utilities department and the Aspen Police Department. Visitors stopped by to discuss current drought conditions, water conservation efforts, public safety, and other community topics.

On Aug. 15, Council member Christine Benedetti joined Rose at the market booth, where city staff was available to discuss multimodal transportation safety, including e-bike education and awareness. Representatives from the Wheeler Opera House also were on hand to share updates and answer questions.

On Aug. 29, Council member John Doyle joined staff from the Aspen-Pitkin County Housing Authority, of which he is a board member serving as the city’s representative. Doyle also was at the market on Sept. 19 with the city’s environmental health and sustainability department.

The market conversations are designed to be casual, welcoming, and accessible. Whether you're interested in a specific city project, curious about how local government works, or simply want to introduce yourself, council members encourage community members to stop by and say hello.

Look for City Council members at the Saturday Market throughout the summer and join the conversation.

About Aspen City Council

Aspen City Council provides leadership, stewardship, and service to the community through an open and collaborative process. Council works in partnership with residents to:

  • Deliver essential city services
  • Preserve and enhance Aspen’s community character
  • Support the Aspen Idea — nourishing mind, body, and spirit for residents and guests alike.

Council Priorities

2025–2027 priority projects:



Council Goals


Guiding Principles

The city of Aspen is guided by the following principles:

  • Improving core service delivery with the customer in mind
  • Supporting and retaining city staff
  • Maintaining an outcome-focused approach

Council’s goals are aligned with the city’s recently adopted strategic plan, which can be found here: https://aspen.gov/1776/Strategic-Plan-Roadmap-to-2027

Page last updated: 24 Sep 2026, 03:08 PM