FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE June 10, 2020 Contact: Shelly Grail, Recreation Manager, Aspen-Sopris Ranger District, (970) 309-5434 or [email protected] David Boyd, Public Affairs Officer, White River National Forest, (970) 945-3237 or [email protected] Jamie Tatsuno, Communications Manager, RFTA, (970) 384-4864 or [email protected]

Next window for required Maroon Bells reservations begins Monday ASPEN, Colo. – Due to COVID-19 social distancing requirements and the need to estimate and safely manage demand, reservations are required to access the Maroon Bells Scenic Area and related amenities this year by vehicle or by RFTA shuttle.

Reservations for visiting the Maroon Bells Scenic Area can be made at www.aspenchamber.org/maroon- bells. The current reservation window covers personal vehicles wanting to visit the Scenic Area through June 27. The shuttle reservation window is currently open for June 28 through July.

The next window for making reservations to visit the Maroon Bells Scenic Area begins June 15, when those wishing to drive their own vehicle in the early morning or evening hours between June 28 and July 31 can start making reservations.

“I was pleasantly surprised how many reservations there were on the first day the system went live, with virtually no advertising,” said Dan Blankenship, CEO of the Roaring Fork Transportation Authority. “The reservation site is easy to access and use and, due to the limited supply of reservations available each day, we anticipate there will be tremendous demand when the word gets out that visitors will need a reservation to visit the Maroon Bells this year.”

Maroon Creek Road opened June 8. Reservations are required to access the Maroon Bells Scenic Area and related amenities. Reservations are $10 per vehicle. Starting June 28, visitors will be required to use the RFTA shuttle service between the hours of 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. Personal vehicles are allowed to access the Maroon Bells Scenic Area outside of shuttle bus hours of operation, but reservations are required.

The fare will be $15.95 per person for all shuttle reservations. The shuttle is primarily accessed from the Ski Area, where parking is free for the first 30 minutes, $10 for up to three hours, $15 between three and eight hours, and $30 for more than eight hours. The Aspen Highlands can also be accessed three times each hour on the free Castle Maroon bus from downtown Aspen.

A working group comprised of officials from the White River National Forest, Roaring Fork Transportation Authority, Pitkin County, City of Aspen, Aspen Skiing Company, and the Aspen Chamber Resort Association, has been working for more than two years to develop solutions to mitigate traffic, parking and environmental impacts created by people visiting the Maroon Bells.

“This working group really stepped up this spring to ensure visitation to this iconic landmark could continue safely,” said U.S. Forest Service Aspen Sopris District Ranger Kevin Warner.

Reservation requests for both the shuttle service and parking are available at www.aspenchamber.org/maroon-bells Reservations are available in rolling increments.

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Date Able to Make For Dates and Times via For Dates and Times via a Reservation Personal Vehicle Shuttle Access June 8-27, June 2 times available all day June 28 to July 31, June 28 to July 31, 8am to 5pm June 15 early morning and evening hours Aug. 1 to Aug. 31, Aug. 1 to Aug. 31, July 1 early morning and evening hours 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sept. 1 to Oct. 11, September 1 to October 11, early morning and evening 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Aug. 1 hours; Oct. 12-25 times available all day