Learn more about your city government.

“Where do my tax dollars go?”
“How are decisions made?”
“What is the City currently working towards?”
 
The Aspen Citizens Academy is a community program designed to inform and empower residents to understand the answers to questions like those above and participate in informed solution-making. Over eleven class sessions, participants will meet City staff, learn about the many functions of the City, and discuss topics learned with fellow classmates.

This is a great opportunity to connect with fellow community members, engage deeply in local issues, get to know the people who work in the organization serving the community, and have a better, more thorough understanding of how Aspen works.

  • Applicants must be at least 18 years old and live in the Roaring Fork Valley.
  • Aspen residents may be given preference over those living outside of the City limits.
  • Classes will be held from 5:30-8:30pm on Thursday and Wednesday evenings in town.
  • A light dinner will be provided prior to each class. The cost of the course is $59. 
  • The deadline to apply is Monday, June 25.

Please note: submitting this application does not automatically enroll you in the Citizens Academy class. You will be notified of your status in the program by July 9, 2018. Contact Michelle Holder at michelle.holder@cityofaspen.com or (970) 429-2756 with any questions or concerns.
 
*Required field

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* 1. How did you hear about the Citizens Academy?

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* 2. What drew you in? Why are you interested in participating in the Citizens Academy?

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* 3. So we can most effectively take into consideration your experiences, please tell us a bit about your past or present experiences in civic affairs (check all items that apply to you):

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* 4. What do you most hope to learn from the Citizens Academy?

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* 5. Please share your contact information so we can reach out to you if you are selected.

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* 6. How many months of the year do you reside in the City of Aspen, Colorado?

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* 7. Tentative Program Schedule:
Session Date Start End
1 Thursday, August 9, 2018 5:30pm 8:30pm
2 Thursday, August 23, 2018 5:30pm 8:30pm
3 Thursday, September 6, 2018 5:30pm 8:30pm
4 Thursday, September 20, 2018 5:30pm 8:30pm
5 Thursday, October 4, 2018 5:30pm 8:30pm
6 Thursday, October 18, 2018 5:30pm 8:30pm
7 Thursday, November 1, 2018 5:30pm 8:30pm
8 Wednesday, November 15, 2018 5:30pm 8:30pm
9 Thursday, November 29, 2018 5:30pm 8:30pm
10 Thursday, December 6, 2018 5:30pm 8:30pm
Graduation Thursday, December 13, 2018 TBD TBD

Classes will be held on a primarily bi-weekly basis from August to December 2018.

Completion of the Aspen Citizens Academy requires attendance of the first (introductory) session and no more than 3 missed sessions. At this point, can you commit to attending the first session on Thursday, August 9?

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* 8. At this point, can you commit to attending at least 6 sessions (in addition to the first session)?

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* 9. Photographs may be taken during Citizens Academy classes. These photos may be used in City of Aspen printed and electronic promotional materials, such as newsletters, brochures, PowerPoint presentations, and website articles.

Do you give the City of Aspen permission to use photos of you in promotional materials?

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