
Aspen Colorado. Aspen is the largest city and county seat of Pitkin County, Colorado. Founded as a mining camp in the Colorado Silver Boom and named because of the abundance of aspen trees in the area, the city is now a famous ski resort and arts and cultural center.
The city emerged as a skiing mecca following World War II and the foundation of the Aspen Skiing Company.
Aspen is a year-round international destination for recreation, business, and intellectual discourse. In the late 20th century, the city developed as a reputation for attracting such free spirits as John Denver (who wrote several folk songs about the town, including "Aspenglow", and "Starwood in Aspen") and Hunter S. Thompson, who was glorified for his embodiment of the "freak power" ethic of the community and whose ashes were rocketed into the sky after his death.
Aspen is the site of the U.S. Comedy Arts Festival and the Winter X Games.
Vacationers flock to Aspen from around the world during the winter and summer months.
