District overview
Aspen School District No. 1
Funding structure, how it compares to peers, and where major projects stand.
How is Aspen School District paid for?
Aspen School District No. 1 serves about 1,550 students in Pitkin County, Colorado. Local property taxes and state funding pay for operations, and voters have approved bonds for buildings. In November 2025 voters approved a $95 million bond, with about $50 million authorized for the first series in March 2026. A five-member elected board adopts the budget, certifies the mill levy each December, hires the superintendent and approves property purchases and construction contracts.
Budget
The 2025-26 budget totals $127.2 million across all funds, with $39.7 million in the general operating fund and $54.7 million in a housing fund.
Bond
The 2025 bond lets the district borrow up to $95 million. The notice to voters cited a repayment cost of up to $214 million and up to $12.91 million more in taxes each year.
Housing
The board has approved many purchases of homes and units for employees since February 2026.
Who decides
Five elected board members. Regular meetings are on the first and third Wednesdays at 4:00 or 4:30 p.m.
The minutes list votes but not the full debate, so they do not show how many homes are planned or what each project will cost in total.
Where the district stands
Major projects
2025 bond: employee housing and facilities
underwayVoters approved $95 million for purposes including employee housing, deferred maintenance and outdated building systems. The board has since approved a bond resolution, an architect, two builders and a series of housing purchases. A second bond series is expected later.
- Voters approve the $95 million bond
- Board approves bond resolution (up to $50 million)
- $2.6 million allocated to Aspen Community School
- Architect and general contractor agreements approved
- FCI Constructors contract approved
- More housing purchases on the agenda
Funding
Voter-approved general obligation bond (Nov 2025), with the first series of up to $50 million authorized Mar 2026
Recent news
View the news feed →Resources
Practical guides to school phone policies, district budgets, and administrator hiring.
Explore resources →Built from board agendas and minutes on the district's public meeting portal (Dec 2025 to Nov 2026), the 2026 bond resolution and official statement, the 2025-26 budget resolution and the 2025 election notice.
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