| Aspen, Colorado is the largest city and county seat of Pitkin County. Founded as a mining camp during Colorado Silver Boom and named because of the abundance of the Aspen trees, the city is now a ski resort and cultural mecca. The city emerged as a skiing town following World War II and the foundation of the Aspen Skiing Company by Walter Paepcke. This businessman was a Chicago industrialist who sought to create a unique utopian community of the mind and body. Paepcke's legacy of the Aspen/Snowmass resorts, along with the world renowned institutions such as the Aspen Institute, have made the city a year-round international destination for recreation, business, and intellectual discourse. Believe it or not, in the late 20th century, the city developed as an off-beat haven for "misfits", attracting such free spirits as John Denver (who wrote several folk songs about the town, including "Aspenglow", and "Starwood in Aspen". Also Hunter S. Thompson, who was glorified by many locals for his embodiment of the "freak power" ethic of the community. The city is the site of the U.S. Comedy Arts Festival. |
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