Contributions and expenditures have been updated for two issue committees campaigning for ballot measures that will determine the future of the Aspen/Pitkin County Airport.
Our Airport Our Vote and A Whole Lot of People for a Better Airport submitted their second reports, which had a Nov. 1 deadline, to the Pitkin County Clerk and Recorder. They cover finances from Oct. 11 to Oct. 27.
Since July 21, which was when the first report began, Our Airport Our Vote and A Whole Lot of People for a Better Airport have received similar amounts of money, but the spending between the two committees differs.
Our Airport Our Vote (OAOV), an issue committee supporting ballot question 200, has received $186,633 and spent $180,674, with $5,957 remaining. A Whole Lot of People for a Better Airport has received $184,037 and spent $144,262, with $39,775 remaining.
Our Airport Our Vote reported $65,200 in contributions during the second reporting period. The committee received $121,433 during the first reporting period.
For both the first and second reporting periods, Citizens Against Bigger Planes (CABP) is the largest donor. During the first reporting period, which ran from July 21 to Oct. 10, it donated $110,000. During the second reporting period, it donated another $55,000, bringing the aggregate total to $165,000 for both reporting periods.
Out of the four donations reported during OAOV’s second reporting period, two came from CABP and two came from individual donations. The individual donations total $10,200.
Out of the 16 donations from the first reporting period, four came from CABP and 12 came from individual donations. These donors included Aspen Mayor Torre and OAOV’s Chuck Butler. $11,433 came from individual donations.
At the end of the first reporting period, OAOV had $4,008 leftover. These funds, along with the $65,200 contributions from the second reporting period, brought the committee’s total funds to $69,208.
For the second reporting period, OAOV spent $63,250, which means $5,957 remains. For the first reporting period, OAOV spent $117,424 out of $121,433.
Expenditures included payments for consulting, advertising, legal fees, yard signs, and video production.
At the end of last week and over the weekend, Butler said OAOV received additional donations from individuals. These donations will be accounted for in the third contributions and expenditures report.
In addition to a financial campaign, OAOV also sent out volunteers to canvas residents throughout Pitkin County.
“With the 4,000 doors we’ve knocked on, we feel like we have overwhelming support,” Butler said. “But that said (Aspen Chamber Resort Association), (Aspen Skiing Company), the county, it has been full speed ahead, and the deck is a little stacked against us. The Pitkin County Democrats and Republicans endorsed 1C and not 200, somewhat baffling, but it is what it is.”
A Whole Lot of People for a Better Airport, the issue committee supporting question 1C, reported about $31,867 in total contributions during the second reporting period. The committee received $152,170 during the first reporting period.
Donors for the second reporting period are mostly made up of individuals.
Several donors made up the first reporting period as well, including Aspen One Senior Vice President of Sustainability Auden Schendler, Pitkin County commissioners Francie Jacober and Patti Clapper, former Pitkin County Commissioner George Newman, Aspen One Director of Community Engagement Michael Miracle, former Aspen Mayor Bill Stirling, Belly Up owner Michael Goldberg, local pilot Tyson Weihs, Basalt Mayor David Knight, and A Whole Lot of People for a Better Airport’s Kathleen Wanatowicz.
A Whole Lot of People for a Better Airport also received large donations from the Coalition for a 21st Century Airport at $50,000 and Aspen Skiing Company at $10,000.
At the end of the first reporting period, A Whole Lot of People for a Better Airport had $72,521 leftover. These funds, along with the $31,867 contributions from the second reporting period, brought the committee’s total funds to $104,398.
For the second reporting period, A Whole Lot of People for a Better Airport spent $64,613, which means $39,775 remains. For the first reporting period, A Whole Lot of People for a Better Airport spent $79,648 out of $152,170.
Expenditures included payments for advertising, postcards, yard signs, and production and design.
Wanatowicz said there will also be additional donations on A Whole Lot of People for a Better Airport’s final filing because she received donations after the cut off date for the second filing. The committee also has remaining bills to pay for marketing and advertising.
“Pretty much all of our budget has been spent according to our marketing advertising plan,” she said. “At the end of the disclosure period, I felt really good about what we spent our funding on and the numerous individual contributions we received. It’s about 80 individuals who have, or organizations who have, contributed, which is significantly more than Our Airport Our Vote.”
Ballot question 200 seeks to amend the Home Rule Charter to restrict county officials’ decision-making power regarding the expansion or relocation of any runway at the Aspen/Pitkin County Airport beyond the dimensions and locations that existed on Jan. 1 without voter approval in their ballot question. It also clearly defines “runway.”
“If 200 wins and 1C fails, then what we’ve been saying all along is validated, and it asks the county commissioners to do what we ask of them from the beginning,” Butler said. “We’ll stay hopeful and humble about that. Giving the people a voice was our objective from quite early on. But I think the underlying message, and what we’ve really been pounding the pavement with, is 200 is simply about getting us a vote on the runway. Nothing more, nothing less.”
Ballot question 1C seeks to amend Article II of the county’s governing document, the Home Rule Charter, to reaffirm Pitkin County’s power to approve and carry out the layout plan for the Aspen-Pitkin County Airport.
“We’re very hopeful for 1C passing,” Wanatowicz said. “And I think that is where the real work begins with upgrading the airport with safety improvements and a modern and efficient terminal. I think that the community will agree on having an airport that’s much cleaner and quieter. With the election behind us, we’ll focus on those goals and support the (Board of County Commissioners) advancing the paperwork needed to secure federal funding and grants.”
The next contributions and expenditures reporting deadline is Dec. 10.
Regan Mertz can be reached at 970-429-9153 or rmertz@aspentimes.com.