Aspen is the county seat and the most populous city of Pitkin County, Colorado, United States. It has an estimated population of 5,804 as of 2005. The city is surrounded by mountain and wilderness on three sides namely the Red Mountain to the north, the Smuggler Mountain to the east and the Aspen Mountain to the south. It was originally founded as a mining camp but is now renowned as a ski resort and upscale tourist center.

Aspen's history can be traced back to the winter of 1879. It was originally named Ute City, but was later renamed to Aspen in 1880 due to the abundance of Aspen trees in the area. In its production years of 1891 and 1892, it became the United State's most productive silver-mining district. When mining declined somewhat, developments for a ski resort took its place. The first developments for a ski resort happened in the 1930s and the Aspen Skiing Corporation born in 1946.

Aspen is now a well-known skiing resort. It hosted the FIS World Championships in 1950 and the Goethe Bicentennial Convocation in 1949. Aspen is home to the Aspen Music Festival and School and has three more additional well-known ski resorts namely Buttermilk, Aspen Highlands, and Snowmass.