Upper Copper News Today

As a few lifts at the Aspen Mountain and Snowmass ski areas prepare to open for the winter season on Thanksgiving Day, Aspen Public Radio talked with Aspen Skiing Company's head of communications about a range of issues.

An expanded snowmaking system saved the day for Aspen Skiing Co. — and for skiers and riders hoping to hit the slopes at Aspen Mountain on Thanksgiving. Skico officials said the opening likely would have been delayed if not for the expanded snowmaking system.

Aspen Mountain will open with 50 acres at the top of the mountain with uploading and downloading required on the Silver Queen Gondola; Snowmass will open 7 acres at Elk Camp Meadows, uploading and downloading required on the Elk Camp Gondola.

4:59 A Native woman who grew up in the Interior is running for mayor of Seattle. Colleen Echohawk heads a Seattle nonprofit that helps and heals indigenous people in need by affirming their cultural identity while providing housing and job training. She says the holistic approach could be applied to uplift all the people of Seattle. Colleen Echohawk began her journey 44 years ago in Fairbanks, where she was born, and then Delta Junction, where she was raised. She concedes it may seem unlikely...