ARRIVAL/DEPARTURE

Please plan to arrive in Aspen by Saturday, August 9. A courtesy van will be waiting at the airport for all participants who have requested airport transfers. Once at your hotel, please check in at the front desk and pick up your conference packet in the reception area. If you are traveling to Aspen on your own, please pick up your welcome packet at the Aspen Meadows before the conference begins.

Early arrivals may find that their accommodations are not ready for occupancy. Every effort will be made to allow you access to your room as soon as possible. In the meantime, the Aspen Meadows lounge and dining area are available to you while your room is being prepared.

The Forum begins at 8:45 a.m. on Sunday, August 10. Our conference ends at noon on Tuesday, August 12 (see agenda for complete schedule).

LODGING AND MEALS

We welcome your family to join you in Aspen. Most participants will be housed on campus at the Aspen Meadows. Depending on availability at the Meadows, participants may be housed off-campus in a condominium/ apartment or at the Sky Hotel. Please contact us as soon as possible if you plan to bring children so that suitable arrangements can be made for your accommodations.

Anyone wishing to arrive early or stay beyond August 12 should contact Erin Silliman as soon as possible at 202-736-5818 or erin.silliman@aspeninstitute.org. If space is available and you opt to arrive early or stay late, you will be billed separately for accommodations, meals, gratuities, and incidental charges upon your departure.

TRANSPORTATION TO ASPEN

Airfare: United Express (United Airlines) has many daily scheduled flights between Aspen and Denver International Airport. Flying time between Denver and Aspen is approximately 40 minutes. If you need assistance making your travel plans, please contact our preferred travel agency, Aspen Ski Tours. You may also independently arrange for your travel.

Aspen Ski Tours
Contact: Dennis Evans
Phone: 1-800-525-2052, ext. 3282
dennis@ski.com

Ground transportation: Unless you have informed us that you will make your own transportation arrangements from the airport, a private driver (who will be holding an "Aspen Institute" sign) will meet you at the airport near baggage claim. Based on the information that you provide us, we will arrange for transportation after the conference from the Aspen Meadows to the local airport in Aspen. If you have any problems or last minute changes to your travel plans, please contact Ms. Erin Silliman, project manager, at erin.silliman@aspeninstitute.org or by phone at 1-202-736-5818. Beginning August 8, Ms. Silliman can be reached at 1-970-544-7974.

Automobile: Approximate driving time from Denver to Aspen is four hours. Scenic routes to Aspen are maintained year-round from Denver via the Eisenhower Tunnel to Glenwood Springs (I-70) and from Glenwood Springs to Aspen on Highway 82 (217 miles); from Colorado Springs via Leadville (257 miles); from Grand Junction to Glenwood Springs on I-70 (134 miles); and from Glenwood Springs to Aspen on Highway 82 (41 miles). Head east into town on Highway 82. Pass thru 1 roundabout (Maroon Creek Road & Castle Creek Road) and then 1 red light (Cemetary Lane). Right after Cemetary Lane, cross over a bridge (Castle Creek Bridge). Instead of following traffic to the right (after Castle Creek Bridge), continue to stay straight until you come to a stop sign. At the stop sign, turn left onto 7th Street. Continue straight for two blocks (you will pass thru a stop sign). Turn left onto Meadows Road at the three-way stop sign (there is a sign pointing to turn left to Aspen Meadows). Follow Meadows Road all the way until you hit the hotel (dead-end road).

Interstate Highway 70 from Denver to Glenwood Springs is a spectacular drive through Glenwood Canyon. Independence Pass (Highway 82) is an alternate route from Denver; this shorter route is usually open from August through October. The road is paved but narrow in spots and crosses the Continental Divide at 12,000 feet with many magnificent views. The approach to the pass is via I-70 and U.S. Highway 91 through Leadville and Highway 82 through Twin Lakes to Aspen.

Railroad: AMTRAK provides rail service between Denver and Glenwood Springs.

Departures Arrivals
Denver at 8:05 a.m. daily Glenwood Springs at 1:53 p.m.
Glenwood Springs at 12:30 p.m. daily Denver at 6:58 p.m.

The fares range from $37-$69 one way; $64-$138 round trip. Accompanying children, ages 2-15, pay 1/2 the adult fare. For information call 800-872-7245 or visit www.amtrak.com.

Bus: Greyhound has daily bus service between Denver and Glenwood Springs.  The fares range from $29-$35 one way; $58-$70 round trip.  For information call 1-800-231-2222 or visit www.greyhound.com.

The Roaring Fork Transit Authority (RFTA) also provides daily bus service between Glenwood Springs and Aspen. The trip takes approximately one hour and 15 minutes and the fare is $6.00 one way. For information call 970-925-8484. RFTA also provides free bus service regularly throughout the city of Aspen.

Taxi: Taxis will meet any train or bus by appointment. They also provide service to and from the airport in Aspen.
Colorado Mountain Express: 970-949-4227
High Mountain Taxi: 970-925-8294 (or 970-925-TAXI)
Smitty Limousine: 970-925-7505

Directions from Aspen Airport to the Aspen Meadows: The airport is only about a 10 minute drive to the hotel. Head east into town on Highway 82. Pass thru 1 roundabout (Maroon Creek Road & Castle Creek Road) and then 1 red light (Cemetary Lane). Right after Cemetary Lane, cross over a bridge (Castle Creek Bridge). Instead of following traffic to the right (after Castle Creek Bridge), continue to stay straight until you come to a stop sign. At the stop sign, turn left onto 7th Street. Continue straight for two blocks (you will pass thru a stop sign). Turn left onto Meadows Road at the three-way stop sign (there is a sign pointing to turn left to Aspen Meadows). Follow Meadows Road all the way until you arrive at the hotel entrance on the left (dead-end road).

Transportation in and around Aspen: Most of your traveling in Aspen will be for short distances. Participants are provided with free shuttle service between the Aspen Meadows, the town of Aspen, and the airport. Shuttle schedules are available at the front desk. The downtown area of Aspen is small and about 1.5 miles from the Aspen Meadows complex.

Auto-disincentive Program: The City of Aspen implements an auto disincentive program to which the Aspen Institute has made a commitment to reduce the automobile use by staff and visitors, and to encourage public transportation, walking, and bicycles. Van service is readily available between the Aspen Meadows, the town of Aspen, and the airport.

Rental cars: Some off-campus apartments may be a 40-minute walk from the Aspen Institute. Therefore, if you require off-campus housing, you may find renting a car more convenient, but not necessary, for traveling, grocery shopping, and attending evening functions in the area. The Aspen Institute will not be able to subsidize the cost of rental cars for participants. There is a daily charge of $5.00 to park a car at the Aspen Meadows. Alamo, Hertz, Avis, and Thrifty rental car companies have airport counters. If you plan on renting a car at the Aspen airport, we advise you to reserve rental cars well in advance.

Alternatives: Bicycles can be rented at the Aspen Meadows by the day, week, or month. The Aspen transit bus system provides free transportation in and around Aspen with drop-off a short walk from the Aspen Institute.

HOW SHOULD I DRESS?

Aspen's summer weather is warm and dry with temperatures occasionally reaching 90° F during the day. You should come prepared for the intense sun (Aspen's altitude is 8,000 ft.) and brief afternoon showers. It is considerably cooler in the evenings with temperatures dropping to 50° F and below, so you might want to bring a warm sweater or jacket.

Aspen and the Aspen Institute have a very informal atmosphere. Dress is casual at the conference sessions and, although not required, some people dress a bit more formally at dinner. Comfort should be your guide.

You might want to bring clothing for recreational activities, including shoes for tennis, running, and hiking. A bathing suit, sandals, and an old pair of tennis shoes will be useful for swimming or rafting. You will be best served by your most comfortable clothing for activities such as hiking.

EFFECTS OF HIGH ALTITUDE

The altitude in Aspen is more physically demanding and affects everyone a little differently. The two main changes in the environment are decreased oxygen content and decreased moisture content in the surrounding air. A sudden ascent from sea level to high altitude can produce symptoms of nausea, insomnia, shortness of breath, headache or nasal congestion.

The Colorado Heart Association recommends that you keep physical exertion to a minimum the first day. Eat lightly, drink plenty of fluids, and use alcohol moderately. If symptoms develop that worry you, please let our staff know and we will contact a local physician or recommend a physician to you.

RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES

Aspen and the surrounding area offer a wide variety of activities to appeal to just about everyone. There are opera house tours, art and historical museums, galleries, fine shopping and dining for your pleasure during your stay in Aspen.

To help you enjoy your Aspen experience, the Institute organizes a variety of activities, such as hiking. Participation in these activities is optional and a per-person charge is made. Some additional recreational activities at the Meadows and in Aspen include:

The Aspen Meadows Health Club: The Aspen Meadows Health Club Program is designed to complement the unique interactions of the conference room and to round out the total "Aspen experience," offering:

• Stair Masters, treadmills, Life Cycles and circuit weight machines
• aerobics, water aerobics, pilates and yoga classes
• 25-meter outdoor lap pool and hot tub
• massage rooms
• men's and women's showers and locker rooms

Tennis: There are six all-weather doubles tennis courts on campus that can be rented hourly. Rental equipment is available and advance reservations are required.

Swimming: Institute participants and members of their immediate family may use the Aspen Meadows swimming pool free of charge.

Golf: There is an 18-hole municipal golf course two miles outside Aspen on Highway 82.

Fishing: There are four major trout streams and several small lakes in the Aspen area. The Roaring Fork River has a “flies only” section adjacent to the Aspen Meadows campus. Rainbow and brook trout are predominant.

Hiking, Horseback Riding, and Jeep Trips: Several stables are located in the Aspen area. The surrounding mountains provide wonderful country for riding and hiking. Jeep trips are also available for touring the high country.

In addition, participants can enjoy guided river-rafting on the Roaring Fork and Colorado rivers, kayaking, hang gliding, rodeos, horse shows, rugby, baseball games and other special events scheduled throughout the summer. Please call us if you would like more information on these activities before you arrive in Aspen.

OFFICE SERVICES

Communications: All telephone calls should be made prior to or after the conference sessions. Participants residing at the Aspen Meadows may be reached through the front desk at 970-925-4240. The fax number at the Aspen Meadows is 970-925-7790. The entire property, including guest rooms, is equipped for wireless Internet access.

Upon arrival in Aspen, participants housed off-campus should inform their offices and homes of their Aspen numbers. Emergency calls may be directed to the Aspen Institute's administrative office at 970-925-7010 during business hours, or after hours at the Meadows at 970-925-4240. Aspen is on Mountain Daylight time.

The Aspen Institute's administrative offices operate on regular business hours; therefore, messages and faxes sent before 8:30 a.m. or after 5:00 p.m. may not reach you immediately. The Aspen Meadows guest facility is staffed 24 hours a day.

Mail: All incoming mail should be addressed to:

The Aspen Meadows Conference Center
845 Meadows Road
Aspen, Colorado 81611

Photocopying/Faxing:
Aspen Meadows: Fax 970-925-7790
Aspen Institute: Fax 970-925-4188
Outgoing Domestic Fax: $ 3.00 1st page/$ 1.00 for each additional page
Outgoing International Fax: $ 5.00 1st page/$ 1.00 for each additional page
Incoming Fax: $ 1.00 for each page
Photocopying: $ .25 per page (1-300)
$ .10 per page (300 and up)

Office Space: The Aspen Meadows has two business centers one located in the Bandar Reception Center and another in the Paepcke building directly behind the library.

ASPEN INSTITUTE ADMINISTRATION

Please direct any questions to:

Erin Silliman, Project Manager
1-202-736-5818 phone
1-202-467-0790 fax
erin.silliman@aspeninstitute.org

Erin will be in Aspen during the conference, however anyone in our Washington, D.C. office can assist you; the office is staffed Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. During the Forum, the Aspen office can be reached through 1-970-544-7974.