Pitkin County is a county in Colorado, United States, in the west-central part of the state, anchored by the Roaring Fork Valley and the resort town of Aspen. It had a population of 17,358 at the 2020 census and covers 971 square miles (2,510 km2) centred near 39°13′N 106°55′W.
Aspen is the county seat and its postal code is 81611. The county has one city, two towns, several census-designated places, and a handful of 19th-century mining ghost towns. Pitkin County observes Mountain time and carries FIPS code 08097.
Towns & Villages in Pitkin County
Pitkin County’s settlements sit almost entirely along State Highway 82 and the Roaring Fork and Crystal river valleys. Below, Type marks City, Town, CDP (census-designated place, unincorporated but recognized by the Census Bureau), and Unincorp. (unincorporated place or ghost town with no CDP designation).
| Place | Type | Pop. | ZIP |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aspen | City · seat | 7,004 | 81611 |
| Basalt | Town | — | 81621 |
| Snowmass Village | Town | 3,096 | 81615 |
| Snowmass | CDP | — | 81654 |
| Woody Creek | CDP | — | 81656 |
| Redstone | CDP | — | — |
| Norrie | Unincorp. | — | — |
| Meredith | Unincorp. | — | 81642 |
| Ashcroft | Unincorp. · ghost town | — | — |
| Independence | Unincorp. · ghost town | — | — |
| Lenado | Unincorp. · ghost town | — | — |
| Thomasville | Unincorp. · ghost town | — | — |
| Nast | Unincorp. | — | — |
| Placita | Unincorp. | — | — |
| Emma | Unincorp. | — | — |
| Wingo | Unincorp. | — | — |
| Biglow | Unincorp. | — | — |
Basalt spans both Pitkin and Eagle counties, so its published town-wide population figure is not a Pitkin-only count; the Basalt place-name here refers to the Pitkin County side of the river-split town. Snowmass and Snowmass Village are two distinct places nine miles apart — Snowmass Village is the incorporated ski-resort town, while Snowmass (sometimes called Old Snowmass) is an unincorporated CDP down-valley near the base of Snowmass Creek.
ZIP Codes
- 81611 — Aspen (standard delivery)
- 81612 — Aspen (PO Box only)
- 81615 — Snowmass Village (PO Box only)
- 81621 — Basalt (post office town, shared with the Eagle County side)
- 81654 — Snowmass (also serves Old Snowmass)
- 81656 — Woody Creek (PO Box only)
- 81642 — Meredith
Redstone, Ashcroft, and the county’s other ghost towns and small settlements have no ZIP code of their own and are served by the nearest post office above.
Geography
Pitkin County lies in the Rocky Mountains along the upper Roaring Fork River and the Crystal River, with the White River National Forest covering most of its high country. Castle Peak, a 14,265-foot fourteener, is the county’s tallest summit, standing about 20 miles south of Aspen on the Gunnison County line. The county borders Eagle County to the northeast, Lake County to the east, Chaffee County to the southeast, Gunnison County to the south, Mesa County to the west, and Garfield County to the northwest.
Demographics
Pitkin County had 17,358 residents at the 2020 census, making it one of Colorado’s smaller counties by population despite its national profile. Aspen and Snowmass Village are the two largest communities. The county is one of the wealthiest in the country by per-capita and top-earner income, well above the Colorado median of $92,911. Population density works out to roughly 18 people per square mile, reflecting the large share of national forest and high-alpine terrain that carries no year-round residents.
Economy & Local Life
Tourism, skiing, and second-home real estate drive the county’s economy, centred on the Aspen Skiing Company’s four ski areas (Aspen Mountain, Aspen Highlands, Buttermilk, and Snowmass). Aspen Valley Hospital and Aspen School District are major local employers, alongside a large seasonal hospitality workforce. The Aspen Music Festival and School and the Aspen Institute’s summer programming draw visitors each summer, and the Winter X Games has been held at Buttermilk. Ranching persists in the lower Crystal River valley near Redstone.
History
Pitkin County was created on February 23, 1881, and named for Frederick Walker Pitkin, Colorado’s second governor. Silver mining brought Aspen its first boom in the 1880s, and the county’s ghost towns — Ashcroft, Independence, and Lenado among them — date from that era before the ore played out and the population collapsed. Aspen was reborn as a ski destination beginning in the 1940s, and Snowmass Village was developed as a purpose-built resort community starting in 1967.
Getting There
State Highway 82 is the county’s main artery, running from Glenwood Springs up through Basalt to Aspen and over Independence Pass toward Twin Lakes and Leadville (closed in winter). State Highway 133 follows the Crystal River south from Carbondale to Redstone and Marble.
- Glenwood Springs — 40 miles northwest
- Leadville — 44 miles east via Independence Pass (summer only)
- Grand Junction — 130 miles west
- Denver — 165 miles east
Aspen/Pitkin County Airport (Sardy Field) offers commercial service into Aspen itself; the nearest larger commercial airport is Eagle County Regional Airport, about 55 miles northeast near Vail.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Pitkin County?
It is in west-central Colorado, in the upper Roaring Fork Valley of the Rocky Mountains.
What is the population of Pitkin County?
17,358 people, per the 2020 census.
How big is Pitkin County?
971 square miles (2,510 km2) of land.
What is the county seat of Pitkin County?
Aspen is the county seat.
How many towns are in Pitkin County?
One city (Aspen) and two towns (Basalt, Snowmass Village), plus several unincorporated CDPs and ghost towns.
What ZIP codes are in Pitkin County?
81611 and 81612 (Aspen), 81615 (Snowmass Village), 81621 (Basalt), 81654 (Snowmass), 81656 (Woody Creek), and 81642 (Meredith).
Is Aspen the same place as Snowmass?
No. Aspen and Snowmass Village are separate incorporated communities about 9 miles apart, each with its own ski area; Snowmass (Old Snowmass) is a third, unincorporated place further down-valley.
More counties in this state: Towns and villages in Colorado.