Snowmass Village Tackles Challenges with Community Think Tank

Snowflakes fall gently on the wooden sidewalks of Snowmass Village, a serene backdrop for the town's latest endeavor: tackling its most pressing challenges. The sound of laughter and conversation fills the air as locals gather at the town hall, eager to contribute to the solution. This is a community that wears its heart on its sleeve, and the issues at hand — housing affordability, childcare access, and the cost of living — hit close to home.

Make no mistake, these are not new problems for Snowmass. But the town's approach to addressing them is. The Snowmass Town Council has decided to hold a "think tank" work session, bringing together all 32 applicants for the new Thrive Advisory Committee. This volunteer advisory group aims to shape recommendations for the town's most significant pressure points. The town's long-term success depends on maintaining a stable population of year-round residents, and this committee is a crucial step in achieving that goal.

The memo submitted to council ahead of the meeting states that the town's success relies on its ability to maintain a stable population of year-round residents who contribute to the community's social fabric, workforce, civic leadership, and local economy. This is not just a matter of filling committee seats; it's about building a sustainable future for Snowmass. Mayor Alyssa Shenk's enthusiasm is palpable as she expresses her happiness with the number of applications received. "From the get-go, it made me really happy to see all the applications," she says. "I just thought it was really wonderful and I appreciate the enthusiasm people had."

As the council discusses the details of the think tank, one thing becomes clear: this is a collaborative effort. Council Member Tom Fridstein recommends facilitating a workshop with all applicants before attempting to narrow down the selection. "I keep thinking it would be great to get everyone's input," he says. "Start with a big think tank, a workshop, let people throw out ideas, and see where that goes as a start before we try to winnow it down." This approach is not about hand-picking a select few; it's about harnessing the collective energy and expertise of the community.

Council Members Britta Gustafson and Susan Marolt express support for this approach, with Marolt noting her excitement about the number of people inspired to help. "I am just so excited that there are this many people that are inspired by this idea and want to help," she says. "I'd love to hear from all of them." The question of remote participation arises, with Mayor Shenk raising concerns about the potential difficulties of roundtable discussions when some participants are not physically present. The council agrees that in-person participation is preferable, and Assistant Town Manager Greg LeBlanc will work with staff to develop a series of questions to guide the conversation.

As the think tank approaches, it's worth watching how this collaborative approach plays out. The short version: Snowmass is taking a bold step by involving its community in the solution-finding process. This is not a top-down approach; it's a grassroots effort to address the town's most significant challenges. Read that again: 32 applicants, all with their own ideas and perspectives, will come together to shape the future of Snowmass. That's what community engagement looks like.

The town's decision to hold a think tank work session demonstrates its commitment to collaboration and community involvement. By bringing together all applicants, Snowmass is creating a space for open discussion and idea-sharing. This approach may not be the most efficient, but it's a necessary step in building a sustainable future for the town. As the council and applicants work together, they will need to navigate complex issues and competing interests. The outcome is far from certain, but Snowmass is willing to take a collaborative approach to addressing its challenges. The question now is, what will come out of this think tank, and how will it shape the future of Snowmass?