Aspen Pushes to Ban New Chain Stores

Aspen's City Council has moved in support of amending the city's land-use code to make chain stores a conditional use, hoping to bar them from taking space in new buildings.

"Giving chain stores conditional-use status means such shops would have to go through a special city review and meet criteria to encourage retail diversity and good design. If those criteria are not met, the city would have the power to deny a business license," the Aspen Daily News explains. Existing buildings would be exempt, as would pending development projects.

The campaign was started by a citizens group comprised of downtown business owners and local residents, including two former mayors. The City Council unanimously agreed to draft a policy resolution in support of the changes; a formal ordinance could be finalized by March 6.