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Reflecting on the 2009 Aspen Economy, AT Weekly

A look at 2009 construction, real estate, skier visits, occupancy, retail sales, unemployment and foreclosures.

ASPEN ECONOMY - There aren't many Aspenites who will remember 2009 as a great year. Sure, there may have been certain personal moments or family occasions, but from a business and professional standpoint, it was a difficult year. People lost jobs, changed jobs, relocated, tried new occupations, filed for unemployment benefits, struggled to make ends meet, reduced spending and made all sorts of unexpected adjustments.If it's true that the economy has hit bottom and is now recovering, then it may seem like dwelling on the negative to reflect back on 2009. But we think last year will go down in memory as something of a benchmark, so we decided to take stock, and to give that benchmark some clarity.This article looks at seven different aspects of the local economy, one by one: Construction, real estate, skier visits, occupancy, retail sales, unemployment and foreclosures. Each snapshot includes a look at where we've been over the past year and, if possible, where we might be headed.
By Aspen Times Staff, Feb. 28, 2010 Aspen Times Weekly

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