Aces Gets Into Hot Water
courtesy of Aspen Center for Environmental Studies/Lindsy Fortier
Hallam Lake at the Aspen Center for Environmental Studies.
Things are heating up at the Aspen Center for Environmental Studies, where the nonprofit will harness the energy in water—of which it has plenty—to heat its building. ACES’ heating system went out last year, making for a chilly winter in some rooms. So the nonprofit seized on the opportunity to install a geothermal system to warm their environs with radiant heat that draws on groundwater percolating up into an adjacent pond. It’s just one of myriad models of green living at the center, which showcases Aspen’s natural resources through educational programs and on-site exhibits, such as sunset beaver walks, naturalist-guided hikes and demonstrations with their resident Golden Eagle (who’s been there for 28 years) and owl (a relative newcomer, having arrived just last fall).
ACES, sitting as it does on peaceful Hallam Lake, is one of Aspen’s longstanding treasures, but with so many outdoor opportunities nearby, it’s easy to take for granted—despite its being right behind the post office. Don’t make that mistake. The programs are too numerous to mention, but check out their calendar at aspennature.org, or consult Aspen Sojourner’s calendar. —Abigail Eagye
