PRESS RELEASE
Director of Golf Steve Aitken Retiring from City of Aspen After 29 Years of Service
Contact: Austin Weiss, Director of Parks and Recreation, 970-429-2023 or austin.weiss@aspen.gov or Steve Aitken, Director of Golf, 970-920-5719 or steve.aitken@aspen.gov
Aspen, Colorado – March 15, 2022 - Steve Aitken, the City of Aspen’s Director of Golf is retiring after working for local government for 29 years. Aitken started with the City of Aspen in 1993 as the Golf Director and has served in that position ever since. He worked diligently over the last three decades to provide our residents and guests with exceptional golf services and continuous improvements to the golf facilities.
“It’s been an honor to work here,” Aitken said. “The golf course has become a community gem and I’ve had a lot of input on where the golf course has evolved and that is an honor. I have been able to work with so many great people and it was fun to go to work at the golf course every day. I just looked forward to it,” Aitken said.
Under Aitken’s leadership the City created a Golf Course Master Plan, attained Audubon certification for the Aspen Golf Course, and added the tennis courts and Aspen Club House, among other projects and accomplishments.
“Our infrastructure and golf services wouldn’t be the same without Steve’s leadership,” said Austin Weiss, Director of Parks and Recreation. “He has been instrumental in turning Aspen’s golf course into a world class destination that is beautiful, environmentally sensitive, and fun to play.”
Aitken said of all the work he’s accomplished, the most memorable and impactful for the community is the creation of the Aspen Golf Club. “Before we built this 20 years ago, the club house was not close to the driving range or the practice facility. We worked hard to create a facility that is located in the right place, offers great amenities, and fits the architectural look of Aspen.”
“I’m also very proud of the water savings we achieved implementing a new irrigation system that saves 30 million gallons a year compared to the old system,” he added.
Most recently, Aitken oversaw changes in the season pass sales structure, first capping the number of passes sold in 2021 due to surges in use of the course and then this year, offering season passes to local residents first.
Aitken’s last day is March 23. He is moving to the Front Range to be closer to his family.
Weiss will serve as Interim Golf Director until a replacement has been hired.
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