ASPEN OFFERS FREE GAS + FREE WHEELS + CARBON OFFSET AS WELL AS INCENTIVES FOR HYBRIDS

Incentive Package Worth more than $125 Valid from May 15 – Oct. 15, 2008

ASPEN, Colo. (May 1, 2008) - As more travelers envision a drive holiday due to increasing cost of flights,  Aspen, the premier summer mountain destination, is offering an incentive package valued at more than $150. Aspen’s green incentive package includes free gas and free bicycle rentals in addition to a measurable and verifiable local carbon offset. Visitors driving hybrids will be offered added benefits valued at more than $75. For more information or to book the Aspen Free Gas & Wheels & Carbon Offset promotion, call 1.800.670.0788 or visit www.aspenchamber.org.

Carbon Offset

As travelers have increased concern for the environmental impact of traveling, the City of Aspen is offering Canary Tags to help visitors travel green. With Aspen green incentives, guests can enjoy the summer environment in Aspen while offsetting their carbon footprint.

Free Gas & Free Wheels

Visitors who book two or more nights at any participating Aspen lodge will receive a voucher good for up to $50 of gas from Local’s Corner Shell at 435 East Main Street in Aspen, and all lodges will offer complimentary parking. In addition, the following will be offered:

o        Two free bus rides to the magnificent Maroon Bells ($12 value) to encourage visitors to park their cars and use environmentally friendly transportation options. (Maroon Bells bus operates from June 15  - September 5, 2008)

o        Voucher for two free, one-day bicycle rentals ($40 value)

o        A “Canary Tag” certificate, confirming that $20 has been invested in a third-party, verified energy efficiency and renewable energy project through the City of Aspen. Note: $20 offsets the carbon footprint for one round-trip auto from Denver - Aspen plus a hotel stay for two nights or 1 ton of carbon dioxide equivalent.

o        Aspen cloth shopping bag to use for purchases around town.

Hybrid Vehicles

Visitors driving hybrid vehicles to town and purchasing the package will receive the following additional incentives:    

o        Two complimentary passes per reservation to the Aspen Recreation Center (www.aspenrecreation.com), a $30 value. 

o        Two complimentary adult foot passes for the Aspen Mountain Silver Queen Gondola, $48 value

Lodges

Many Aspen lodges are participating, including The Sky Hotel (rates begin at $159), Frias Properties, and Resort Quest (Rates begin at $199).Guests will be provided with vouchers for free gas at the Aspen Store and their ZGreen Aspen E Certificates, free Maroon Bells bus passes, free bicycle rental vouchers, and free Aspen Recreation Center passes will be sent in a reservation confirmation packet to your hotel.  This promotion is subject to availability, valid for one package per family, and is not available for groups or pre-existing reservations.  The promotion is valid from May 15 – Oct. 15, 2008.

Summer in Aspen

Summer in Aspen is brimming with cultural activities including the Aspen Music Festival, Aspen Santa Fe Ballet and Aspen Art Museum. For the adventure-minded, area rivers are primed for some of the best rafting and kayaking in years after record  winter snowfall.  Aspen’s trail system accesses some of the finest hiking, mountain biking, and climbing in North America.

City of Aspen Canary Initiative

The City of Aspen’s Canary Initiative is investing in a variety of economically sound, third-party verified energy efficiency; renewable energy and carbon capture projects, which will keep carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases out of the environment. Some of these initiatives include coal-methane capture, hydroelectric power and solar hot water projects. The City of Aspen’s “Canary Tags” is a voluntary offset program through which individuals, businesses and special events held in Aspen can purchase CO2 offsets to mitigate greenhouse gases associated with their activities. The “Canary Tag” program is the first carbon offset program created by a municipal or state government in the United States, and is being used as a model for similar programs being developed in Colorado
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