No. 23 has been saved
Using trolleys in Aspen has been debated since the early 70's.  In 1982 six historic trolleys were given to Aspen by Aspen Street Railway Company, a non-profit organization.  On several occasions ASRC and the City worked closely to develop an Aspen trolley plan.  Trolley support always waned behind other priorities and the changing of  Aspen City Council's members.  In 2002, ASRC offered to finance and implement a trolley system for the Aspen community.  The question was placed on the November 2002  ballot and was rejected by 166 votes 1,314 to 1,148. 

Immediately following the election, Aspen City Council gave the trolleys away.  Aspen locals attempted to purchase the trolleys, but to no avail.  Council wouldn't consider it.  Within weeks, five of Aspen's six trolleys headed for new homes.  Only one, a 1899 vintage trolley known as No. 23 the oldest, most historic and most vandalized and deteriorated remained.  The new owner, seeing the trolley for the first time, realized the extent of its deterioration.  Not knowing what to do, the owner left it in Aspen.

With the passing of a year and winter coming, several Aspen locals banded together and set out to rescue No. 23 before another winter past.  Contacting the owner and explaining their interest in preserving the trolley, this time with approval from a new Council, ownership has been transferred back to Kippert Wheeler of Aspen. 

The trolley remains at the Pitkin County land fill where it has been stored in the open since the early 1980s'.  It  awaits a barn in which it can be stored and worked on.  Anyone with a barn and willing to store the trolley, please contact Aspen Trolley.