Aspen’s Paepcke Transit Hub Wins APWA Colorado Award
- Z Group Architecture & Interior Design
- Sep 1, 2023
- 3 min read
The City of Aspen’s Paepcke Transit Hub Improvements Project was honored with the 2023 American Public Works Association (APWA) Colorado Award in the Transportation, Small Community category. This recognition highlights Aspen’s investment in safe, sustainable, and accessible transit infrastructure that improves mobility and strengthens community life.
Why This Award Matters
The APWA Colorado Awards celebrate excellence in public works projects across the state. Receiving recognition in the Transportation, Small Community category shows how innovative solutions can be scaled for mountain towns like Aspen, where multi-modal transportation, pedestrian safety, and sustainable infrastructure are critical to community life.
About the Paepcke Transit Hub Improvements
Completed in Summer 2023, the Paepcke Transit Hub, located at Main Street and Garmisch Street, serves as a major transit gateway for Aspen residents and visitors. The project included:
A new covered bus shelter with improved rider comfort
Dedicated bus pad and turn-out lane for efficiency
Upgraded sidewalks, curbs, and gutters for safety and ADA accessibility
Improved pedestrian crosswalks on Main Street
Utility and drainage upgrades for long-term performance
Support for multi-modal options, including WE-Cycle bike share and Car-to-Go stations
New pavers, landscaping, and lighting to enhance the community experience
These improvements enhance the daily lives of Aspen residents by creating a safe, reliable, and connected mobility hub while supporting sustainability and active transportation.
Community Impact
The Paepcke Transit Hub is more than a bus stop — it’s a hub for mobility, accessibility, and community connection. With its improved design, residents and visitors have safer options for walking, cycling, and using public transit in the heart of Aspen.
The project reflects a larger vision for sustainable transportation in the Roaring Fork Valley, aligning with Aspen’s long-term goals of reducing carbon emissions, supporting shared mobility, and improving civic infrastructure.
Let’s Build Together
At Z Group Architecture & Interior Design, we believe that design extends beyond private spaces into the heart of communities. Projects like the Paepcke Transit Hub demonstrate how thoughtful planning and design improve mobility, sustainability, and everyday life in Aspen.
Explore our work shaping Aspen and the Western Slope:
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Paepcke Transit Hub?
It is a key transit gateway in Aspen, located at Main and Garmisch Streets across from Paepcke Park, providing bus service, bike share, and pedestrian connections.
Why did it win the APWA Colorado Award?
The City of Aspen was recognized for improving safety, accessibility, and sustainability in a small community setting while supporting multi-modal transportation with the Paepcke Transit Hub project.
What improvements were made?
The hub now includes a covered bus shelter, bus-only lane, upgraded sidewalks, crosswalks, drainage systems, landscaping, and facilities for bike and car share. The Transit Hub Improvements, as communicated by the City of Aspen, can be found here. The Colorado Department of Transportation information can be found here.
How does this benefit Aspen residents and visitors?
It creates safer pedestrian routes, more reliable transit, and greater access to sustainable transportation options in downtown Aspen, reducing the traffic buildup at this busy intersection and bus stop.,
Who led the project?
The project was commissioned by the City of Aspen with a comprehensive team of design, engineering, and construction partners delivering the improvements. This team included Z Group Architecture & Interior Design, Connect One Design, and other partnerships.
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