Contractors and suppliers who work in Aspen need staging and storage space that is reachable in every kind of weather, and we build it to a 100 psf ground snow load. Aspen's amended IBC Table 1601.2 lists 100 psf of ground snow, a 36 inch frost line, Seismic Design Category C, 89 mph wind, a 7,820 foot design elevation and a minus 15 degree Fahrenheit outdoor winter design temperature. Those values put a Pitkin County roof among the heaviest we design for.
The market runs on logistics. State Highway 82 is the only major road to Aspen, and snow closes it east of town over Independence Pass from about late October to Memorial Day. A builder, designer or supplier serving high-end projects has to hold materials, finishes and equipment where they can be loaded and delivered on short notice. A clean, conditioned warehouse for caterers and restaurant suppliers, a yard with a loading dock and a crane-friendly pad are the tools that make that possible.
We build that kind of space, and the larger distribution and storage buildings behind it, with attention to the three things Aspen reviewers care about: snow behavior, fire safety and the character of the neighborhood. Each one gets answered on the drawings before submittal.
An airport rebuilding itself, a road with one way in
Aspen/Pitkin County Airport received a $37 million FAA Airport Improvement Program grant, its largest single FAA grant to date, to rebuild, widen and shift its runway. The runway closes April 4, 2027 and reopens November 19, 2027, within a runway and airfield program of about $269 million. The airport's total modernization program is estimated at $647.6 million, with a new terminal due by 2029, the old terminal deconstructed in 2030 and voter-approved bonds capped at $340 million under Ballot Issue 1A.
Programs of that scale pull crews, equipment and materials into the valley for years, and the contractors serving them need nearby places to stage. We build laydown warehouses, shop space and enclosed storage for the firms working around the airport and the rest of the valley, with clear heights for pallet racking and doors sized for flatbed and box-truck access. Suppliers in building products distribution and trade contractors alike benefit from space close to the work.
The 2021 IBC, applied to everything
The City of Aspen adopted the 2021 International Building Code including Appendices C, E and P (Municipal Code Chapter 8.20) and chose not to adopt the 2021 International Residential Code, applying the IBC to one and two family dwellings. For a warehouse that is simply the IBC, with local amendments, and we read those amendments closely before design starts.
Amendment 1513 requires roofs to be designed so they do not shed ice and snow onto adjacent properties, walkways, stairs, exits, or gas and electric meters. On a warehouse, we answer that with snow retention devices, roof layouts that direct sliding snow to safe zones and entries that are tucked under protective canopies. It also affects where we place meters, rooftop equipment and dock doors, so the roof plan and the site plan are developed together.
Snow behavior as a design discipline
A 100 psf ground snow load shapes everything above the slab. Steel joists and girders are deeper, bearing walls or panels are stronger and roof drains and parapets are designed for meltwater at the scale of a heavy storm. Drifting near rooftop units and roof steps adds more load than the ground value, and we model it rather than guess.
The ground floor has its own questions. A heavy roof means heavier column loads and more footing steel, a 36 inch frost line means deeper excavation and winter access means plowing, hauling and storing snow somewhere. We detail the truck court with a snow storage zone and a heated or well-drained apron at the dock. A good snow plan is part of the permit and part of the operations manual.
Hangars, shops and storage for a flying valley
Aspen's air connections create demand for specialized buildings. Aircraft operators and service companies need space with wide clear spans and large doors, a aircraft hangar shell is one example, and the same engineering principles apply to a warehouse that holds long, high or bulky goods. We bring those structural habits, such as long-span trusses and tall door headers, to the high-bay storage buildings we design.
Other likely users include furniture and design firms that stage high-value goods, caterers and event suppliers, art handlers and property managers. Each wants climate control, security and clean finishes, and each cares about delivery windows. We plan conditioned storage with humidity control, reliable fire protection, access control and a small showroom or office area.
What drives the Aspen number
Cost is driven by snow load, labor, logistics and review time. Structural steel and foundations cost more under a 100 psf load, subcontractors price for the distance and the seasonal road, and approvals for complicated sites can take longer than the construction itself. We list those factors in the first estimate and carry realistic contingencies for each.
Owners control more of the number than they expect. A simple footprint, a standardized roof system, a limited number of door sizes and a coordinated structural and mechanical layout cut cost without lowering quality. We also recommend phasing storage space into a second building later rather than oversizing the first. For nearby comparisons, Glenwood Springs, Gunnison and Vail and Eagle County offer different cost and access profiles, and we can price them alongside Aspen.
Start with the snow load and the delivery plan
Send the parcel, the stored goods and your delivery pattern. We will return a roof and snow plan, a code review and a budget for your Aspen building.
Common Questions
What snow load does Aspen require?
The amended IBC Table 1601.2 lists a 100 psf ground snow load for Aspen, along with a 36 inch frost line and 89 mph wind. We use the published values and model drifting at roof steps and equipment, which often governs local framing.
What does the ice and snow shedding rule mean for a warehouse?
Aspen's amendment 1513 requires roofs to be designed so they do not shed ice and snow onto adjacent properties, walkways, stairs, exits or meters. We plan snow retention, roof slopes and protected entries together, and we keep meters and dock doors out of the fall zone.
Will the runway closure in 2027 affect construction?
It can. The runway is scheduled to close April 4, 2027 and reopen November 19, 2027, and the broader airport program is large. Deliveries by road remain through State Highway 82, so we plan material orders and crew travel with extra time and watch the airport schedule for competing demand.
When is State Highway 82 closed?
Snow closes the highway east of town over Independence Pass from about late October to Memorial Day. We source and stage materials to minimize deliveries across that period and keep a buffer in the schedule for weather.
Can you build conditioned storage for high-value goods?
Yes. We design insulated shells, humidity control, access control and fire protection to match the stored goods. Tell us what you keep and for how long, and we will recommend the temperature range and security level.
