ABOUT AIMF
WHO WE ARE
The Aspen International Mountain Foundation (AIMF) is a Colorado nonprofit corporation dedicated to sustainable development in mountain environments and communities.
AIMF is a member of the United Nations Mountain Partnership. Since 2013, AIMF has served on the Steering Committee representing the North American, Central American, and Caribbean region.
AIMF has advocated for mountains since its inception in 2001, participating in important climate conferences and helping to draft the SDGs (Sustainable Development Goals) relating to mountains. We are passionate about creating an inclusive and effective path to help others join in to achieve these goals.
We are proud of our efforts creating a network of global mountain regions, including sharing information and lore, bringing attention to the needs of mountain communities, mapping, identifying issues and best practices, preserving important culture, offering education and conveying our passion for this work to future generations.
To learn more about AIMF’s leadership see board member profiles below. Also, see our aspired Principles of Engagement.
WHAT WE DO
AIMF's initiatives are designed to promote and support sustainable mountain development in our region and around the world. We serve as and engage in a wide range of activities including:
Representative for our UN Mountain Partnership region (North and Central America and the Caribbean)
A ‘convener’ of stakeholders interested in mountains
Projects and initiatives that advance the mountain agenda
Regional and global forums that raise and promote awareness
Events celebrating mountain geographies, life, and culture
WHERE WE CAME FROM
AIMF was established in 2001 in the heart of the Rocky Mountains. The organization evolved from a decade of working with the United Nations' Environment Program, the City of Aspen, the Aspen Institute, and Aspen Sister Cities. These collaborative efforts culminated in a dedicated focus on mountain sustainable development. This included international conferences such as the Sustainable Mountain Conference, Hokkaido, Japan (1995) and Chamonix Tourism Summits (1996-2001).
In 2017, AIMF partnered with the Telluride Institute and Western Colorado University’s Center for Mountain Transitions and formed the Mountain Resilience Coalition to help further our efforts.
AIMF is the Representative for Mountain Partnership members in North and Central America and the Caribbean. Learn more
BOARD MEMBERS & OFFICERS
Click on the photos below to read more.
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ABOUT ASPEN, COLORADO
Nestled in the heart of the Rocky Mountains and steeped in history, Aspen hosts approximately 1.5 million visitors from all over the world each year. Our town offers exceptional skiing, first rate amenities, facilities, lodging, shopping and dining as well as year-round music and activities. Despite its popularity as a tourist destination, Aspen retains an authentic small-town feel. The City of Aspen and Aspen Snowmass (formerly the Aspen Skiing Company) have been recognized for their efforts to protect the environment and develop new sustainability tools and practices.
Colorado is known for its decades-long leadership role protecting the environment, launching clean-energy projects and enacting pioneering climate change legislation. Governor Polis recently launched a ‘road map’ with the guiding policies necessary to meet targets set in Colorado’s 2019 Climate Action Plan.
“Keep close to Nature's heart and break clear away…climb a mountain or spend a week in the woods. Wash your spirit clean.” —John Muir
