The Story of the Environment Foundation at Aspen One
How an employee-led idea grew into millions in grants for environmental projects across our community and beyond.
Crystal River Headwaters, eligible for a Wild & Scenic River designation, with Capitol and Snowmass Peaks in the background. Courtesy of EcoFlight, an Aspen-base beneficiary of the Environmental Foundation.
By Jessi Hackett
Updated April 2026
When Chris Lane helped start the Aspen Skiing Company’s Environment Foundation (EF) in 1997, he knew it was something new for the ski industry. At the time—when rockered skis were still a concept and snowboards weren’t yet officially allowed on Aspen Mountain—Lane was busy breaking ground in more ways than one, including holding the industry’s first-ever director of environmental affairs title.
Lane, now CEO of the Aspen Center for Environmental Studies (ACES), says he can’t take full credit for the EF’s origin story. “When Pat O’Donnell started as COO and then CEO at Aspen Skiing Company in the late 1990s and hired me, he made it clear that part of my job was to create a kind of foundation where employees donated money to the environment.”
And so, the Environment Foundation was born. The idea was simple: employees would donate a buck or two from every paycheck. The Aspen Skiing Company Family Fund and Aspen Community Foundation would match each dollar, and a board of directors—made up of employees from across the company—would decide which projects to fund. The most novel part? Upper management stayed hands-off. The vision was to create a culture where employees cared about the environment and were empowered to act.
How the Environment Foundation Works
The concept is simple: employees donate a small amount from each paycheck, and Aspen Skiing Company matches every dollar. A board made up entirely of employees decides where the money goes, ensuring the process stays grassroots and transparent. Today, more than 1,200 employees contribute annually, and the Foundation has awarded over $4.4 million in grants since its inception.
What the Environment Foundation Supports
The Foundation funds projects that foster environmental stewardship, tackle climate change, and protect public lands. Grants have supported everything from trail restoration and wildlife crossings to clean-energy initiatives and climate education programs. Recipients include local organizations like EcoFlight, which uses aerial education to advocate for wildlife corridors, and The Arts Campus at Willits, which created a climate-action play for local students. Policy-focused groups like Protect Our Winters and Conservation Colorado have also received support for their work on climate legislation and oil and gas reform.
Employee-Led Philanthropy at Aspen Skiing Company
What makes the Environment Foundation unique is its employee-driven model. Lift operators, ski instructors, and hospitality staff all have a voice in where the money goes. “It gives me faith that folks know the worth of their paycheck and trust that they can make a difference,” says Hannah Berman, the Foundation’s executive director.
Some employees have been giving for more
than 20 years, while new hires often sign up within weeks of starting. “They could give $1 a week, which seemed digestible,” recalls Chris Lane, who helped launch the program and now leads the Aspen Center for Environmental Studies. “And because of the match, it could equate to $156 a year. That made everyday employees want to contribute, because that match represented taking money from the big corporate guy and doing something good with it.”
Impact at a Glance
- Year Founded: 1997
- Total Grants Awarded: $4.4 million+
- Number of Employees Giving: ~1,200 annually
- Grant Cycles: Two per year (spring and fall)
From its early days as an experiment in employee giving to its current role as a major environmental funder, the Environment Foundation proves that small contributions can add up to big change. It’s a model that reflects Aspen One’s values—and the passion of the people who make this place what it is.
