Forest Service tests real estate market in Aspen

With this winter's planned auction of five lots in Aspen, the U.S. Forest Service will dip its toes in the area real estate market.

How the agency fares will determine whether it moves forward in the near future with other land sales that would raise funds for projects within the White River National Forest, according to Scott Fitzwilliams, forest supervisor.

Fitzwilliams and Scott Snelson, ranger in the Aspen-Sopris District, appeared before Pitkin County commissioners Tuesday to discuss the Forest Service's plan to sell about an acre of its 3-acre Aspen property and use the proceeds to fund redevelopment of its local facilities, which include housing, administrative offices and a visitor center.

The goal is to realize enough in sales proceeds to fund the rebuilding of the agency's Aspen facilities, estimated at $9 million to $10 million, but officials aren't quite sure what to expect.