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Press Releases
05.08.2026 Aspen International Mountain Foundation Re-Elected to Mountain Partnership Steering Committee
ASPEN, Colo. — The Aspen International Mountain Foundation (AIMF) has been re-elected to the Steering Committee of the Mountain Partnership, a United Nations voluntary alliance dedicated to improving the lives of mountain peoples and protecting mountain environments worldwide. Read more >>
04.01.2026 Aspen International Mountain Foundation Launches Initiative to Support Bhutan Trust Fund for Environmental Conservation
ASPEN, Colo. — The Aspen International Mountain Foundation (AIMF) has launched a new initiative to raise funds in support of the Bhutan Trust Fund for Environmental Conservation, a pioneering conservation finance organization dedicated to protecting Bhutan’s forests, wildlife, biodiversity and fragile mountain ecosystems. Read more >>
AIMF in the News
Local News in Brief
ASPEN, December 28, 2021 - Heading into the New Year, the United Nations General Assembly on Dec. 16 proclaimed 2022 the International Year of Sustainable Mountain Development. It’s fitting then that, Sept. 26-28 next year, Aspen will host the UN’s Mountain Partnership, an alliance of mountain countries, governments and NGOs, global meeting.
Outdoor Recreation Industry Office Joins United Nations Global Mountain Partnership
DENVER, January 6, 2022 - The Colorado Outdoor Recreation Industry Office (OREC), a division of the Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade (OEDIT), has been accepted as a member of the United Nations Global Mountain Partnership.
Four Recipients of Meetings and Events Direct Support Grant Announced
2022 Proclaimed "International Year of Sustainable Mountain Development"
Aspen to host United Nations event in September 2022
United Nations event set for Aspen in 2022
Facing climate change and building resilience In mountain towns
CMC joins International Mountain Partnership, invited to Gross National Happiness conference
Gross National Happiness 7th International Conference in Bhutan
Aspen delegation attends ‘gross national happiness conference’ in Bhutan
Statement Advocating Mountain Women is included in the agenda of the UN CSW62
International petition seeks attention for mountain countries
Bringing it home: Aspen nonprofit gains seat at UN table
Snowmass eyed for membership in U.N. Mountain Partnership
North American Mountain Partnership hub created
UIMF Partner, AIMF in Aspen, CO, recognized by the UN
U.N.’s Mountain Partnership program looks to establish new North American hub in Aspen
About AIMF
AIMF’s mission is to promote sustainable development in mountain environments and communities. AIMF’s projects, initiatives and fora support sustainable mountain development and promote mountain life and culture in Colorado and around the world.
AIMF HISTORY
From left, Michael Philipp, a member of the National Council of the World Wildlife Fund and major supporter of the Bhutan for Life conservation initiative, CMC Aspen ESL professor Lorraine Miller, Dr. Mercedes Quesada-Embid, CMC Vail Valley sustainability studies professor, and Bhutan Minister of Agriculture and Forests Yeshey Dorji at Bhutan’s Royal Botanical Garden to honor Bhutan for Life’s launch during the GNH conference. (Photo: CMC)
Founded in 2001, AIMF is a nonprofit and is located in Aspen, CO. AIMF was was instrumental in developing the mountain-related actions within the United Nation’s 2015 Sustainable Development Goals and participated in the Paris Accords. AIMF is a governing member of the UN Mountain Partnership.
AIMF evolved from a decade of working with the United Nations' Environment Programme, 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.
UN MOUNTAIN PARTNERSHIP ROLE
Since 2013, AIMF has served as the United Nations Mountain Partnership Steering Committee representative for Major Group Organizations of North and Central America and the Caribbean.
AIMF Board of Directors
Karinjo DeVore, President
Eric Smith, Vice President
Michaela Higgins, Secretary
Margi Levitt, Treasurer
John Starr
Jim True
Pat Fallin
Phillip Supino
Chip Bishop
AIMF Advisory Board
Neil Beidleman
April Bucksbaum
Jay Cowan
Chris Davenport
Liba Icahn
Billy Kidd
Chris Klug
Pete McBride
Sally Spaulding Potter
Sam Von Trapp