Judge Issues Sentence for Aspen Art Museum Climbers

Three climbers, William Johnson, Cooper Means and Lauren Twohig attempted to clim a 47-foot basket-like facade at the newly opened Colorado Art Museum and were arrested for trespassing.

They were fined s a $150 probation fee, 10 hours of community service and a one-year deferred judgment. In addition, the Aspen Municipal Court Judge Brooke Peterson issued a warning to stay out of trouble. If they are arrested again within 12 months, they could face a fine of as much as $2,600 or jail time.

According to the Aspen Times, Johnson said he didn't see the "No Climbing" sign. Some say that the new 33,000-square-foot structure is too big and its design is completely out of character.

City Attorney Jim True said that Johnson "got a little higher than most" when it came to climbing the structure.

Means commented, "The old art museum was a great place to go with local artists and fun people to talk with. Now the museum is part of the 'art industry.' You go up Aspen or Shadow or Smuggler Mountain, and it stands out. It wasn't designed as a part of the town."

Read the report in the Aspen Times here.