Aug 9, 2008 5:27 pm US/Mountain
Aspen Skiing Co. To Add Domestic-Partner Benefits
ASPEN, Colo. (AP) ―
The Aspen Skiing Co. will start offering benefits to employees' domestic partners this fall, matching policies at other major Colorado resorts.
By the time ski season starts, health insurance and ski passes will be available to employees' domestic partners, whether they are of the same or opposite sex, said Jim Laing, vice president of human resources.
"Is it the right thing to do? Yes," Laing said. "The timing seemed appropriate."
He said outside factors didn't influence the decision.
Bryan Gonzales, executive director of the Roaring Fork Gay & Lesbian Community Fund, said it was a "nice surprise" to hear about the company's change in policy.
The 31st annual Aspen Gay Ski Week is scheduled for January.
Vail Resorts Inc., which operates Vail, Beaver Creek, Breckenridge and Keystone, and Intrawest ULC already offer domestic partner benefits. Intrawest's coverage is available to partners of employees at Copper Mountain, Steamboat and Winter Park in Colorado.
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