Mark Harvey was born in Aspen in the old hospital on Red Mountain, one of six kids. His work in ranching, conservation, journalism, and service reflects his Roaring Fork Valley ideals. Mark has shown a deep commitment to Aspen’s quality of life by working for the protection of public lands, water, and wildlife. He grew up before the town was famous and in a time when kids had to always tuck their shirts in and address their elders with Mr., Mrs., or Miss.
Blessed with an insatiable need for the outdoors and sports, Mark’s passion as a youngster was ski racing, and he competed at the highest levels of the sport, including the World Cup. He became an accomplished outdoorsman, and for nearly a decade, he worked as a mountain guide and horsepacker for the National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS). His experiences inspired him to author The NOLS Wilderness Guide, which won the National Outdoor Book Award in 2000.
He produced and directed an award-winning documentary, A Land out of Time, focusing on oil and gas impacts on our public lands in Colorado and the broader West. He is a well-published photographer and writer, often focusing on local Colorado issues. Mark is a mentor to many, sharing his experience and building connections to keep local journalism alive and well in the Roaring Fork Valley. He is President of the non-profit Aspen Journalism, where he generously gives of his time and expertise to advance in-depth, investigative, local reporting.
Mark continues to run his family’s cattle ranch in Old Snowmass, one of the last working ranches in the valley, and he regularly invites community members to help with roundups or enjoy the landscape and learn about the area’s deep roots in ranching and working the land. In July 2025, he was appointed by the Governor as a Commissioner of the Colorado State Land Board, helping steward millions of acres. He also serves on the board of EcoFlight.
Mark has a wide range of talents and interests; in addition to his work as a writer, photographer, and conservationist, he started and still runs a successful shellfish farm in Chile’s Patagonia and has recently created an award-winning wine company in Colorado called Open Range Wines. He proudly joins his mother, Connie Harvey, who was inducted into The Aspen Hall of Fame in 2006.