Aspen Businesses Lose Millions After New Years Eve Celebrations Stopped by Bomber

Aspen bomber Jim Blanning, upset that his home town had gone from a laid-back atmosphere where he was born to a more glamorous and popularized destination for the vacationing elite and wealthy decided to take action by planting four bombs in downtown Aspen.

He sent a letter to newspapers claiming a fifth bomb in a "high-end watering hole," but police only found four bombs, which still caused them to close streets, forcing the closing of Aspens New Years Eve celebrations.

Two of the explosive devices were found at banks and two others on a sled in an alley. Police also said Blanning left notes threatening that Aspen would "pay a horrible price in blood" unless each bank gave him $60,000 in used $100 bills.

The devices consisted of a box in wrapping paper balanced on pizza boxes. Inside were rubber bladders holding 5 gallons of gasoline, a device that appeared to be a cellphone trigger and a mousetrap-type device to stop the explosives from being disarmed.

Though police were uncertain if the devices would have worked, police spokesman Bill Linn said at a news conference, the bomb squad detonated one that "resulted in a pretty big fireball."

Jim Blanning was found dead in his Jeep east of town of an apparent self inflicted gun shot wound.

On Thursday night, the town tried to recapture the magic, and some of the lost dollars, by rescheduling its many parties and shooting off fireworks. However, the police are stating that losses totaled into the millions of dollars.

At the Caribou Club, a swank below-ground restaurant and nightclub a party was planned for 180 guests with a special tasting menu with a price of $750 per plate.

Alex Noronha, manager of the popular bar and restaurant Cantina, said her restaurant and many others will have to refund the hundreds of party tickets they sold -- losing money they were counting on to make up for a lackluster season.

All over town, unused New Year’s Eve decorations still adorned restaurants as managers hoped people would come out for the celebrations they were not able to have the night before, many in Aspen’s service industry are feeling the sting.