You might have luck finding some other attendees that are looking to share a hotel suite and the base cost per person being $200 a night. Aspen is so expensive even locals don't spend the night there. You should be able to find something in Frisco (on I-70) or in Leadville (access Aspen through back roads) at this price but Vail or Aspen is completely unreasonable. I am currently looking for places to stay in late Jan/early Feb and a good deal is $400 a night and no discounts for early & firm booking. I hate to be negative but this is case of leaping without looking.