American Notes COLORADO

It certainly was a hairy issue. Supporters of a ban on the sale of furs in plush Aspen, Colo., pelted their opponents with charges of indifference to animals. Those opposed bristled back that the matter was not a proper concern of government. Last week a record 71% of the town's 3,739 registered voters cast ballots in the referendum. The result: 1,701 to 898 in favor of continued sales.

The fur flap obscured a deeper debate over Aspen's future. As the ski resort has become a favored hangout for Hollywood stars and wealthy businessmen, the price of real estate has soared. Last year the average house sold for $1.1 million. In addition to rejecting the fur-sale ban, voters approved construction of a 292-room hotel and a widened highway into town. Last week's voting was a showdown between those seeking to slow development and those who want to accelerate it. The accelerators won.