Conde Nast Traveler magazine named Joyce Falcone as one of America's top travel specialists in its most recent edition. Falcone's company, The Italian Concierge, was named one of 128 travel resources nationwide for its expertise in planning Italian vacations. Falcone, who lives in Aspen, is also an Italian citizen. Her fluency in the language and intimacy with small inn operators gave her an edge over other Italian travel planners. She focuses on walking and hiking tours, and will be honored at an award ceremony in New York in October.

AVLT REPRESENTS AT STATE LEVEL

Martha Cochran, the executive director for the Aspen Valley Land Trust, was recently appointed as one of five people to oversee Colorado's conservation easement program. Four more commissioners will join the board, whose job it is to review applications for conservation-easement holder certification.