Jim Blanning Planned To Bomb Aspen, Colorado, Killed Self Instead

James “Jim” Blanning, a 72-year-old Colorado man who was described by his neighbors as a quiet and thoughtful man, was at the center of an attempted robbery and bomb threat until he decided to take his own life.

Jim had first attempted suicide — quite publicly — when he became depressed over the suicide of a friend and frustrated at ongoing legal battles he was waging in Colorado’s Pitkin County over land deals.

In 1994, Blanning climbed to the roof of the Pitkin County courthouse with a noose around his neck and threated to jump off. He eventually came down without incident or arrest, but his struggles over land deals and mining claims eventually resulted in Blanning being charged with, among other crimes, racketeering, organized crime, fraud and larceny. After completing his sentence, Blanning found himself in financial ruin, resorting to constantly having to ask friends and family for money.

Then, just before the New Year, authorities found bombs in two Aspen area banks with notes claiming “Aspen will pay a horrible price in blood” if Blanning did not receive his demands for $60,000. The bombs were diffused, however, and Blanning was subsequently found dead in his car on New Year’s Day, having taken his own life.

Blanning’s threats led to the cancellation of several New Year’s Eve events, prompting one resident to say:

“It’s unheard of. We have never cancelled New Year’s Eve. Aspen just doesn’t have bombings.”

Well. Desperate, unstable people live everywhere, Random Resident. Even in rich neighborhoods.

Final violent act stuns neighbors of Jim Blanning [Rocky Mountain News]
Mystery bomber spoils Aspen’s party [The Australian]