Machinbird
Perhaps some of those with a lot of trips into Aspen would care to comment on the turbulence possibilities.
My experience at Aspen is limited to high DA work with a Twin Otter in a simulator, but mountain flying is a hobby of mine. Anyone with much mountain experience would tell you, that given the terrain around Aspen with the winds that day, the mechanical turbulence would have been at least moderate with downdrafts/updrafts.
Personally, I would not have made that approach with those conditions. As I mentioned in a previous post, Rifle, Eagle, Montrose or Grand Junction would have been viable alternates to consider. Have the pax drive out, or wait until the winds/weather subside, then fly back for the pickup. Love the mountains, but there are limits.