ASPEN, Colo. -

Real estate sales in Pitkin County are down sharply this year and Aspen-area agents are blaming changes to federal capital-gains tax laws.
    
County officials say sales were down $15 million in January, or 15 percent, from January 2012.
    
The sales slump continued in February, with dollar volume down another $9 million, or 20 percent.
    
According to the Aspen Times (http://tinyurl.com/bqodwp4 ), the 10 percent increase in the capital-gains tax this year is being blamed for taking a toll on sales.