Estes Park public schools are back in session and that means more pedestrians along Estes Park roadways. Police Chief Wes Kufeld reminds drivers to obey speed limits and to pay special attention to pedestrians at crosswalks. Chief Kufeld commented, “We all need to share the road and take responsibility for the safety of pedestrians and bicyclists in our community.” He continued, “While our police officers are actively enforcing these reduced speed limits, we rely on drivers to be fully aware of their surroundings.”

School zones are clearly marked with signs indicating speed limits. While some signs advise drivers of a reduced speed limit when children are present, other signs flash a yellow light to advise drivers of reduced speed limits. Exact times vary, but signs generally flash on school days between 7:15 a.m. and 8:15 a.m. and from 2:50 p.m. until 3:40 p.m. During these times, the speed limit in the school zone along Highway 7 is reduced to 25 miles per hour while side street speed limits are reduced to 20 miles per hour. Fines for speeding in a school zone are doubled.

Even when school is out of session, drivers must watch for pedestrians at crosswalks, which are marked with lines on the roadway and bright yellow signage. Vehicles are required by law to stop for pedestrians at marked crosswalks; fines are doubled for disregarding a school zone crosswalk. Chief Kufeld commented, “People tend to forget about the numerous crosswalks on Highway 7.” Along Highway 7, crosswalks are positioned just south of U.S. 36 and at the intersections of First Street, Manford Avenue, Graves Avenue, Morgan Street, Lexington Lane and Pine Knoll Drive.

For more information, please contact the Town of Estes Park Public Information Office at 970-577-3701. To receive Town news in your e-mail inbox, please e-mail townadmin@estes.org.

Courtesy Town of Estes Park

The Town of Estes Park recently received two grants to improve traffic congestion in Estes Park. The grants, totaling $956,000, were awarded from the Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality (CMAQ) Improvement Program to build a transit hub in the southwest quadrant of the Fairgrounds at Stanley Park. This area currently consists of a dirt and gravel parking area stretching from the Estes Park Senior Center on Fourth Street to the grandstand facility off of Manford Avenue.

The Town will match the grants with an additional $250,000. The new transit hub will consist of 408 parking spaces including spaces for large trailers and recreational vehicles. Bus stops will allow motorists to park and ride the Town’s free summer shuttle system throughout Estes Park. Construction is scheduled to begin in early 2011 and will be complete by the summer season.

Public Works Director Scott Zurn accepted the grants on behalf of the Town, noting, “Construction of the transit hub at Stanley Park is a major step in executing the recommendations of our transit studies to reduce traffic congestion and help people move easily around town.” Zurn also noted that getting drivers to park their vehicles and ride a shuttle to their chosen destination will reduce vehicle pollution. He continued, “We’re committed to improving Colorado’s air quality – and that’s an important benefit of this important project.”

The two CMAQ grants, for $250,000 and $706,000, were awarded to the Town of Estes Park by the Upper Front Range Regional Planning Commission, which oversees long-range transportation planning for its region, mostly the rural areas of Larimer, Morgan and Weld counties.

The CMAQ program, jointly administered by the Federal Highway and Federal Transit Administrations, provides grant funding to State Departments of Transportation and transit agencies to invest in projects that reduce criteria air pollutants regulated from transportation-related sources.

The concept for a transportation hub at the Fairgrounds at Stanley Park was initiated after the Town commissioned two comprehensive transportation and parking studies in 2003 and 2005. The studies recommend a transit system to shuttle visitors from the Fairgrounds to downtown in order to assist with consistently high seasonal traffic. To receive Town news in your e-mail inbox, please e-mail townadmin@estes.org.

Mayor Pinkham, Andrew Stanger, Estes Park Museum Manager Derek Fortini and Sharon Seeley hang the last of the history panels.

On August 19, Estes Park Mayor Bill Pinkham and Town Trustees joined Park Theatre Mall co-owner Sharon Seeley, her husband Bob Seeley and brother Andrew Stanger to hang 11 interpretive panels along the Riverwalk connection through the Park Theatre Mall site. The display, which was produced by staff at the Estes Park Museum, highlights the rich history of the Park Theatre Mall site. Dozens of historic photographs and accompanying information depict a century of growth and development until the Park Theatre Mall was destroyed by fire in October of 2009.

“We hope everyone will take time to visit and learn more about the Park Theatre Mall site,” noted Mayor Bill Pinkham. “The magnitude of its history is sure to inspire visitors to explore more of Estes Park’s unique heritage,” noted Mayor Bill Pinkham. The display will hang along the Riverwalk connection through the Park Theatre Mall site until the owners remove the structure for any redevelopment they may pursue.

Estes Park Historian Laureate Jim Pickering assisted Museum staff by providing historic information. “This display gives us a vivid sense of the growth of the Town of Estes Park from its early beginnings and of the important role played by the building that came to be known as the Park Theatre Mall, originally the home of F. O. Stanley’s Estes Park Transportation Company,” Pickering commented. “It cannot, of course, compensate for the loss of this historic structure last October, but it reminds us of the need to preserve and celebrate our heritage as one of Colorado’s most historic communities.”

For more information on the Estes Park Museum, please visit www.estes.org/museum or call 970-586-6256. To receive Town news in your e-mail inbox, please e-mail ” townadmin@estes.org.

According to the Estes Park History Rescue Project, and contrary to widespread opinion, this well-loved photograph was taken nowhere near 1922. Courtesy photo

By: John Meissner

In 1992, as Estes Park prepared for its 75th birthday, a large number of commemorative plaques and monuments were placed in downtown open spaces and on historic buildings. While most of the information incorporated on the markers was accurate, some of the dates and locations were grossly inaccurate. With the advent of easily searchable electronic databases, it is clear that, in some cases, where information was ambiguous (sometime in the 1930s, around this neighborhood, etc.) it can now be made precise, and where information was precise, it was often wrong. Indeed, some of the dates assigned to “classic” and frequently reproduced Estes Park images are off by as much as a decade.

Join the Estes Park History Rescue Project this Saturday, August 28, in the George Hix Room of the US Bank building at 363 East Elkhorn Avenue, for a 45-minute look at the current state of our past. “What’s Wrong with this Picture?” will examine information assigned to 10 crucial photographs or buildings that Estes Park has yet to get right, and absolutely must correct and reach community consensus on before Estes approaches its 2017 centennial. The first presentation scheduled for 1:30 p.m. is a workshop for project members and invited guests only, but the 2:30 p.m. presentation is free and open to the public. Free catered appetizers and refreshments will be provided at both programs.

EP News Photo

On Monday, August 23, 2010, Chloe Burke and her mom Claudine Perrault were greeted by Principal John Bryant and teacher Sandee Life on the first day of school in Estes Park, Colorado.

The historic lodges of Estes Park, past and present, are being celebrated this month in a special display in the lobby case at the Estes Valley Library. The exhibit was assembled from the personal collection of Suzanne Silverthorn, author of “Rocky Mountain Tour”.

The historic lodges of Estes Park, past and present, are being celebrated this month in a special display in the lobby case at the Estes Valley Library. The exhibit was assembled from the personal collection of Suzanne Silverthorn, author of “Rocky Mountain Tour”.For more than one hundred years, Estes Park’s hoteliers have formed long-lasting friendships with their guests. Today, many of the children and grandchildren of those earlier visitors make the pilgrimage to experience that same friendly hospitality and scenic beauty, as well as to reflect upon their fond memories of the lodges. Make plans to visit the Library’s lobby case to see a collection of photographs, menus, dinnerware, and other memorabilia from Longs Peak Inn, the Stanley Hotel, the Elkhorn Lodge, the Baldpate Inn, and the Bear Lake Lodge, among others. Artifacts from the lodges have been paired with books that detail the history of the properties and their contributions in the development of modern-day tourism in Estes Park and Rocky Mountain National Park.This exhibit will be on display only through Saturday, August 28, so residents, visitors and history buffs are encouraged to make a stop at the Library this week to see this special collection.

EP News Gary Hazelton

The Stanley Hotel is proud to introduce their new General Manager, Mr. Nick Bozych.

Nick has joined the Grand Heritage Hotel Group and is excited to be a part of the Stanley Family. A 21 year industry veteran, Bozych brings extensive operational, sales and administrative experience to this landmark property. He comes to the historic Stanley Hotel after an extensive background in Full Service Hotel management ranging from Marriott to Independent luxury properties.

From the hotel, “We are pleased to have Nick, a seasoned veteran become the GM of one the most iconic hotels in the West. His passion for the customers and his associates will allow us to continue to be able to offer wonderful lodging and food service to the visitors of Estes Park and Rocky Mountain National Park.”

Nick stated that he looks forward to his career here at the Stanley Hotel. “This property has so much history, I’m excited to be a part of it.” Nick is also looking forward to becoming a part of the community as well and has plans to meet with the Mayor and Town Trustees as well as attending service club meetings to let them know that the Stanley Hotel will continue to be an integral part of our community.

Mr. Bozych has a wife and three daughters with a new baby boy on the way. He and his family are excited to now call Estes Park home.

Courtesy Photo

Miss Chelsi Rose, age 16 daughter of Eric and Lori Rose of Estes Park has been selected to represent Colorado at the 2010 Miss American Junior Teen Pageant.

As the Colorado Junior Teen, Chelsi will be attending the National Pageant for her age group in Florida and Disney World during the week of Thanksgiving 2010. She will compete for the National Pageant title of Miss American Junior Teen and thousands of dollars in cash awards, prizes and scholarships.

Chelsi is seeking support to earn her trip to the National Pageant in Florida from sponsorships through advertising in the National program book, direct sponsorships for photogenic, casual wear, speech and talent or cash donations in any amount for trip expenses. All donations are tax deductible as this is a scholarship program. Please contact Lori Rose at 970-586-9110 for more information. During the state competition, Chelsi won the overall queen’s title, the photogenic competition and the speech competition, she also placed top five in talent and casual wear competitions.

Chelsi is a junior at Estes Park High School and is the fitness leader on the leadership team for the Estes Park Varsity Cheerleaders, a member of the Ladycat golf team, Rotary Interact Club and Major 13 jazz vocal group while also maintaining honor roll status. She has also been active in many community service activities throughout Estes Park with Rotary, Interact, Builder’s Club, Compassion International and her own charity, Chelsi’s Choice.

Nationwide, State Winners and State Pageant Finalists will compete in the twenty-seventh annual national scholarship competition organized by American Coed Pageants, Inc. National Talent, Speech, Academic Achievement, Community Service, Photogenic, Personality, Most Promising Model, Best Actress and National Cover Girl and Hostess Contests will be held in addition to the National Pageant Winner’s Contest. Since 1983, millions of dollars in cash awards and prizes have been presented to outstanding girls at state and national competitions.

American Coed Pageants, Inc., annually holds state pageants for the purpose of recognizing and rewarding outstanding young women between the ages of three and twenty-two for their past and present accomplishments and to encourage them to set and achieve high goals for the future. In states where pageants are not held, selection of state representatives is made through written applications and photos.