To The Editor: In support of continuing EPURA by VOTING NO, I walked the downtown stores this weekend and got to meet store owners and managers. After meeting with a couple, I realized that this decision had some ideological views as to the expansion of government and taxation concerns. During a discussion with a local owner, he expressed his desire to reduce government and taxes. That gave me the opportuni ...

Dear Editor: I am a 30-year resident (realtor, teacher, small business owner, volunteer) of Estes Park and have been studying the EPURA controversy for months. EPURA has benefitted our mountain town in a very positive way over the past 26 years and needs your NO vote for its retention. Your property taxes have not been and will not be used to fund EPURA. The school, hospital, fire and recreation districts a ...

To The Editor: A recent letter stated that EPURA had a long list of projects for the future. If this new list is anything like the list that was provided to support the EPURA renewal, it is a simple bait and switch list.  Prior to EPURA being reapproved by the town, a study was performed to identify areas of downtown that were deficient and needed work. This resulted in a list of potential projects that wer ...

To The Editor: I want to thank the Estes Park paramedic crew that responded to my emergency situation on the morning of November 28th, getting me quickly to the hospital, where I was air-lifted to Swedish Medical Center in Englewood. I remember seeing Vern, and I think Casey, two recognizable faces in a sea of confusion and distress. Their kind, quick, and accurate assessment of my condition contributed gre ...

To The Editor: I will vote Yes to abolish EPURA because of its detrimental powers given to the town Trustees without the necessity of seeking voter approval. However, some additional historical facts, largely omitted by the opposition, should be presented for your consideration. The Town Trustees and EPURA Commissioners did not initiate the action that resulted in the Knoll-Willows open space. Bud Hampton a ...

To The Editor: For 18 months in 2007 and 2008 the Urban Renewal Commissioners and Town Trustees studied the pros and cons of renewing the funding for EPURA. Public hearings were held. Community input was considered. On May 13, 2008 the Town Board voted to renew this funding mechanism. The Board determined this is a useful tool for continued community development and it is in the best interest of the citizen ...

Dear Editor, ‘Tis the season to be jolly, but there’s nothing jolly about Estes Park gasoline prices! I simply do not understand why prices here are always as much as .50 cents gallon higher than in Lyons or Ft. Collins or even Denver. That is literally highway robbery. Yes, overhead is high here, transport is expensive, and our high season is short (except on sunny winter weekends). But surely station owne ...

To The Editor: At the November meeting of the Association for Responsible Development (ARD), a majority of members present passed a resolution in support of a "YES" vote to abolish EPURA. This position resulted from extensive evaluation of both sides of the issue and discussions with proponents of each. For more information on ARD's position, please feel free to contact ARD President Dave Albee at (970) 586 ...