The Estes Park News » Estes Park News

New Look For 10th Annual Historic Tour

Estes Park News — Wed, 22 May 2013 20:29:54 +0000

To celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Historic Tour presented by the Estes Park Museum Friends & Foundation, Inc., a new concept including two parts for the tour will be featured this year in: “Old Time Touring: Then and Now, Estes Park and Rocky Mountain National Park.” Friends’ President, Pat Washburn, and the entire Friends’ [...]

Parking Enforcement Begins On Memorial Day

Estes Park News — Wed, 22 May 2013 20:08:19 +0000

The Estes Park Police Department will begin patrolling public parking areas for parking compliance beginning May 27. Public parking areas include free parking lots and on-street parking with all-day, three-hour and 30- minute time allowances. Motorists are encouraged to refer to parking lot signage for site-specific information and exceptions. Free maps identifying parking availability and time allowances are available at the Estes Park Visitor Center, 500 Big Thompson Ave. and at Town Hall, 170 MacGregor Ave. Permits are available for extended parking privileges for qualifying residents who live in the downtown area. For more information, please contact the Estes Park Police Department at 970-586-4000.

New Life For 58 Year Old Rotary Pavilion

Estes Park News — Wed, 22 May 2013 19:32:42 +0000

Phase I of the Pavilion Project was completed Friday, May 17, with Rotary volunteer power. The first coat of stain went on smoothly, thanks to several willing workers. It was completed in just under three hours on a beautiful day, according to Rotarian Peter Sinnott. Phase 2, the second coat of stain, was applied on [...]

Death of Local Man Under Investigation

Estes Park News — Tue, 21 May 2013 14:06:04 +0000

On May 20 at approximately 10:54 a.m., the Estes Park Police Department and the Larimer County Sheriff’s Office responded to a report of a body in Lake Estes near the Estes Powerplant. Members of the Estes Valley Fire Protection District Dive Team and a Larimer County Coroner’s Office representative recovered the body of Estes Park [...]

First Estes Park In Bloom Project Takes Place Friday, May 17

Estes Park News — Wed, 15 May 2013 18:29:49 +0000

Aspen trees to be planted at Scott Avenue ponds The first Estes Park in Bloom project is scheduled to take place on May 17. Through a partnership of the Town’s Parks Division, the Estes Park Tree Board, Eagle Rock School and Platte River Power Authority, 70 aspen trees will be planted in the area of the Scott Avenue ponds to aid in natural contaminant filtration. Approximately 25 students from Eagle Rock School will plant the trees in celebration of Arbor Day. Platte River Power Authority, which generates Estes Park’s electricity, will donate $1,500 to fund the trees. The Town’s Parks Division will provide the soil, mulch and elk fencing for the project. For more information on this project, please contact the Parks Division at 970-577- 3783. This is the first year Estes Park is participating in America in Bloom. Locally known as Estes Park in Bloom, the project is a community-wide effort involving businesses, residents and Town government. America in Bloom is a non-profit, nationwide program promoting beautification through education and community involvement, while utilizing flowers, plants, trees, and other lifestyle enhancements. America in Bloom is the only organization of its kind offering an award program with on-site, one-on one mentoring and coaching by a team of expert judges. The team will be in Estes Park July 11 and 12 and will provide the local committee with a detailed, written evaluation following its visit. The evaluation is based upon six criteria: floral displays, urban forestry, landscaped areas, heritage preservation, environmental efforts, and the overall impression/cleanliness of the community. Since America in Bloom was founded in 2001, nearly 200 cities in 40 states have participated. For more information or to become involved in the Estes Park in Bloom project, contact Keri Kelly at 970-577- 3782 or email kkelly@estes.org. To receive Town news and/or meeting agendas in your email inbox, please email townadmin@estes.org.

Library Is Looking For Summer Reading Program Junior Volunteers

Estes Park News — Thu, 09 May 2013 15:54:01 +0000

The Estes Valley Library’s youth department is looking for trustworthy junior volunteers to help distribute prizes for their summer reading program. Students ages 11-18 will be responsible for the record keeping of what prizes are given to each participant and the care and safe keeping of prizes on a cart. Enthusiasm, encouragement to readers, smiles [...]

Town Of Estes Park Now Accepts Credit Cards And Offers Online Bill Payments

Estes Park News — Wed, 08 May 2013 20:52:41 +0000

The Town of Estes Park now accepts credit and debit cards, giving customers the convenient option to pay for certain Town fees and charges online and at Town Hall, 170 MacGregor Ave. Services currently payable by credit card include electric and water utility bills, Division of Building Safety permit fees (building, sign, roofing, etc.) and [...]

Update On Town Projects

Estes Park News — Wed, 24 Apr 2013 19:46:40 +0000

With spring popping up just around the corner, the Town has a number of projects on our plate that you'll be seeing in one stage or another over the next few months. I wanted to give you a short update on a number of these projects that we're working on. The latest stage of the Bond Park improvements is right on schedule. Of all our current projects, I've probably heard the most about this one. Yes, we know it's a mess, but I think you'll be pleasantly surprised when it's finished. We plan to have it completed by Memorial Day. Staff is working on our grant application for the Federal Lands Access Program Grant or FLAP. This is the proposed project for a two way couplet system, reducing the traffic along Elkhorn downtown by half and easing much of the downtown congestions. The grant application is due May 15th. After that, we probably won't hear if we received the grant until sometime this fall. If we are successful, it will be 18-24 months in design and to meet all the federal environmental requirements for the project before any work begins on the ground. Improvements to Moraine avenue will be beginning in the next few weeks. This project is aimed at improving the safety of pedestrians walking along Moraine from Elkhorn south toward Riverside Drive. These improvements should be completed by the end of May. Work has already begun on the Multipurpose Events Center and the new Stall Barn. The addition of new a sewer line and site grading has been completed (on time and under budget) and final design of the steel structure is underway. Construction will begin this summer with completion expected fall of 2014. This facility will be a great addition to our community and allow us to have events, trade shows and conference that we haven't been able to host in the past. If you've ever been to the First National Exhibition Hall at The Ranch in Loveland, this facility will be similar to that facility, only a little smaller. Even before construction is starts, we will be marketing the facility. Combined with the nearby Estes Park Conference Center, these two facilities make a great package for groups wanting to have their event in Estes Park. The Town was recently awarded a grant of $337,000 for the continuation of the Fall River pedestrian and bike trail. Much of this grant will be used for planning and design and for the environmental compliance that will be required, since much of the trail is right along Fall River. Although you won't see much happening on the ground yet, this grant is a great leap forward that will allow us to use future Larimer County Open Space dollars and possibly lottery funds to complete this trail. Design will be starting soon for the parking structure to be built next to the visitors center. Watch for upcoming opportunities to give input on the design and aesthetics of the structure. This is a major project for the Town that is funded from a number of sources. We've been very successful bringing in grants to help build this sorely needed piece of infrastructure, including a $329,000 grant through the Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality (CMAQ) Improvement Program from the Colorado Department of Transportation, a $400,000 grant through the FASTER program from the Colorado Department of Transportation, and a $3 million from the Paul S. Sarbanes Transit in Parks Program of the U.S. Department of Transportation. The Town will match 20 percent of the total project cost, currently estimated at approximately $4.6 million. Lastly, we are meeting on a regular basis with other groups in the community in preparation for the Pro-Cycling Bike Race that will be coming through town on August 24th. This will probably be the largest spectator event we have ever had in Town. It takes hours of planning and coordination to pull off a huge event like this without a hitch. The Pro-Cycling Challenge is second only to the Tour de France in the number of spectators at a cycling event. This is a great opportunity to showcase our community to worldwide audience. You'll be hearing a lot more about the planning for this in the weeks and months to come. As always, if you have and ideas, comments, suggestions or questions about these or any town activities, please give us a call. We work for you and we appreciate your input.

Home Fire Sprinklers Designed to Save Lives, Local Demonstration to Show How

Estes Park News — Mon, 15 Apr 2013 16:16:13 +0000

More than 80 percent of all fire deaths occur in the home. Sprinklers and smoke alarms together cut your risk of dying in a home fire by 82% relative to having neither. Home fire sprinkler systems keep a fire small and reduce the amount of heat and smoke, giving people time to escape and in [...]

Mike Kearney – Newest Estes Valley Fire Protection District Board Member

Estes Park News — Wed, 10 Apr 2013 21:27:27 +0000

By: Fire Chief Scott Dorman Kearney was appointed at the regular Fire Board meeting on March 24th and took the Oath of Office on Wednesday April 3rd. The Oath was given by newly elected Board President Frank Theis. The ceremony was held at the Dannels Fire Station and included Fire Chief Scott Dorman, Administrative Assistant [...]