The Estes Edit by Patti Brown

I am thankful for so many things, but I want to reflect on several things about life in Estes Park. It is said that a picture is worth 1,000 words and Dick Mulhern’s cartoon today captures a sentiment that so many of us who call the Estes Valley home can relate to.

We are blessed to live in a gorgeous, picture-postcard mountain town that millions of people want to travel to every year just to experience a few days of our day-to-day backdrop. We may complain about the lines at Safeway during the high tourist season but how many grocery store parking lots have views of the Front Range?

Sometimes we have to pause and put it all in perspective.

I am grateful for the people of the Estes Valley who have encouraged and supported the founding of the Estes Valley Voice.

In early “what if” discussions over chips and margaritas in March at Ed’s Cantina while watching Caitlin Clark play basketball, photojournalist Dawn Wilson helped to pick the name for a new, hyperlocal, independent, journalist-led news publication. We kicked around a list of options, but “voice” captured a vision for the publication as a vehicle to record the community’s stories.

We also talked about the format – should the EVV be a print or digital publication? For many reasons, it was decided that printing on paper is the past and publishing in pixels online is the future.

More than 80% of people read their news online today. Putting resources into printing on newsprint is not an efficient way to spend resources. By the time the news is written, then laid out for press, then printed, and then distributed it is history not news.

From the get-go, Jana Sanchez got on board as a business consultant, and she brought in graphic designer Christopher Ratliff to provide branding guidance. After more than a dozen iterations, we landed on stylized images of the mountains and the Big Thompson for our logo. Thank you Jana and Chris.

We met with several others for consultation and guidance and before filling with the Secretary of State as a public benefit corporation, I wrote a purpose, mission, and values statement. Journalistic ethics are important in the media, and I wanted to build the Estes Valley Voice on a clear, articulated foundation.

We needed some computer and platform help and Jim Jensen with A through Z computing solved many under-the-hood hiccups and the team from Newspack – Megan and Steve my assigned onboarding people – held my hand as I learned all the whistles and bells of publishing on a state-of-the-art platform. Thank you.

Early on Suzy Blackhurst wanted to get on board. Suzy has a professional background as a copy editor, news reporter, editor, and also a background in advertising and marketing. We clicked as friends and also as colleagues.

Barb Boyer Buck also expressed early interest in the endeavor. She has a strong background as a news reporter, writer, and features editor. She has a passion for the Estes Valley and her writing covers civic affairs, environment, and community stories. After the holidays she will be doing some stories about immigration for the EVV – what are the issues and concerns for people in our area who are here both with and without documentation, what are their rights, what should businesses, landlords, and schools do should the authorities show up with and without a warrant? Barb’s recent story about a spate of car thefts resulted in the generous offer of a car to a group of seven immigrants from Ukraine who depended on one of the vehicles which was stolen.

Both Suzy and Barb bring a passion for storytelling to our publication. Thank you.

Read full story here:

https://estesvalleyvoice.com/2024/11/28/from-grateful-heart-thank-you-to-the-estes-valley-community/

More than 6 inches of snow fell overnight in Estes; residents are asked to be mindful to not park on streets and property owners need to clear their sidewalks within 24 hours

Estes Park received more than 6 inches of snow overnight and the town’s snowplows are at the ready to plow the town’s 225 residential streets which include 59 miles of streets, 12.5 miles of sidewalks, 12 miles of trails, and 15 parking lots.

According to a public service announcement by the Town of Estes Park, a snow removal team—staff from Public Works and other Town departments—are working on nine roadway routes and parking lots which are assigned to nine plow drivers.

In addition there are five routes for sidewalks and trails, and there is a back-up drivers trained to plow when needed.

To get the job done, the Town asks for the public’s understanding and cooperation.

Emergency routes. Access to hospitals and schools are the snow removal team’s first priority. Emergency routes include MacGregor Avenue, Big Horn Drive, Riverside Drive, Peak View Drive, Scott Avenue, and any other streets that must remain accessible for police or fire emergencies. When conditions warrant it necessary, emergency routes are cleared outside of roadway plowing hours.

Roadway plowing hours. While the timing and magnitude of a snow event determines the service hours, roadway plowing typically begins between 3 and 5 a.m. Drivers strive to make a complete pass along each route in five hours, although this takes longer during dangerously slick conditions and when we are short-staffed. Plows generally stop running by 3:30 p.m. This stop time allows drivers to go home and rest before returning to their routes.

Trail plowing hours. Town-maintained trails and sidewalks are typically plowed between 7 a.m. and 3:30 p.m.

State-managed highways. U.S. 34 (includes Elkhorn Avenue), U.S. 36 (includes Moraine Avenue) and CO 7 are plowed by the Colorado Department of Transportation (orange trucks). County roads and US 66 are plowed by the Larimer County Road and Bridge Department (yellow trucks).

Parking is prohibited on Town streets. This excludes spaces designated by signs or painted markings. Most neighborhood streets are too narrow to accommodate parking and two traffic lanes. Therefore, enforcement is elevated when plows begin clearing snow, and vehicles parked along narrow streets outside of marked parking spaces may be towed at the owner’s expense.

Private driveways and sidewalks. Plows must push snow to the roadway edge, which often causes a ridge of snow to be deposited in private driveways or on sidewalks. Because the Town’s snow removal team cannot remain productive when stopping to clear every private driveway and sidewalk, this task must remain the responsibility of property owners.

The Town understands that this can be frustrating. Know that your teamwork in clearing the snow piles from your walks and driveways is greatly appreciated. Residents who are unable to clear their own driveways are encouraged to contact local private contractors who provide this service.

Residential and business sidewalks. Property owners are responsible for clearing sidewalks in front of their homes or businesses within 24 hours after the snowfall stops. This includes new sidewalks recently constructed during the Downtown Estes Loop project.

By law, snow removed from any sidewalk or driveway may not be deposited into the roadway. Doing so can create dangerous conditions for motorists and negates the clearing work done by plow drivers.

Read full story here:

https://estesvalleyvoice.com/2024/11/27/publics-understanding-cooperation-needed-for-town-snow-removal/

Story by Patti Brown

Lights, cameras, action — some new holiday magic happened in Bond Park Saturday night

Hundreds of people gathered in Bond Park Saturday night for the lighting of the holiday tree — a spectacular 36-foot-tall digital tree that displays a computerized light show synchronized to holiday music.

Anticipation built as the crowd shouted out the count down a few minutes after 5:30 p.m. before the tree burst into a dazzling light show as ohhs and ahhs echoed in the brisk night air.

The Town’s holiday decorations were arranged and paid for by Visit Estes Park.

The tree will be lit for four hours every evening from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m.

Story by Barb Boyer Buck and Patti Brown

UPDATED 6 p.m.

Radio communications among Larimer County rescue agencies indicated a Civil Air Patrol plane crashed near the top of Palisade Mountain east of Estes Park, killing two and injuring one late this morning.

According to a message posted by Gov. Jerod Polis just after 5 p.m. on X the names of the deceased are Susan Wolber, a Civil Air Patrol pilot and aerial photographer Jay Rhoten. The survivor is co-pilot Randall Settergren. The single-engine Cessna Skylane 182 was on a search and rescue training mission in Larimer County.

According to information from FlightAware flight #CAP534 took off from Northern Colorado Regional Airport in Loveland at 10:09 a.m.

The crash site appears to be quite remote, with a “helicopter plus litter” ordered when the first rescue crew arrived at the scene via the Palisade Mountain Trail, at approximately 12:30 p.m. Headquarters for the rescue mission were set up at the Loveland Fire Rescue Station 9, located at 100 Palisade Mountain Dr., Drake.

A 54-year old male with head lacerations and possible broken ribs “remembers most of it (the crash),” reported the first personnel on the crash site. Two others were killed in the crash.

At approximately 1:30 p.m., rescue personnel reported that a black SUV with a black trailer “passed two (rescue) vehicles up here and scraped the sides of both of them.” The Larimer County’s sheriff’s department was advised that the trailer license plate number is 300 WIF. One of the vehicles that was sideswiped was reported to be from Estes Park.

Rescue personnel on scene reported that they were about “200 yards below the main peak of Palisade (Mountain). We’re on a boulder field, probably the worst place (for any type of landing). We’re going to need a litter and a lot of personnel and will probably need to go pretty much straight over the top to that access road. If that ‘guardship’ is enroute, I pretty much know their hover capability … we have tree tops to work with.”

At the time of this reporting, the flight crew were still on the ground at Buckley Air Force base and plans were proceeding with a hike out with the only surviving victim: “please be aware: we only have one rescue now.”

Update: Alexandra Adams, communications specialist with the Larimer County Sheriff’s Office, held a press conference at the Drake Fire Station at 3:10 p.m. She confirmed the Estes Valley Voice’s earlier reporting that a small plane had gone down before noon, and that there were two fatalities and one injury. Rescuers were still attempting to get to and transport the injured individual.

According to Adams, LCSO will work with the Federal Aviation Administration and National Transportation Safety Board on the investigation of the crash.

Adams said no further information would be made available this evening.

Update: The article was updated with information from a post on X by Gov. Jered Polis at 6 p.m.

Story by Barb Boyer Buck

Seven Ukrainian refugees are now without transportation since Iryna Irkliienko‘s 2003 Cadillac Escalade was stolen from the parking lot at the Park Ridge Apartments in the early morning of November 17.

An Estes Park Police Department press release issued today reported this incident was part of a bigger spree: 10 separate vehicles that were unlocked were unlawfully entered and burgled and another vehicle, a blue pick-up truck, was stolen.

“These crimes occurred in different locations in Estes Park,” stated the release.

Irkliienko’s car was being used by her father who came to Estes Park as a refugee from Ukraine in 2022.

She has lived in town for 17 years and sponsors a total of seven Ukrainian refugees who live in Estes Park, all dependent on her Escalade for rides throughout town and into the valley. Her father is the only driver among them.

“It’s hard to get around Estes Park without wheels,” she said.

A neighboring building’s security camera captured video of the Escalade along with several other vehicles leaving the parking lot at 1250 Acadia Dr. 4:30 a.m. Sunday morning.

While inspecting the scene, Air Pods that were burgled from a car in another part of town were discovered by police, Irkliienko said.

“No one heard the alarm on the Escalade,” Irkliienko said, who added that it worked because it went off about a month ago when she got into the car when the doors were locked. She also said that her father always locked the door of the vehicle, but that the driver’s side door malfunctioned sometimes and may have left the Escalade vulnerable.

“My dad called me in the morning to ask if I had picked up the car,” Irkliienko said, which is when she first realized there was a problem. There were no valuables in the car when it was stolen.

The other vehicles affected by the spree were entered easily, and “personal items including wallets, credit cards, and tools were stolen from the vehicles,” reported the EPPD.

No arrests have been made in connection with these incidents. Anyone who has information that can help this active investigation is encouraged to contact Detective Kirk Jellesma at 970-577-3884 or Kjellesma@estes.org.

How businesses, nonprofits and volunteers connect to benefit Estes Park youth

Story by Dawn Wilson

Over the years, some locals referred to Estes Park as Estes Village.

In the early days of the town’s history, the village would refer to the town center, a few blocks of stores and services that would support the regional residents making a living as guides, ranchers and proprietors of shops and lodges.

Because of the remoteness of the valley, with limited access points up rough routes that could barely be described as roads, the locals supported each other in time of need and as community members throughout the year.

That tradition of community support continues today in Estes Park.

National Philanthropy Day is celebrated on Nov. 21 in Estes Park. Each year, the Estes Nonprofit Network hosts the event to celebrate the generosity of local businesses, individuals and non-profits who make selfless commitments throughout the year for the benefit of local community members. During the event, awards are given for Youth, Business, Enduring Service, Katie Speer Individual Philanthropist of the Year, and the Shavlik Nonprofit of the Year.

The recognition given to awardees stems from the generous donations of time, money, and initiative for their efforts to create strong spokes of the community wheel.

One such example of the efforts being provided in Estes Park highlights the work the Estes Park Mountain Shop, Kent Mountain Adventure Center, and the Estes Park Education Foundation do to support the students of the community.

“It is really a benefit of the wide variety of the community, which is our community as well regarding our patrons,” said Zack Zehr, owner of the Estes Park Mountain Shop and a board member for EPEF. “Lately with all of our small special event promotions, it is really easy to put it back into the Education Foundation because that goes to youth and the outdoors, and it is a very local piece.”

Some of the events held in Estes Park that benefit Estes Park youth include Pumpkins and Pilsners each October and the recent airing of The Devil’s Climb at the Historic Park Theatre. The movie showing sold out on both nights, with all proceeds, including ticket sales, food and beverage sales and a donation jar, being donated to the Education Foundation.

Upcoming events to benefit EPEF include a wax night to smooth out the skis on Dec. 6 at the Mountain Shop, an airing of the ski film Calm Beneath Castles coming up on Dec. 7 at the Historic Park Theatre and the highly anticipated Estes Park Ski Jor event Jan. 25 and 26.

Read full story here:

https://estesvalleyvoice.com/2024/11/20/it-takes-a-village-to-support-a-community/

Story by Patti Brown

About 20 Stanley Circle neighbors met Thursday evening with representatives from the Estes Park Housing Authority and the Town of Estes Park for a presentation and discussion about plans to develop a parcel of land at 179 Stanley Circle Dr. for workforce housing for employees of the Town.

The .76-acre triangle shaped lot, which has been owned by the Town since 1999, could be developed to accommodate between 12 to 16 units of housing. The lot sits across the street from the back of the Holiday Inn and is adjacent to a strip of land that has high powered overhead utility lines and to a small condominium complex.

For the development plans to move forward, the property would need to be rezoned to multifamily, and a portion of right-of-way would need to be vacated.

The Town has asked the EPHA to serve as the developer for the property. Although the Town and the EPHA work together on many housing needs, they are two distinct entities.

Read full story here:

https://estesvalleyvoice.com/2024/11/18/neighborhood-meeting-held-on-proposed-stanley-circle-development/

Story by Patti Brown

In May, the show America’s Best Restaurants came to Estes Park to film a segment on the beloved 50s diner.

Host Luis Rivera watched the chef, Ivan Rodriguez, who is also the restaurant’s general manager, prepare a classic Reuben–the most ordered sandwich at the shop–and then he bit in to savor the hot-off-the-grill corned beef and cheesy masterpiece.

Owner Val Thompson then sat down with Rivera as he sampled several of the restaurants comfort food specialties including homemade chicken tenders that are soaked in buttermilk and then hand-coated with a breading made in-house before being slipped into the fryer. Rivera praised the dish for its light but crunchy breading and commented that the chicken was “super juicy.”

He also sampled the restaurant’s tater tots, creamy mac and cheese before digging into some of Thompson’s famous pies. He started with Chocolate Peanut Butter pie, a confection made from scratch with a chocolate French silk filling and then a peanut butter silk filling topped by whipped cream and a sprinkling of chocolate chips.

Read full story here:

https://estesvalleyvoice.com/2024/11/16/americas-best-restaurants-features-estes-you-need-pie/