Welcome!
I am pleased to present the 2018-2019 Town of Estes Park Community Spotlight. Accountability and transparency continue to be core values of your Town Board. Last year, we debuted this newsletter to give you a quick and clear look at the work your Town government accomplishes. This edition shares the successes and challenges of 2018 and looks ahead to the remainder of 2019.
We work hard to make sure that you receive the information you need to stay informed and involved, which is absolutely critical to making our representative government work and realizing a shared vision for the community. Thank you for your continued efforts to make Estes Park the best place to live. Our Town has a lot to be proud of this year—enjoy reading!
- Mayor Todd Jirsa
ESTES AT A GLANCE
2019 GENERAL FUND BUDGET
HOW MONEY IS SPENT
Public Safety: $5.1M
Community Services & Museum: $3.0M
General Government: $1.9M
Community Development: $1.8M
Facilities & Engineering: $1.5M
Community Grants & Support: $1.2M
Parks: 1.2M
Streets: $1.2M
Governmental Support: $1.0M
Parking & Transit: $670K
WHERE MONEY
COMES FROM
Sales & Use Tax: $12.6M
Utility Fund Transfers: $1.9M
Licenses & Fees: $1.8M
Community Service & Museum: $840K
Shared Revenues from other Governments: $703K
Property & Specific Ownership Tax: $408K
ADMINISTRATION
Citizen Survey Results
We completed the biennial Citizen Survey in 2018 with the goal of receiving your input on Town goals and priorities. Responses varied, but protecting the natural environment and the growing tourist economy’s impact on affordability and mobility remain top concerns. We identified several areas where we can improve. Learn more
ESTES PARK MUSEUM
2018 MUSEUM FACTS
3,628*
GALLERY
ATTENDEES
1,456
VOLUNTEER
HOURS
22,000
ARTIFACTS MOVED TO
THE MUSEUM
3,912
PROGRAM
ATTENDEES
*Gallery was closed for 5 months in 2018.
POLICE
STAFF & VOLUNTEER
BREAKDOWN
MORE THAN 30 EMPLOYEES INCLUDING:
2018 HIGHLIGHTS
A new partnership with SummitStone Health Partners was developed to provide a mental health co-responder to assist officers.
Auxiliary police collected 3 tons of food and gifts for local residents as part of the Blue Santa Program.
ESTES PARK SAFE TRADE ZONE
Located at the Estes Park Police Department at Town Hall, this area is intended to be a safe meeting location for anyone who is meeting someone to buy or sell items online. These areas are under video surveillance and there is no charge to use this space.
ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES
MUNICIPAL COURT CHANGES IN 2018
A full-time court clerk was hired.
Judge David J. Thrower and Assistant Judge Teresa Ablao were hired.
Proceedings are conducted by newly hired Prosecuting Attorney Avi Rocklin.
Evening court was changed to morning court, held on the first Wednesday of the month.
UTILITIES
LIGHT & POWER
Our energy supplier Platte River Power Authority's policy goal is to attain 100% renewable energy for all communities, including Estes Park, by 2030.
DID YOU KNOW?
The Town does not add fluoride to the water. There is less than 0.1 mg per liter that is naturally occurring.
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
2018 HIGHLIGHTS
Approximately $37.6 million in construction valuation was added in Estes Park in 2018. That is almost $145,000 in new construction each workday!
The Estes Valley Comprehensive Plan establishes land use, community design, growth management, mobility, housing and environmental quality. After 23 years, it’s time for an update.
Learn more
PUBLIC WORKS
STREET IMPROVEMENTS HIGHLIGHTS
10 Roadway locations in poor condition were patched.
1,890 Linear feet of asphalt curbs and gutters were replaced with concrete.
2 ADA ramps were constructed.
4.5 Centerline miles of roadway were chip sealed.
MORAINE BRIDGE REPLACEMENT PROJECT
In 2018 the Moraine Bridge over Fall River was replaced to provide additional capacity for any future floods. The project also included a safer crossing off Moraine Avenue, new public gathering spaces and space for a future pedestrian and bike underpass.
COMMUNITY SERVICES
Free Shuttles:
FINANCE
ELECTRONIC BILLING
We are in the process of implementing electronic billing along with an online utility payment portal, which is expected to go live in 2019.
DID YOU KNOW?
Light & Power customers can choose to switch to 100% carbon-free renewable energy. Learn more
AWARDS
2018 TOWN AWARDS
The Estes Park Communication Center became the 257th emergency dispatch center in the world to attain International Academies of Emergency Dispatch® (IAED™) status as an Accredited Center of Excellence for its use of the Medical Priority Dispatch System™. This distinction places it among the highest-performing emergency dispatch agencies in the world.
Colorado APA’s 2018 Merit Award for the Downtown Plan
Mountain States Rodeo Circuit Best Footing Award
Women's Pro Rodeo Association Justin Boots Best Footing Award
Rooftop Rodeo nominated as a top five medium rodeo in the PRCA (out of 160 rodeos)
APWA award for Fish Creek infrastructure repair project completed in 2018
Gold-level certification awarded for reliable public power from American Public Power Association
TOWN BOARD OF TRUSTEES
