La Voz del Valle de Estes 15 de Junio 2026

La Voz del Valle de Estes 15 de Junio 2026

Trustees approve new police technology contract At their June 10 meeting, the Estes Park Board of Trustees approved a new five-year agreement with Axon Enterprise to modernize technology used by the Estes Park Police Department. The contract, valued at approximately $380,000, includes upgraded body cameras, Taser devices, drone software, and digital evidence management systems. Town officials said the investment reflects the growing demands of modern law enforcement, where investigations increasingly rely on video footage, digital communications, and electronic records. Prior to the vote, Eighth Judicial District Attorney Gordon McLaughlin presented his annual report to trustees. McLaughlin discussed several ongoing criminal cases and highlighted the expanding role digital evidence plays in investigations throughout Larimer and Jackson counties. Housing discussions continue with first joint study session Housing remains one of the most pressing challenges facing Estes Park, and local leaders took another step toward addressing the issue this week. The Estes Park Housing Authority and the Board of Trustees held their first joint study session, creating an opportunity for both organizations to discuss current housing conditions, workforce needs, and future priorities. The conversation focused on the ongoing shortage of attainable housing for local workers and residents, a challenge that many business owners say continues to impact employee recruitment and retention. Art Center exhibition showcases color, texture, and imagination The Art Center of Estes Park is welcoming visitors to a new exhibition featuring the work of artist Astrid Paustian. Titled Journey Through Colors and Textures, the exhibit highlights Paustian's abstract style, which combines vibrant color palettes and layered textures to create visually engaging compositions. Paustian's artistic journey evolved over many years while balancing family responsibilities and professional commitments. Today, her work reflects both personal expression and a willingness to experiment with color, form, and movement. Summer visitors arrive amid inflation concerns As temperatures rise and schools let out for the season, Estes Park is once again welcoming an influx of summer visitors. Restaurants, lodging properties, attractions, and retail businesses are beginning one of the busiest periods of the year. However, business owners are also keeping a close eye on economic conditions that continue to affect consumer spending. Inflation and fuel costs remain concerns for travelers across the country, leading some families to make adjustments to vacation budgets. Even so, local businesses remain optimistic that strong visitation numbers will help sustain economic activity throughout the summer months. Visit Estesvalleyvoice.com

La Voz del Valle de Estes 8 de Junio 2026

Another busy week in Estes Valley brought a mix of community celebrations, environmental stewardship, economic updates, and ongoing legal developments. Pride in the Park Celebrates Five Years One of the highlights of the week was the fifth annual Pride in the Park celebration. What began as a small gathering has grown into a meaningful community event that brings together residents, visitors, local organizations, and businesses. Residents Turn Out to Protect Local Forests Environmental conservation was also front and center this week as hundreds of residents participated in the BeetleBlock pheromone packet giveaway. The program, designed to help protect trees from destructive bark beetles, saw all 560 available packets claimed within minutes. The overwhelming response demonstrates how seriously Estes Valley residents take the health of local forests and the long-term protection of the mountain landscape that defines our community. With beetle activity remaining a concern throughout Colorado’s mountain regions, many homeowners are eager to take preventative steps to safeguard their properties and surrounding trees. Gas Prices Offer Some Relief Drivers received a bit of good news this week as gasoline prices declined slightly across Colorado and much of the nation. While Estes Park continues to experience fuel prices that are somewhat higher than larger Front Range communities, the recent decrease provides modest relief as the busy summer tourism season begins. Lower crude oil prices have contributed to the trend, although experts continue to monitor global factors that could influence prices in the months ahead. For local residents, seasonal workers, and visitors alike, any reduction at the pump is a welcome development during a season that often brings increased travel throughout the region. Federal Tax Fraud Case Nears a Verdict Meanwhile, attention remains focused on a federal tax fraud case involving local businessman Predmore and several co-defendants. This week marked a significant stage in the proceedings as jurors began reviewing evidence after hearing testimony and arguments presented during the trial. The case has drawn considerable public interest due to its scope and the potential implications for those involved. Visit Estesvalleyvoice.com

La Voz del Valle de Estes 01 de Junio 2026

A Strong Start to the Summer Season Recent sales tax reports offer encouraging news for Estes Park's business community. Sales tax collections increased nearly 10 percent during the first quarter of 2026 compared to the same period last year. Lodging tax revenues saw even stronger growth, reflecting increased visitation and continued confidence in Estes Park as one of Colorado's premier destinations. Behind these numbers are local restaurants welcoming guests, retail shops serving customers, lodging providers hosting travelers, and business owners investing in the future of our community. For many local businesses, the summer months represent a significant portion of their annual revenue. After several years of economic uncertainty, inflationary pressures, and changing consumer habits, these figures provide a welcome sign of stability as the busy season begins. But economic growth often raises another important question: Who is supporting that growth, and can they afford to remain part of the community they help sustain? Housing Remains the Community's Biggest Challenge A recently released regional housing report once again highlights one of Estes Park's most pressing concerns. Affordable housing continues to be a growing challenge for residents across a wide range of professions and income levels. For years, housing discussions focused primarily on lower-income households. Today, the issue extends much further. Teachers, healthcare workers, hospitality employees, service providers, and many other essential members of the workforce increasingly struggle to find housing within the community they serve. The impact reaches nearly every corner of local life. Businesses face ongoing recruitment challenges. Employers work harder to retain staff. Employees often commute long distances to jobs in Estes Park. Schools, healthcare providers, and community organizations all feel the effects of a limited housing supply. Housing is no longer simply a development issue. It has become an economic issue, a workforce issue, and ultimately a community issue. As community leaders continue discussing potential solutions, many agree on one fundamental principle: a healthy future for Estes Park depends on creating opportunities for the people who work here to also live here. Protecting Access to Community Healthcare Another important conversation this week centers around the future of Salud Family Health Centers. The organization, which provides healthcare services to many families throughout the region, is facing significant financial challenges that have raised concerns among residents and community advocates. For many individuals and families, Salud represents far more than a healthcare provider. It serves as a critical access point for preventive care, routine medical services, and affordable healthcare options that might otherwise be out of reach. When access to healthcare becomes uncertain, the effects extend beyond individual patients. Employers, schools, families, and the broader community all feel the impact. Supporters argue that maintaining accessible healthcare services is essential to the long-term well-being of Estes Park. As discussions continue, many residents are calling for collaboration among local leaders, organizations, and stakeholders to explore ways of preserving these important services. Visit Estesvalleyvoice.com

La Voz del Valle de Estes 25 de mayo

The sound of rolling suitcases on sidewalks, long lines at local coffee shops, visitors stopping to photograph the mountains, and traffic slowly filling downtown streets can only mean one thing in Estes Park: summer season has officially begun. Memorial Day Weekend is not only one of the busiest weekends of the year for the community — it also marks the beginning of months filled with economic activity, events, art, music, and tourism throughout the Estes Valley. With thousands of visitors arriving from across Colorado and beyond, local officials have already begun implementing seasonal traffic and parking measures aimed at keeping the town moving during the busy months ahead. Paid parking has officially returned to downtown Estes Park, while conversations continue around transportation improvements, public transit options, and new technology designed to better manage traffic flow for both residents and visitors. One of the biggest seasonal milestones continues to be the opening of Trail Ridge Road inside Rocky Mountain National Park. Although recent snowfall has delayed portions of the opening process, many visitors are already anticipating the opportunity to drive one of the most iconic alpine roads in the United States. Meanwhile, downtown Estes Park is beginning to reclaim its familiar summer energy. Restaurants are filling up, local shops are preparing for increased foot traffic, and businesses across town are making final adjustments ahead of what many consider the most important economic season of the year. But beyond tourism numbers and packed streets, Memorial Day Weekend also reflects something deeper about Estes Park: the spirit of the community itself. Residents, seasonal workers, business owners, and local organizations once again come together to welcome travelers experiencing the mountains for the first time — and those who return year after year because Estes Park has become part of their story. And while the traffic, long waits, and fast pace of summer can sometimes create challenges, they also represent opportunity for hundreds of local families and small businesses that rely on the season to help sustain them throughout the rest of the year. This summer also arrives with a full calendar of community events, art markets, festivals, concerts, and new initiatives that continue strengthening Estes Park’s cultural and creative identity. Visit Estesvalleyvoice.com

La Voz del Valle de Estes 11 de Mayo 2026

ESTES PARK — From thousands of yellow ducks floating down Fall River to residents gathering in Bond Park to pray for rain, this week reflected the strong sense of community that continues to define Estes Park. The 38th annual Great Estes Park Duck Race once again brought together volunteers, families, visitors, and local nonprofits for one of the valley’s most beloved traditions. More than 11,000 ducks filled the river during the Rotary Club event, helping raise funds for scholarships and community organizations across the region. Education also remained in focus this week as Jennifer Roberts was officially appointed to fill an opening on the Estes Park School Board. Roberts said she hopes to help guide the district during its transition toward a new superintendent while bringing a strong community perspective to the role. Meanwhile, local creativity continues to grow through a collaboration between two Estes Park business owners working to expand hands-on artistic experiences for residents and visitors. The partnership reflects the growing importance of arts and creative spaces within the local economy. The community also gathered this weekend for Rain on the Rockies, an event centered around prayer, music, and reflection during an especially dry spring season. The gathering highlighted ongoing concerns about drought and wildfire risks across Colorado. That message connects closely with continued efforts from fire officials and educators promoting wildfire preparedness through the “Living With Fire” campaign, encouraging residents to prepare homes, evacuation plans, and defensible spaces ahead of summer. Visit Estesvalleyvoice.com