HomeMy WebLinkAboutPACKET Estes Valley Planning Commission 2015-04-21Prepared: April 3, 2015
* Revised:
STUDY SESSION AG ENDA
ESTES VALLEY PLANNING COMMISSION
Tuesday, April 21, 2015
12:30 p.m.
Estes Park Town Hall, Room 202
12:30 Lunch Chair Hull
12:40
Review of Minutes (5 minutes)
Chair Hull
12:45 EVDC Amendment – Pet Grooming & Retail Animal
Sales Discussion (10 minutes)
Planner Kleisler
12:55 Estes Valley Comprehensive Plan Modernization
Economic & Transportation Profiles
(20 minutes)
Senior Planner Shirk
Planner Kleisler
1:15 Adjourn to meeting Chair Hull
Informal discussion among Commissioners concerning agenda items or other Town matters may
occur before this meeting at approximately 12:15 p.m. The public is welcome to attend study
sessions; however, public comment will not be accepted.
Prepared: April 3, 2015
* Revised:
AGENDA
ESTES VALLEY PLANNING COMMISSION
April 21, 2015
1:30 p.m. Board Room, Town Hall
1. OPEN MEETING
Planning Commissioner Introductions
2. PUBLIC COMMENT
The EVPC will accept public comments regarding items not on the agenda. Comments should not
exceed three minutes.
3. CONSENT AGENDA
A. Approval of minutes, March 17, 2015 Planning Commission Meeting
4. RIVERVIEW PINES DEVELOPMENT PLAN & PRELIMINARY TOWNHOMES SUBDIVISION PLAT
Application officially withdrawn by applicant.
5. ESTES VALLEY DEVELOPMENT CODE AMENDMENT. Planner Kleisler
The proposed amendments add provisions to allow small-scale pet grooming in the CD–Commercial
Downtown zone district as an accessory use to pet-related retail establishments.
6. ESTES VALLEY COMPREHENSIVE PLAN MODERNIZATION. Senior Planner Shirk & Planner
Kleisler
A. Economic Section
B. Transportation Section
7. REPORTS
A. Planning Commission Reviews
B. Town Board Reviews
1. Aspire Wellness Complex at the Stanley, Amended SR2014-01B - Approved March 24, 2015
2. Rusch Easement Vacation, Approved April 14, 2015
C. County Commission Reviews
1. AT&T Monopole, Special Review - Approved March 16, 2015
D. Board of Adjustment Reviews
1. Backbone Adventure Rentals Variance - Approved April 7, 2015
2. Earthwood Collections Variance - Approved April 7, 2015
E. Flood Recovery/Mitigation
1. Status of Grant Applications
a. Awarded - CDBG-DR Round 2 Planning Grant Application: Fall River, Big Thompson
and Black Canyon Hydrology (no Hydraulics) Study - $105,800
b. Awarded - CDBG-DR Round 2 Planning Grant Application: Downtown Estes Park
Neighborhood Plan - $190,000
c. Not Awarded - CDBG-DR Round 2 Planning Grant Application: Estes Valley Channel
Migration Hazard Mapping and Risk Mitigation Planning Project Grant
2. Downtown Floodplain Status Meeting scheduled for Tuesday, April 28th.
a. 8:30 – 10:30 a.m., Town Board Room, Open to the public
b. Joint meeting with Downtown Business Partners & Insurance Associates
CONTINUED ON OTHER SIDE
The Estes Valley Planning Commission reserves the right to consider other appropriate items not available at the time the agenda
was prepared.
F. Planning Commissioner Term Expirations
1. Commissioner Hull’s term expires June 30, 2015
2. Commissioner Sykes’ term expires June 30, 2015
8. ADJOURN
The Estes Valley Planning Commission reserves the right to consider other appropriate items not available at the time the agenda
was prepared.
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT Memo
To: Estes Valley Planning Commission
From: Philip Kleisler, Planner II
Date: April 21, 2015
RE: Estes Valley Development Code Amendment: Small-scale Animal
Grooming in the Commercial Downtown zone district
Objective:
Consideration of an amendment to the Estes Valley Development Code (EVDC) to
permit small-scale Animal Grooming in the Commercial Downtown District (CD).
Present Situation:
Animal Grooming includes the bathing and trimming services for small domestic animals
and short-term boarding (no more than 48 hours). Animal Grooming is only permitted in
the CO Commercial Outlying zone district. Because this grooming use is specifically
prohibited in the CD Commercial Downtown district it is not permitted as an accessory
use.
An owner of a downtown pet boutique store has approached Town staff with a request
to amend the EVDC to permit Animal Grooming as an accessory use in the CD district.
As outlined in the attached letter, this owner receives consistent requests for grooming
services throughout the summer, primarily after muddy day hikes.
The Planning Commission provided initial feedback about this proposal during the
March 17, 2015 hearing regarding numerous land use matters that are outlined below.
Town staff has taken the following actions throughout the past month:
Public Outreach
o To ensure adequate public involvement, a press release was published on
April 7, 2015 and individual mailings were sent to all property owners
within the CD district.
o Numerous pet-related businesses were contacted to explain the request
and receive initial feedback.
Page 2 of 5
Researched current laws about pet handling in public spaces
o Estes Park Municipal Code Section 7.06.040 requires that pet owners
remove “any dog or cat feces deposited by said dog or cat on public
sidewalks, right-of-way, street, parks or recreation areas.” This section
also specifies the same removal requirement for private properties.
Lastly, this section requires that any place where a dog or animal are kept
be clean and sanitary.
o Estes Park Municipal Code Section 7.12.040 requires that dogs and cats
be in control of their owner by either confinement (e.g. car, crate) or leash.
o Estes Park Municipal Code Section 7.12.120 establishes that it is unlawful
“for any person to keep or maintain any animal within the Town which
habitually or continually disturbs the peace and quiet of any individual or
neighborhood by barking, whining, howling or making any other noise.”
o The purpose of the CD district is to establish a “wide variety of relatively
high intensity of retail and commercial services within Downtown Estes
Park to serve both residents and visitors…The district is intended to
encourage a predominance of compact and pedestrian-scale retail,
service and office uses in the Downtown core.” The full purpose
statement is attached to this report.
o The Estes Valley Comprehensive Plan establishes community-wide
policies and specific neighborhood policies throughout the Valley. The
code amendment is consistent with the following objectives of the
Comprehensive Plan:
Community-wide policies 1.3: “Encourage existing and future
community commercial uses to located within a compact, well
defined downtown business district.” In order to provide any
grooming service at this time downtown businesses must relocate
to outlying commercial areas.
o Staff met with the Colorado Department of Agriculture, who administers
the Pet Animal Care and Facilities Act (PACFA). The PACFA Program is
a licensing inspection program dedicated to protecting the health and well-
being of those animals in pet care facilities. Staff at PACFA made several
comments:
Consider if the Town prefers a full service wash or a self -serve
wash.
Page 3 of 5
Staff does not recommend specifying if the business must be a full
service or self-serve wash. There are higher State permitting
standards for full service washes.
What prevents a dog from going out the front door?
Municipal Code Section 7.12.040 appears to address this concern.
Drains should catch hair.
The Estes Park Sanitation District reviews building permits for any
remodels to this type of business. During that review the District
requires that the owner install screens to catch hair. No concerns
were expressed by the District relating to this code amendment.
Proposal:
The proposed code amendment allows the Animal Grooming in the Commercial
Downtown District with three restrictions:
1. Permitted as an accessory use only.
2. Service shall not exceed two (2) animals at any time.
Staff Comment: This restriction was intended to address Board and
Commissioner’s preference to limit the grooming component of the business to
ensure a small capacity. The intent is to allow one animal being groomed, while
another is waiting to be picked up.
3. Shall not include Animal Boarding.
Staff Comment: Similar to number two above, this restriction is intended to strictly
prohibit any animal boarding in the CD district. Staff expects the animals to be
crated for a brief period while waiting to be picked up.
Advantages:
Encourages a new type of downtown service not currently offered;
Dog-friendly amenities often strengthen the vibrancy of urban areas;
Such a service would bring some visitors downtown for several hours while their
pet is being groomed.
Page 4 of 5
Disadvantages:
Downtown animal grooming may lead to some degree of land use conflicts. The
proposed regulations seek to limit such conflicts through operational restrictions.
The Animal Sales/Services zoning uses appear to have been established to limit
land use conflicts relating to noise. At this point no Animal Sales/Services uses
are permitted in the CD district. This code amendment may be in conflict with the
original intent of the Animal Sales/Services Use.
Action Recommended:
Town staff is providing a number of options for the Planning Commission to consider:
1. Recommendation of approval of the attached (or revised) code amendment to
the Town Board and Board of County Commissioners;
2. Recommendation of disapproval; or
3. Recommendation that this matter be considered with other possible code
amendments during the upcoming downtown master plan process. The master
planning process will begin this summer and be completed in the fall (October-
November).
Budget:
Legal notice, publication and codification fees are minimal ($300); and
Limited staff time.
Level of Public Interest
Low. A press release was published on April 7 and notecards were mailed to all
property owners within the CD district. Staff has received the following comments:
- A downtown business owner called to express concerns about potential noise
impacts of this use in the downtown core;
- A pet groomer called to speak against the code amendment. Specifically, the
owner believes that this use is unfair to other groomers in town who needed to be
located other commercial areas. This owner will likely provide written comments
to the Commission, though such comments were not receive by April 16th;
- Two owners of pet grooming/supply stores were contacted by staff. Each of
these owners expressed support for the code amendment, citing an expanded
tax base and the promotion of small business as the primary reasons .
Page 5 of 5
Attachment:
1. Request from business owner
2. Proposed code amendment
3. EVDC Excerpts
From: Pam DeWitt [mailto:dewittpam@gmail.com]
Subject: Grooming
To Whom It May Concern:
I am a new business owner on Elkhorn Ave, called; Fur Babies a Pet Boutique. I would like to
offer a one table pet grooming, for tourist and locals. I was asked almost daily for pet grooming
during the summer months and at least once a week after the tourist rush. I want a high
standard, quality, environmentally sound grooming with; cleanliness a priority, one table-never
more than two dogs at one time and no cages. Here is a list of the benefits of offering grooming
down town:
· Demand-Tourist traveling and their pets are untrimmed/dirty. They come in with dogs
that are filthy from traveling, hiking or in the rivers and lakes. They want to drop off get
their dogs cleaned while they go shopping
· Shopping-While pets are being groomed or cleaned; owners can shop down town. Many
shops do not allow pets in their stores; this frees them up to shop or eat.
· Locals come in wanting a place to just drop off their pets’ quick, easy/conveniently. There
is a drop off parking space right out front for easy access.
Demand is there, need for quality grooming is there. This is a plus for downtown, something
quick/convenient, unique and adds variety to downtown, which shoppers are wanting. I have a
great response from many business owners and shoppers I have spoken too. I am not
competition for the other groomers; I am not full scale, nor could I handle anything large scale
to be any kind of competition. Besides, competition is not a bad thing, it makes businesses work
harder to be better and that is a win/win situation for patrons.
Thanks,
Pam DeWitt
Fur Babies
Attachment 1: Request from business owner
Use Classification
Specific
use
Nonresidential Zoning Districts
Additional Regulations
(Apply in All Districts
Unless Otherwise
Stated)
“P” = Permitted by Right
“S” = Permitted by Special Review
“–” = Prohibited
A A-1 CD CO O CH I-1
RESIDENTIAL USE CLASSIFICATIONS
Animal
Sales/Services
(cont'd)
Animal
Grooming – – –P P – – –
In CD, such use:
• Permitted as an
accessory use
only;
• Shall not exceed
two (2) animals
at any time; and
• Shall not include
Animal Boarding.
Animal
Hospital – – – P – – P
Animal
Retail Sales – – – P – – –
Animal
Shows/Sale
s
– – – P – P P §5.1.L
Veterinary
Office – – – P – – –
Attachment 2: Proposed Code Amendment
4. Homeowner Association Required. All new townhome developments containing five
(5) or more dwelling units shall be required to establish a mandatory Homeowner
Association for the maintenance of common property (including private open areas)
within the development.
5. Attainable Housing. All developments in the R-1 District shall be subject to the
attainable housing limitations for rental and owner occupancy set forth in §11.4.C.
(Ord. 13-99 §D, 11/3/99; Ord. 18-01 ##13—15, 10/23/01; Ord. 2-02 §1, 2/12/02; Ord. 11-02 §1,
8/13/02; Ord. 18-02 #3, 12/10/02; Ord. 6-06 §1, 9/26/06; Ord. 25-07 §1, 11/27/07)
§ 4.4 NONRESIDENTIAL ZONING DISTRICTS
A. List of Districts/Specific Purposes.
1. Accommodations Zoning Districts.
a. A Accommodations/Highway Corridor Zoning District. This district implements the
“A-Accommodations” land use category set forth in the Comprehensive Plan. It
applies primarily in highway-oriented commercial areas of the Estes Valley, and
allows a wide variety of accommodation uses, including relatively higher-intensity
accommodations such as multi-story hotels and motels. A variety of related
tourist-serving retail and commercial uses, such as restaurants, bars and gift
shops, will be permitted, but only as accessory uses to a principal
accommodations use and only if such supporting uses are located inside the same
structure as the principal use. Stand-alone commercial or retail uses will not be
permitted in this accommodations district; instead, such uses may be developed in
the other commercial zones.
b. A-1 Accommodations/Low-Intensity Zoning District. This district implements the
“A-1-Accommodations” land use category set forth in the Comprehensive Plan.
This district provides for low-intensity and small-scale residential uses, low-
intensity accommodations and very limited accessory uses located along highway
and roadway corridors characterized by low-intensity residential and lodging uses,
including resort lodges, cabins and condominium developments. Aside from these
limited residential and accommodation uses, no new commercial development
shall be permitted in this district. New uses, including new accommodations, shall
be developed consistent in intensity, bulk and design with the low-scale, residential
character of this district.
2. Commercial Zoning Districts.
a. CD Downtown Commercial. This zone district is established to provide a wide
variety and relatively high intensity of retail and commercial services within
Downtown Estes Park to serve both residents and visitors. The CD District
implements the “CBD-Commercial Downtown” land use category set forth in the
Comprehensive Plan. This district is intended to encourage a predominance of
compact and pedestrian-scale retail, service and office uses in the Downtown
core. Residential uses, especially employee housing or when mixed with
commercial or retail uses, are also encouraged within the district to provide
alternative housing choices for the Valley’s workforce.
It is the intent that the Downtown maintain its function as the Valley’s focal point of
tourist shopping and entertainment activity. This area is also a key economic
Attachment 3: EVDC Excerpts
engine for the Town of Estes Park and the Valley; therefore, future sales-tax
generating uses are strongly encouraged.
It is also the intent of this district that new development develop in ways integrating
and even enhancing the qualities of the streams, rivers, topography and other
natural assets of the area.
b. CO Outlying Commercial Zoning District. This zoning district is established to
encourage the development of a wide variety of commercial and retail uses along
the major corridor entryways into the Valley and the Town of Estes Park. This
zoning district is established to implement the “Commercial” and “Commercial-
Recreation” future land use categories recommended in the Comprehensive Plan.
This district should accommodate the majority of the larger, freestanding
commercial and retail buildings to meet future demand in the community.
c. O Office Zoning District. This zoning district is established to implement the
“Office” future land use category recommended in the Comprehensive Plan. The
intensity of future office development will be controlled through district standards
setting forth a maximum floor area ratio (FAR) and building height maximum.
d. CH Heavy Commercial Zoning District. This zoning district is intended to provide
for heavy commercial uses, including vehicle repair services, construction trades
and bulk goods retailing. It shall be limited to areas within the Estes Valley that
already contain some of these types of heavy commercial uses, and shall not
include areas fronting the Valley’s highways or arterial streets. Permitted uses
shall include utility facilities and installations, repair services, bulk storage and
limited manufacturing. Most of these uses shall be permitted by right, but subject
to specific size limitations. Larger facilities shall be subject to special review.
3. Industrial Zoning Districts.
a. I-1 Restricted Industrial Zoning District. This zoning district implements the
“Restricted Industrial” land use category recommended in the Comprehensive
Plan. Permitted uses shall include a relatively wide variety of industrial uses, as
reflected in the existing mix of industrial land uses, including several
concrete/asphalt plants, propane distributors, construction trade yards and gravel
mining and crushing facilities. However, to discourage future conflicts, residential
uses shall not be permitted in this zoning district. An important element of
development in this industrial zone district shall be compliance with performance
standards to protect adjacent uses from adverse impacts of industrial
development.
B. Table 4-4: Permitted Uses: Nonresidential Zoning Districts.
Table 4-4
Permitted Uses: Nonresidential Zoning Districts
Use Classification
Specific
use
Nonresidential Zoning Districts
Additional Regulations
(Apply in All Districts
Unless Otherwise
Stated)
“P” = Permitted by Right
“S” = Permitted by Special Review
“–” = Prohibited
A A-1 CD CO O CH I-1
RESIDENTIAL USE CLASSIFICATIONS
Attachment 3: EVDC Excerpts
resort lodge/cabin use may contain full kitchen facilities in lieu of “limited
kitchen facilities,” but only if such guest rooms comply with all conditions set
forth in §5.1.P of this Code.
3. Adult Businesses.
a. General Definition: Any facility or establishment that conducts as a principal use of
the premises, or as a significant or substantial adjunct to another use of the
premises, the sale, rental, display or other offering of live entertainment, dancing
or material that is distinguished or characterized by its emphasis on depicting,
exhibiting, describing or relating to specified sexual activities or specified
anatomical areas as an attraction to the premises.
b. Examples: Examples include, but are not limited to, the following specific types of
uses:
(1) Adult Bookstore: Any establishment that sells or rents adult material,
including but not limited to books, magazines, movies, films, slides or other
photographic or written material and/or devices.
(2) Adult Cabaret, Restaurant or other Business: A cabaret, restaurant or place
of business that features topless or bottomless dancers, waitresses, waiters
or entertainers.
(3) Adult Motion Picture Theater: Any theater in which the presentation of adult
material is the primary or principal attraction.
4. Animal Sales/Services.
a. General Definition: Any commercial facility or establishment that conducts as a
principal use of the premises the sale or boarding of animals, or the provision of
care, treatment or services for animals.
b. Examples: This classification includes the following types of specific uses:
(1) Animal Boarding: Provision of shelter and care for small or large animals on
a commercial basis. This use includes activities such as feeding, exercising,
grooming and incidental medical care.
(2) Animal Grooming: Provision of bathing and trimming services for small or
domestic animals only on a commercial basis. This use includes boarding of
domestic animals for a maximum period of forty-eight (48) hours.
(3) Animal Hospital: Establishments where small or domestic animals receive
medical and surgical diagnosis and treatment. This use includes only
facilities that are entirely enclosed, soundproofed and air-conditioned.
Grooming and temporary (no more than thirty [30] days) boarding of animals
is included if incidental to the hospital use.
(4) Animal Retail Sales: Retail sales and boarding of small or domestic animals
only, provided that such activities take place within an entirely enclosed
building. This use includes grooming if incidental to the retail use, and
boarding of animals not offered for sale for a maximum period of forty-eight
(48) hours.
(5) Animal Shows/Sales: Exhibitions of small/domestic or large animals for a
maximum of seven (7) days. This use includes animal sales.
Attachment 3: EVDC Excerpts
(6) Veterinary Office: Any facility maintained by or for the use of a licensed
veterinarian in the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of animal diseases.
Overnight care and boarding of small or domestic animals is permitted for up
to thirty (30) consecutive days within the interior of such facility.
5. Artist Studio. Work space for artists and artisans, including individuals practicing one
(1) of the fine arts or performing arts, or skilled in an applied art or craft.
6. Bank or Other Financial Institution. Establishments that provide retail banking
services, mortgage lending and similar financial services to individuals and businesses.
This classification includes those institutions engaged in the on-site circulation of cash
money and check-cashing facilities, but shall not include bail bond brokers. This
classification also includes Automated Teller Machines (ATM) located within a fully
enclosed space or building, or along an exterior building wall intended to serve walk-up
customers only.
7. Building Materials/Services. Retailing, wholesaling or rental of building supplies or
equipment. This classification includes lumber yards, building tool and equipment
sales or rental establishments, and building contractors’ yards, but excludes
establishments exclusively devoted to retail sales of paint and hardware and activities
classified under Vehicle/Equipment Sales and Service.
8. Business Services. Establishments primarily engaged in rendering services to
business establishments on a fee or contract basis, such as advertising and mailing;
employment services; management and consulting services; protective services; office
equipment rental and leasing (e.g., photocopy machines); commercial research; photo
finishing; photocopying and printer services; and personal supply services.
9. Catering Service. Preparation and delivery of food and beverages for off-site
consumption without provision for on-site pickup or consumption. (See also
Eating/Drinking Establishments.)
10. Civic, Social or Fraternal Membership Clubs, Lodges or Associations. Meeting,
recreational or social facilities of a private or nonprofit organization primarily for use by
members or guests. This classification includes union halls, social clubs, youth
centers, and fraternal and veteran’s organizations.
11. Commercial Laundry. A business which launders and dry cleans clothing and other
fabric articles in bulk. Dry cleaning agencies are distinguished from commercial
laundries, the latter which perform dry cleaning of materials delivered to the premises
by persons or services other than the owner of the materials. See also Personal
Services.
12. Commercial Recreation or Entertainment Establishments, Indoor.
a. General Definition: A building or part of a building devoted to providing
amusement, entertainment or recreation for a fee, including movie theaters and
theatrical space for dramatic, musical or live performances, indoor pinball/video
arcades, bowling alleys, health clubs, aerobic exercise studios and including such
activities as billiards and pool, other table games and similar-scale amusements.
b. Examples: This use classification includes the following specific types of uses:
(1) Limited Commercial Recreation or Entertainment Establishments, Indoor:
Limited to the following indoor entertainment establishments only: Indoor
movie theaters and theatrical space for dramatic, musical or live
performances; indoor billiards, pool and other table games.
Attachment 3: EVDC Excerpts
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT Memo
To: Estes Valley Planning Commission
From: Philip Kleisler, Planner II
Date: April 21, 2015
RE: Estes Valley Comprehensive Plan Modernization
Objective:
Receive Planning Commission comments on the following chapter: Appendix One,
Economic Profile.
Present Situation:
The Planning Commission and Town Board directed staff to modernize the Estes Valley
Comprehensive Plan. Six modernization options were considered and Option 2 was
selected:
Option 2: Review and update facts, remove obsolete references, remove
information that is no longer relevant
What has been accomplished since Option 2 was selected?
As directed, staff continues to work on Option 2 to modernize the Estes Valley
Comprehensive Plan, presenting drafts as completed for review and comment. As the
project progresses, staff will present drafts Town Board of Trustees and Larimer County
Board of County Commissioners more frequently.
Chapter Status
Letter of Introduction Complete
1: The Planning Process
June: Initial Draft Presented
July: Final Draft Presented
2: Planning the Valley’s Future
July: Initial Draft Presented
August: Final Draft Presented
3: Economic Overview
May/June: Draft Presented
June/July: Final Draft Presented
4: Land Use
Complete
Page 2 of 4
$0
$5,000,000
$10,000,000
$15,000,000
$20,000,000
$25,000,000
$30,000,000
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014
Table 1: Residential Construction
Total Units
Value
The Economic Profile presented with this report is the raw data used in the Economic
Overview chapter, which is in a narrative form with relatively straightforward
explanations of the data. As an example, Table A1.18 on Page 6 (Attachment 1) lists
the residential units constructed by year, along with valuation. As a table alone this
data is can be difficult to understand. However, when seen through a visual aid (Table
1 below) one can see that starting in 2009 the value of units were higher than the actual
number of units.
5: Mobility and Circulation
April/May 2015: Initial Discussion
May/June 2015: Draft Presented
June/July: Final Draft Presented
6: Community-wide Policies
Complete
7: Neighborhood Plans
Complete
Action Plan
Complete
Appendix 1: Economic Profile
March: Initial Discussion
April: Draft Presented
May: Final Draft Presented
Appendix 2: Resource Information
July/August: Final Draft Presented
Page 3 of 4
The narrative Economic Overview chapter can also draw connections between different
datasets. For example, the Housing table on Page 9 of Attachment 1 lists Census data
that compares housing values between 2000 and 2011. Shown in Table 2 below, it is
clear that larger homes increased greatly between 2000 and 2011, while at the same
time the number of relatively less expensive homes decreased. In this case Table 1 in
this report seems to validate the Census data shown in Table 2. Together, these tables
illustrate a trend in our local residential development activity.
Proposal:
Town staff has updated and added additional data sets to Appendix One of the
Comprehensive Plan. Staff requests guidance from the Planning Commission about the
following questions:
1. How should the data be summarized? Staff recommends that most of the discussion
center on how to use this data to tell the story of the Estes Valley. There is a lot of raw
data included in this report that could be analyzed in an infinite number of ways. For
example:
a. Would it be useful to compare household wealth with age and race?
b. Another interesting comparison may be the number of residential units built over
time, compared with newly licensed vacation homes at the same time. This
-200%
0%
200%
400%
600%
800%
1000%
$50,000 to
$99,999
$100,000
to
$149,999
$150,000
to
$199,999
$200,000
to
$299,999
$300,000
to
$499,999
$500,000
to
$999,999
Table 2: Change in Home Values (2000 - 2011)
% Change (2000 - 2011)
Page 4 of 4
could help us understand if there is a net gain or loss with long-term residential
units.
2. Should any data sets be deleted? Staff removed a number of datasets (shown on the
Attachment 1 as a red X. Does the Commission have any comments about this?
3. What is missing? While reviewing the attachments, was there anything that the
Commission believes should be included but is not? For example, should some data
sets be expanded to include similar metrics from other communities?
Advantages:
N/A
Disadvantages:
N/A
Action Recommended:
N/A
Level of Public Interest
Moderate.
A p p e n d i x O n e • E c o n o m i c P r o f i l e
E S T E S V A L L E Y C O M P R E H E N S I V E P L A N
A1 - 1
E c o n o m i c P r o f i l e T a b l e s - E s t e s P a r k
The following 26 tables are referenced in Chapter Three, Economic Overview.
FIGURE A1.1 RESIDENT POPULATION BASE
Estes Larimer State of Colorado
Year Park Census Tract 28 County (000’s)
1950 1,617 43,554 1,325
1960 1,175 2,355 53,343 1,754
1970 1,616 3,554 89,900 2,225
1980 2,703 6,733 149,184 2,908
1990 3,184 9,139 186,136 3,303
1990* 3,672 9,139
1992* 3,870
1996* 5,077
2000 5,413 8,889 251,494 4,301
FIGURE A1.2 RESIDENT POPULATION BASE - GROWTH RATE
Estes Larimer State of
Year Park Census Tract 28 County Colorado
1960 (27.3)% 22.5% 32.4%
1970 37.5% 50.9% 68.5% 26.9%
1980 67.3% 89.4% 65.9% 30.7%
1990 17.8% 35.7% 24.8% 13.6%
1990* 15.3%
2000 70.0% -2.7% 35.1% 20.2%
FIGURE A1.3 RESIDENT POPULATION BASE - ANNUAL GROWTH RATE
Estes Larimer State of
Year Park Census Tract 28 County Colorado
1960 (3.1)% 2.0% 2.8%
1970 3.2% 4.2% 5.4% 2.4%
1980 5.3% 6.6% 5.2% 2.7%
1990 1.7% 3.1% 2.2% 1.3%
2000 5.45% -0.3% 3.1% 2.7%
* Town of Estes Park estimates.
Source: Decennial Census, 1950-1990.
A p p e n d i x O n e • E c o n o m i c P r o f i l e
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FIGURE A1.4 HOUSEHOLDS
1980 1990 2000
Town of Estes Park 1,230 1,444 2,541
Estes Valley 2,816 2,682 4,107
Larimer County 54,086 70,472 97,164
State of Colorado 1,062,879 1,285,119 1,658,238
Source: 1980, 1990, 2000 Census.
FIGURE A1.5
SELECTED 2000 SOCIOECONOMIC CHARACTERISTICS FOR
ESTES PARK, ESTES VALLEY, LARIMER COUNTY AND THE STATE OF
COLORADO
Estes Estes Larimer State of
Characteristics Park Valley County Colorado
Population 5,413 8,889 251,494 4,301,261
Median age 45 46.1 33.2 34.3
Households 2,541 4,107 97,164 1,658,238
Median household
income $43,262 $49,422 $48,655 $47,203
Persons per household 2.11 2.14 2.52 2.53
Housing units total 3,323 6,080 105,392 1,808,037
% owner occupied 60.1% 66.2% 67.7% 67.3%
Vacancy rate
- Rentals 8.9% 8.3% 4.1% 5.5%
- Owner 1.8% 1.4% 1.2% 1.4%
Median housing value $239,900 $243,100 $172,000 $166,600
Median rent $572 $519 $678 $671
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FIGURE A1.6 EMPLOYMENT BASE - 2000
Estes Estes Larimer
Park Valley County
Persons 16 and over 4,492 7,606 198,990
- In labor force 2,877 4,690 143,110
- Participation rate 64.0% 61.7% 71.9%
Civilian employees 2,877 4,690 142,915
- Unemployed 79 135 6,012
- Unemployment rate 1.8% 1.8% 3.0%
Armed Forces 0 0 195
Average commuting time
(minutes) 15.9 15.3 21.4
Source: 2000 Census.
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FIGURE A1.7 DISTRIBUTION OF EMPLOYMENT - 2000
Estes Estes Larimer
Park Valley County
Employed Civilian employees 2,798 4,555 136,903
Agriculture, forestry, fishing,
hunting, and mining 39 45 2,039
Construction 286 390 12,257
Manufacturing 126 261 20,330
Wholesale Trade 39 55 3,547
Retail Trade 382 736 17,555
Transportation, warehousing,
and utilities 66 151 4,622
Information 45 124 3,818
Finance, insurance, real estate,
rental, and leasing 208 280 6,867
Professional, scientific, management,
administration, waste management 240 320 14,201
Educational, health, and
social services 346 628 28,556
Arts, entertainment, recreation,
accommodation, and food service 853 1,243 12,592
Other services 108 202 5,903
Public administration 60 120 4,616
Civilian Employees 2,798 4,555 136,903
Private wage and salary workers 2,161 3,386 102,848
Government workers 277 570 22,057
Local 197 365 9,007
State 29 52 10,057
Federal 51 153 2,993
Self-employed workers in own,
not incorporated businesses 341 571 11,386
Unpaid family workers 19 28 612
Source: 2000 Census.
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FIGURE A1.8 DISTRIBUTION OF EMPLOYMENT BASE
Estes Estes Larimer Larimer
Park Valley County County
2000 2000 2000 Ave. 2005 Wage
Participation rate 64.0% 61.7% 71.9%
Unemployment rate 1.8% 1.8% 3.0%
Civilian employees 2,798 4,555 136,903 $36,611
Agriculture, forestry,
fishing, and hunting,
and mining 1.4% 1.0% 1.5% $30,384
Construction 10.2% 8.6% 9.0% $39,015
Manufacturing 4.5% 5.7% 14.8% $61,935
Wholesale trade 1.4% 1.2% 2.6% $43,438
Retail trade 13.7% 16.2% 12.8% $22,994
Transportation,
warehousing,
and utilities 2.4% 3.3% 3.4% $30,753
Information 1.6% 2.7% 2.8% $43,693
Finance, insurance,
real estate, rental,
leasing 7.4% 6.1% 5.0% $38,319
Professional,
scientific,
management,
admin,
waste management 8.6% 7.0% 10.4% $60,435
Educational, health,
social services 12.4% 13.8% 20.9% $35,815
Arts, entertainment,
recreation,
accommodation,
food service 30.5% 27.3% 9.2% $12,451
Other Services 3.9% 4.4% 4.3% $25,385
Public administration 2.1% 2.6% 3.4% $36,611
Private wage and
salary workers 77.2% 74.3% 75.1%
Government workers 9.9% 12.5% 16.1% $41,296
Local 7.1% 8.0% 6.6% $36,234
State 1.0% 1.1% 7.3% $42,531
Federal 1.8% 3.4% 2.2% $63,065
Self-employed workers
in own not inc bus 12.2% 12.5% 8.3%
Unpaid family workers 0.7% 0.6% 0.4%
Source: 2000 Census, Colorado Employment and Wages (2005).
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FIGURE A1.9 INCOME
99 Median Income 89 Median Income Annual Change
Household Family Household` Family Household Family
Town of Estes Park $43,262 $55,667 $29,387 $37,565 3.9% 4.0%
inflation adjusted 25,968 33,414 25,377 32,340 0.2 0.3
Estes Valley 49,422 59,468 31,809 38,492 4.5 4.5
inflation adjusted 29,665 35,695 27,469 33,240 0.8 0.7
Larimer County 48,655 58,866 29,686 36,931 5.1% 4.8%
inflation adjusted 29,205 35,334 25,636 31,892 1.3 1.0
State of Colorado 47,203 55,883 30,140 35,930 4.6 4.5
inflation adjusted 28,333 33,543 26,028 31,028 0.9 0.8
Denver/Boulder
CPIU (82-84=100) 166.6 166.6 115.8 115.8
Source: 2000 Census for 1999 income, US Department of Labor (BLS) for CPIU, previous comp plan report.
FIGURE A1.10 PER CAPITA INCOME
1999 1989 Annual
Change
Town of Estes Park $ 30,499 $17,010 6.1%
Adjusted for Inflation 18,307 14,689 2.2
Estes Valley $ 32,067 17,349 6.3%
Adjusted for Inflation 19,248 14,982 2.5
Larimer County 23,689 13,968 5.4
Adjusted for Inflation 14,219 12,062 1.7
State of Colorado 24,049 17,815 3.1
Adjusted for Inflation 14,435 15,384 -0.6
Denver-Boulder CPI-U 166.6 115.8 3.7
(82-84=100)
Source: Census Data and Bureau of Economic Analysis estimates.
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FIGURE A1.11
LARIMER COUNTY PERSONAL INCOME BY MAJOR SOURCE 1990 AND
2000 (000’S)
2000 1990 Change: 1990-2000
IncomeDistribution Income Distribution IncomePercent/yr
Agricultural services $51,858 .7% $17,027 0.5% $34,831 11.8%
Mining 18,998 0.3 11,606 0.4 7,392 5.1
Construction 449,782 5.9 140,876 4.4 308,906 12.3
Manufacturing 1,400,732 18.2 564,485 17.6 836,247 9.5
Transportation, commu-
nication, public utilities 165,099 2.2 59,498 1.9 105,601 10.7
Wholesale trade 150,957 2.0 53,598 1.7 97,359 10.9
Retail trade 593,783 7.8 234,990 7.3 358,793 9.7
Finance, insurance,
real estate 283,202 3.7 68,918 2.1 214,285 15.2
Services 1,341,504 17.4 424,947 13.2 916,557 12.2
Government 992,900 13.0 497,308 15.5 495,592 7.2
Nonfarm income by
place of work $5,448,815 71.2% $2,073,253 64.6% $3,375,562 10.1%
Other income and
adjustments 2,208,250 28.8% 1,138,041 35.4% 1,070,209 6.9%
Personal income by
place of residence $7,657,065 100% $3,211,294 100% $4,45,771 9.1%
Per capita income $30,727 $17,162 $13,565 6.0%
Source: US Department of Commerce, Bureau of Economic Analysis,
Local Area Personal Income, Rocky Mountain Region
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FIGURE A1.12 ESTES PARK RETAIL SALES
Retail Sales % Real Retail %
Year ($000,000) Change Sales* ($000,000) Change
Base 16.9 52.8
1970 17.9 5.9 51.9 -1.8
1971 18.9 5.6 52.6 1.5
1972 24.4 29.1 65.9 25.3
1973 25.8 5.7 65.2 -1.2
1974 28.5 10.5 64.9 -0.4
1975 31.0 8.8 64.0 -1.3
1976 34.3 10.6 67.1 4.8
1977 39.1 14.0 70.6 5.1
1978 44.0 12.5 72.6 2.9
1979 46.2 5.0 66.0 -9.1
1980 49.7 7.6 63.4 -4.0
1981 54.3 9.3 62.3 -1.8
1982 58.5 7.7 61.5 -1.2
1983 61.7 5.5 61.4 -0.2
1984 68.6 11.2 65.8 7.1
1985 75.5 10.1 70.5 7.2
1986 78.7 4.2 72.9 3.5
1987 87.6 11.3 79.1 8.4
1988 98.3 12.2 86.5 9.4
1989 104.1 5.9 89.9 4.0
1990 106.0 1.8 87.6 -2.6
1991 109.3 3.1 87.0 -0.7
1992 122.1 11.7 93.7 7.7
1993 130.8 7.1 96.3 2.8
1994 147.1 12.5 103.7 7.7
2005 160.6
Source: Colorado Department of Revenue.
*Retail sales adjusted for inflation using the Denver-Boulder consumer price index (CPI-U).
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FIGURE A1.13 SALES TAX REVENUES TOWN OF ESTES PARK (000’S)
Total Revenues June-September Receipts Summer as % of Total
1986 $2,443.5 $1,467.8 60.1%
1987 2,629.6 1,689.0 60.2
1988 2,811.3 1,777.4 58.9
1989 2,903.7 1,817.8 57.4
1990 3,102.1 1,940.5 59.5
1991 3,355.0 2,048.9 59.6
1992 3,702.0 2,219.4 58.3
1993 3,884.8 2,233.7 57.5
1994 4,332.0 2,486.4 57.4
1995 4,408.7 2,495.3 56.6
1996 4,571.6 2,645.5 57.9
1997 4,787.3 2,734.7 57.1
1998 5,383.4 2,969.1 55.2
1999 5,629.0 3,091.0 54.9
2003 154,280.6 86,734.4 56.2
2004 157,561.4 83,381.2 52.9
2005 160,572.0 88318.8 55.0
2006 166,087.5 93,972.6 56.6
2007 171,812.1 94,827.9 55.2
Source: Town of Estes Park (Note: June-September tax receipts reflect May-August sales).
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FIGURE A1.14 PER CAPITA RETAIL SALES
2004 2005 2006 2007 04-07 Change
Estes Park $27,608 $28,072 $28,690 $29,330 6.2%
FIGURE A1.15 OCTOBER RETAIL SALES
Sales Population Per
Capita Sales
2003 $ 11,959,900 5,576 $2,145
2004 13,232,975 5,707 2,319
2005 13,824,350 5,720 2,417
2006 11,932,763 5,789 2,061
2007 13,709,955 5,858 2,340
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FIGURE A1.16
SPENDING BY OLDER CONSUMERS 1990 CONSUMER SURVEY
AVERAGE TOTAL EXPENDITURES
Under 25 25-34 35-44 45-54 55-64 65-74 74 and up
Income before taxes $19,744 $45,498 $56,500 $58,889 $48,108 $29,349 $20,563
Average household size 1.9 2.9 3.3 1.7 2.1 1.9 1.5
Total expenditures $22,543 $38,945 $45,149 $46,160 $39,340 $30,782 $21,908
Food, total 14.3% 13.5% 13.5% 13.6% 13.1% 13.6% 14.0
Food at home 7.3 7.6 7.7 7.9 7.8 9.0 9.6
Food away from home 7.0 5.9 5.8 5.7 5.3 4.6 4.4
Alcoholic beverages 1.7 1.1 0.9 0.9 0.9 0.8 0.7
Housing, total 31.5 33.5 33.5 30.7 31.4 31.4 35.4
Shelter 20.3 20.3 20.3 18.0 16.7 16.6 18.4
Utilities 5.5 6.0 6.0 6.2 7.0 7.9 8.8
Operations 1.0 2.2 2.2 1.3 1.4 1.6 3.8
Furnishings 3.8 3.8 3.8 4.1 4.8 3.6 2.9
Apparel and services 6.3 5.3 5.3 5.1 4.3 3.7 3.2
Transportation 23.0 21.5 21.5 19.1 19.9 18.8 13.1
Health 2.2 3.2 3.2 4.8 6.4 10.3 15.2
Entertainment 4.8 4.8 4.8 4.8 5.0 4.6 3.2
Contributions 0.8 1.7 1.7 3.3 3.3 6.6 7.4
Pensions and income 5.4 9.3 9.3 10.4 9.8 4.5 2.1
Other 9.8 6.1 6.1 7.2 5.8 5.8 5.5
Source: Monthly Labor Review, Consumer Expenditure Survey 2000.
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FIGURE A1.17 HEALTH CARE WORKERS - 2000
Estes Park Larimer County
Health Care Workers 177 12,201
Labor Force 2,877 143,110
% Labor Force in
Health Care 6.2% 8.5%
Population 5,413 251,494
Estes Park Estimate n/a n/a
Residents Per
Health Care Worker 30.6 20.6
Estes Park Estimate n/a n/a
Population
65 and Over 1,118 24,037
Elderly Population per
Health Care Worker 6.3 2.0
Source: 2000 Census.
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FIGURE A1.18
RESIDENTIAL CONSTRUCTION BUILDING PERMITS (# OF UNITS)
TOWN OF ESTES PARK
Year Single-Family Duplex Multi-Family Total
1972 30 51 81
1973 33 20 53
1974 12 10 22
1975 14 8 22
1976 35 18 53
1977 22 25 47
1978 19 16 35
1979 11 4 15
1980 14 39 53
1981 13 43 56
1982 12 6 18
1983 33 77 110
1984 53 8 61
1985 40 48 88
1986 17 6 23
1987 21 19 40
1988 19 23 42
1989 23 11 34
1990 29 15 44
1991 27 46 73
1992 39 18 57
1993 54 53 107
1994 83 34 117
1995 84 7 91
1996 30 22 19 71
1997 49 20 33 102
1998 46 38 42 126
1999 27 20 34 81
2000 46 22 43 111
2001 52 10 9 71
2002 38 42 13 93
2003 36 38 46 120
2004 45 26 12 83
2005 45 18 43 106
2006 32 20 42 94
2007* 18 8 14 40
Source: 1972-1981 from BBC study. 1983-2007 totals from Town of Estes Park Annual Building Permit
Summary. Single-family from Stamey data, multi-family is total residential minus single-family permits.)
* = Through 6/2007
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FIGURE A1.19 COMMERCIAL CONSTRUCTION, TOWN OF ESTES PARK
Year Number of Value Real Value Assessed
Permits ($000’s) ($000’s) Value
1983 30 2,052.9 2,042.687
1984 15 1,127.4 1,080.92
1985 26 3,562.2 3,326.05
1986 5 1,050.5 973.5867 57,805.6
1987 17 1,165.9 1,052.256 91,647.8
1988 7 253.5 222.9551 85,958.7
1989 10 337.2 291.1917 101,240.9
1990 11 1,799.6 1,487.273 96,951.3
1991 20 1,739.5 1,384.952 90,433.5
1992 16 718.3 551.2663 83,461.1
1993 11 868.8 639.8 n/a
1994 19 1,364.4 962.2 n/a
1995 24 2,011.4
1996 62 2,244.5 6,366.7
1997 28 3,109.9 4,664.8
1998 76 4,328.5 6,492.8
1999 29 1,380.6 2,070.9
2000 19 1,139.3 1,708.9
2001 29 3,344.9 5,017.4
2002 81 8,961.1 13,441.6
2003 32 3,465.8 5,198.2
2004 15 2,473.8 3,710.7
2005 61 10,892.8 16,339.2
2006 8 2,801.4 4,202.0
2007* 8 1,997.3 2,995.9
Source: Town of Estes Park
* = Data through 6/2007
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FIGURE A1.20
ELECTRIC UTILITY SERVICE ESTES PARK AREA - NUMBER OF
ACCOUNTS
Year Residential Commercial Total Gov’t
1972 3731 777 3731
1973 3917 793 3917
1974 4063 817 4063
1975 4014 797 4014
1976 4082 807 4082
1977 4189 822 4189
1978 4342 846 4342
1979 4498 892 4498
1980 4661 922 4661
1981 4788 938 4788
1982 5804
1983 5018 965 5018
1984 5196 976 5196
1985 5340 1012 5340
1986 5380 1033 5380
1987 5386 1043 5386 38
1988 5379 1169 5379 40
1989 5417 1191 5417 45
1990 5541 1250 5541 50
1991 5649 1284 5649 50
1992 5863 1269 7132 49
1993 6120 1160 7329 49
1994 6360 1199 7559 52
1995 6544 1254 7798 48
1996
1997 6737 1295 8032 84
1998 6935 1347 8282 86
1999 7094 1405 8499 89
2000 7205 1470 8675 94
2001 7392 1488 8880 144
2002 7534 1517 9051 188
2003 7693 1565 9258 205
20041 7810 1590 9400 204
2005 7914 1638 9552 202
2006 8079 1700 9779 204
20072 8145 1727 9872 211
Source: Town of Estes Park Light and Power Department, 1 = Data through October, 2 = Data through May
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FIGURE A1.21 WATER METERS - ESTES PARK AREA
Residential Commercial
Year Urban Rural Urban Rural Total Change
1983 1228 525 410 98 2259
1984 1257 533 424 94 2308 2.2%
1985 1269 572 433 70 2344 1.6
1986 1307 572 456 69 2404 2.6
1987 1314 587 477 71 2449 1.9
1988 1347 590 484 69 2490 1.7
1989 1370 1040 492 74 2976 19.5
1990 1398 1060 500 79 3037 2.0
1991 1428 1083 514 92 3117 2.6
1992 1512 1050 526 97 3185 2.2
1993 1635 1124 544 85 3389 6.4
1994 1759 1136 531 86 3512 3.6
1995 1823 1162 542 85 3612 2.8
2000 2136 1243 613 96 4088
2001 2247 1234 612 97 4190 2.5%
2002 2336 1232 626 94 4288 2.3%
2003 2434 1253 643 93 4423 3.1%
2004 2532 1262 649 95 4538 2.6%
2005 2564 1264 683 95 4606 1.5%
2006 2663 1301 741 100 4805 4.3%
20071 2682 1301 777 90 4850 0.9%
Source: Town of Estes Park Light and Power Department, 1 = Data through May
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FIGURE A1.22 BANK DEPOSITS - MILLIONS OF $
Year-end Total Number Percent
Deposits of Banks Change
1977 23.7 2
1978 25.1 2 5.9
1979 30.1 2 19.9
1980 30.2 2 0.3
1981 33.5 2 10.9
1982 37.7 2 12.5
1983 54.8 3 45.4 (break)
1984 60.0 3 9.5
1985 65.4 3 9.0
1986 71.9 4 9.9
1987 70.0 4 5.7
1988 82.1 4 8.0
1989 84.7 4 3.2
1990 88.0 4 3.9
1991 95.4 4 8.4
1992 103.6 4 8.6
1993 111.0 4 7.1
1994 112.5 4 2.3
1999 138.0
2000 144.0
2001 N/A
2002 178.3
2003 N/A
2004 210.4 4 Banks, 2 Credit Unions
Note: 1977-82, Estes Park Bank and First National Bank of EP
1983-85, adds Home Federal Savings (now Key Bank)
1986-92, adds Park National Bank (new bank)
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FIGURE A1.23 ROCKY MOUNTAIN NATIONAL PARK VISITATION
Total Annual Visitors June -
September
Year (millions) as % of Total
1982 2,578,902
1983 2,704,066 78.3
1984 2,220,219 78.3
1985 2,354,480 76.4
1986 2,523,122 75.6
1987 2,665,029 74.2
1988 2,686,986 76.3
1989 2,636,662 75.8
1990 2,801,259 75.8
1991 2,903,811 75.0
1992 2,942,743 73.7
1993 2,950,867 75.8
1994 3,153,450 75.7
1995 3,008,446 74.7
1996 3,119,455 73.7
1997 3,137,186 73.1
1998 3,213,744 72.2
1999 3,366,251 71.9
2000 3,380,039 70.6
2001 3,318,303 73.3
2002 3,138,066 71.3
2003 3,192,227 72.2
2004 2,943,073 71.4
2005 2,939,099 72.8
2006 2,927,921 72.5
2007* 2,268,838 N/A
Source: Rocky Mountain National Park.
* = Data through August 2007
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An examination of the listings in the Estes Park Yellow Pages for 1972, 1982 and
1992 provides an additional measure of the growth of the tourist industry:
FIGURE A1.24 YELLOW PAGES LISTINGS
1972 1982 1992 2007
Resorts and Motels 127 108 124 124
Campgrounds 12 10 8 9
Restaurants 58 52 73 67
Source: 1972 - Mountain States Telephone and Telegraph Directory
1982 - Bell Systems Directory
1992 - U.S. West Directory.
MSN Yellow Pages and Estes Park Visitor Guide
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FIGURE A1.25 CONFERENCES
Year # of Conferences # of Delegates Estimate of Annual
Expenditures/Delegate
1991 (Aug-Dec) 15 8,600 N/A
1992 30 12,403 N/A
1993 79 14,747 N/A
1994 96 14,965 N/A
1995 88 14,635 N/A
1998 74 13,101 $373.78
1999 84 13,266 $410.24
2000 55 10,815 $450.00
2001 75 10,098 $467.91
2002 79 10,044 $465.00
2003 69 7,998 $470.24
2004 78 8,297 $490.00
2005 84 10,043 $402.42
2006 77 9,028 $447.68
Source: Estes Park Conference Center.
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FIGURE AI.26 TOWN OF ESTES PARK T REND PROJECTIONS
1990 1991 1992 1993 1995 2000 2010*
Population
% Change
3,672*
3.1%
3,758*
2.3%
3,870*
3.0%
3,998
3.3%
4,258*
3.0%
5,413
4.92%
8,013
4.00%
Employment
% Change
% Employed
1,753
3.3%
47.7%
1,795
2.4%
47.8%
1,838
2.4%
47.5%
1,882
2.4%
47.1%
1,974
2.4%
46.4%
2,877
7.8%
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
Personal
Income (1990$)
% Change
$63.5M
$68.2M
7.4%
$71.3M
4.5%
$74.5M
4.5%
$79.3M
4.54%
$75.2M
-1.06%
N/A
N/A
Retail Sales
(1990$)
% Change
$106M
(2.6%)
$105.3M
(0.7%)
$113.4M
7.7%
$112.2M
(1.0%)
$112.3M
1.2%
$90.2M
-4.29%
N/A
N/A
Residential
Construction
44
73
57
107
68
97
80
Park Visitation
% Change
2.80M
6.7%
2.90M
3.7%
2.94M
1.3%
3.01M
3.5%
3.23M
2.9%
3.38M
0.91%
3M
-1.19%
* Town of Estes Park Estimates
Note: Census income and employment data for 1990 are adjusted to conform with
Town of Estes Park population estimates.
During the 1990-2000 period, building permits were issued for 980 housing units. From 2001 through June
2007 YTD, building permits were issued for 607 dwelling units, for an average of 93 units per year. Due to
current construction trends, the construction levels are anticipated to decrease over the next two years, to 80
per year.
Estes Valley Comprehensive Plan
Draft Economic Indicators
Figure A1.1 Resident Population Base
Year Estes Park Larimer County State of Colorado (000's)
1950 1,617 43,554 1,325
1960 1,175 53,343 1,754
1970 1,616 89,900 2,225
1980 2,703 149,184 2,908
1990 3,184 186,136 3,303
1990* 3,672
1992* 3,870
1996* 5,077
2000 5,413 251,494 4,301
2010 6,021 299,630 5,029
* Town of Estes Park estimates.
Source: Decennial Census, 1950-2010.
Figure A1.2 Resident Population Base - Growth Rate
Year Estes Park Larimer Count State of Colorado (000's)
1960 -27.3% 22.5% 32.4%
1970 37.5% 68.5% 26.9%
1980 67.3% 65.9% 30.7%
1990 17.8% 24.8% 13.6%
2000 70.0% 35.1% 20.2%
2010 11.2% 19.1% 16.9%
TOTAL 176.5% 236.0% 140.7%
Page 1 of 16
Estes Valley Comprehensive Plan
Draft Economic Indicators
A1.4 Households
1980 2000 2010
Town of Estes Park 1,230 2,541 2,796
Estes Valley 2,816 4,107 4,243
Larimer County 54,086 97,164 120,295
State of Colorado 1,062,879 1,658,238 1,972,868
Source: 1980, 1990, 2000, 2010 Census. Estes Valley data consists of CO tract 28.01 and 28.02.
A1.5 Selected Socioeconomic Characteristics
Characteristics Estes Park Estes Valley Larimer County State of Colorado
Population 5,858 9,050 299,630 5,029,196
Median Age 51.5 53.0 35.5 36.1
Housing Units 2,796 6,930 132,722 2,212,898
*Median Household Income $57,789 $53,441 $57,927 $58,244
*Average Household Size 1.96 1.97 2.42 2.51
% Owned 63.1% 68.7% 65.5% 65.5%
Vacancy Rate
- Rentals 12.7% 9.6% 18.1% 24.0%
- Owner 8.2% 5.5% 12.7% 13.6%
*Median Housing Value $347,600 $338,750 $245,200 $236,800
Median Rent $782 $780 $841 $802
*2008-2012 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates
Source: 2010 Census
Page 2 of 16
Estes Valley Comprehensive Plan
Draft Economic Indicators
A1.6 Employment Base - 2010
Estes Park Estes Valley Larimer County
Persons 16 and Over 5,105 5,392 244,450
- In Labor Force 2,820 4,307 170,089
- Participation Rate 55.2% 79.9% 69.6%
Civilian Employees 2,820 4,307 169,734
- Unemployment Rate 3.4% 2.8% 5.5%
Armed Forces 0 0 355
2008-2012 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates
A1.7 Industry Distribution
Colorado Larimer County Estes Valley Estes Park
Estimate Percent Estimate Percent Estimate Percent Estimate Percent
Civilian employed population 16 years and over 2,498,972 156,358 4091 2,647
Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting, and mining 59,711 2.4% 3,521 2.3% 0 0.0% 0 0.0%
Construction 198104 7.9% 11,116 7.1% 349 15.8% 259 9.8%
Manufacturing 179,691 7.2% 16,127 10.3% 166 6.9% 107 4.0%
Wholesale trade 68,585 2.7% 3,765 2.4% 35 1.3% 19 0.7%
Retail trade 282,066 11.3% 18,107 11.6% 602 29.6% 383 14.5%
Transportation and warehousing, and utilities 116,816 4.7% 5,081 3.2% 116 5.2% 97 3.7%
Information 76,765 3.1% 3,222 2.1% 69 4.0% 45 1.7%
Finance and insurance, and real estate and rental and leasing 179,114 7.2% 8,129 5.2% 202 9.4% 123 4.6%
Professional, scientific, and management, and administrative and
waste management services
328,884 13.2% 18,596 11.9% 454 26.1% 276 10.4%
Educational services, and health care and social assistance 499,187 20.0% 39,210 25.1% 832 40.0% 580 21.9%
Arts, entertainment, and recreation, and accommodation and food
services
259,372 10.4% 15,384 9.8% 895 43.1% 518 19.6%
Other services, except public administration 126,918 5.1% 7,991 5.1% 261 12.3% 163 6.2%
Public administration 123,759 5.0% 6,109 3.9% 110 6.3% 77 2.9%
Page 3 of 16
Estes Valley Comprehensive Plan
Draft Economic Indicators
Source: 2008-2012 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates
A1.12 Estes Park Retail Sales
Year Retail Sales %Change Real Retail Sales* % Change
1995 $4,408,658 $4,508,085
1996 $4,571,626 3.7% $4,665,868 3.5%
1997 $4,787,251 4.7% $4,819,841 3.3%
1998 $5,383,382 12.5% $4,935,518 2.4%
1999 $5,629,044 4.6% $5,078,648 2.9%
2000 $5,921,155 5.2% $5,281,794 4.0%
2001 $6,160,350 4.0% $5,530,038 4.7%
2002 $6,038,513 -2.0% $5,635,109 1.9%
2003 $6,171,213 2.2% $5,697,095 1.1%
2004 $6,302,454 2.1% $5,702,792 0.1%
2005 $6,422,882 1.9% $5,821,980 2.1%
2006 $6,767,118 5.4% $6,031,572 3.6%
2007 $7,233,708 6.9% $6,164,266 2.2%
2008 $7,183,790 -0.7% $6,404,488 3.9%
2009 $6,852,574 -4.6% $6,363,115 -0.6%
2010 $7,007,092 2.3% $6,482,105 1.9%
2011 $7,422,536 5.9% $6,721,294 3.7%
2012 $7,889,229 6.3% $6,851,889 1.9%
2013 $7,564,898 -4.1% $7,041,755 2.8%
2014 $8,730,271 15.4% $7,235,403 2.8%
Cumulative Increase 71.6% 48.1%
Source: Town of Estes Park
*Retail sales adjusted for inflation using the Denver-Boulder consumer price index (CPI-U).
Page 4 of 16
Estes Valley Comprehensive Plan
Draft Economic Indicators
A1.13 Sales Tax Revenues Town of Estes Park
Year Total Revenue June-September Receipts Summer as a % Total
1995 $4,408,658 $2,167,864 49.2%
1996 $4,571,626 $2,418,961 52.9%
1997 $4,787,251 $2,542,730 53.1%
1998 $5,383,382 $2,668,094 49.6%
1999 $5,629,044 $2,765,773 49.1%
2000 $5,921,155 $2,890,150 48.8%
2001 $6,160,350 $2,931,464 47.6%
2002 $6,038,513 $3,071,434 50.9%
2003 $6,171,213 $3,170,281 51.4%
2004 $6,302,454 $3,100,951 49.2%
2005 $6,422,882 $3,177,380 49.5%
2006 $6,767,118 $3,281,683 48.5%
2007 $7,233,708 $3,596,396 49.7%
2008 $7,183,790 $3,727,202 51.9%
2009 $6,852,574 $3,489,773 50.9%
2010 $7,007,092 $3,724,136 53.1%
2011 $7,422,536 $3,901,616 52.6%
2012 $7,889,229 $4,006,658 50.8%
2013 $7,564,898 $4,070,004 53.8%
2014 $8,730,271 $4,349,609 49.8%
Source: Town of Estes Park
June - September tax receipts reflect May-August sales
Page 5 of 16
Estes Valley Comprehensive Plan
Draft Economic Indicators
A1.15 Shoulder Season Retail Sales
Year April - May Oct-Nov Population
2000 $562,538 $1,284,653 5,413
2010 $604,250 $1,351,011 6,021
Source: Town of Estes Park
April-May tax receipts reflect March-April sales
Oct-Nov tax receipts reflect Sept-Oct sales
A1.18 Residential Construction Building Units (Town of Estes Park)
Year Single-Family Duplex Multi-Family Total Units Valuation
2006 32 9 8 49 $25,288,714
2007 37 14 18 69 $23,360,938
2008 17 10 51 78 $18,960,015
2009 17 4 0 21 $10,117,394
2010 11 0 0 11 $6,908,075
2011 16 1 1 18 $10,075,682
2012 26 1 1 28 $10,561,999
2013 21 4 1 26 $10,007,727
2014 17 2 0 19 $8,416,712
Source: Town of Estes Park
Note: Valuation includes new units, additions/alterations and footing/foundations.
Page 6 of 16
Estes Valley Comprehensive Plan
Draft Economic Indicators
A1.19 Commercial Construction, Town of Estes Park
Year Number of Permits Value
2006 127 $16,855,447
2007 140 $6,644,642
2008 148 $15,989,888
2009 103 $3,669,372
2010 122 $4,262,403
2011 104 $1,641,373
2012 159 $3,406,486
2013 170 $3,420,177
2014 223 $6,605,327
Note: staff are planning to provide the same data for construction of accommodation units.
Page 7 of 16
Estes Valley Comprehensive Plan
Draft Economic Indicators
A1.23 Rocky Mountain National Park Visitation, with Other Indicators
Year Rocky Mountain National Park Visitation Traffic Counts (34/36 Intersection) Hotel Occupancy Average Hotel Rate
1995 2,878,169
1996 2,923,755
1997 2,965,354
1998 3,035,422
1999 3,186,323 48.3%
2000 3,185,392 3,900,242 49.3% $106.98
2001 3,139,685 3,658,061 47.1% $122.89
2002 2,988,475 3,969,526 44.5% $122.64
2003 3,067,256 4,075,192 46.2% $125.72
2004 2,781,899 3,990,102 44.2% $127.31
2005 2,798,368 3,868,090 44.4% $128.62
2006 2,743,676 3,809,891 51.8% $137.14
2007 2,895,383 3,942,229 53.0% $144.52
2008 2,757,390 3,889,863 53.2% $146.76
2009 2,822,325 3,928,209 49.2% $152.70
2010 2,955,821 4,050,861 48.1% $154.15
2011 3,176,941 4,023,024 50.9% $151.28
2012 3,229,617 3,552,417 52.5% $151.24
2013 2,991,141 Not available due to flood 47.8% $155.95
2014 3,434,751 Not available due to flood 50.7% $159.36
Page 8 of 16
Estes Valley Comprehensive Plan
Draft Economic Indicators
NEW: Five Year Building Permit, Valuation and Fee Summary
2006 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013
Number Issued 466 593 372 419 499 485 494
% change from previous year 6% -37% 13% 19% -3% 2%
Valuation $42,203,661 $35,473,383 $15,255,616 $11,233,978 $11,904,278 $14,162,316 $13,491,465
% change from previous year 14% -57% -26% 6% 19% -5%
Fees Collected $330,779 $287,648 $149,877 $155,535 $164,699 $180,746 $182,980
% change from previous year -17% -48% 4% 6% 10% 1%
Fees Waived $166,309 $42,972 $26,909 $8,599 $23,776 $15,516 $10,072
Source: Town of Estes Park
NEW: Median Age
2000 2010
Estes Park 45.0 51.5
Colorado 34.3 36.1
United States 35.3 37.2
U.S. Census Bureau, 2000 Census.
U.S. Census Bureau, 2010 Census.
Page 9 of 16
Estes Valley Comprehensive Plan
Draft Economic Indicators
NEW: Age by Category
Estes Park
2000 2010 % Change
19 Years and under 1033 1082 5%
20-34 814 770 -5%
35-59 2104 1956 -7%
60-84 1351 1836 36%
85 and over 111 214 93%
U.S. Census Bureau, 2000 Census.
U.S. Census Bureau, 2010 Census.
Note: Staff are planning to research this metric back to 1980.
NEW: Labor Force Participation of Working Age People
2000 2011
Estes Park 64.0% 73.3%
Colorado 70.1% 69.7%
United States 63.9% 64.8%
U.S. Census Bureau, 2000 Census.
2010: 2007-2011 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates
Page 10 of 16
Estes Valley Comprehensive Plan
Draft Economic Indicators
NEW: Educational Attainment
2000 (%) 2011 (%)
Estes Park
High School Grad or Higher 94.0 96.0
Bachelor's Degree or Higher 43.3 47.9
Colorado
High School Grad or Higher 86.9 89.7
Bachelor's Degree or Higher 32.7 36.3
United States
High School Grad or Higher 80.4 85.4
Bachelor's Degree or Higher 24.4 28.2
U.S. Census Bureau, 2000 Census.
2007-2011 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates
NEW: Family Households
2000 2010
Estes Park 61.6% 60.9%
Larimer County 65.0% 62.3%
Source: 2000 and 2010 Census
Page 11 of 16
Estes Valley Comprehensive Plan
Draft Economic Indicators
NEW: Sex and Age (2011)
Total Percentage of Total
2011 total population 5,862
Male 2,853 49%
Female 3,010 51%
Median Age (years) 51.1
2010 total population 5,858
Source: 2007-2011 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates
NEW: Race
Race Count Percentage of Total
One race 5,774 98.6%
White 5,409 92.3%
Black or African American 42 0.7%
American Indian and Alaska Native 64 1.1%
Asian 85 1.5%
Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander 7 0.1%
Some other race 343 5.9%
Hispanic or Latino population 822 14.0%
2010 total population 5,858
Note: The six numbers may add to more than the total population,
and the six percentages may add to more than 100 percent
because individuals may report more than one race.
Source: 2010 Census
Page 12 of 16
Estes Valley Comprehensive Plan
Draft Economic Indicators
NEW: Estes Park Households (2010)
2010 total households 2,796
Average household size 2.08
2010 total families 1,704
Average family size 2.64
Source: 2010 Census
NEW: Educational Attainment
Education Level Number Percentage of
Target Population
High school graduate (including equivalency) 735 16.1%
Associate degree 423 9.3%
Bachelor's degree 1,271 27.9%
Graduate or professional degree 912 20.0%
Percent bachelor's degree or higher 47.90%
2011 population 25 years and over 4,561
Source: 2007-2011 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates
NEW: Employment Status
Number Percentage of
Target Population
In labor force 2,766 55.6%
Civilian labor force 2,766 55.6%
Employed 2,579 51.9%
Unemployed 187 3.8%
Armed Forces 0 0.0%
Not in labor force 2,206 44.4%
2011 population 16 years and over 4,972
Source: 2007-2011 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates
Page 13 of 16
Estes Valley Comprehensive Plan
Draft Economic Indicators
NEW: Estes Park Housing Occupancy
Number
Owner-occupied units 1,765
Renter-occupied units 1,031
2010 total occupied units 2,796
Population in owner-occupied units 3,607
Population in renter-occupied units 2,214
2010 total population 5,858
Average household size of owner-occupied unit 2.04
Average household size of renter-occupied units 2.15
Source: 2010 Census
NEW: Housing
Value of Owner-Occupied Units (Estes Park) 2000 2011 % Change
Less than $50,000 -- 2.2% null
$50,000 to $99,999 3.1% 0.0% -100.0%
$100,000 to $149,999 10.0% 2.9% -71.0%
$150,000 to $199,999 25.2% 7.7% -69.4%
$200,000 to $299,999 40.1% 26.1% -34.9%
$300,000 to $499,999 19.2% 38.4% 100.0%
$500,000 to $999,999 2.2% 21.4% 872.7%
$1,000,000 or more -- 1.3% null
U.S. Census Bureau, 2000 Census
U.S. Census Bureau, 2007-2011 American Community Survey
Page 14 of 16
Estes Valley Comprehensive Plan
Draft Economic Indicators
Occupied Housing Units (not vacant)
2000 (%) 2010 (%) % Change
Estes Park 76.5 68.1 -11.0%
Colorado 91.7 89.2 -2.7%
United States 91.0 88.6 -2.6%
U.S. Census Bureau, 2000 Census.
U.S. Census Bureau, 2010 Census.
NEW: Second Homes
Number
of
Homes
% of Local
Housing
Grand Lake 588 64.1%
Breckenridge 4,387 63.5%
Vail 3,844 53.2%
Steamboat Springs 3,779 37.9%
Granby 506 33.1%
Aspen 1,917 32.3%
Estes Park 963 23.4%
Manitou Springs 85 3.0%
Note: Second homes are vacant housing units for seasonal, recreational or occasional use.
U.S. Census Bureau, 2010 Census
Page 15 of 16
Estes Valley Comprehensive Plan
Draft Economic Indicators
NEW: Percent Population Change
Municipality 1980 2011 % Change
Berthoud 2362 5140 54.0%
Estes Park 2703 5955 54.6%
Fort Collins 65092 146573 55.6%
Johnstown 0 730 100.0%
Larimer Unincorp. Area 47412 66795 29.0%
Loveland 30215 68106 55.6%
Timnath 185 802 76.9%
Wellington 1215 6439 81.1%
Windsor 0 4769 100.0%
Source: Colorado Department of Local Affairs – Demography Section
Page 16 of 16
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT Memo
To: Estes Valley Planning Commission
From: David Shirk, Senior Planner
Date: April 21, 2015
RE: Estes Valley Comprehensive Plan Modernization: Transportation
Objective:
Receive Planning Commission comments and guidance on the following chapter:
Transportation.
Present Situation:
The Planning Commission and Town Board directed staff to modernize the Estes Valley
Comprehensive Plan. Six modernization options were considered and Option 2 was
selected:
Option 2: Review and update facts, remove obsolete references, remove
information that is no longer relevant
The transportation chapter of the comprehensive plan was written nearly twenty years
ago, and the information and policies outlined are quite out of date. Examples include:
• Traffic data from the early 1990s.
• Transportation improvements that have been completed. These include the Lake Estes
Trail, Highway 7 sidewalk, and several intersection improvements.
Because of the volume of out-of-date information and policies, the transportation
chapter requires much more revision than other chapters. Since the 1996 adoption of
the comprehensive plan, several additional studies have been done. These include the
2003 Estes Valley Transportation Alternatives study, 2006 parking study, and the 2013
Estes Valley Transit and Parking Study.
Proposal:
Town staff has revised the overall structure of the transportation chapter, beginning with
renaming the chapter from “Mobility and Circulation” to “Transportation”.
The chapter has been divided into four main sections: Overview; Facts; Strategies and
Policies; and Transportation Action Plan. The Facts and Strategies and Policies
sections are attached for initial review and guidance. The Overview and Transportation
Action Plan will be presented at a later date.
Maps have been updated, and several photos have been included to provide a ‘picture
story’ of the transportation issues facing Estes Park. Sections generally follow a similar
format: text located in the left third of the page, graphics in the right two-thirds of the
page.
Staff requests guidance from the Planning Commission about the following questions:
1. What traffic data should be included in the comprehensive plan?
The 2003 Transportation Alternatives Study, 2006 parking study, and 2013 Estes Valley
Transit and Parking Study include more recent data. The ‘on line’ version of the
comprehensive plan will include hyperlinks to these studies.
These more recent studies include a great amount of technical data regarding the
transportation system. This will allow the comprehensive plan to remain more general
and provide a “30,000 foot” view.
There is a lot of traffic data included in these reports that could be included in the
comprehensive plan. Questions for discussion include:
a. Should data regarding traffic volume be included? If so, are graphs or charts
preferred.
b. Should data regarding weekend-weekday variation be included?
c. Should seasonal traffic data be included?
d. Should hourly traffic data be included?
e. Should traffic growth rates be included?
2. Are there any revisions to the overall format? Does the format of limiting text and
including graphics convey information in a functional manner that will help the Planning
Commission in future land use decisions?
3. What is missing? While reviewing the attachments, was there anything that the
Commission believes should be included but is not?
Advantages: N/A
Disadvantages: N/A
Action Recommended: N/A
Level of Public Interest: Moderate.
Page 2 of 2
Facts
Overview
The Facts section describes the trails network,
transit network road network and parking.
The Facts section also describes traffic data
such as the road network Level of Service,
traffic volumes, weekday-weekend traffic
variation, traffic growth rates, and 2040 traffic
projections.
The Facts section lays the foundation for the
Strategies and Policies and Action Plan outlined
later in this chapter.
The Estes Park road circulation network is
shown here in general to orient the reader.
Trails Network
The Lumpy Ridge Trail is popular with both
residents and guests
The Estes Valley has a robust and growing trail
network. Trails include hiking trails that
connect to Rocky Mountain National Park and
National Forest Service lands, paved multi-use
trails, and the downtown Riverwalk.
Several agencies are responsible for the trails
network, including the Town of Estes Park, the
Estes Valley Recreation and Parks District, and
Rocky Mountain National Park.
Estes Valley Trails Committee
The Estes Valley Trails Committee is
administered by the Recreation District. The
Trails Committee includes representatives from
the Town of Estes, Rocky Mountain National
Park, the Estes Valley Land Trust, interested
citizens representing the hiking, biking and
horse riding communities.
The Trails Committee helps ensure the various
agencies coordinate their trail building efforts.
In 2014, residents
approved a sales tax
initiative to help fund
the construction and
expansion of public
trails within the Estes
Valley Planning Area.
To the maximum extent feasible, provision shall be
made in the design of developments for
interconnections with existing or planned streets and
pedestrian, bikeway or trail systems unless the Estes
Valley Planning Commission determines that such
interconnections would have adverse impacts on open
spaces, wetlands, sensitive environmental areas or
other significant natural areas.
Transit Network
The popular Elkhorn Express served over
30,000 riders in 2014.
The Downtown Visitor Center is the hub to the
free Estes Valley Transit System.
Routes
The Town of Estes Park provides a free shuttle
service from satellite parking areas at the
Fairgrounds to the Visitor Center.
The Elkhorn Express circulates from the Visitor
Center, down Elkhorn Avenue to the west end
of Downtown, and back to the Visitor Center.
The Elkhorn Express completes this loop 2-3
times an hour, depending on traffic conditions.
The shuttle system also serves Rocky Mountain
National Park, the YMCA of the Rockies,
campgrounds, hotels and motels.
Shuttle service is also provided to workforce
housing such as the Talon’s Point and Falcon
Ridge.
The Elkhorn Express includes a bike rack to help
cyclists through the busy downtown area.
Shuttles operate from June to mid-September.
Shuttles begin running at 8:00 AM and provide
service through the evening hours.
Ridership
The free shuttle system has proven to be
popular with residents and guests alike.
Ridership has steadily increased over the years.
Ridership of the YMCA and Campgrounds
routes increased over 10,000 people from 2012
to 2014.
Because transit is provided by buses, routes and
schedules can be easily revised with the ebb
and flow of demand on specific routes.
As of summer 2015, the system has served over
half a million riders.
The shuttle system eliminates over 30,000
vehicles trips per year, helping reduce overall
traffic congestion in the Estes Valley.
Road Network
Level of Service
One measure of describing how well road
systems function is referred to as a Level of
Service (LOS). Level of service is a grading scale
from “A” to “F”. This system is based on the
Transportation Research Board Highway
Capacity Manual.
A 1996 summer weekday Level of Service
indicates unacceptable levels of service exist on
US 36 and Highway 7 near the downtown area,
US 34 through the downtown, Moraine Avenue
to the Rocky Mountain National Park Beaver
Meadows Entrance.
The local service roads within the study area,
such as Moccasin Circle Drive, have excellent
levels of service.
Level of Service is a scale that
measures the amount of traffic that
a roadway or intersection can
accommodate, based on such
factors as maneuverability, driver
dissatisfaction, and delay.
Replace with Level of Service map
Traffic Congestion
Traffic volume is one of the major concerns to
the town. In 2003 the Town experienced 30
days of highly congested over-capacity roadway
conditions in downtown; by 2012 this number
had grown to 45 days. In a survey conducted by
the Town in 2011, visitors to Estes Park
identified roadway congestion and travel delays
as the most significant negative impacts to the
visitor experience.
The roadways with the greatest volumes
include Big Thompson Avenue, Elkhorn Avenue,
Moraine Avenue, and Saint Vrain.
These roads provide the primary means of
access to the downtown area and Rocky
Mountain National Park.
In contrast to the very high volume of routes
through downtown and to the park, the
outlying roadways have lower traffic volumes.
Weekday-Weekend Variation
There is a significant variation in traffic by
month and between weekday and weekend
traffic within the Town.
2040 Traffic Projection
Community Development staff have
coordinated with the Northern Front
Range Metropolitan Planning
Organization for 2040 traffic
projections. These projections are
based on current traffic patterns and
land use regulations.
The Northern Front Range
Metropolitan Planning Organization is
an association of local communities
working together to improve regional
transportation and air quality.
Though the Town of Estes Park is not a
formal member, Community
Development staff coordinates with the
NFRMPO through association with
Larimer County to assist in overall
transportation coordination.
The NFRMPO does long-range and
short-range planning and prioritizes
which projects in those plans will
receive state and federal funding.
NFRMPO is a nonprofit public organization funded through federal and state grants,
and local funds. The goal of the NFRMPO is to enhance air quality and mobility among
northern Colorado communities, and between the North Front Range and the Denver
Metro, by developing cooperative working relationships and financial partnerships
among our member governments, the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT),
Federal Highway Administration (FHA), the Federal Transit Administration (FTA), and
the private sector.
Parking
Parking has long been a seasonal
problem in Estes Park. Parking studies
have been completed in 2006 and 2013.
These studies include several
recommendations, including
improvements such as re-striping
parking lots to increase efficiency,
implementation of a transit system to
shuttle visitors from the Fairgrounds to
Downtown, and study the feasibility of
a parking structure.
Parking studies have
been completed in 2006
and 2013.
Strategies and Policies
Strategies to increase mobility and reduce
congestion
The traffic and parking congestion, pedestrian
and bicyclists safety, and overall declining level
of service require a multi-faceted strategy.
There are two competing mobility issues facing
Estes Park:
1. Eliminate or reduce the congestion in the
downtown area and on roadways leading
to the downtown area.
2. Maintain access to business, residential,
and recreational facilities.
The following strategies were first identified in
the 1996 Estes Valley Plan, and were the basis
for the 2003 Transportation Alternatives Study:
• Create Bypass routes
• Create Parking Management Plan
• Provide Alternative Modes of
Transportation
• Provide future parking outside of
downtown.
• Provide a connection between RMNP
and the Town.
Interagency Cooperation
Because of the intersection of local, county,
state and federal roads, transportation
issues require strong collaboration. This
relationship is excellent, and should be
continued in the future.
The Town has partnered with the State of
Colorado and the Federal Highways
Administration to address congestion,
including satellite parking lots, structured
parking, transit, and downtown one-way
system.
These efforts should continue in the future,
and should include cooperation with the
Northern Front Range Metropolitan Planning
Organization.
Cooperation with state and federal agencies
have funded many improvements over the
last decade, including shuttle parking at the
fairgrounds, parking structure at the Visitors
Center, one-way couplet system through
downtown, and shuttle systems.
It is critical that the successful cooperative
efforts between the Town and RMNP be
maintained to address both the short and
long-term circulation and parking needs for
Estes Park.
Long Range
Transportation Plan
The Long Range Transportation Plan
presented in this map defines the
transportation improvements and
recommendations for the community.
Because of the physical limitations of
the circulation system within the Town
of Estes Park, the long range
transportation plan will require both
highway and transit improvements.
Replace with revised map: show bypass routes, include functional classification,
interceptor parking lots, downtown transit, etc. The revised map will replicate
Map 5.10 in the current comprehensive plan
Transportation Policies
Encourage a comprehensive and balanced
transportation system for the Valley, while
maintaining a local road system that is
consistent with the rural mountain resort
character of the Valley.
Promote street system connections
between developments and promote an
interconnected roadway system
throughout the community which
minimizes cul-de-sacs.
Provide a street linkage between U.S. 34
and U.S. 36 west of downtown.
Encourage roadway standards that allow
for preservation of distinctive landforms
and significant vegetation within the right-
of-way without sacrificing safety.
Encourage an adequate blend of public and
private parking for both residents and
visitors.
Create a comprehensive and integrated
trail system for the Estes Valley.
Implement access control improvements
as development occurs.
Encourage movement toward alternative
modes of transportation.
Define the roles of public and private
transit providers in order to create more
efficient operations.
Encourage the Rocky Mountain National
Park (RMNP) to continue to contribute to
the public transit link between the RNMP
and the Town.