HomeMy WebLinkAboutPACKET Town Board Study Session
Informal discussion among Trustees and staff concerning agenda items or other Town
matters may occur before this meeting at approximately 4:30 p.m.
Town Board of Trustees Study Session
Tuesday, October 13, 2026, from 4:45 p.m. – 6:45 p.m.
Town Hall Board Room, 170 MacGregor Ave, Estes Park
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Public Comment
Public comments are not typically heard at Study Sessions, but may be allowed by the
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Agenda
4:45 p.m. Parking License Plate Recognition Policy
Presented by Director Greear and Manager Klein
5:15 p.m. Winter Event Strategy Proposal
Presented by Director Hinkle
5:35 p.m. Break for Dinner
5:40 p.m. Organizational Climate Action Plan
Presented by Deputy Town Administrator Damweber
6:10 p.m. Overview of Fish Hatchery Project to Date
Presented by Deputy Town Administrator Damweber
6:35 p.m. Trustee and Administrator Comments and Questions
6:40 p.m. Future Study Session Agenda Items
6:45 p.m. Adjourn for the Town Board Meeting
The Town of Estes Park is committed to providing equitable access to our services. Contact us
if you need any assistance accessing material at 970-577-4777 or townclerk@estes.org.
Report
To: Honorable Mayor Hall & Board of Trustees
Through: Town Administrator Machalek
From: David Greear, PE, Public Works Director
Dana Klein, Parking and Transit Manager
Department: Public Works
Date: October 13, 2026
Subject: Parking License Plate Recognition Policy
Purpose of Study Session Item:
Provide an overview of proposed new policy governing License Plate Recognition (LPR)
technology in place for managing parking operations.
Town Board Direction Requested:
Does the Board support staff bringing this policy update back as a Resolution for
consideration and potential implementation at a future Town Board meeting?
Present Situation:
In 2019, when the parking management program was in its infancy, a guiding document
was developed to help explain how License Plate Recognition technology would be
used in the system.
Since that time, some questions have been asked about privacy and use of the
technology outside of the parking management system arena.
The attached DRAFT policy addresses many of those concerns and further aligns with
Colorado law related to LPR technology.
Proposal:
None – Information Only
Advantages:
• Clearly defines parameters for the LPR technology in the parking division.
• Defines user and management roles for the use of the data in the performance of
regular duties within the parking division.
• Provides a policy for public reviewing the data and methods of capture for the
parking management system.
Disadvantages:
• May require additional staff time and efforts across multiple departments to
ensure compliance with policy reporting guidelines.
Finance/Resource Impact:
None
Level of Public Interest:
Public Interest in parking related items is typically high.
Attachments:
1. Draft Public Works Policy 845 – License Plate Recognition (LPR) for Parking
Technology and Occupancy Management
2. 2019 LPR Guiding Document
3. Town Board Study Session Presentation
Policy 845 License Plate Recognition Technology for Parking Occupancy Management 12/1/2026
Revisions: 0 Town of Estes Park, Public Works Page 1 of 4
Effective Period: Until Superseded
Review Schedule: Annual
Effective Date: TBD
References: TBD
PUBLIC WORKS
845
License Plate Recognition Technology for Parking Occupancy Management
1. PURPOSE
This policy establishes the Town of Estes Park’s framework for the deployment, operation, and
governance of License Plate Recognition (LPR) technology for parking management. The policy
governs parking enforcement, occupancy monitoring, permit compliance, and parking
administration within all Town-owned and Town-managed parking facilities. It ensures the
responsible, lawful, and transparent use of LPR data in a manner that protects individual privacy,
supports operational efficiency, and maintains public trust.
2. PROCEDURE
A. The Following Parking Technology Systems are employed by the Town:
1.Mobile LPR: The Town uses a vehicle based LPR system for parking management. Cameras capture
license plate images, context photographs, GPS coordinates, and date/time data on each pass.
Mobile LPR vehicles are operated at all times by Town employees and contractors.
2.Fixed (Static) LPR: Fixed LPR cameras are installed at the entry and exit points of the Estes Park
Parking Structure to support automated occupancy counting and permit-holder access control
and enforcement. Cameras capture license plate images, context photographs, date/time data on
each pass.
3.Payment & Permit Integration: The Town operates on a pay-by-plate basis using mobile payment
applications (e.g., ParkMobile or similar applications) and pay station kiosks. Plate numbers
entered at payment are registered in real time and verified by LPR parking enforcement vehicles.
Some parking permits are tied to stored license plate information including Employee
Convenience Permits, Residential 120-minute Permits, and Resident Overnight Permits.
B.Types of Data Collected
1.Context photograph: A wider-angle photo of the vehicle and surroundings, typically from the rear
(front capture may occur when a vehicle is backed in). Photos are not of sufficient resolution to
identify occupants.
2.License plate photograph: A close-up image of the vehicle’s license plate.
3.GPS coordinates: The precise location of the observation.
Attachment 1
Policy 845 License Plate Recognition Technology for Parking Occupancy Management 12/1/2026
Revisions: 0 Town of Estes Park, Public Works Page 2 of 4
4. Date and time: Timestamp of the observation.
5. Alphanumeric plate text: The license plate number generated by OCR software processing of the
plate image.
6. The LPR system does not collect information about the identity of occupants.
C. Permitted & Prohibited Uses
Permitted uses of the LPR data are limited to:
1. Verifying valid paid parking sessions and identifying unpaid parking sessions (pay-by-plate and
mobile payment).
2. Verifying valid virtual parking permits (Local, Employee, Business, Commercial, Overnight) for the
lot or zone in which a vehicle is parked.
3. Enforcing time-limit restrictions through digital chalking – recording plate, location, and time on
each pass.
4. Identifying scofflaw vehicles with multiple outstanding citations for enhanced enforcement action
(immobilization, booting, or towing as authorized by Town ordinance).
5. Supporting the issuance of parking citations with photographic and GPS evidence.
6. Generating aggregate, anonymized occupancy and utilization data for parking program planning,
rate-setting, and reporting.
7. Purposes described in Section E of this policy.
7. Any use of LPR data for purposes outside those listed above will not be allowed.
Prohibited uses include:
1. Monitoring individuals based on activities protected by the First Amendment to the United States
Constitution.
2. Facilitating the enforcement of federal immigration law
3. Selling or transferring LPR data to private entities for commercial purposes; or uploading data to
commercial LPR data-sharing networks.
4. Monitoring employee attendance or workplace activity.
5. Generalized surveillance unrelated to Parking operations.
6. Creation of travel histories unrelated to parking operations.
8. Uploading Town data into shared commercial or regional LPR databases.
9. Use for unrelated investigative purposes, except in the limited situations described below in
Section E.2.
D. Data Retention
Data retention periods are governed by established Town records retention schedules:
Policy 845 License Plate Recognition Technology for Parking Occupancy Management 12/1/2026
Revisions: 0 Town of Estes Park, Public Works Page 3 of 4
Data Category Retention Period Authority
final citation
◆ Records not associated with citation issuance, legal process, active investigation, or litigation hold
shall be automatically deleted no later than 24 hours after collection. ◆ Automated purging procedures shall be implemented to delete data on schedule. The Parking &
Transit Manager shall verify compliance quarterly.
E. Data Access & Security
1. Access to LPR records by Town staff is restricted to trained Parking and Transit Division personnel
performing their duties, except as described below.
2. The Estes Park Police Department may respond to bona fide crisis situations by inspecting LPR
records upon the existence of probable cause to believe a crime has been committed and the
presence of exigent circumstances, as those terms are explained in federal and state law. These
criteria shall be certified by the Chief of Police (or, as applicable, the Acting Chief) in a
communication directly to Parking and Transit personnel, and the certification shall be
memorialized contemporaneously in writing by the Parking and Transit Division personnel
granting access. Access in such circumstances shall be limited to the data needed to respond to
the emergency circumstances.
3. Access may be granted or data divulged as required by lawful subpoena or court order, upon
approval by the Town Administrator. The Town also reserves the right to move to quash any such
subpoena or appeal any such order or otherwise seek redress before divulging data or granting
access, as the Town determines appropriate in light of applicable law.
5. All personnel with access shall use unique identifiers and passwords. Multi-factor authentication
shall be implemented where technically feasible.
6. Access by any person not listed above is prohibited and may result in disciplinary action or other
legal recourse.
8. LPR data shall be stored in secure, encrypted systems. Data in transit shall be transmitted over
encrypted connections. LPR systems shall be included in the Town’s cybersecurity monitoring and
incident response programs.
9. The Town will make all good faith efforts to deny access to LPR data under the Colorado Open
Records Act in the interest of protecting individual privacy to the greatest extent feasible.
Policy 845 License Plate Recognition Technology for Parking Occupancy Management 12/1/2026
Revisions: 0 Town of Estes Park, Public Works Page 4 of 4
F. Enforcement Procedures ◆ Hours: LPR-based paid parking and time-limit enforcement occurs during the seasonal paid parking
period. Overnight parking enforcement (permit-only) occurs year-round and is monitored by the
Estes Park Police Department. ◆ Enforcement Process: LPR observations alone shall not constitute conclusive evidence of a
violation. Operators shall visually verify all violations prior to issuing citations. When the LPR
system identifies a potential violation, the operator shall visually verify the violation and confirm
through system records before issuing a citation. Citations shall include the date, time, location,
license plate number, specific violation, and fine amount. LPR photographic and GPS evidence
shall be attached to each citation record. ◆ Training: All personnel operating LPR equipment or accessing LPR data shall complete training
established by the Parking & Transit Manager on system operation, this policy, and customer
service best practices prior to unsupervised operation. Training shall be refreshed annually.
Completion records shall be maintained by the Parking & Transit Manager.
G. Vendor Requirements
1. Vendor Requirements: Third-party vendors under contract with the Town to host LPR data shall be
contractually required to: comply with all provisions of this policy; restrict access to authorized
personnel only; not sell or share Town data with any third party; delete or return all data upon
contract termination; notify the Town within 24 hours of any data breach; and permit the Town
to audit data handling practices. The Town will pursue contract modifications with existing
contractors to ensure compliance with this policy.
Approved:
Mayor
Date
Parking & Transit Division
May 2019
vks
Town of Estes Park
Parking Technology Overview
The Town of Estes Park’s Parking & Transit Division utilizes the following technology to manage the
Town’s public parking facilities:
•License Plate Recognition (LPR): Both fixed (static) cameras and vehicle-mounted cameras
•Video Counting
These technologies can enhance and simplify the customer experience, assist with parking compliance,
and support accurate understanding of how the Town’s parking facilities are utilized by the parking
public.
LICENSE PLATE RECOGNITION
•Locations: LPR data is collected in all public parking lots, in on-street parking spaces and in the
parking structure (see all public parking areas on the Downtown Parking Map here). LPR data is
collected by cameras positioned on a mobile vehicle-mounted system and via fixed (static)
cameras installed at the parking structure. The Town has one LPR vehicle (pictured below),
which is always driven by trained personnel.
•Data Collected: The LPR system captures two photos of observed vehicles: (1) a context photo
of the vehicle and its immediate surroundings and (2) a photo of the license plate. Typically,
these photos are taken from the rear of the vehicle, although there are occasions where a photo
is taken from the front (e.g. when a car is backed into a parking space). The photos are not of a
resolution that allows identification of the vehicle occupants. Along with the photographic data,
the system also records the Global Positioning System (GPS) coordinates and date/time
information of the observation. Further software processing of the vehicle license plate image
generates an alphanumeric version of the vehicle license plate number which is also stored with
the parking LPR record.
•Use of Data: The intended use of data collected by the LPR system is for parking activities and
enforcement. LPR data is used to determine a vehicle’s parking permit permissions in a given
parking area and support the issuance of a parking citation if needed. The data may be used by
the Estes Park Police Department in assisting immediate or on-going safety concerns and
conducting specific security investigations; and compulsory law enforcement investigations. Any
use of the data for purposes outside of these stated purposes must be detailed in writing and
provided to the Town’s leadership team.
•Data Retention: Data collected by the LPR system not resulting in parking enforcement action or
not part of an ongoing law enforcement investigation may be retained up to 90 days. Statistical
lot utilization data (generic vehicle counts, not tied to a specific license plate) is retained
indefinitely for parking program planning and operations. Data resulting in parking enforcement
action is retained with the citation (ticket) records according to established Town of Estes Park
data retention policies. Data associated with an ongoing security and/or law enforcement
investigation is retained until the investigation is completed or as directed by investigators or
courts and/or in conformance with applicable Town policy.
Attachment 2
Parking & Transit Division
May 2019
vks
• Access to Records: Access to records created and maintained by the LPR system is restricted to
trained Parking & Transit Division personnel performing their duties and a limited number of
Estes Park Police Department law enforcement personnel. All personnel with access to the
system use unique identifiers and passwords to access records and all login, record additions,
and other activity is logged. Access to the system by others is prohibited. Note that data may be
subject to the Colorado Open Records Act and subject to legally recognized redaction.
VIDEO COUNTING (2019 PILOT) Town is piloting a car-counting solution in the Estes Park Events
Complex Park-n-Ride parking lot (1175 Rooftop Way). Small, lightweight time-lapse cameras have been
mounted to light poles and record a single image every minute or two, giving Town staff near-real-time
counts per parking space. As illustrated in this image, the cameras use artificial intelligence to determine
how long a vehicle is parked in a space. The camera technology is not a license plate reader and does
not have high enough resolution to see into vehicles or track faces. The Town is piloting this technology
to help provide real-time parking availability information to parking patrons and to track parking
utilization and length of stay data.
Questions about the Town’s use of parking management technologies can be directed to the Town’s
Parking & Transit Manager, Vanessa Solesbee at vsolesbee@estes.org or 970-577-3957.
We are committed to providing equitable access to our services. If you need any assistance, please email digitalaccessibility@estes.org.
LPR Parking Policy
PUBLIC WORKS POLICY 845
How the Town of Estes Park uses License Plate Recognition for
parking management while protecting privacy.
We are committed to providing equitable access to our services. If you need any assistance, please email digitalaccessibility@estes.org.
Attachment 3
Purpose
•Governs LPR use for parking
management
•Covers enforcement, occupancy,
permits, and administration
•Applies to all Town-owned and Town-
managed facilities
•Keeps data use lawful, private, and
transparent
2
Three Systems in Use 3
Mobile LPR
Vehicle-based cameras
•Captures plate, context
photo, GPS, and time on
each pass
•Operated by Town
employees and contractors
Fixed LPR
Parking structure entry and exit
•Automated occupancy
counting
•Permit-holder access
control and enforcement
•Captures plate, context
photo, and time
Pay-by-Plate
Payment and permit
integration
•Mobile apps and pay
stations register plates in
real time
•Enforcement vehicles verify
plates
•Permits tied to plates:
Employee, Residential,
Overnight
Data Collected 4
1 Context photo
Wide view of the vehicle and surroundings
2 Plate photo
Close-up of the license plate
3 GPS coordinates
Precise location of the observation
4 Date and time
Timestamp of the observation
5 Plate text
Plate number read by OCR software
No occupant identity
collected
Photos are not of sufficient
resolution to identify
occupants
Mobile LPR: Field Example 5
Each pass captures
•Plate photo
•Context photo
•GPS coordinates
•Date and time
XXX-XXX
XXX-XXX
Fixed LPR: Field Example 6
Entry and exit cameras
•Occupancy counting
•Permit-holder access control
•Plate and context photos
•Date and time
XXX-XXX XXX-XXX
Permitted Uses 7
1
Verify paid parking
Pay-by-plate sessions; flag unpaid
2
Verify virtual permits
Local, Employee, Business,
Commercial, Overnight
3
Digital chalking
Plate, location, and time on each
pass
4
Identify scofflaws
Boot, immobilize, or tow per Town
ordinance
5
Support citations
Photo and GPS evidence attached
6
Plan the program
Anonymized occupancy data for
planning and rates
Any use outside this list is restricted as laid out in Section C and E
Prohibited Uses 8
1
Protected speech
Monitoring First Amendment
activity
2
Immigration law
Enforcing federal immigration law
3
Selling or sharing data
No commercial transfer or shared
LPR networks
4
Employee tracking
Monitoring attendance or
workplace activity
5
General surveillance
Including travel histories unrelated
to parking
6
Other investigations
Unrelated to parking; limited police
access only (Section E)
Data Retention
Governed by Town records retention schedules
Data Category Retention Period Authority
LPR scan, no enforcement action 1 day Town policy and statutory authority
Data tied to a citation 1 year after final disposition Kept with the citation record
Aggregate occupancy (no plate link)Permanent Program planning and operations
9
Automatic deletion
Records with no citation, legal process, investigation, or
hold are purged on schedule
Quarterly check
Parking & Transit Manager verifies purge compliance
Data Access and Security 10
Who can access
•Trained Parking and Transit staff
•Police: probable cause plus exigent
circumstances, certified by the Chief
•Subpoena or court order, approved by the Town
Administrator
•Anyone else: prohibited, with discipline
possible
How data is protected
•Unique IDs and passwords; MFA where
feasible
•Encrypted storage and transmission
•Covered by cybersecurity monitoring and
incident response
•Open records requests: access denied where
feasible to protect privacy
Enforcement Procedures 11
1
LPR flags
a potential violation
2
Operator verifies
visually; LPR alone is
not conclusive
3
Operator
confirms
against system records
4
Citation issued
with photo and GPS
evidence
Enforcement hours
•Paid parking and time limits: seasonal paid-parking
period
•Overnight permit-only: year-round, monitored by
Estes Park Police
Training
•Required before unsupervised operation
•Refreshed annually; records kept by the Parking &
Transit Manager
Vendor Requirements
•Follow all provisions of this policy
•Limit access to authorized personnel
•Never sell or share Town data
•Delete or return data at contract end
•Report breaches within 24 hours
•Allow Town audits of data handling
12
Questions and
Discussion
The Town of Estes Park is committed to providing equitable access to our services. Contact us
if you need any assistance accessing material at 970-577-4777 or townclerk@estes.org.
Report
To: Honorable Mayor Hall & Board of Trustees
Through: Town Administrator Machalek
From: Director Hinkle
Department: Events & Visitor Services
Date: October 13, 2026
Subject: Winter Event Strategy Proposal
Purpose of Study Session Item:
A letter was submitted to the Town Trustees and Visit Estes Park Board of Directors by
the producers/owners of Skijor and Frozen Dead Guy Days to review the winter event
strategy for the Estes Park Events Complex.
Town Board Direction Requested:
No specific direction is needed from the Board.
Present Situation:
The Estes Park Events Department handles nearly 200 events per year. Over ninety
percent of these happen between May and October. The range of events is significant.
The Events Complex will host horse shows, rodeos, trade shows, weddings, business
meetings and festivals. The department also permits and works with organizers for all
events in Bond Park, Performance Park, Riverside Plaza and any run/walk/cycle events.
The department is in charge of running the O’Connor Pavilion which is used primarily
for weddings and family reunions. We also produce the First Peoples Festival, Wine &
Chocolate Festival, Whiskey Warmup, Big Foot Days, Wool Market, Fireworks, Rooftop
Rodeo, Elk Fest, Rocky Mountain Craft Spirits Festival, Tree Lighting and the Catch the
Glow Parade.
An example of a month in the summertime, this July there were 36 different events. This
includes the Rooftop Rodeo that is six days long and the Hunter Jumper Horse Show
that lasts for two weeks. This does not include the preparation time, load in, load out or
the clean up after for these very large events.
The Events Department is only made up of three Event Coordinators, five Events
Maintenance Workers and one Administrative Assistant. Employee fatigue is a real
problem in the summertime. There are a lot of early mornings, late evenings and
weekends. There is little time for general maintenance of the grounds or to complete
projects.
Ten years ago between November and April, there were only 3 large events (Tree
Lighting, Catch the Glow Parade and Whiskey Warmup). Now there are 13 large
events:
November: Dia de los Muertos, Rocky Mountain Craft Spirits Festival, USA
Gymnastics, Tree Lighting, Catch the Glow Parade, Holiday Wine & Craft Festival
January: First Peoples Festival
February: Wine & Chocolate Festival
March: Whiskey Warmup, Skijor
April: USA Gymnastics, Frozen Dead Guy Days, Big Foot Days
The winter season has become successful but it is also the time when the department
can plan future events, work on projects and general maintenance. It is also a time that
employees can take much needed time off and spend more time with their families.
The Events Complex has a blend of old and new infrastructure. The Town has funded
projects such as the Event Center, Rodeo Arena, footing for the arenas, a storage
building, paving and many other projects.
Skijor and Frozen Dead Guy Days were using our facilities/infrastructure in a way that it
had never before been used. Which is good, but showed weaknesses in the
infrastructure that we have started to address. This includes upgrades to the
outside/barn power outlets and outdoor lighting.
Proposal:
Continue the strategy to grow quality events year round that make sense for the Town
and the Events Department. We will also continue to upgrade infrastructure for existing
and future events as needed.
Advantages:
● Maintaining our same strategy allows the Events Department to work on projects,
maintenance issues and to properly plan events throughout the year.
● It allows employees to refresh and utilize their vacation time.
● There are thirteen solid events in the winter time and we will continue to grow
events that make sense for the Town and the Events Department.
Disadvantages:
Growing the winter season significantly will lead to employee fatigue and higher
turnover. To adequately staff the summer season, more events in the winter time and
maintain the property, there would need to be a significant increase in staff.
Finance/Resource Impact:
Not Applicable
Level of Public Interest:
Item initiated from the public, low interest.
Attachments:
1. Proposal for Review of Estes Park Events Complex Pricing and Winter Event
Strategy
Proposal for Review of Estes Park Events Complex Pricing and Winter Event
Strategy
To: Town Trustees and Visit Estes Park Board of Directors
Recommendations for Events Complex Pricing and Infrastructure in Support of Winter Events
The success of recent winter events, specifically Frozen Dead Guy Days and Skijor, has
demonstrated the significant positive economic impact that strategic event investment can have
on Estes Park, evidenced by increases in Average Daily Rate, occupancy, and sales tax
revenue. However, the current Events Complex pricing structure and operational approach
create a prohibitive financial threshold, limiting winter event viability to only large-scale
productions. This proposal outlines a strategic framework to foster a more sustainable and
diverse winter events portfolio.
Current Challenges
The existing event model presents substantial challenges for potential promoters, particularly in
the winter season (November - April):
●High Barrier to Entry: The current pricing structure necessitates massive turnouts,
making only large-production events financially feasible.
●Economic Risk in Winter: Low winter occupancy results in non-existent spontaneous
ticket sales from tourism. Combined with the perception of difficult road conditions, the
financial risk is often too high for events to succeed without an immediate "home run"
attendance.
●Cost of Operation: Winter events incur additional expenses for services typically
provided in the summer, such as shuttles, water access, and camping infrastructure.
●Competition among Mountain Towns: As an event promoter Estes Park is one of the
worst value propositions over all other CO mountain towns specifically in Winter. Hosting
a winter festival in a ski resort town is akin to hosting a festival in Estes in July. Tourism
is abundant, ski traffic is plentiful and these towns are full of potential ticket buyers.
●Our experience confirms that focused investment in winter events yields measurable
economic returns. Crucially, the data indicates that Visit Estes Park investment is a
necessary component for the financial sustainability of these winter events, true even for
the most successful examples..
To optimize the Events Complex for year-round viability and foster a robust winter events
economy, we submit the following suggestions for consideration in the upcoming budget review:
1.Commit to Fairgrounds Infrastructure and Capital Improvements:
○Dedicate capital funding to upgrade and modernize the Events Complex
property, which is approaching a critical state of deterioration that will negatively
impact future event readiness. Examples include outside lighting, power needs
for snowmaking and an increased need for heavy equipment.
Attachment 1
○ Winter events supported with Town seasonal services. Any event that draws
more than 1,500 attendees would benefit from shuttles running during their
weekend. This benefits the hotels, parking at the EC, downtown businesses and
has a spider effect throughout the whole town.
2. Enhance Events Marketing and Promotion via VEP:
○ Structured Events Marketing Program: Formalize a Visit Estes Park program
to provide structured marketing support for events. More and more potential
events will be approaching VEP for funding; A structured plan and formal review
process will help keep this fair for local and outside businesses alike.
○ Destination Marketing Organization as Lead Promoter: Positioning VEP as
the primary promoter or co-promoter for a portion of the events calendar will
serve as a significant incentive and draw for smaller, developing event producers
looking to enter the Estes market.
Thank you for considering our perspective as you prepare future budgets,
Kevin Benes & Von Freeman
Town Clerk <townclerk@estes.org>
Town Winter Events Proposal for Oct 13 Study Session
1 message
Hooper, Joan <JOAN.HOOPER@cuanschutz.edu>Thu, Oct 8, 2026 at 1:43 PM
To: Gary Hall <ghall@estes.org>, Town Clerk's Office <townclerk@estes.org>
Dear Town Board,
I was dismayed to read the Proposal for Review of Estes Park Events Complex Pricing and Winter Event Strategy in
the Study Session packet for the Oct 13 meeting. It is vague and underdeveloped, narrowly focused on the concerns
of the owners/promoters of Frozen Dead Guys Days and Skijor while ignoring to the capacity of the Town and the
Events department to support high levels of year-round visitation and ignoring any cost-benefit analysis for proposed
capital improvements to the Events Complex.
The essence of the proposal is to “Continue the strategy to grow quality events year round that make sense for the
Town and the Events Department. We will also continue to upgrade infrastructure for existing and future events as
needed”. It includes capital investment to upgrade and modernize the Events Complex/Rodeo/fairgrounds to make it
better for winter events (e.g. outside lighting, power needs for snowmaking and an increased need for heavy
equipment). The proposal also includes a commitment from VEP to promote these new winter events, even though
VEP is an independent entity, NOT under direct control of the Town.
The proposal is underdeveloped because it only considers winter events and does not place this in the larger context
of demands for these facilities during the rest of the year – for personnel, capital needs, investments, etc.
The proposal is underdeveloped because it lacks any numbers, any estimated costs or any cost-benefit analysis. The
burning question- totally unaddressed- is whether these upgrades could/would pay back the investment in a
reasonable period of time.
The proposal is underdeveloped because it neglects personnel issues. The Events Department is already
dangerously overstretched, just coping with existing events. Gearing up to support winter events MUST entail
additional personnel but this never acknowledged, nor is the cost addressed.
The largest problem with this analysis and proposal is that it only considers a very narrow perspective on how to
support Skijor and Frozen Dead Guy Days. It does not truly consider how to bring in more and/or smaller winter
events. It does not consider the downsides, the costs involved. It never considers whether this kind of investment is in
the best interests of the Town or the community.
Thank you for considering my point of view,
Joan Hooper
Public Comment Received on 10/08/2026
The Town of Estes Park is committed to providing equitable access to our services. Contact us
if you need any assistance accessing material at 970-577-4777 or townclerk@estes.org.
Report
To: Honorable Mayor Hall & Board of Trustees
Through: Town Administrator Machalek
From: Jason Damweber, Deputy Town Administrator
Department: Town Administrator’s Office
Date: October 13, 2026
Subject: Organizational Climate Action Plan
Purpose of Study Session Item:
Receive presentation from ICLEI – Local Governments for Sustainability USA and
Larimer County regarding the Organizational Climate Action Plan.
Town Board Direction Requested:
Provide feedback which staff will use to develop an implementation plan.
Present Situation:
Through the Town’s partnership with Larimer County and our involvement in the Climate
Smart Future Ready initiative, an opportunity arose to utilize grant funding provided to
the County to develop a Climate Action Plan that focuses on Town operations. This is
aligned with the 2026 Strategic Plan Objective to “Utilize County Resources as available
to begin work on a Climate Action Plan.”
As a starting point, Town staff worked with staff from the County’s Office of
Sustainability and representatives of ICLEI – Local Governments for Sustainability USA
to develop a Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Inventory of Town operations. The inventory
serves as a comprehensive operational audit measuring the energy consumption and
resource utilization across the Town’s facilities, fleets, and utilities. The data gathered
from the baseline inventory highlights opportunities to lower municipal utility bills,
transition to cost effective fleet alternatives, and modernize aging infrastructure. In
addition to setting an inventory baseline, the plan also highlights reduction targets and
lays out recommendations informed by staff and existing efforts.
Proposal:
Receive the report titled “Climate Action Plan for Town Operations” and provide
feedback to staff that will be used to inform the development of an implementation plan.
Advantages:
• Demonstration of environmental responsibility with respect to our own
operations.
• Energy efficiency retrofits, building weatherization, and fleet electrification can
directly lower municipal utility bills, generating long-term savings for taxpayer
dollars.
• Upgrading municipal infrastructure can safeguard vital public services against
Colorado’s regional climate vulnerabilities.
• Maintaining an officially adopted climate plan positions the Town own to
successfully compete for state and federal funding.
• A localized roadmap ensures our organization actively contributes to Colorado’s
statutory targets of reducing statewide greenhouse gas pollution.
Disadvantages:
None.
Finance/Resource Impact:
The Climate Action Plan for Town Operations was developed using grant funding
provided to the County. Future expenditures are expected but are currently to be
determined.
Level of Public Interest:
Medium.
Attachments:
1. Estes Park Climate Action Plan for Town Operations
2. Climate Action Plan Roadmaps
ESTESPARK, CO
Climate Action Plan for Town Operations
Produced By:
ICLEI – Local Governments for
Sustainability USA
September 2026
Prepared For:
Estes Park, CO
Attachment 1
T a b l e o f C o n t e n t s
Letter from Estes Park
Executive Summary
Background
What is a Government Operations Climate Action Plan and Why is it Important?
Larimer County’s Climate Smart Future Ready Program
Vision for Estes Park
Climate Change Context: Local Observed and Projected Impacts
Anticipated Climate Impacts
2024 Greenhouse Gas Inventory
Greenhouse Gas Inventory as a Step Toward Carbon Neutrality
ICLEI USA GreenClimateCities Framework
Greenhouse Gas Inventory Methodology
Government Operations Emissions Inventory Results
Inventory Trends and Analysis
GHG Emission Reduction Measures and Implementation Scenario Projections
Implementation Scenario Projections
Benefits Beyond Emissions
Recommendations
Buildings & Facilities
Vehicle Fleet
Transit Fleet
Employee Commute
Conclusion
Appendices
Appendix A: Climate Change in Colorado
Projected Climate Changes in Colorado and Estes Park Region
Appendix B: GHG Inventory Methodology Details
Quantifying Greenhouse Gas Emissions
Operations and Work
Base Year
Quantification Methods
Energy
Transportation
Fugitive Emissions
Inventory Calculations
Appendix C: GHG Reduction Measures
Methodology and Calculations
Modeling Assumptions
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T a b l e s a n d F i g u r e s
Table 1: Local Government Operations Inventory
Table 2. Emissions reductions compared to 2024
Table 3. Emissions remaining in each year after implementation
Table 4: Global Warming Potential Values
Table 5: Operations vs. Work for GHG Emissions
Table 6: Energy Data Sources
Table 7: Emissions Factors for Electricity Consumption
Table 8: Transportation Data Sources
Table 9: Fugitive Emissions Data Sources
Table 10: GHG Reduction Measures Modeled
Table 11: Moderate Scenario: GHG Emissions Reduction (Non-Cumulative) MT CO2e
Table 12: Moderate Scenario: GHG Emissions Reduction (Non-Cumulative) MT CO2e
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Figure 1: Co-Benefits of Climate Action
Figure 2: ICLEI GreenClimateCities Framework
Figure 3: 2024 Local Government Operations Emissions by Sector
Figure 4. Moderate Scenario Projected Emissions Reductions
Figure 5. Ambitious Scenario Projected Emissions Reductions
Figure 6. Moderate Scenario GHG Emissions Forecast
Figure 7. Ambitious Scenario GHG Emissions Forecast
07
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L i s t o f F i g u r e s
L i s t o f T a b l e s
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License. It
may not be used for any commercial purpose. Any non-commercial use of this material must provide attribution to ICLEI
Local Governments for Sustainability USA.
L e t t e r f r o m D e p u t y T o w n A d m i n i s t r a t o r
Th e p l a n t h a t f o l l ow s i s de si g n e d t o s e r v e a s a r o a d m a p f o r i m p r o v in g t h e r e s il i e n c y an d
s u st ai nab i l i t y o f T o w n o p e r a t ion s . T h e p l an re f l ec t s o u r i n t e r es t i n pro t e c t i n g th e nat u r a l
e n v i r o n m e nt t h a t d e f i n es E st es P a r k as w e s u pp o r t t he ec o n o mi c v it al it y a nd q u a l i t y of l i f e t hat
ou r re si d en t s, bu si ne ss es , a n d v is i tors v a l u e .
Th e T o w n ex t e n d s o u r s in c e r e g r a t it u d e t o L a r im e r C o un t y f o r i t s l e a de r sh ip , c o ll a bo r at i o n , a n d
on go i n g p a r tn e r s hi p t h r o ug ho u t t he d e v e lop me n t of t hi s p l a n .
Th e C o u n t y’s r e gi o nal p e r s p ec t iv e a n d com m i t m e nt t o c l i ma te ac t io n h a v e b e en i n s t r um en t a l in
h e l p i n g a l i gn l o c a l e f fo r t s w i t h broa d e r su s tai na b il it y g o a l s a c r o ss th e r e gi o n .
W e a ls o w i sh t o th a n k I C L E I – L o cal G o ve r n m e n ts f o r S us t a in a bi li t y US A (I C L E I U S A ) f o r i t s
t e c h ni ca l e x p e r t i s e, gu id a nc e , a nd s u p p o r t . I CL E I US A h a s pr o v i d e d v a l u a b l e t o o l s , d a t a , an d
b e s t p ra ct i ce s t h at h a v e s tre n gt h e ne d th is p l a n n i n g p r o c e s s a nd h e l p e d en s u r e a th o ug h t f u l ,
a ct i o n a b l e f r a m e work f o r t h e y e a r s a h e a d.
Th is C l i ma te Ac t ion Pl a n i s t h e r e s ul t o f a f r u i tfu l c o l l a b o r a t iv e eff ort . T h r o ug h t h e c o u r s e o f o u r
w o r k , w e h av e id e n ti f ie d me a n i n g f u l o p p o r t u n i t ie s t o r ed u c e g r ee n h ou s e g a s em i ss i o n s ,
e n h a nc e o r g an i z a t i o na l r e s i li e n ce , an d st ew a r d t h e n a tu r a l r e s o urc es th a t m a k e E s te s P a r k a
re ma rka b le p l a c e t o l i v e , w o r k , a n d v i s i t. We l o o k fo r w a r d to c o n t in ui ng t h e s e p a r t n ers h i ps a s
w e im pl e m e n t t h i s pl a n a n d w o r k t o w a r d a m o r e su s ta i n a b l e fu t u r e.
J a s o n D a m w e b e r
J a son D a mw e b e r
D e pu t y T o wn A dm in is t r a t o r
Tow n o f Es t e s Park
01Estes Park Climate Action Plan and Inventory of Local Government Operations GHG Emissions
E x e c u t i v e S u m m a r y
N e s t l ed i n t h e R o c ky Mou nt a i n s of C o l o ra d o , Es t e s P ark’s i de n t it y a nd d a il y l ife are
f u n d a m e n tal ly t i ed t o th e nat u r a l e n vi r o nm e n t . H o w ev er, a ch a ng i n g cl im at e - marke d b y
u np r e di c ta b le w i n te r s now pac k s , p r o l o n g e d drou g h t s , a nd l o n g e r w il d f i r e s ea so n s - p o s e s an
i m me d ia te t hre a t t o t h e l o ng -t e r m r es i l i e nc e o f t h e c o m m u n i t y . Th i s i nt e rn a l C l i m a t e A c ti o n
Pl a n (CA P ) f o cu s e s o n l oc al t o w n o p e r at i o n s an d s e r v e s as a s t r a t e g i c r o a dm a p t o g ui d e f u tu r e
b ud g et s t o e ns u r e t h a t E s t e s P a r k con t i n u es to o p era te r es pon s i bl y a n d e ffi c i en t l y .
To t u r n t h i s c o m mi t me n t i nt o con c r e t e ac t i on , Es t e s P ark ha s c on du c te d i t s f i r st L o c a l
G o ve r n m e n t O p e r a t i o n s G r e en ho u se Gas (G H G ) In v e n to r y . T h i s in v e nt o r y a c ts a s a
c o m pr eh e n si v e o p e r a t ion a l a u d i t, t o m e a s ure t he ex ac t e n erg y c o n s u mp t i o n a n d r e s ou r c e
u t i l i z a ti o n a c r o ss a ll m u n i c i p al fa c i l i t i e s , f l e et s , a n d ut i l i t i e s . Th e d a t a g a t he r e d f r o m t hi s
b a s e li ne i n v en t o r y h i gh li gh t s s i gn ifi c a nt o p por t u n i ti e s t o l o w e r m un ic i p a l u t i li t y b i l l s , t r a n si t i o n
t o c os t e f f e c t i v e f le e t al t e r na t i v e s , a n d mod e r ni z e a gi ng i nfra st r uc t u re . I n a d d it i o n t o s e t t i n g a n
i nve n t o r y b a s e l i ne, t he C A P a l so hi g h l i g h ts r e d u ct i o n ta r g e t s an d l ays o u t re com m e nd a t i o n s
i nf o rm ed b y s t a f f a n d ex i st i n g eff ort s .
02Estes Park Climate Action Plan and Inventory of Local Government Operations GHG Emissions
Th is L o c a l G o v e r n me n t O p erat i o n s C A P s erv es a s t he T o w n ’s s t r a t e gi c f r a m e w o r k t o m eas u r e ,
m an a ge , a n d r e d u ce g r e e n h o us e gas (G H G ) e mi s si o ns a cros s al l T o wn op e r a t io n s. Wh il e a
c o m m u n i t y -wi de p l a n ad d r e s s e s t o wn re si d en t s a n d b us i n es s e s , t hi s i n t e r n a l C AP f o c u s e s
s t r ic t ly o n t he as s e t s a n d a ct i v i t ie s un d er o ur di r e c t bu dg e t a r y an d a dm i n i st r a t iv e c o nt r o l. T hi s
i nc l u d e s t o wn b u i l d i n g s , s t r e e t li g h t s , v e hi c l e f le e t , t r a n s i t f l e e t , a n d e m p l o y e e com m ut es .
Im pl e m e n ti ng t h i s p l an i s a c r i t i c a l p r i o r it y f o r E s t e s P ar k f o r s e v eral k e y op e r a t i o n a l r e a s o ns :
L e a d in g by Ex a m p le : T he T o w n mu st d em o n st r a t e e nvi r o nm e n ta l r e s p o ns i b il it y w i th in i t s
o w n o p erat i o n s b e f o r e a s k i n g o u r r e si de n t s a n d b u s i n es s ow ne r s t o t a k e s i m i l a r ac t ion s .
F is c a l R e s p o n s i b i l i t y: E n erg y ef f i c ie n c y re tro fi t s, b u i l d in g we a t h er i z a t ion , a n d f l e e t
e l e c t r i fi c a ti o n di r e c t l y l o we r m un ic i p a l u ti li t y b i l l s , g e ne r a t i ng l o ng -t e r m s a v in g s of t a x p ay er
d o l l a r s.
R e so u r c e a n d In fr a str u c t u r e R es il i e n c e : U p grad in g mu ni c i p a l i n f r a s tru c tu r e safe g u a r d s
v i ta l p u b li c s e r v ic es a g ai ns t Col o r a d o ’s re g i o n a l c li m a te v u l n e r a bi li t i es , i n c l u d i n g s eve r e
d r o u gh t s, s h i f ti ng s n o w pa c ks , a n d e s c a lat i n g w i l d f i re ri sks .
U n l o c ki n g I n t e r g o v e r n me n t a l Fun d i ng: M a i n t a i n i n g a n o f fi c i a l l y a d o p te d c l i m a t e p la n
p o si t i o n s o u r T o w n t o s u cc es s f ul ly c o mp e t e f o r s t a te an d f e d e r a l f un di ng .
S t a t e Po li c y A l ig n me n t : T hi s l oc al iz e d r o a d m a p e n su r e s w e a c ti v e ly c o n t r ib u t e t o
Col o r a d o ’s s t a t ut o r y targ e t s o f r e d u ci ng s t a t e w i de GH G p o ll ut i o n .
Larimer Climate Smart Future Ready Connection:
B a c k g r o u n d
W h a t i s a G o v e r n m e n t O p e r a t i o n s C l i m a t e A c t i o n P l a n a n d W h y
i s i t I m p o r t a n t ?
03Estes Park Climate Action Plan and Inventory of Local Government Operations GHG Emissions
L a r i m e r C o u n t y ’s C l i m a t e S m a r t F u t u r e R e a d y P r o g r a m
Th e T o w n o f E st es P a r k b e g an form a l i z i n g i t s a pp r o a c h to e n v i r o n m en t a l s te w a r d sh i p w i t h t he
2 0 2 1 E n v i r o n m en t a l S u s ta i n a b i l i ty T a s k F o rc e. Fo l lo w i n g p a r t ic i p a t ion i n t h e de v e l o p me n t of t h e
L a r i me r C o u n t y Cl im at e Sm ar t F ut u r e R ea d y (C SF R) fr am e w o r k i n 20 22 a n d s e r v ic e o n t he
p r o g r a m ’s E x e c ut i v e Te a m s i n ce 2 02 4, t h e T o wn i s n o w con t r i bu t i n g to t he r e g i o n a l cl im at e
w o r k i n a su bs t a nt i v e w a y b y a d o pt i n g a C A P f o cu s e d o n in t e r nal m u n i ci p al op e r a t io n s.
Th is C A P p r o v id e s t he fram ew o r k n e c e s sa r y t o re d uc e t h e T o wn ’s i n t e r n a l o p erat i o n al foot pri nt
b y f oc u si ng o n m u n i c i p a l fu nc t ion s , G H G i nv en t o r i es , a n d o pe r a t i o na l p r o t o col s . B y u t i l i zi ng
ICL E I U S A s t a n d a r d s , t he T o w n e ns u r e s i ts d a t a r e ma i n s c o m p a t i bl e w i th re g i o n a l r ep o r ti ng an d
t h a t i n t e r n a l e f fo r t s r em a i n s yn c h r o n i ze d w i th c o u n t y -w i de C S FR A c ti o n T e a m p r i o r i ti e s . T h i s
i nt e rn a l f o c us a l l o w s t h e Tow n t o l e a d by e x a m p l e , re d uc i n g i ts o w n c o nt r i b ut i o n t o t he
re g i o n a l c a r bon foot p ri nt wh i l e e s tab l i sh in g a cl e a r r o a d m a p f o r m u n i ci p al s t a f f . By in t e grat i n g
t h e s e l o c a l g o v ern me n t a ct i o n s w it h c o un t y w i d e g o al s, t h e T o wn e n s ure s it r e m a i n s a
c o l l ab o r a ti v e a nd p r oa ct i v e p a r t n er in b u i l d i n g re g i o n a l r es i l i e nc e wi t h i n th e Lari m e r Cou nt y
C S F R P r o g r a m .
C o n n e ct i o n s t o t h e La ri m e r C ou nt y C li m a te S m a r t Fu t u r e R e a d y P r o g r a m are i n c lu de d
t h r o u g h o ut t h e R e c o m m e n d a t ion s o f th is r e po r t .
V i s i o n f o r E s t e s P a r k
Th e T o w n o f E st es P a r k s hou ld l e a d by e x a m p l e th r o u g h i t s i n t e r n a l o p erat i o n s b y t r a n sform i n g
i t s pu bl i c f a c i li t i es , v e hi c l e f le e t s, a nd e mb e dd i n g su s tai na b il it y a nd r es i l i e nc y i n to it s d a il y
op e r a t ion s . T he T o w n sh o ul d b e c o mm it t ed t o re d u ci ng i t s in t e r nal G H G e m i s s i o n s a nd
s afe g u a r d in g it s i nf ra st r u c t u re ag a in s t f u tu r e cl i m a t e r i s k s by proac t ive l y man a gi ng i t s
re sou r c e s f o r i t s em pl o y e es , re si de n t s , a n d g ue st s .
04Estes Park Climate Action Plan and Inventory of Local Government Operations GHG Emissions
C l i m a t e C h a n g e C o n t e x t : L o c a l O b s e r v e d
a n d P r o j e c t e d I m p a c t s
N a t ur al ly o c cu r r i n g g a s e s d i s pe rs ed i n t h e a t m o sp h ere d e t e r mi ne t he E art h ’s c l i mat e by
t r ap p i n g s o l ar r a d i a t i o n . T hi s p h en o me n o n i s k now n a s t h e g r e e n ho u se ef f e c t. O v e r w h el m i n g
e v i d e n c e sh o ws th a t h um a n ac t ivi t i es a r e i nc r ea s i n g t he c o nc en t r a t i o n o f G HGs a nd c ha n gi ng
t h e g lob a l c l i mat e. T he m o s t s i gn if i c a nt con t r i b u t o r i s bu r ni ng fos s i l fu e l s f o r t r a n sp o r ta ti o n,
e l ec t r ic i ty ge n erat i o n , a n d o t he r p u r pos e s , w hi c h i n trod u c e s l a r ge am o u n t s o f ca rb o n d i o xi de
a n d o t he r G H G s i n t o t h e a tm o s p h e r e .
C o l le ct i v e ly, t h es e g as es i n te n s i fy t h e na tu r a l gre e nh o u s e e f f ec t , c au si ng g l o b a l a v e r a ge
s u r f a c e a n d low e r a t mo s ph e r ic t e mp e r a t ure s t o r i se , t hre a te n i n g t he s a f et y , q ua l i ty o f l if e , an d
e con o m i c p r o sp e r it y o f g l o b a l com m un i t i e s. Al t h o u g h t h e n a tu r a l gre e nh o us e e f f ec t i s n e ed e d
t o k e e p t he e a r th w a r m , t he h um a n -e nh a n ce d g r e en ho u se e f f e c t w i t h t h e r a pi d a c cu m u l a ti o n
of G H G s i n th e a t mos ph e r e le a d s t o too m u c h he a t a n d r a d i a t i o n be i n g trap p ed . T h e
In t e r g o v ern me n t a l P a n e l o n C l i m a t e C h a n g e (I P C C ) 6t h A ss e s s me n t R ep o r t c o n f i r ms th a t
h um an ac t ivi t i es h av e un e q u i voc al l y c a u s e d a n i n c r e as e i n c a r b on e mi s si o ns [1 ]. M a n y r eg io n s
a r e al r e ad y ex p e r ie n c i n g th e c on s e qu e n c e s o f g l o b a l cl im at e c h a n g e, a nd Es t e s P ark is n o
e x c ep t i o n .
Th e T o w n o f E st es P a r k s it s a t a n el e v a t ion of 7 ,5 2 2 f e et , se rvi ng as th e p r i mary gat ew a y to
R o c k y M o un t a i n N a t i o n a l P a r k . T h i s h ig h -a l t i t u d e e c o sys t e m m a k es th e r e gi o n v u l n era b le t o t h e
c o m po u n d i n g e f f e c t s o f cl i m a t e ch a n g e . O v e r th e p a s t s e v e r al d e c a d es , r i s in g a v e r a ge s urfa ce
t e m p e r a t u r es h av e f u n da m en t a ll y a l t e r e d l o cal h y dro l o g y , a cc el e r a t e d w i l d f i r e fre q ue n c ie s, a nd
d is r u p t e d t h e e c o s y st e m .
To pro t e c t m u n ic i p a l o p e r a t i o n s, p r es erv e pu b l i c i nf r a st r u ct u r e , an d s a f e gu a r d t h e loc al
e con o m y , t hi s c hap t e r e st a b l i s h e s a s ci e n ce -b a s e d ba se l i n e o f ob se r v e d cl im at e t r e nd s a n d
d o wn s c al e d proj e c t i o n s f o r E s t e s P ark .
05Estes Park Climate Action Plan and Inventory of Local Government Operations GHG Emissions
[1] IPC C, 2 02 1: Sum ma r y fo r Policy mak e rs. In: Clim ate Change 2 02 1: T h e Phy sic a l Sc i ence B a sis . Contr i but i on of
Wor k i n g Gr oup I to the Sixt h A sse ssm ent R e p or t o f the I n te r g ov e r n me n tal P anel o n Clim ate Change [Mas so n De l mo tt e ,
V., P. Zhai, A. Pirani, S . L . C onno rs, C. Péan, S . Berge r , N . C a u d , Y. Chen, L . G oldfarb, M. I. Gom i s, M. Hua n g , K. Leit z ell, E.
Lo nno y , J . B. R . M att h ew s, T. K . M a yc oc k , T. Wate r f i e l d , O . Ye l e kçi, R . Yu a n d B . Z h ou (e d s.)]. Cam b r i d g e U n i v ers i ty Pres s.
In P res s.
C l i m at e c h an g e di r e c t l y i m p ac t s t he T o w n o f E s t e s P a r k ’s a b il it y to o pe ra te , m a in t a in
i nf r a st r u ct u r e , an d e n su r e f i s c a l h ea l t h. T h e f o l l o wi ng s ec t ion ou t l i n es o p e r a t ion a l i mp a c ts to
t h e Tow n o f E s t e s Pa r k . For a dd i t ion a l de ta i l s o n t h e pro j e c te d cl im a t e c h a n g e s i n t he r eg i o n
re f e r to A p p e n d i x A.
Wa t e r Sup pl y a n d Q u a l i t y
Ea rl y s n o w m e l ts a n d p r ol o ng e d dro u g h ts r e d u ce t h e avai la b il it y o f re l i a b l e w a t e r d uri ng p e a k
s u mm er t o u r i s m m o n th s . C o n cu r r e nt l y , s e v er e w i l d f ire s in t h e su r r o u n d in g wa te r s h e ds cau s e
h e av y s oi l e r o s io n , fi ll in g r e s e r v o i r s w it h s e d i m e nt a nd s i g ni f ic an t l y d e c r e as i n g wa te r qu a l i t y .
Th is r u n o f f p a t te r n i n cre a se s t h e c o st a nd t e c h n ic al c o m p l e x i t y of m un i c ip a l w a te r t r e at m e n t .
C r i t i c al I n f ra s t ruc t u r e a n d Em e r g e n cy Res pons e
Th e e s ca l a t in g t h r eat o f w il d fi r e s p o se s a n e x is t e n ti a l r i sk t o m un ic i p a l u ti li t y s y s te ms , a b o v e -
g r o un d p o w e r l i n e s , an d r e m o te p u m p st at i on s . E x t r e m e w e a t he r v ar i a b i l i ty—in c l u d in g he a v y ,
w e t sh o u l d er-s eas o n s now s to r m s an d i n t e n s e l o c a l i ze d c l o u d b urs t s —s tra i n s r o a d ma i n te n a n ce
c r ew s , da mag e s s t o r mw a t e r s y s t e m s, a nd c o m p r o m i s e s e me r g e n cy e v a c ua ti o n c o r ri do r s .
P u b l ic H e a l t h a n d S af e ty
H i g he r s um m e r te mp e r a t ur es a c ce l erat e t h e f o r m a t i o n o f g r o u n d-l e v el oz o n e pol lu t i o n a l o n g
t h e F r o nt Ran ge . W h en c o m b i n ed w i t h h e a v y s eas o n a l wi l d f i r e s moke , t he se c o nd i t ion s c r e a t e
s eve r e re s p i r a t o r y h a zard s f o r o u t d o o r mu ni c i pa l w o r k e r s , re si d en t s, a nd vi si t o r s.
Tour i s m a n d E c o n o mi c R e s i l i e n c e
Es t e s Park’s e c o n o m y re l i e s h e a v i l y o n n a t u r e-b a s e d t o u r i sm d r ive n b y R o c k y M o un t a i n N a t i o n a l
Pa r k . C l i m a t e -i n du c e d d i sru p t ion s —s u c h a s p a r k c l o su r e s fro m a ct i v e fi r e s , d e gr ad e d f i s h i n g
c o n d i ti o ns f r o m p o o r w a t e r q u a l i ty, a n d d e t e r i o ra ti ng w in t e r re c r ea ti o n c o n di t i o n s—d i r e c tl y
re d u ce m un ic i p a l s a le s a n d l o d g i n g tax r e v e n u es . Th e s e r e v e n u e d r o p s c om p rom i se t he b u dg e t
re q u i r e d t o f u n d vi t a l c o m m un it y se r v i c e s .
L o c al C lim at e A c tio n
M a n y c o m mu ni t i e s i n t he Un it ed S t a t e s h a v e s t a r t e d t o t a k e a c t i o n t o a d d r es s c l i m a t e c h a ng e a t
t h e l o c a l le v e l. Re d u c i ng fo s s i l fu e l u se i n th e com m un it y can h a v e m a n y b en e f i ts i n ad d i ti o n t o
re d u ci ng GH G e m i s si o ns . M o r e e f f i ci e n t us e o f e ne r g y d e c r e a s e s u t i l i t y a n d t r a ns port a t ion
c o s t s f o r re si den t s a n d b us i n es s e s . R e t r o f it t in g hom e s a n d bu s i n e s se s t o be m o r e e f f i ci e n t
c r ea te s lo c a l j o b s . I n a d d it i o n , w h e n r e s id e nt s s av e o n en e r gy c o st s , t h e y are m o r e l i k e ly t o
s p e nd at l o c a l bu s i n e s se s a nd ad d t o t he l o cal e con o m y . R e du c i n g f o s s il f u el u s e i m p r o v e s ai r
q ual it y a nd i nc r e as i n g o pp o r tu ni t i es f o r w a lki ng an d b i cyc l i n g i m p r o v e s re si d en t s’ he a lt h .
To a dd r e s s t h es e c h al le n ge s, t h e ne xt c h a p te r es t a bl i s he s t h e ba s el in e c on t e x t f o r th e a d ap t i v e
i ni t i at i v e s o ut l i n e d in t h i s C l i m at e Ac t io n P l a n. T he s e i n i ti a t i v es co o r d i n a te d i r e c t ly wi t h th e
t o w n 's e x i s t i n g p o li c y f r am e , i n cl ud i n g th e E st es F o r wa r d C o m p r e he n s i v e P lan (G o a l B E 4 ) a n d
t h e E n v iron me n t a l S us t a in a bi li t y T a s k F o r ce (ES T F) o bj e c t i v es .
A n t i c i p a t e d C l i m a t e I m p a c t s
06Estes Park Climate Action Plan and Inventory of Local Government Operations GHG Emissions
2 0 2 4 G r e e n h o u s e G a s I n v e n t o r y
G r e e n h o u s e G a s I n v e n t o r y a s a S t e p T o w a r d C a r b o n N e u t r a l i t y
07Estes Park Climate Action Plan and Inventory of Local Government Operations GHG Emissions
F a c i n g th e cl im at e c r i s i s re q u i r e s th e con c e r t e d e f f o r t s o f l o c a l gov ern m e nt s a n d t h ei r p a r t n ers ,
t h o se t h a t a r e c l o s e to t h e c o mm u n it i e s d i r ec t ly d ea l i n g w i t h t h e im pa ct s of c l i ma te c han ge .
C i t ie s, t ow ns , a nd c o un t i es a r e w e l l p l a c e d t o de f i n e c o h e r e n t a n d i n c l us ive p l a n s t h at a d d re ss
i nt e g r a t e d c l i mat e a c t i o n — c li m a te c ha n ge ad a pt a t ion , re si l i e nc e, a n d m i ti gat i o n . E xi s ti ng
t arg e t s a n d p la n s n e ed t o b e r e v ie w e d t o b r in g i n t h e n e c e s s a r y l e v e l o f a mb it i o n a nd o u tl in e
h o w t o ac h i eve n e t -z ero e m i s s i o n s b y 20 50 a t t he l a t e st . C r e a t in g a roa d m a p f o r c li m a t e
n e u t ra l i ty r e qu ire s E s te s P a r k t o i d e nt i f y p r i o r it y se ct o r s for a c t i o n , wh il e c on s i d e r i n g cl im a t e
j us t ic e, in c l u si v e ne ss , l o c a l job c r e at i o n , a n d o t he r be n ef i t s o f su s tai na b le d e v e lop m e n t .
To c o mp l et e t hi s i n v e n tory, E st es P a r k u t i l i ze d to o l s a n d g ui de l in e s f r om I C L E I U SA , w hi ch
p r o v i d e s a u th o r it a t ive d i r e c t i o n for G H G ac c o u n t i ng a n d de f i n e s c li m a te n e u tral it y a s f o l l o w s :
“The targeted reduction of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and GHG avoidance in government operations andacross the community in all sectors to an absolute net-zer o emission level at the latest by 2050. In parallel to this,it is critical to adapt to climate change and enhance climate r esilience across all sectors, in all systems, andprocesses.”
To a c hi e v e a m b it i o u s e mi s s i o n s re d uc t ion , a n d m o v e t o w a r d cl i m a t e n eu t r a l i t y, E s te s P a r k w il l
n e ed t o se t a cl e ar g o a l an d a c t r a p i dl y f ol low in g a h o li s ti c an d i n t e g r a t e d ap p r o a c h. C li ma te
a ct i o n i s a n o p po r t un it y f o r o u r c o m mu ni t y t o e x p e r i e nc e a w i d e r a ng e of c o -be n e fi t s, su c h a s
c r ea ti ng s o c i o -ec o n o mi c o pp o r tu ni t i es , r e d u ci ng p o v e r t y an d i n e qu a li t y , an d i m p r o v i n g t he
h e al t h o f p e o p l e a n d n a tu r e .
Figure 1: Co-Benefits of Climate Action
I C L E I G r e e n C l i m a t e C i t i e s F r a m e w o r k
F o r t h i s i nv e n t o r y , E s t e s P a r k ’s p r o ce ss i s i nform e d b y I C L E I’s G r e e n C li ma te C i t ie s Fram ew o r k for
i nt e g r a t e d c l i mat e a c t i o n . E s te s P a r k f o l l o w s t h e s t e pw is e a pp r o a c h (Fi g u r e 2 ) wh i c h i n v o lv e s
c o l l ec t in g a nd a n a l y z in g c l i mat e dat a, t a k i n g a c ti o n a nd i m p le me n t in g t h e pl a n, a nd
d e m o ns t r a t i n g l e ad e r s h i p a n d c o ll a bo r at i n g wi t h p art n e r s—a lw a y s w it h an e q ui t y l e ns .
Th e F r a m e w o rk i s o r g a n i z e d i n to An a lyz e , A c t, a nd A c ce l e r at e ph a s e s f o r com m un i t i e s pu r s u i n g
i nt e g r a t e d c l i mat e a c t i o n . T he F r a me w o r k i n corp o r a te s G H G e m i ss i o n s re d uc t ion s , c l i ma te
a d a pt at i o n a c ti o n s , a n d e q u i tab le an d i n cl us i v e d e c i s ion -m a k i n g . E s t e s Pa r k ’s in v e nt o r y h as
S c ie n c e -B a s e d T a r ge ts [2 ] a nd fal ls u n d er St ep C - “A nal y ze a n d se t a b a s e l i n e ”.
O v e r 6 0 0 U .S. c o mm un it i e s h a v e f o l l o w e d t hi s b a si c F r a me w o r k , p r e v iou s l y k n o w n a s I C L EI’s
F iv e M i l e s to n e s fo r E mi s si o n s M a n a g em en t . T o day, it i s re p r e s e n te d th r o ug h t h e s tre a ml in e d
A nal y ze -A c t -A c c e le r a te m o d el .
08Estes Park Climate Action Plan and Inventory of Local Government Operations GHG Emissions
[2 ] S cienc e -Bas e d T a rg ets are c al culat ed climat e g oals , in line with the lat e st clim a te s cienc e, t hat r e p res e n t y our
co mm u n i ty ’s fair share of the a mbit i on nec ess a ry to mee t the Par i s A g r eem e nt c omm i tm e n t o f keeping w a rm i n g b e l ow
1.5°C. To ac h i e ve t h i s go a l , t h e I n tergo ver n ment a l Pa n e l on Clim a te C h a n g e (IP CC ) st ate s tha t w e mus t r e d u ce glo b a l
em i s sio n s by 50 % b y 2030 and ac h i e ve c l i mat e neut r ality b y 2 05 0. Equit a b l y re duc i n g g l obal e miss i ons b y 5 0% re q u i r e s
that h i g h -em i tting, we a l thy n a tio n s reduc e the i r em i ssio ns by mo re t h a n 50 %.
Figure 2: ICLEI GreenClimateCities Framework
G r e e n h o u s e G a s I n v e n t o r y M e t h o d o l o g y
A s l o cal g o v e r nm en t s c o n t in ue t o j o in t h e cl i m a t e p r o t e c ti o n m o v e me n t , t h e n ee d f o r a
s t a n d a r di z ed a p pr o ac h t o q uan t i f y G HG em i ss ion s h a s prov en e ss en t i al . T h i s i nve n t o r y u se s t he
a p pro ac h an d me th o ds p r o v i d e d b y th e Loc a l Go v ern m e nt O pe ra ti o ns P rot o c o l f o r A c co u n t i n g
a n d R e po r t i n g G r e en hou s e Ga s E mi s si o ns (LGO P r o t o c o l ), d es c r i b e d in m o r e d et ai l in A p p e n d i x
B.
09Estes Park Climate Action Plan and Inventory of Local Government Operations GHG Emissions
G o v e r n m e n t O p e r a t i o n s E m i s s i o n s
I n v e n t o r y R e s u l t s
G o ve r n m e n t o p era ti o n s e mi s si o ns f o r 2 0 2 4 t o ta l e d 2 ,8 4 1 MT C O2 e a nd are s ho w n in Tab l e 1
a n d Fi gu r e 3 . T h is l o c a l gove r n m e nt o p erat i o n s i nve n t o r y r ep r e s e nt s a frac t ion of t he T o wn ’s
c o m m u n i t y -wi de em i ss ion s , w h i ch i n 20 2 2 t ot al e d 1 1 7 ,0 5 6 MT C O 2 e . R ef e r t o L ari me r Co u n t y ’s
C l i m at e Fu t u r e Sm ar t R ea d y D a sh board t o f i n d o u t m o r e a bo u t E s t e s P a r k ’s 2 02 2 c o m mu n i t y-
w id e e m i s si o ns .
Table 1: Local Government Operations Inventory
10Estes Park Climate Action Plan and Inventory of Local Government Operations GHG Emissions
Sector Fuel or source 2024 Usage Usage unit 2024 Emissions
(MTCO2e)
Buildings &
Facilities
Electricity 2512435.83 kWh 1403
Natural Gas 77817 Therms 413
Potable Water - Electricity 606363 kWh 339
Potable Water - Natural Gas 7189 Therms 38
Street Lights & Traffic Signals -
Electricity 178808 kWh 100
Buildings & Facilities Total 2293
Vehicle Fleet
Gasoline Passenger 161498 VMT 61
Gasoline Light and Medium
Duty 125681 VMT 63
Diesel Light Duty 86478 VMT 50
Diesel - Off highway equipment 2164 gallons 22
Vehicle Fleet total 196
Transit Fleet
Gasoline 38376 miles 48
Diesel 10530 miles 14
Transit Fleet total 63
Employee
Commute
Gasoline 669947 miles 251
Diesel 30375 miles 10
Electric 66483 miles 14
Employee Commute Total 276
Process &
Fugitive
Emissions
Fugitive Emissions from Natural Gas
Distribution 85006 Therms 14
Process & Fugitive Emissions total 14
Total Emissions 2,841
I n v e n t o r y T r e n d s a n d A n a l y s i s
11Estes Park Climate Action Plan and Inventory of Local Government Operations GHG Emissions
80% Buildings and Facilities
2.2% Transit Fleet
0.5% Process and Fugitive Emmisions
6.9% Vehicle Fleet
9.7% Employee Commute
Figure 3: 2024 Local Government Operations Emissions by Sector
T he b a se l i n e y e ar o f 2 0 2 4 w a s c hos e n s in c e i t w a s t h e m o s t r e c e n t y e ar t h at a fu ll s et o f d a t a
wa s a v a i l a bl e . B u il di ng an d F ac i l i ti e s w a s t he l a r g es t e mi t ti ng s ec t o r , ac c o un t i n g f o r 8 0 % o f
t o t a l e m i s s i o ns . T h i s was f o l l o w ed b y E m p l o y e e C o mm u te (1 0 %), Ve h i cl e F le e t (7 %), T r a n si t F l ee t
(2 %), a n d Proc e s s an d F u g i ti v e e mi s si o ns (<1 %) a c c o u n te d f o r t he r em a i n i n g em i ss ion s .
B u i l d ing s an d F a c i l i t i e s
T he m a j o ri t y o f e m is s i o n s in t h i s s ec t o r w e r e a s soc i a t e d w i th e l ec t r ic i ty u s ag e , w hi c h a c co u nt e d
f o r a p prox i mat el y 8 0 .3 % o f E st e s P a r k ’s t o tal e mi s si o ns . F o r t h i s re p o r t , em i s s ion s w e r e n o t
a n a l y z e d a t t h e fa c i l i t y l e v e l, bu t i t wa s o b s e r v e d t ha t 4% of e m is s io n s f r o m el e c t r i c it y
c o n s um pt i o n was f r o m s tre e t l i g ht s . N a t u r al g a s c o ns um p ti o n a c cou nt ed for t h e r e m a in in g 20 %
o f e m i s si o ns i n t h e B u i l d in g a n d F a c i l i t y s ec t o r .
Veh ic le F l e e t
U n d er t h e V e hi c l e Fl e et th e ma j o r it y o f t h e e mi s si o n s w e r e a s soc i a t e d w i t h d ie se l tru c k s, wh ic h
a l i g n s w i t h t he c urre n t b r e a k dow n o f f u el u s a g e. T he T o wn h a s a t o t a l o f 7 5 r o a d v e h i c le s, o f
w h i c h 7 3% of t he t o t a l a nn ual f u el u s a g e f o r t h e Tow n’s f le e t i s f r o m d i e s e l v eh ic l e s . I n a dd it i o n ,
t he T o wn a l s o h a s 9 off -r o a d d ie se l v e hi c l es .
T r a n s i t Fl eet
T he T o w n ’s t r an si t fl e et i s m ad e u p o f f o u r l e as ed g a sol in e cu t a ways (m i n i -b u s e s ), on e l ea se d
di e s e l b u s , an d t h r e e t r o l l e y s , t wo o f w hi c h a r e e le ct r i c a n d a g a so l i n e tro l l ey t hat i s u s e d a s a
ba c ku p d u r i n g e me r g e n cy s i t ua ti o ns . Em i ss ion s fo r t h e e l e c tri c t r o l l e y w e r e n ot c a l c ul a t e d
s e para te l y si nc e it w as a ss u me d t h a t em i ss i on s w e r e a lre a d y co v ere d u n d e r th e e le ct r i ci t y
c o n s um pt i o n o f B u i l d i n gs a nd F a ci li t i es ). G a s o l i n e bu s e s a c c o u n te d f o r t he l a r g es t p o r ti o n o f
t r a ns i t f l e e t e mi ss i o n s at 72 %.
Em plo y e e C o m m u te
T he m a j o ri t y o f e m p l o y e e s w ho p art i ci p at ed i n t h e T o wn ’s E m p l oye e C o m m ut e s u r v ey (6 4 o u t o f
1 8 0 t o t a l e m pl o y e e s ) i n d i c at ed t h e y d r i v e a g a s o l i ne v e h i c le , w h i ch re su lt ed i n t h e m a j o r i ty o f
e m is s ion s f r o m t h i s s ec t o r b e in g f r o m ga so l i n e ve h i cl e s (~8 4%). F r o m t h e s u r v ey it w as a l s o
de te r mi ne d t h a t 6 .2 5 % o f re sp o n de n t s i n d i c a t e d t h ey c a r p o o l r eg u l a r l y a nd ab o ut h al f of
r e s po n d en t s li v e l es s t h a n 5 m i l e s a w a y from th e i r w o r k p la c es .
Al t h o u g h a c t i v e t r a n s po r t a t ion c o m mu t e s are n o t c a p t ure d i n t he i n v en t o r y , s i n ce t h e y d o n o t
r e s ul t i n a ny e m is s io n s, it d o es r e d u ce t he t o t a l e m is s io n s in th is se c t o r . Th e r e was a h ig h
pe r ce n t a ge o f e m p l o ye e s t h a t us ed a m o d e o f a ct i v e t r a n sp o r ta ti o n t o w o r k r e g u l a r l y . A t l e a s t
1 7 % o f r e s p o ns es i n d ic at ed t h a t e m pl o y e e s re g u l a r l y w a lk o r u s e b i k es to work. I n a dd i t ion
t he r e w e r e a not h e r 1 2 % t h a t i n d i c a t e d t h ey wa l k o r bi k e t o w o rk a t l e as t on c e a m o n t h.
12Estes Park Climate Action Plan and Inventory of Local Government Operations GHG Emissions
G H G E m i s s i o n R e d u c t i o n M e a s u r e s a n d
I m p l e m e n t a t i o n S c e n a r i o P r o j e c t i o n s
I m p l e m e n t a t i o n S c e n a r i o P r o j e c t i o n s
13Estes Park Climate Action Plan and Inventory of Local Government Operations GHG Emissions
Th e G HG em is s ion re d uc t ion m ea s u r e s m o d el e d i n th is r e po r t w e r e ba s ed on b e s t pra c t i c e s a nd
f e e db a c k p r o vi de d d uri ng i n t e r v i e ws w i th Es t e s P ark s taf f c o nd uc t e d by I C LEI U S A . Tw o
i m p l e me n t a t ion s c e n a r i o p r o je ct i o n s w e r e m o d e l e d , a m o de r a t e s c e n a r i o a n d an am b i t i o u s
s c e n a r i o . E a ch i m p l e me n t a t ion s c e n a r i o mod e le d th e sam e e m is s io n re d uc t ion m eas u r e s , w i t h
t h e mo d e r a t e s c e n a r i o r e pre s en t i n g a s l ow e r a d o p ti o n a s c o m p a r ed t o th e a mb it i o u s s c e na r i o .
Th e G HG em is s ion s r e d u c t i o n m e a s ure s pr o v i d e a re p r e s e n ta ti v e s am pl e o f p r o j ec t s t hat c o u ld
b e i m p l e m e nt ed t h r o u gh 2 0 5 0 . H o we ve r , t he y s hou ld n o t be c o ns t r ue d a s a n ex h a u s t i v e li s t o f
p r o j e c t s t h a t c o u l d b e im pl e m e n te d u n d e r a n id e nt i f i e d m ea s u r e .
Ea c h GH G e m i s si o n m e a s u r e w a s qu a nt i f i ed b a s e d o n t h e c o r re sp o n d i n g ou t p u ts th o s e a c t i on s
c o u l d r eas o n a b l y be e xp e c te d to pr o d u c e . F o r e a ch of t he m e as ure s de sc r ib e d in th e ta b le s
b e l o w , th e a ct i v i t y i s as s u m e d t o ram p o r cu r v e t o t h e t a r g et y e a r 2 0 5 0 from p r e v i o u s ye a r s. I t
s h o u l d b e no t e d , t he G H G re d u ct i o n s s how n in Ta b le 2 a re n o t c um ul a t iv e , m e a n i n g i t o n l y
re p r e s e n ts a s n a p s ho t f r o m o ne y ear not t h e s u m o f t h e i n di v i d u a l ye a r s. E mi s si o n s f o r t he y ear
2 0 3 0 an d 20 4 0 a r e p r o v i d e d t o s ho w a s n ap sh o t o f e m i s s i o n s f o r ye a r s in b e t we e n. T he de ta i l e d
p r o j e c t s an d a s su m p t i o n s t h at su p p o r t t h e G H G r ed uc t ion p o te n t ia l a r e ou t l i n ed i n Ap p en d i x C .
Th e sc en a r io m o d e l i n g a l s o t o o k i n to a c c o u n t t h e P la tt e R i v e r P o w er A u t h o r it y ’s (P RP A ’s)
R es o u rc e D i v e r si f i cat i o n P o l i cy, wh i c h di r e c t s P R PA t o p r o a c t i v e l y w o r k t o wa r d a 1 00 %
n o nc arb o n e ne r g y m i x. P R PA ’s 2 02 4 I nt eg r a t e d Re sou r c e P l a n (I R P ) n o w f o r e c a s t s t h a t th e
u t i l i t y w i l l be ab l e t o p r o v i de 8 5% n o n c a r bon e n erg y m ix in 2 03 0 [3 ]. A s su c h t h e t w o
i m p l e me n t a t ion s c e n a r i o s i n t h i s r e p ort mod e l e d a n 85 % non c a r b o n en e r gy m i x i n 2 0 3 0 a nd a
1 0 0 % n o n c a r bo n e n e r g y m ix i n 2 05 0.
By im pl e m e n ti ng al l t h e i d e n ti f ie d me a su r e s , i t i s pr o j e c te d th a t g r o ss e m i s si o ns w i l l b e
re d u ce d b y 2 ,37 5 M T C O 2 e un der t he m o d erat e s ce n ari o an d 2,5 70 M T C O 2 e u nd e r t h e
a mb i t iou s s c e nari o b y 2 05 0 , a s s ee n i n T ab l e 2 .
[3 ] The P l a tt e Rive r Pow e r A u tho ri ty i s a locally -o wned public pow e r ut ilit y t h a t provides elec tric serv i ce t o four
co mm u n i ties i ncluding Est es Park . Read mo r e abo u t the i r 20 24 Int egrat e d Res ourc e P l a n a n d l a te s t mode l i n g for no n -
carbo n ener gy g oal h e r e: ht tps ://pr p a .o r g /2 02 4irp/faq/
14Estes Park Climate Action Plan and Inventory of Local Government Operations GHG Emissions
Sector
2030
Moderate
Scenario
(MT CO2e)
2030
Ambitious
Scenario
(MT CO2e)
2040
Moderate
Scenario
(MT CO2e)
2040
Ambitious
Scenario
(MT CO2e)
2050
Moderate
Scenario MT
CO2e)
2050
Ambitious
Scenario
(MT CO2e)
Buildings and
Facilities 90 129 229 306 315 413
Vehicle Fleet 20 52 49 79 82 134
Transit Fleet 10 13 20 35 44 63
Employee
Commute 17 30 51 70 78.46 105
Process and
Fugitive
Emissions [4]
0 0 0 0 0 0
Reductions
from electric
grid
1,577 1,577 1,713 1,713 1,855 1,855
Total
Emissions
Reduction
1,714 1,801 2,062 2,203 2,375 2,570
Table 2. Emissions reductions compared to 2024 baseline year, by sector with
implementation of all actions (MTCO2e, not cumulative, single year)
[4 ] P r oc e ss a n d Fugit i ve Emi ss i ons a r e deriv ed f ro m t h e co n sum p tio n of nat u ral gas, so em i ssio ns r e d u ctions a r e
capt u r ed und er t h e b u i l d i n g s and fac i l i ties sec to r .
T he em i ss i o n s r ed uc t ion s ex pe ct ed u nd e r th e i m p l e m e nt a t i on of t he M o d erat e a n d A m b it i o u s
s ce n ari o s a r e a ls o sh o wn i n Fi g u r e 4 a n d F i gu r e 5 .
15Estes Park Climate Action Plan and Inventory of Local Government Operations GHG Emissions
Figure 4. Moderate Scenario Projected Emissions Reductions
U n d e r t h e M o de ra te S c e nari o e mi ss i o n s are ex p e c te d to b e r e d u c e d by ~8 4 % f r o m t h e 2 0 2 4
b a s e li ne em i ss i on s b y 2 05 0. No t e t h a t u n d e r th is sc en a r io a r o u n d 7 8 % o f th e e m i s s i o ns
re d u ct i o n s are d u e t o t he el e c t r i c g r id b e c o m i n g 1 00 % no n -c a r b o n by 2 0 5 0 .
16Estes Park Climate Action Plan and Inventory of Local Government Operations GHG Emissions
Figure 5. Ambitious Scenario Projected Emissions Reductions
U n d e r t h e A mb it i o u s S c e na ri o e mi s si o n s a r e e xp e c t e d t o be r ed uc e d b y 9 0 % fr o m t h e 2 0 2 4
b a s e li ne em i ss i on s b y 2 05 0. No t e t h a t a r o u n d 7 2 % o f t he t o t a l e m is s io n s r e d u c t i o n s a r e d u e t o
t h e e le ct r i c g r i d b e c o m i n g 1 0 0 % n o n -c a r bon b y 2 05 0 .
17Estes Park Climate Action Plan and Inventory of Local Government Operations GHG Emissions
Sector
2024
Baseline
Emissions
(MT
CO2e)
Moderate
2030
Forecasted
Emissions
(MT CO2e)
Ambitious
2030
Forecasted
Emissions
(MT CO2e)
Moderate
2040
Forecasted
Emissions
(MT CO2e)
Ambitious
2040
Forecasted
Emissions
(MT CO2e)
Moderate
2050
Forecasted
Emissions
(MT CO2e)
Ambitious
2050
Forecasted
Emissions
(MT CO2e)
Buildings
and
Facilities [5]
2,293 626 587 352 275 123 25
Vehicle Fleet 188 176 144 147 117 114 62
Transit
Fleet 63 53 50 43 28 19 0
Employee
Commute 244 259 246 225 206 198 171
Process and
Fugitive
Emissions
[6]
14 14 14 14 14 14 14
Total
Emissions 2,802 1,127 1,040 779 638 466 271
Ta b le 3 i d en t i fi e s t h e e mi ss i o n s t h a t ar e proj e c t e d t o r e m a i n i n t he r eg io n b y s e c t o r aft er
i m p l e me n t a t ion of t he m e a s ure s .
Table 3. Emissions remaining in each year after implementation of all actions
under Moderate and Ambitious Scenarios (MTCO2e)
[5 ] Em i ssio ns under the Buildings a n d Fa cilitie s se ctor inc l u de em i s sio n s re d u c tio ns from the c l e an elec tric g rid .
[6 ] P r oc e ss a n d Fugit i ve Emi ss i ons a r e deriv ed f ro m t h e co n sum p tio n of Natur a l Ga s, s o e miss i ons reduc tio n s are
capt u r ed und er t h e b u i l d i n g s and fac i l i ties sec to r .
18Estes Park Climate Action Plan and Inventory of Local Government Operations GHG Emissions
T he t o t a l e m is s i o n s t r a j e c t o r y e xp e c t e d un d er t h e i m p l em e n t a ti o n o f th e G HG R e d u ct i o n
M e a s u r e s i s s h ow n i n F ig ure 6 an d F i g ure 7 .
Figure 6. Moderate Scenario GHG Emissions Forecast
Figure 7. Ambitious Scenario GHG Emissions Forecast
B e n e f i t s B e y o n d E m i s s i o n s
19Estes Park Climate Action Plan and Inventory of Local Government Operations GHG Emissions
A lt h o u gh th e maj o r it y o f em i ss i on s r ed uc t io n s u n de r b o t h m o de l i n g s ce n ari o s a r e d u e to
d e c a r bo n i z a ti o n o f th e e le ct r i cal g r id , t he i mp le m en t a t i o n o f o th e r G HG m e a s ure s t h a t i m p a c t
e n erg y u s a g e , su c h a s b u i l di ng re tr o fi t s a nd e n erg y ef f i c ie n c y i m p r o v e m e nt s , c a n s t i l l p r o v id e
s i g n i f i can t b e ne f i t s t o E s t e s Pa r k . B y re tro fi t ti ng t h e t o w n ’s b ui l d i n g s an d up g r a d i n g t o e ne r g y -
e f f ic i e nt a p p l i a n c e s , Es t e s P ark c a n a c h i e v e si g n i f i ca n t l o ng -t e r m f i n an c i a l s a v in g s w h i le
b ui ld i n g a m o r e r e s i l i en t c o m mu ni t y . T r a ns i ti o ni ng aw a y f r o m o ut da te d s y s t e m s di r e c tl y l o we r s
t h e tow n's mon t h l y u ti li t y b i l l s , fre e i n g u p p u bl ic f un d s for o t h er c r i t ic al l o ca l p r o je ct s .
F urt h e r more , r ed u c in g E st es P a r k ’s t o t a l p o w e r d e m a nd r el ie v e s c r i t ic al s t r a in on th e e le ct r i c al
g r id d u r i n g pe a k h o ur s , a c t i n g a s a s h i e ld a g a in s t di s r u pt i v e b l ac k o u ts a n d p o w e r sh o r t a g es .
Th is r e d u ce d d e m a n d a l s o e xt en d s th e o p e r a t i on a l l i f es p a n o f e xi s t i ng el e c t r i c a l i n f r a s t r u c t u r e.
U l t im at e l y , t h e s u rp lu s en e r gy s a v e d c a n b e r e d i r e c t e d t o p o w e r ne w cl e a n i n fras t r uc t ure , s u c h
a s e l e c tri c v e h i c le c h a r g in g s ta t i o n s a n d a l l o w s t h e t o w n t o e x p a n d i t s c a p ab i l i t ie s wi t h o u t
n e ed in g t o pu r c h as e a dd i t ion a l pow e r .
R e c o m m e n d a t i o n s
Th is se ct i o n o u t li ne s t h e a c t i o na b le r ec o m m e nd a t i o ns f o r E s t e s P ar k t o r ed u c e e m i s s i o ns a c r o s s
i t s l oc al g o v e r nm e n t o pe r a ti o ns . It s e r v e s as th e st r a t e g i c fra m ew o r k for t h e T o wn a n d f o c us e s
on i nt e rn a l as s e t s. R e c om m e n d a t ion s w e r e i n f o r m ed b y t h e ou t com e s of t he m o d el in g do n e f o r
t h e e m i s si o n r e du c ti o n m e a s u r es . In pu t w a s ga th e r ed fro m Tow n s ta f f w h o p ar t ic i p a t e d i n a
s eri e s of v irt u a l i n t e r v i ew s , L a r i m e r C l i ma t e Fu t u r e R e a dy R e g i o n al P r o g ra m, a nd t h e Y MCA o f
t h e R o c k ie s S u s t a i n a b i l i ty P lan .
To t r a ns it i o n t h e s e c on c e pt u a l r e c o mm e n d at i on s i n t o m ea su r a b l e l o c a l a c t i o n, a se r i e s of
Im pl e m e n tat i o n Road m a p s h a v e b e e n d e v el o p ed for e a c h s e c t or (i .e ., B u i l d in gs a n d Fa ci li t i es ,
V eh ic l e F le e t , T r a n si t Fl e et , a nd E m pl o y e e C o mm u te ) t o com p l e m e n t t hi s s e c t i o n. E a c h r o a d m a p
w il l de f i n e a r ec o m me n d e d t i m e li ne , s t e ps f o r i mp l em en t a ti o n, pr i o r i t iz a t i o n o f a c ti o ns ,
a l i g nm en t w i t h o t he r r e g i o n a l a nd l o ca l p l a n s , an d id e nt i f y a l e a d d ep a r t me n t . F u r t he r more ,
t h e s e roa d m a p s w il l a l s o i d e nt i f y ex am pl e s of s i m il a r p r o g r am s o r p o l i c i es a d o p te d b y s i mi lar
l o c a l g o v ern me n t s i n t h e r e gi o n a n d p o s s i b l e fu nd in g o p port u n i ti e s .
B u i l d i n g s & F a c i l i t i e s
20Estes Park Climate Action Plan and Inventory of Local Government Operations GHG Emissions
Th e r e c o mm e n d ed s t r a t e g y f o r Es t e s P ark's b u i l d in g s a n d f ac i l it i e s foc u s es o n e ne r g y r e t r of i t s ,
e l ec t r if i c a t i o n , a n d sm a r t e n erg y m a n a g em e n t . T he se ac t io n s t a r g et t h e T o wn 's ex i st i n g
b ui ld i n g f o o tp r i n t t o d r a s ti c a l l y l o w er ut i l i ty c o st s an d e l i m in a t e f o ss il f u el re l i a n c e .
Municipal facility upgrades in Estes Park directly support the Countywide Sustainability Strategy to accelerateenergy efficiency in new and existing buildings. These local actions demonstrate feasibility and help drivecountywide progress.
Larimer Climate Smart Future Ready Connection
R e c o m m e n d a t i o n 1 : P r i o r i t i z e E n e r g y E f f i c i e n c y R e t r o f i t s
P r iori t i ze i mm ed i at e, lo w -c o st e ne r g y e f f ic i e nc y u p d a t e s ac r o s s a l l tow n-o w n e d f a c i l i t ie s t o
l ow e r b a s e l i n e e n erg y d e m a n d .
1 .LED L i gh t i n g
a .Re p la ce a l l r e m a i n i n g l eg a c y l i g h t in g wi t h h i g h-e f f i c i e nc y LE D f i xt u r e s a n d mo t i on
se n s o r s.
b .C o n n e c t w i t h La ri m e r C ou nt y a nd s u rrou nd i n g tow ns to di s c u ss l es s o ns l earn e d f r o m
tra n s i t ion in g t o L E D s .
2 .B u i l d i ng A ud i t s
a .C o n d u c t b u i l di ng as s e s sm en t s a n d e n erg y au di t s o n hi gh e s t pri o r i t y b ui ld in g s i de n t ifi e d
i n t h e F a c i l i t ie s Mas t e r P l a n t o i de n t if y s p ec i f i c e ne rg y e f f ic i e nc y r e com m e n d a t io n s a n d
cos t s . E ne r g y a d v is i n g a n d a ss es s m e n t s are av ai l ab l e f o r f r e e th r o ug h E f f ic i e nc y W o r k s .
3 .B u i l d i ng R et r o f i ts
a .U pg r a d e in s u l a ti o n, s e a l a i r l e a k s , an d i n st al l d o u b l e -pan e w i n d o w s i n o l d e r b ui l d i n g s .
21Estes Park Climate Action Plan and Inventory of Local Government Operations GHG Emissions
R e c o m m e n d a t i o n 2 : E x p a n d E l e c t r i f i c a t i o n
P ha se d re p l a ce me n t of a g i n g n a t ural g a s h e a t in g a nd ap p l i an c e s t o h ig h -e f f i c ie n c y e l ec t r ic
a l te r n a t i ve s.
1 .He a t P u mp s
a .I n s t a l l c o ld -c l i mat e a i r -sou r c e or g r o u n d-sou r ce h e a t p um ps d u r i n g s c he d u l e d H V A C
r e pl a c e m e nt s .
2 .E l ec t r if i c a t i o n
a .E st a b l i sh a pol ic y r e q u i r i n g a l l n ew t o w n c on s tru c ti o n o r m a j o r r en o v a t i o n s t o be 1 00 %
e le ct r i c.
b .A dop t a su s ta i n a b l e p r o cu r e m e n t p o l i c y t h a t p r i o r it i z e s h ig h-e f f ic i e nc y , z e r o -em i ss i on
a p p l i a n c e s , w he re p o ss i b le .
R e c o m m e n d a t i o n 3 : D e p l o y S m a r t B u i l d i n g A u t o m a t i o n S y s t e m s
(B A S )
L ev era g e d i g it al m a n a g em en t t o o ls to o pt i m i z e e n e r g y con s u m p t ion b a s e d o n r e a l -t i m e
oc c up a nc y a nd s e as o na l sh ift s .
1 .S m a r t T he r mo s t a t s
a .I n s t a l l com m e r c i al -gr ad e p r o g r am m a b l e t h e r m o st a t s t o a u t o m a te s e t bac k s d uri ng n o n -
o pe r a t i o na l h o u r s.
2 .Z o ne d C o n t r o l s
a .I m p l e m e n t a u t o m a t e d z o ni ng t o r e s tri c t he a t i n g a n d c o o l i n g i n u n o cc u p ie d st o r a ge o r
u ti li t y are a s.
3 .P ea k De man d Man a ge me n t
a .I n te g r a t e BA S wi t h t h e lo c a l u ti li t y t o r e d u ce en e r gy l oa d s au t o mat i ca l ly du r in g hi g h -
t o uri s t p ea k h o u r s .
4 .M un ic i p a l B ui ld i n g B e n c hm ark i n g
a .E s t a b l i s h a b ui ld i n g b e n ch m a r k i n g p o li c y t o k e e p t r a c k o f e ne r g y a n d w a t e r
c o ns u m p ti o n.
22Estes Park Climate Action Plan and Inventory of Local Government Operations GHG Emissions
R e c o m m e n d a t i o n 4 : E x p a n d O n -S i t e R e n e w a b l e E n e r g y a n d
S t o r a g e
G en e r a t e cl e an e n erg y l o ca l l y t o offs et g r i d r e l i a nc e a nd p r o v i de b a c k u p pow e r d uri ng
di s r u pt i o n s .
1 .R ooft o p S o l ar
a .C o n d u c t a s o l a r r o of top fe a si bi l i t y s t u dy o n hi gh p r i o r i ty bu il d i n g s .
b .E xp l o r e s o l a r p o w e r p u r c has e a gre e m e nt s or s o l a r l an d l ea si n g (e x. La n dg a t e ).
c . I n st al l s ol a r p hot o v o l t ai c (PV ) a r r a y s o n h ig h -v i si bi l i t y f ac i l i ti e s s uc h as th e c om m un it y
ce n t e r a nd p u b l ic wo r k s b ui ld i n g s .
2 .B a t te r y S torag e
a .P a i r sol a r i n s t a l l a t ion s w i t h ba tt ery e n e r g y st o r a g e s y s t e ms (B E SS ) t o c a pt u re e xc es s
g en e r a t ion .
3 .Mi c r o g r id R e s il ie n c e
a .C r i t ic al fa ci li t i es sh o u l d b e c o n f i g ure d i n to m i c r o g r i d s t o m ai nt a i n e m e r g en c y o p e r a t i o n s
d u r i n g g r i d o u ta g e s .
R e c o m m e n d a t i o n 5 : M a x i m i z e I n t e r n a l O p e r a t i o n s a n d
C o o r d i n a t i o n
1 .St r en gt h e n I n t e r d e p art m e nt al C oord i n a t i o n
a .St r en g t he n coord i n a t i o n be tw e en th e P o w e r a nd Com m u n i c a t io n s D i v i s i o n , P l a t te R i v er
P o w er A u th o r it y ’s Eff i c i en c y W o r k s, a nd Es t e s P ark’s F a c il it i e s t e a m to k e e p t r a c k of
cu r r e n t in c e nt i v e s a n d r e b at es th e T o w n c o ul d p u r su e .
R e c o m m e n d a t i o n 6 : C o n d u c t a ”R e t u r n o n I n v e s t m e n t ” S t u d y
1 .Con d u ct a “R e t urn on I n v e s tm e n t ” s tu d y o n a ll To w n b u i l d i n gs a nd fac i l i ti e s b e f o r e
i mp le me n t a t i o n t o i de n t ify t he m o st c os t -eff e ct i v e e n erg y e f f i en c y an d r e t r o f i t t in g
u p g r a d e s .
V e h i c l e F l e e t
Th e r e c o mm e n d ed s t r a t e g y f o r Es t e s P ark’s mu ni ci pal ve h i cl e f l e e t f o c us es o n tran s i t ion in g t o
z e r o -em i ss ion ve h i cl e s an d o p t im i z in g dai ly r o ut es . Th e s e a c ti o ns w i l l r e d u c e ta i l p ip e e m i s si o ns ,
l o we r m a in t e n a n c e cos t s , a n d sh i e l d t h e t o w n from vol a t il e f u el p r i c e s .
23Estes Park Climate Action Plan and Inventory of Local Government Operations GHG Emissions
These fleet transition efforts directly align with Larimer County’s goal to expand fleet charging infrastructur e andsupport EV adoption (Strategy S9 / ST1). This work ensur es the Town actively contributes to countywide cleantransportation and emission reduction targets.
Larimer Climate Smart Future Ready Connection:
R e c o m m e n d a t i o n 1 : E s t a b l i s h a G r e e n F l e e t P r o c u r e m e n t P o l i c y
F o r ma l i z e a p o l i cy t hat p r i ori t i z e s proc u r e me n t of t he m o s t s u s t a i n a b l e ve h i cl e o p t i o n fo r a ll
n e w v eh ic l e p urc h a se s a nd l e as e s .
1 .E l e c tri c F i r s t P o li c y
a .E s t a b l i s h a n e l e c tri c fi r st p o l i c y , w he re al l v e h i c le r ep l ac e m e n ts w i l l b e p r i o r i ti ze d w it h
E V s f i r st , f o l l o w ed b y p l u g -i n h y bri d E V s , a nd t h e n hyb r i d v e h i c le s, un le ss a s pe ci a li z ed
o pe r a t i o na l n ee d p r e v en t s it .
2 .L ife cyc l e C os t in g
a .B a s e p urc h a si ng d e c i s ion s o n t o t a l c o s t o f o w n ers h i p (T C O) r at h e r t h a n up f r o n t c ap i t a l
c o s ts to f a v o r EV s .
3 .R ig ht -S iz i n g
a .R e v ie w a nn ual ve h i cl e u t il iz a t i o n d a ta t o e l i mi nat e u n de r u s e d a s se ts i n st ea d of r ep l ac i n g
t he m.
24Estes Park Climate Action Plan and Inventory of Local Government Operations GHG Emissions
R e c o m m e n d a t i o n 2 : I m p l e m e n t a P h a s e d F l e e t E l e c t r i f i c a t i o n
S c h e d u l e
Ta rg e t s p e c i f i c v e h i c l e c l as s e s for r e pl a c e m e nt a s t he i r o p e r at i o n a l l i fe c y c le s e n d a nd
t e c h no l o g y mat u r e s .
1 .E s t a b l i s h a Ve h i cl e Re p la c em en t P l a n (t a k i n g in t o ac c o un t v e h i c le t y pe an d ut i l i ty)
a .P h a se i n l i g h t-d ut y v e hi c l es to 10 0 % e l e c t r ic mod e l s a s v eh ic l e s a r e up for r e n e wal .
b .F or m e di um -d u t y v eh ic l e s , s hi f t p u bl ic wo r k s u t i l i t y t r u cks a nd c a r go v a n s t o el e c t r i c
al t e r n at i v e s a s c o m me r ci a l a v a i l ab i l i t y e xp a nd s .
c .F or he a v y -d u t y v e h i c le s, c o n s i d e r al t e r na ti v e f u el s (e .g ., re n e w a b l e d ie se l ) o r h y b r i d
s y s te ms f o r s no w p l o w s an d f ire ap p a r a t u s un t i l h e a v y -du t y el e c t r i c t ec h m a t ure s.
2 .B u i l d O ut D e di c a t e d C harg i n g I n f r a s t r u c t u r e f o r Tow n V e hi c l es
a .I n s t a l l L eve l 2 sm art ch a r ge rs a t t h e P u b l i c W o r k s y a r d a n d a d m in is t r a t i v e b u i l d i n g lot s
f o r o v e r n i g h t c h arg i n g .
b .S t ra te g ic al ly pl a c e D C fas t c h a r g ers f o r em erg e nc y v e hi c l es o r t r uc k s n e e d i n g q ui c k
t urn a r o un ds .
c .P r o gram ch a r ge r s t o o pe r a t e d u r i n g o f f-p e a k g r i d h o urs to r e d u c e mu n i ci pal e l ec t r ic i ty
c o s ts .
R e c o m m e n d a t i o n 3 : O p t i m i z e F l e e t L o g i s t i c s a n d T e l e m a t i c s
U ti li ze da ta-d r ive n soft w a r e to m i n i m i z e v eh ic l e m i l es tra ve l ed (VM T ) a n d i mp r o ve fu e l
e f f ic i e nc y d u ri ng t h e t r an s i t io n .
1 .T el e m a t i c s S y s te ms
a .I n s t a l l G P S t r a cki ng s o f t ware t o mo n i t o r ve h i cl e i dl in g t i m e s , d i a g n o s t i c s, a n d re a l-t i me
f u e l c o n s um pt i o n .
2 .R o ut e O p ti m i za ti o n
a .A u t o ma te r o u te p l a n n i n g f o r p u b li c w o r k s m a i n te n an c e an d parks i n sp e c ti o n t e a m s t o
r ed u c e t ot al d a il y m i l eag e .
3 .E c o -D r i v i n g Trai ni ng
a .P r o v id e trai ni ng for s ta f f o n e f f i c ie n t d r iv i n g t e c hn iq ue s , e m p h a si z i n g i d li ng re d uc t ion
p ol ic i e s .
T r a n s i t F l e e t
Th e r e c o mm e n d ed s t r a t e g y f o r Es t e s P ark’s tran s i t f l e e t f o c u s e s on e l ec t r ifyi ng t h e ir c u r r e n t
f l ee t o f l e as ed v eh ic l e s a n d e x p a n d i n g t r a ns i t s e r v i c e y e a r -r o u n d.
25Estes Park Climate Action Plan and Inventory of Local Government Operations GHG Emissions
Expanding off-season transit access in Estes Park supports Larimer County’s Strategy to improve cross-boundarytransit services and connectivity (Strategy S10 / IC2). Securing grant funding for these r outes helps bridge criticaltransportation gaps to essential r esources in more remote and underserved communities.
Larimer Climate Smart Future Ready Connection
R e c o m m e n d a t i o n 1 : T o w n -O w n e d F l e e t O p t i m i z a t i o n a n d
T r a n s i t i o n
1 .P h a s e ou t t he s in gl e g a s b u s a t t h e en d o f i t s us efu l li f e c y c l e a n d r e p l a ce i t w i t h a b a t t e r y -
e l e c t r i c b us (B E B) o r mi c r o -t ra n s i t e le ct r i c v a n.
R e c o m m e n d a t i o n 2 : E s t a b l i s h a G r e e n L e a s e P r o c u r e m e n t P o l i c y
1 .F o r f ut u re t r a n si t l e a s i n g con t r a ct s i nc en t i v i z e v e nd o r s t o s up p l y el e c t r i c , h y b r i d , or
r e n e wab le -d i e se l b u se s in s te a d o f s t a nd a r d g a s /d i e s e l m o de l s .
R e c o m m e n d a t i o n 3 : E x p a n d T r a n s i t A c c e s s Y e a r -R o u n d
1 .Ex pl o r e a d d i t i o n a l gr an t fu nd i n g to e x p an d t r a n s it se r vi c e d uri ng o ff-sea so n m o nt h s
(e s p e c ia l ly f o r u n d e r s e r v e d ar ea s ne e d i n g t r a ns p ort at i o n to e s s e nt i a l se r v i c e s , s uc h as
h o s p it al s, gro c e r y st o r es , e t c.).
E m p l o y e e C o m m u t e
Th e r e c o mm e n d ed s t r a t e g y f o r Es t e s P ark’s e m p loye e c o m mu t e f o c u se s o n e n cou r a gi ng m o r e
a ct i v e t r a n sp o r ta ti o n a nd ri d es h a r i n g p r o gram s . T h e s e a c t i on s w i l l r e du c e t ai l p i p e e mi ss i o n s ,
p a r k in g ne e d s , a n d f u e l c o s t s for e m p l o y e e s .
26Estes Park Climate Action Plan and Inventory of Local Government Operations GHG Emissions
Supporting alternative commute options directly aligns with Larimer County’s strategy to expand activetransportation (Strategy S11). This work helps lower municipal emissions and contributes dir ectly to regionalclimate goals.
Larimer Climate Smart Future Ready Connection
R e c o m m e n d a t i o n 1 : A c t i v e T r a n s p o r t a t i o n I n c e n t i v e s
1 .I n ce n t ivi z e Mu lt i mod a l T r a ns port at i on A lt ern a t i v es (i.e ., bi k in g , w al k i n g , p ub li c t r a ns i t)
a .C r ea te a n e m p l o y e e e-b ike i n c e n ti v e p r o g r am o r de d i c at e a sm a l l p o o l o f mu ni c i pa l e -
b i k e s f o r s t a f f t o u s e w h e n t r a v e li ng b e t we e n f a c il i t i e s f o r me e t i n g s d u r i n g t h e w orkd a y .
b .I n s t a l l a d d i t i o n a l bi k e i n f r a st r u ct u r e i n m a j o r T o w n b u i l di ng s, in c l u d i n g s e c u r e bi k e
l o cke r s a nd c l o th in g l o c k e r s .
c .C o n ti nu e t o e n c ou r a ge t he u se o f t h e E s te s P a r k R i v e r w al k Parki ng Ga ra g e f o r t h o se
w o r k i n g f r om T o w n H a ll , t o e nc o u r a g e a dd i t ion a l w a l k i n g a n d u s e o f s hu t t l e .
2 .A d v a n ce s t r a te g i e s i d e n ti f ie d i n E s t e s P a r k ’s M ul t i m o dal Tran s p o r t a t i o n P l a n (i.e ., pro t e c t e d
b i k e la n es , a d di t i o n a l t ra i l s, e t c .) t o p r o m ot e a c t i v e t r a n s po r t a t ion c o m mu t e s .
R e c o m m e n d a t i o n 2 : C r e a t e V a n p o o l a n d C a r p o o l P r o g r a m s
1 .E x p lore i n t e r n a l i n ce n t ive s t o en c o u r a g e e mp l o y ee s t o c a r po o l , s uc h as i n te r n a l c a r poo l
ne tw o r k s, pre f e r r e d parki ng for c a r p o o le r s, e t c .
2 .P a r t n er wi t h r e gi o n al org a ni z a t i on s t o s p o n s o r d e d i ca te d m u n i ci pal van poo l s f r o m h i g h -
d en s i t y e mp l o y ee r es i d e n t i a l h u b s.
3 .I mp l e m en t a G u a r a n t e ed R i d e Hom e p r o gra m t h a t p r o v i d e s f r ee r i d e s ha r e or t a xi vou c h ers
t o em pl o y e es w h o r i d e s hare o r t a k e t r an si t t o e ns u r e t h e y c a n g e t h o me i mm ed i at el y i n t h e
e v e n t o f a p e r s o n a l em erg e nc y o r u n p l a n n ed ov ert i me .
C o n c l u s i o n
Th e T o w n o f E st es P a r k s t a nd s a t a c r it i cal c r o s s roa d s w h ere en v iro n me n t a l s t e ward sh ip
d ire ct l y i n t e r s e c t s wi t h mu ni c i pa l f i s c a l r e s p o ns i b i l i ty. B y i mp l em en t i n g th is C A P , t he T o wn
d ire ct l y a d d r e s s e s t he em i ss ion s w i t hi n it s i m me d i a te c o nt r o l . T r a n si t i o ni ng t o more eff i c i en t
a n d el e c t r i f i e d b u i l d in g, o p t im i z in g t h e T o wn ’s c o r e ve h i cl e f l e e t , a n d r e movi ng b a r r i ers to
s u st ai nab l e em pl o y e e c o m m ut es col le ct i v e l y d em o n st r a t e s t h a t c li m a te ac t ion c an b e
a ch ie va b le an d e c o no m ic a l l y a dv an t a g eo u s. As a h i g h -v i si b i l i ty gat e w a y com m u n i t y , Es t e s
Pa r k ’s c o m m it m e n t t o m un ic i p a l d e c a r b o ni zat i o n p r o t e c ts i t s frag il e e nv i r o n m e n t, b u i l d s
re si li e n cy a gai ns t vol a t i l e f o ss il f u el c o s t s, a nd e st a b l i s h e s a po w e r f ul p r e c e de n t f o r l o cal
b us i n es s e s , r es i d e n ts , a n d v i s i tors w h o t r a v e l t hrou gh t h e val le y ea ch ye a r .
27Estes Park Climate Action Plan and Inventory of Local Government Operations GHG Emissions
28Estes Park Climate Action Plan and Inventory of Local Government Operations GHG Emissions
Appendix A: Climate Change in Colorado
Appendix B: GHG Methodology Details
Appendix C: GHG Reduction Measures
29
31
36
A p p e n d i c e s
A p p e n d i x A : C l i m a t e C h a n g e i n C o l o r a d o
29Estes Park Climate Action Plan and Inventory of Local Government Operations GHG Emissions
P r o j e c t e d C l i m a t e C h a n g e s i n C o l o r a d o a n d E s t e s P a r k R e g i o n
S t a t e a n d r eg i o n a l s tu d i e s h a v e i nd ic a t e d t ha t E s te s P a r k ’s c li m a te i s a l r e a dy d i v e r g i n g
s i g n i f i can t l y f r o m h i s t ori c a l b as e l i n e s .
Tem pe r a t u r e I n c rea s e s
A v e r a ge an nu a l t e m p erat u r e s ac r o s s C o lorad o h a v e i n cre a se d b y a p pro x i m at el y 2 .3°F s i n ce
1 9 8 0 l e v e l s [7 ]. Al t h o ug h t e m p e r at u r e s i n th e n o r t he r n p a r t of t he s t a t e h a v e b e e n mo r e m i l d
c o m pare d to t h e o t h er hal f o f t h e s t a t e , s eas o n a l c h a n g e s a r e m o r e p r o f o u n d . Wi nt ers a r e
s h o r te n i n g a n d g r o wi ng m il de r , w h i l e s u m me r s a r e e x p eri e n c i ng an i nc r eas ed fre q ue n c y of
e x tr em e he a t d a y s.
Hy dr o l o gy , W ate r S u pp l y, a n d Ea r l y S n o w m e l t
A lt h o u gh p r e c ip i t a t ion ac r o s s t he s t a t e h a s b e e n h i g h l y v a r i a b l e , i n g en e r a l t h e s t a t e h a s
e x p e r i e nc ed d r i er p eri o d s s i n c e 2 0 00 [8 ]. R i si ng t em pe r a tu r e s h a v e a ls o cau s e d t h e s p r in g
s n o w p a ck t o m e l t t wo t o t hre e w e eks e a r li e r th a n h i s t o ri c a l a v e r a g e s . Ac c e l e r a t e d s p r in g r un o f f
l e ad s t o l o w er wa te r av ai l ab i l i t y d uri ng p e a k su mm er v is i tat i o n w h e n m u n i c ip a l de man d is
h ig he st .
F ut u r e p r o j ec t ion s i n di c a t e a s ub st an t i a l d e c l i n e in f re e zi ng d a y s—p o t e n ti a ll y s h o r te n i n g
w in t e r s b y u p to t w o mon t h s . E arl i er, he a v y s now m e l t f o l l o w ed b y i n t e n se s um m e r h eat d r i ve s
s eve r e s o il a n d v e g e t a t i o n e v ap o r a ti o n [9 ]. T hi s c y c l i c al d r y i n g d i r e ct l y t h r e a t e ns th e he a l t h o f
t h e Bi g T h o m ps o n R i v e r wat ers h e d , i n cre a se s wa te r t r e a t m e nt com pl e x it y , a nd h e ig ht en s t he
ri s k o f f la s h fl o o d i n g f r o m s u d d en su mm er c l o u d bu r st s .
E c o sy s t e m S t r e s s a n d V e c t o r O u t b rea k s
W a r m e r w i n t e r m i n i mu m t e m pera tu r e s h a v e a l l o w ed a h i gh e r p e r c e n ta g e o f d e s tru c ti v e
m o u n t a i n p in e b ee tl e s t o su r v i v e t h e c o l d s e a s o n. T h e r e s ul t i n g r e g i o n al b e e t le o u tb r e a k h as
l e ft b e h i n d v a st st an d s of de a d t i m b er, c r e a t i n g i m me d i a te p u bl ic sa f e t y h a z ard s a l on g T o wn
ri gh t -o f -wa y s a nd t r a i l sys t e m s .
Ex t e n d ed w a r m s e a s o ns w i l l c o nt i n u e t o f a v o r i n v a s ive s p ec i e s o v e r nat i v e s u b a l p in e
ve g e t a t ion . F o r T o w n st a ff, m a n ag i n g th e s e e c o l o gi c a l sh if ts r e q u i r es e s c al a t i n g r e s o u r c e s t o
c l e a r h a z a r d o us d ead t r ee s, t r e a t p u bl ic l an d s , a n d c o n t r o l nox i o u s w e ed s t o m a i n t a in
c o m m u n i t y fi r e b r eaks .
30Estes Park Climate Action Plan and Inventory of Local Government Operations GHG Emissions
W i l d f i re and S m o k e R i sk s [1 0 ]
W a r me r, dri e r co n d i ti o ns h a v e e x t e nd e d t he r e g i o n a l wi l d f i r e s e a s o n a nd am pl if i e d fi r e
s e v e r i ty. Se v e r e b la z e s , l i ke t he h i s t o r i c E as t Tro u b l e s om e a n d C a me r o n P e a k f i r e s , h a v e
de mon st r at ed h o w r a pi d l y h i g h -el e v a t ion f ore st s c an b u r n . E x t r e m e s m o k e e v e nt s re p e at ed l y
s t ra i n o u td o o r m un ic i p a l l a b o r , d is r u p t p u bl ic t ra n s it , a n d de g r a d e ai r q ual it y .
H i g h -al t i t ud e f o re st e c o sys t e m s a r e pro j e c te d to f a c e a c o n ti nu e d i n c r e a s e i n s ig n i f i c a n t f i re
pot en t i al d u e t o p e r s i s t e nt d r o ug ht a n d t in de r b o x c o nd i t ion s . For m u n i c ip a l o p era ti o ns , t h i s
m e a n s he i gh t e ne d r i s k s t o To w n -ow ne d s t r uc t ure s, c r i t i c a l u ti li t y l i n e s , an d i n cre a se d d e m a n d
o n l oc al e me r g e n cy s e r v i c e s .
O p e r atio na l a n d I n f r a s t ruc t u r e V u l n e r a b ili ties
E x t re me w e a t he r v o la ti li t y —in c l u d i n g s e v e r e wi nd eve n t s an d u n se a son a l h e a t w av es —h a s
a l r e a dy pl a c e d un p r ec ed e nt ed s t r e s s o n t he l o cal p o we r gri d, a t t im es r e qu i r i n g u ti li t y
bl a c k o u t s t o p r o t e c t e q u i p m e nt .
U n p r ed i c t a b l e w in t e r p r e c ip i t a t io n an d s h o r t e r w i n t e r w i n dow s t hre a te n sn o w-d e p e nd e nt
t o ur i sm e c o n o m i es a c r o s s t h e R o c k y M o un t a in s . O p e r a t i o n a l l y , t h e T o w n mu s t pre p a r e f o r
m o r e e xt r em e m u l ti -h a z a r d e v en t s, r a ng i n g f r o m f l a sh -f l o od ri s k s a lon g narrow c a n y o n r o a d s
t o s e v ere h a il st o r m s t ha t t h r eat en p ub l i c v e h i c le fl e e t s an d bu i l d i n g e n v e lop e s .
[7 ] htt p s://climat e change.co l os tat e .edu/cha pt ers /2 _t e mp_pre cip.ht ml
[8 ] htt p s://climat e change.co l os tat e .edu/cha pt ers /2 _t e mp_pre cip.ht ml
[9 ] htt p s://dnrw eb l i n k.s tat e.c o.u s/CW CB/0/edo c/2 19188 /Co l ora do_W a terPlan_2 02 3_Digita l .p d f
[1 0] h ttps ://clim a te.co l orado.go v/co l or a d o-go a l s-ac tio n s-e quit ab l e-c l i mat e -f u ture
A p p e n d i x B : G H G M e t h o d o l o g y D e t a i l s
31Estes Park Climate Action Plan and Inventory of Local Government Operations GHG Emissions
Th e f ir s t s t e p t o w ard ac h i e v i n g t a n g ib l e G H G e mi ss i o n r e du c ti o n s re q u i r e s i de n t ifyi ng b a s e li ne
e mi s si o ns l e v el s al o n g w i t h t h e s o u r c e s a n d a c t i v it i e s g e ne r a ti ng e mi s s i o n s i n t h e c o mm u n i ty.
Th is r e p o r t p r e s e nt s e mi s si o ns f r o m o p erat i o n s of t he T o wn o f E s t e s P a r k ’s g o v e r nm e n t . T he
g o v e r nm en t o p e r a t i o n s in v e nt o r y i s m o s t l y a s ub s e t o f t h e c o m m un it y i n v e nt o r y , a s s h o w n i n
F ig u r e 5 . For e x a m p l e , d a t a o n c o m me r c i a l e n e r g y us e b y t h e c o m m un it y i n cl ud e s e n e r g y
c o n su m e d b y mu ni c i pa l b u i ld in g s , a n d c o mm u n i ty v e hi c l e-mi l e s -t r a v el e d e s t i m a t e s i nc l u de
m i l es d r ive n b y mu ni c i pa l f l ee t v e h i c le s.
Figure 5: Community-Wide Emissions vs. Local Government Emissions
Community-Wide Emissions
Government
Operations
Emissions
32Estes Park Climate Action Plan and Inventory of Local Government Operations GHG Emissions
Table 4: Global Warming Potential Values (IPCC, 6th Assessment Report)
Greenhouse Gas (GHG)Global Warming
Potential (GWP)
Carbon Dioxide (CO2)1
Methane (CH4)27
Nitrous Oxide (N2O)273
Th e G WP a ll o ws th e com pa r i s o n o f h o w m u c h he a t di f f ere n t GH G s t r a p i n t h e a t mos ph e r e
re l at i ve t o carb o n d i o xi d e a n d a l l o w s t h e ir he a t i n g p o t e nt i a l t o be ex p r e s s ed i n C O2 -
e q u i v a l e nt s (C O 2 e ). S pe ci f i c al ly, it i s a m e a s ure o f h o w m uc h en e r g y t he em i ss ion s o f o n e t o n o f
g a s w i l l a bs o r b o v e r a g i v e n p e r i o d o f t i m e re l at i ve t o th e e m i s s i o ns o f o n e ton of c a r b o n
d iox i d e (C O2 ), ta k i ng i nt o a c co u nt v a r i o u s f a c t ors su c h a s h o w a b s o r b en t t he g a s is a nd h o w
l o ng i t r em a i n s i n t he a t m o sp h ere . T h e l a r ge r t he G W P , t he m o r e th a t g a s w a r ms th e E a r t h
c o m pare d to C O 2 o v er a ce r tai n t i m e p eri o d . A s at m o sp he r i c an d c l i mat e s ci e n ce fi nd i n g s
e v o l v e , th e G WP o f e a c h g a s h a s b e e n u p da te d to b et t e r r e f l e c t t h e gl o b a l w a r m i n g i m p a c t o f
e mi s si o ns .
L o c a l G o v e r n m e n t O p e r a t i o n s (L G O ) P r o t o c o l
I n 2 01 0, I C LEI U S A , t h e C a l i f o r n i a A i r Re so u r ce s B o a r d (C AR B ), a n d t he Cal iforn ia C l i m a t e A c ti o n
R e gi s try (C CA R) r el e a s e d V e r s i o n 1 .1 o f t h e L G O P r o t o col [11 ]. T he L G O P rot o c o l s e r v e s as th e
n a t i o n a l st an d ard fo r q u a nt i f y i n g a n d r e p o r ti ng GH G e m i s si o ns f r o m loc a l g o ve r n m e n t
o p e r a t i o n s. T h e pu r p o s e o f t h e L G O P r o toc o l i s t o p r ovi d e t he pri nc i p l e s, a pp r o a c h ,
m e t hod o l o g y, a n d p r o c e d u r e s n e e de d to de ve l o p a l o c a l g ove r n m e nt o p erat i o n s G H G
i n v en t o r y .
T h e f ol low in g a c ti v it i e s a r e in c l u d ed i n t h e LG O i nv e n t o r y :
B ui ld i n g s & Fa ci li t i es E n e r g y a n d N a t ura l G a s C o n su mp t i o n
S tre e t l i g ht s
V e h i c l e Fl e et
T r a n s i t Fl e et
E m p loye e C om m ut e
W a s te a n d W as t e wa te r s e c t o r s we re n o t i n c lu d ed s i n c e E s t e s Pa r k doe s not o w n o r o p e r at e a n y
l a nd f i l l s or wa st ew a t e r t r ea tm e n t f ac i l i ti e s .
[1 1] IC L E I. 20 10. L oc a l Gove r n me n t Ope r a tio n s P ro to co l for Acc ount i n g a n d Repo r ting G reenhouse Gas E mis sio n s.
R et r i e ved from h tt ps ://i cleius a .o r g /r e so u rce s/l oc a l -g ov ernm ent-operat i ons -l g o-pr ot oc ol/
33Estes Park Climate Action Plan and Inventory of Local Government Operations GHG Emissions
I C L E I U S A ’s C l e a r P a t h C l i m a t e P l a n n e r 2 .0 (C l e a r P a t h 2 .0 )
Th e G HG i n v e n tory a n d e mi s si o n r e du c ti o n m o d e l i n g w a s c o n d uc t e d u si ng Cl e a r P at h 2 .0 . T h i s
d e f i n i ti v e cl im a t e p l a n n i n g a nd i mp l e m en t a t i o n pl a t f o r m f o r th e U .S ., us ed b y h u n d r e d s o f l o c a l
g o v e r nm en t s, s tr ea ml i n e s t h e e n t ire c li m a te ac t ion p r o ce ss . F r o m t r a c k i n g trac k e m i s s i o n s ,
p lan ni ng for t h e f u tu r e , a n d en g ag i n g w i th c o l l ab o r a tors , w h i l e u s i n g d a t a t o d r i ve s m a r t
d e c is i on s .
Q u a n t i f y i n g G r e e n h o u s e G a s E m i s s i o n s
O p e ra t i o n s and Wo r k
In Cl e arP at h 2 .0 , t h e G P C f r a me w o r k i s o p e r a t i o n a l i z ed b y s t r u c t u r i n g a c t i v i ty d at a in t o
op e r a t ion s a n d w o r k (T a bl e 5 ).
Operations Work
The purpose of energy or resource use (e.g., heating
buildings, moving freight, treating wastewater, or
disposing of waste).
The fuels and energy consumed to carry out certain
operations (e.g., natural gas for heating, diesel fuel for
freight, electricity for wastewater treatment).
Table 5: Operations vs. Work for GHG Emissions
B a s e Yea r
T he i n v en t o r y proc es s req ui r e s t h e s el e c t i o n o f a b a s e ye a r w i t h w h i ch t o com pa re c u rre n t
e m is s io n s. E s te s P a r k ’s L G O G HG e m is s io n s in v e n tory ut i l i z e s 2 0 2 4 as i t s b a se l i n e y e ar , f o r
wh ic h t h e n e c e s sa r y da ta a r e a v a i l a b l e .
Q u a ntif i c a t i o n M e t h o ds
S o me a c t i v i ti e s , s uc h as w as t e d is pos al , d o n o t in v o l v e di r e c t en e r gy c o n s um pt i o n . In th e s e
c a s e s, o nl y op e r a t ion s a r e r e q u i re d (e .g., t o n s o f wa s t e lan dfi ll e d), an d e m i s s i o ns a r e e s ti m a te d
di r e c t l y th r o ug h p r o c e s s-b a s e d e m is s i o n fac t o r s r a t he r t h a n a w o r k c a l cu la ti o n.
O p e r a t i o n s x W o r k I n t e n s i t y = W o r k X E m i s s i o n F a c t o r = E m i s s i o n s
T he ex am pl e s on t h e f o l l ow in g pag e u s e a r b i tr ary, si m p l i f i e d nu mb e r s t o make t h e m a t h e as y
t o fol lo w .
34Estes Park Climate Action Plan and Inventory of Local Government Operations GHG Emissions
E x a m p l e 1 : S t a t i o n a r y E n e r g y (h e a t i n g b u i l d i n g s )
1 .O p e r at i on s : 1 00 ,00 0 s q u a r e f e e t
2 .W o r k I n te n s it y : 4 0 kB t u pe r s q u a r e f o o t
3 .W o r k : 1 00 ,00 0 x 4 0 k B t u = 4,0 0 0 ,0 0 0 k B t u = 4 ,0 0 0 MM B tu
4 .E m is s io n F a c to r : 5 0 kg CO 2 e pe r M MB t u
5 .E m is s io n s: 4,0 0 0 x 5 0 k g = 20 0,0 0 0 k g C O 2e = 2 0 0 me tri c t o ns C O 2
E x a m p l e 2 : T r a n s p o r t a t i o n (f r e i g h t m o v e m e n t )
1 .O p e r at i on s : 1 ,0 0 0,0 00 to n -m i l e s
2 .W o r k I n te n s it y : 0 .0 0 3 g a ll o n s d ie se l p e r t on -m il e
3 .W o r k : 1 ,0 0 0,0 00 x 0.0 03 = 3,0 00 g a ll o ns d i e se l
4 .E m is s io n F a c to r : 1 0 kg CO 2 e pe r g a l l o n d i e se l
5 .E m is s io n s: 3,0 0 0 x 1 0 k g = 30 ,00 0 k g C O2 e = 30 me tr i c t o ns C O 2e
E x a m p l e 3 : W a s t e (l a n d f i l l i n g , n o W o r k e n t r y )
1 .O p e r at i on s : 1 0,0 00 t o n s o f so l i d w a st e l a n d f i l l ed
2 .P r o c e s s E m i s s i o n Fa ct o r : 2 .0 m e t r i c ton CO 2 e pe r t o n w a st e
3 .E m is s io n s: 10 ,0 0 0 x 2 .0 = 2 0,0 00 me tri c t o ns C O 2e
Th is a p p roa ch op e r a t i o n a li z es th e G P C w it h i n a dat a s y s t e m d e s ig n ed for c o n s is t e n t r e port i n g,
s t r e am li ne d a nal y s i s , an d a li g n me n t w i t h re g ion a l, na ti o nal , an d gl o b a l i nv en t o r i es .
Activity Data Source Data Gaps/Assumptions
Electricity consumption Town of Estes Park Provided monthly usage for 2024. Also included data for
streetlights, which was entered separately.
Natural gas consumption Xcel Energy Provided monthly usage for 2024.
Year CO2e
(lbs/MWh)Data Source Data Gaps/Assumptions
2024 1,231 Town of Estes Park Used the 2024 CO2e emission rate (lb/Mwh net)
for Estes Park - Total Energy Use allocation.
35Estes Park Climate Action Plan and Inventory of Local Government Operations GHG Emissions
E n e r g y
Th e f o l l o w i n g t a bl e s s h o w e a c h a c ti v i t y , re l at ed d a t a s o urc es , a n d n o te s o n dat a g ap s.
Table 6: Energy Data Sources
Table 7: Emissions Factors for Electricity Consumption
T r a n s p o r t a t i o n
Table 8: Transportation Data Sources
Activity Data Source Data Gaps/Assumptions
Government vehicle
fleet Town of Estes Park
Data for 2024 was provided and included breakdown of total annual miles,
total annual fuel consumption, and vehicle type for each vehicle. Annual
vehicle miles travelled for each fuel type was used as the input.
Transit Fleet Town of Estes Park
Data for 2024 was provided and included breakdown of daily distance
travelled, gallons consumed, and vehicle type for each route. Annual
vehicle miles traveled for each fuel type was used as the input. It was
assumed that the electric trolley was already captured under Building and
Facility electricity use, so it was not included in this sector.
Employee commute Town of Estes Park
An Employee Commute Survey was conducted of all Town employees in
July 2025. A total of 64 responses were received out of 180 total
employees (35.56%). Data was scaled up based on the responses received.
The following assumptions were made:
Each carpool trip was equivalent to 0.5 trips.
Assumed all responses that indicated they drove a “hybrid” car was a
“hybrid-gasoline”. Assumed that 30% of the trip was electric and 70% was
gasoline use (US DOE - Fuel Economy.Gov).
For responses that did not include the number of vacation days, assume
10 days of vacation per year.
Activity Data Source Data Gaps/Assumptions
Natural gas
consumption Xcel Energy Provided monthly usage for 2024.
36Estes Park Climate Action Plan and Inventory of Local Government Operations GHG Emissions
F u g i t i v e E m i s s i o n s
Table 9: Fugitive Emissions Data Sources
F u g i t i v e E m i s s i o n s
Th e 20 24 i n ve n t o r y w a s c a l cu lat ed f ol low in g t h e U S Com m u n i t y Prot o c o l a nd Cl e ar P at h 2 .0
s o f t w a r e , a c l o u d -b a se d a p pl ic at i on f o r en e r gy a n d e mi s si o n m a n ag e m e nt . A s d i s c u s se d i n t he
G r e e n h o us e G a s I n v e nt o r y M et h o d o log y s e c t i o n , t he I P C C 6t h A ss e s s me n t w a s u se d f o r GW P
va l u e s t o c o nve r t m e t h an e a n d n i t r o us o xi d e t o CO 2 e qu iv al e n t un it s . Cl e ar P at h 2 .0 ’s i nve n t o r y
c al c u l a tors a l l o w f o r i np u t of t he s e c t o r ac t i v i ty (i .e ., kW h o r V M T) an d e m i s s i o n f ac t o r t o
c al c u l a te t h e fi na l C O 2 e e mi ss i o n s .
A p p e n d i x C : G H G R e d u c t i o n M e a s u r e s
M e t h o d o l o g y a n d C a l c u l a t i o n s
Th e se l ec t ion of G H G re d uc t ion m eas u r e s an d g o a l s f o r e a c h w ere b a se d on b e s t p r a ct i ce s a n d
f e e db a c k p r o vi de d d uri ng i n t e r v i e ws w i th Es t e s P ark s taf f c o nd uc t e d by I C LEI U S A . Tw o
i m p l e me n t a t ion s c e n a r i o p r o je ct i o n s w e r e m o d e l e d us in g I C LEI U S A ’s Cl e a r P a t h 2 .0 p l a tform , a
m o d e r a t e s c e n a r i o a nd an a m b i t iou s s c e n ari o . E ac h i mp l em en t a ti o n s ce n ar i o m o d el e d t he
s am e e m i s s i o n r ed u c t i o n m e as ure s, wi t h th e mod e r a t e sc en a r io r e p re se n t in g a s l o w er
a d o pt i o n a s c o mp a r e d t o t h e am b i t io u s s ce n ari o . T h e GH G e m i s s i o n s r e du c ti o n m e a s u r es
p r o v i d e a r e p r e s e n t a t ive s a m p le o f pr o j e c ts th a t c o u l d be i mp le m en t e d t h r o u g h 2 0 5 0. How e v e r ,
t h e y sh o u l d n o t b e con s t r u e d a s an e x h a u st i ve l i s t o f pr o j e c ts th a t c o u l d be i mp le m en t e d un de r
a n i d e nt i f i ed m e as u r e . T ab l e 1 0 p r o v id e s al l o f t h e G H G r e du c ti o n m e a s u r es mod e le d w i th t h e
2 0 5 0 g o a l s f o r bot h s c e na r i o s .
37Estes Park Climate Action Plan and Inventory of Local Government Operations GHG Emissions
Table 10: GHG Reduction Measures Modeled and 2050 Goals under Moderate and
Ambitious Scenario
Sector Action 2050 Goal (Moderate)2050 Goal (Ambitious)
Buildings
Install Solar Rooftop
5% of electricity use, from 2024
baseline, is generated by on-site
solar
10% of electricity use, from 2024
baseline, is generated by on-site solar
Upgrade Town facilities
with energy efficient
upgrades and promote
electrification
70% of buildings shifted to heat
pumps
100% of buildings shifted to heat
pumps
70% of buildings retrofitted 100% of buildings retrofitted
70% of appliances replaced with
energy efficient alternatives
100% of appliances replaced with
energy efficient alternatives
100% of building lighting is LED 100% of building lighting is LED
Fleet
Transition fleet to low-
or zero-emission
vehicles
70% of passenger vehicles VMT
shifted to electric
100% of passenger vehicles VMT shifted
to electric
20% of light trucks VMT shifted to
electric
40% of light trucks VMT shifted to
electric
15% of medium trucks VMT
shifted to electric
25% of medium trucks VMT shifted to
electric
Use telematics to
improve eco-driving
70% of vehicles utilize eco-
driving/telematics
100% of vehicles utilize eco-
driving/telematics
Transit Fleet Electrify transit fleet 70% of the transit fleet VMT
shifted to electric
100% of the transit fleet VMT shifted to
electric
Employee Commute Reduce employee VMT
10% of single-occupancy commute
trips shifted to carpooling
15% of single-occupancy commute trips
shifted to carpooling
20% of commute trips shifted to
active transport
25% of commute trips shifted to active
transport
38Estes Park Climate Action Plan and Inventory of Local Government Operations GHG Emissions
M o d e l i n g A s s u m p t i o n s
Be l o w a r e t h e a s s u m p t ion s u se d t o mod e l t he G H G e mi s si o n r e du c ti o ns f o r ea c h m e as u r e u s i n g
C l earPat h 2 .0 f o r 2 0 5 0 u si ng t h e m o d e r a t e a n d a m b i ti o us i m p l e m e nt a t i on s c e n a r i o .
I n s ta l l S o l a r R oof t o p s
Th e T o w n o f E st es P a r k c urre n t ly do e s no t h a v e a n y s o l ar in s tal le d . Th e tot al e l ec t r ic i ty
c o n su m p t i o n fo r 20 24 (3,2 97 ,6 0 7 k W h ) wa s us ed as th e b a s e l i n e f or t he m o d erat e a n d
a mb i t iou s 2 05 0 goal s , w h i ch a i m t o i n s t a l l su f f i c i e n t s o l a r to c o v e r 5 % a nd 1 0% of t he T o wn ’s
e l ec t r ic i ty c o n s um pt i o n f r o m 2 0 2 4 b y 20 50 . A l in e a r r e gre s s ion w a s u s e d to c a lc u l a t e t h e k Wh
a d o pt i o n b e t we e n 2 0 2 4 t o 2 05 0 un de r eac h s c e na r i o . Th e sol a r e mi s si o n s a b a t e m e n t was t h e n
c al c u l a te d b y taki ng t h e d iff e r e nc e in e mi s si o ns f r o m t h e e l e c tri c i t y p r o v i de d b y th e g r id ve r s u s
e l ec t r ic i ty pro v i d e d b y s o l ar.
U p g ra de T o wn f a c i l i t i e s wi th e n e r gy ef f i c i e n t u p g ra des a n d pr o mot e e l e c tr i f ic a ti o n
Th e T o w n o f E st es P a r k d o e s n o t have an as s e s s m en t o f e n e r g y e f f i ci e n t r e t r o f it s re com m e nd e d
f o r eac h b u i l di ng or a ny a d op t e d g o a l t o e le ct r i f y ap p l i a n ce s. C urr en t l y t h e m a j o r i ty o f
b ui ld i n g s h a v e n at u r a l g a s h e at i n g, how e v e r , a s bu il di ng s ha ve b e e n r et r o f i tt ed , t h e To w n has
re p l a ce d h eat i n g u n i ts w i th e l ec t r ic t h e r m a l h e a t u ni t s o r h e a t p um ps . T o m o d el e n erg y
e f f ic i e nc y r e t r o f i t s t o b ui ld i n g s an d f a c il i t i e s, t h i s r e p o rt ut i l i z e d t hre e fu ll -m o d el t r a n si t i o n
e l em en t s in C l earp a t h 2 .0 : R e t r o f it t in g P ub l i c B ui l d i n g s for E f f ic i e nt He a ti ng , R e t r o f it t i n g P ub li c
Bu il d i n g s f o r Effi c i en t Co o l i n g , a n d S h i f t t o H e at P u m ps i n P u b li c B u i ld in g s . Th e s e tran s i t ion
e l em en t s we r e m o de l ed t o 7 0 % a nd 1 00 % o f th e tot a l s qu a r e f o o t a g e o f b ui l d i n g s an d f a c i l i t ie s
t r an s i t io n i n g b y 2 0 50 u nd e r th e mod e r a t e a n d a m bi t i o u s sc en a r i o, r e s p ec t ive l y .
Th e a d o p ti o n o f e n erg y e f f i c ie n c y a p pl i an c e s w a s m o d e l e d ut i l i z i n g t w o f ul l-m o de l t r a n s it i o n
e l em en t s in C l earp a t h 2 .0 : E n e r g y E f f ic i e nt P u bl ic E l ec t r ic A pp li a nc es a nd E n e r g y E f f ic i e nt
In s ti t u t ion a l L i gh t i n g . A lt h o u gh th e r e a r e n o l o c a l goa l s t o e le ct r i f y , C o l o ra d o i s l e a di ng t h e
e f f o r t t hrou g h l e gi s l a t ion . F o r ex am pl e , C o l o r a d o H o u s e -B i l l 2 3 -1 16 1 , t he “C le a n Li gh t i n g A c t”,
p r o hi b i ts th e sa l e o f f l u ore sc en t l i g h t b ul b s a n d m a nd a t e s t he i n s t a l l a t i o n o f LE D li gh t i n g i n
c o m m e r c i a l an d r e s i de n t ia l p r o pe r ti e s (i n c l u d i n g n e w c o n s t r uc t ion a n d r e n o v a ti o ns ) a s o f
J a n u a r y 1 , 2 0 2 5 . B y 2 0 5 0 al l li gh t i n g w o ul d be ex p e ct e d t o b e LED . As su c h , th e E n erg y E f fi c i e n t
In s ti t u t ion a l L i gh t i n g tran s i t ion e l em en t w a s m o d el e d t o 1 00 % o f k W h o f l i g h ti ng t r a n si t i o ni ng
u nd e r b o t h s c en a r i os . T h e E ne rg y Eff i c i en t P u b l i c El e c t r i c A p pl ia n c e s t r a n si t i o n el e m e n t was
m o d e l ed t o 70 % a nd 1 00 % c o n v ert i n g t o en e r g y eff i c i en t al t e r na ti v e s b y 2 0 5 0 un de r t he
m o d e r a t e a n d a m b i ti o us sc en a r io, r e s p ec t iv el y .
Fleet
Th e T o w n o f E st es P a r k d o e s n o t have an ad o p t e d el e c t r i c fi r s t-p o li c y , h ow e v er, s taff ar e
e x p lori ng t he p o ss i b il it y o f t r a n si t i o n i n g t o e le ct r i c v e h i c le s wh e r e p o s s i bl e a nd as th e y com e t o
t h e e nd o f t h ei r u s e f ul l if e . A s o f 2 0 2 4 , t h e T o w n had 2 7 pa s s e n g e r v e hi c l es (16 1 ,4 9 8 a nn ual
V M T ), 3 3 l i gh t d u t y tr u cks (1 6 9 ,2 4 1 a nn ua l VM T ), a n d 8 m e d i u m d u ty t r u c k s (4 2 ,9 1 8 a nn ua l
V M T ). To m od e l t he t r a n si t i o n o f th e T o w n ’s f le e t t o l o w - o r z ero -e mi ss i o n v e hi c l e s , t h i s re p o r t
u t i l i z e d t w o f u l l -m o de l tran s i t ion e l em en t s in Cl e arp a t h 2 .0 : S h i f t t o El e c t r i c Ca r s a nd S hi f t t o
El e c t r i c L ig ht T r u c k s . T he S hi f t t o El e c t r i c C a r s t r a n s it i o n e le me n t w a s m o de l e d t o 7 0 % a n d
1 0 0 % o f t h e t o tal p a s se n g e r v eh ic l e V M T t r a n s i t i o ni ng t o e le ct r i c by 20 5 0 u n d e r t h e m o d e r a t e
39Estes Park Climate Action Plan and Inventory of Local Government Operations GHG Emissions
a n d a m b i t i o us sc en a r io, r e s p ec t ive l y . Th e Sh ift t o E le ct r i c L i gh t T r u cks tran s i t ion e l em en t w a s
m o d e l ed t o 35 % a nd 6 5% of t he t o t a l l i g h t t r u c k VM T t r a n si t i o n i n g t o e le ct r i c by 20 5 0 u n d er t h e
m o d e r a t e a n d a m b i ti o us sc en a r io, r e s p ec t iv el y . N o t e t h a t t hi s t r a ns i ti o n e l e m e nt mod e le d l i g ht
a n d m e di um d ut y t r u c k V M T c o m b in e d.
A s o f 20 24 Es t e s Pa rk o w n s t w o el e c t r i c t r o ll e y s a n d o ne b a ck-u p ga so l i n e tr o l l ey, wh il e i t l e as e s
f o u r g a s o l i n e m i n i -b u s e s an d o ne d i es e l b u s . Th e tot a l V M T f r o m t h e se g a sol in e b u se s was
3 8 ,3 7 6 m i le s a n d 1 0 ,5 3 0 m i l e s f o r d ie se l b u se s . T o m o d el t h e e l ec t r if i c a t i o n o f t h e t r a n s it
ve h i cl e s , t h i s re p o r t u ti li z ed on e f u l l -m o de l tra n s i t ion e l em en t i n C le a r p a t h 2 .0 : S h i f t ICE B us to
El e c t r i c B u s. T hi s t r a ns i ti o n e l e m e nt w as m o d e l e d t o 70 % a nd 1 0 0 % o f th e tot al g a s o l in e a nd
d ie se l tran s i t f l ee t V M T tra n s i t ion in g t o el e c t r i c b y 2 05 0 u n de r t h e m o de r a te an d a m b it i o u s
s c e n a r i o , r e s p e c t i v el y .
Tr a n s i t F l e e t
A s o f 20 24 Es t e s Pa rk o w n s o n e g a s o l i n e bu s a n d tw o e l ec t r ic trol le y s, w h i l e i t l e a s e s fou r
g a s o l i n e bu se s a n d o n e d i e s e l bu s. T he t o t a l V M T f r o m t h es e gas o l i n e b u s e s w a s 3 8,3 76 mi l e s
a n d 1 0 ,5 3 0 m i l e s f o r di e s e l b u s e s . T o mo d e l t h e e l e c t ri f i c at i o n o f t h e t r a n si t v eh ic l e s , t hi s r e p o r t
u t i l i z e d o n e f u l l -mod e l t r a ns i ti o n e l e m e nt i n C l e a r pa th 2 .0: Sh if t I C E B u s t o E l e c tri c B us . T h i s
t r an s i t io n e l e m e n t w a s m o d e l e d t o 7 0% an d 10 0% of t he t o t a l g as o li ne an d d i e s e l t r a n s it f le e t
V M T t r a n si t i o n i ng t o e le ct r i c by 20 5 0 u n d er t h e m o d e r at e a nd a m b i t iou s s c e nari o , r es p e c ti v e ly.
E m p l o yee C o m m u t e
A s p a r t o f th is r e p o r t , t h e To w n o f Es t e s P ark c o n du c te d a n E mp lo y ee Com m u t e Su r v e y to
i nf o rm t h e g o al s s e t for t h e G H G e m i ss i o n r e d u ct i o n a c ti o ns a n d r ec o m me n da ti o ns f o r t hi s
s ec t o r . Th e su r v e y h a d a tot al o f 6 4 r e s p o nd e nt s ou t o f 18 0 t o t a l T o w n e m p l o y e es (3 5 %
re sp o n s e r a t e ). Bas ed on s t a f f i n te r v i ew s i t wa s d et erm i n e d t h a t t h e t wo m os t va l u a b l e
s t r a t e gi e s t o r e du c e e mi ss i o n s from e m p loye e c o m mu t e s w a s t o i nc r eas e c a r p o o l i n g a n d a c t i v e
t r an s p o r t a t i o n. R e m ot e w ork w a s not con s i de r e d s i nc e a p r ev i o u s s u r ve y i n d i c a t e d t h at st aff
p r e f erre d t o wo r k i n t h e off i c e a n d m a ny r o le s r e qu ire i n -p e r s o n w o r k .
F o ur r e s p o n d e n ts (6 .2 5 %) st at ed t h a t t he y c a r po o l r eg ul a r ly t o w o r k . T o m o d e l a n in c r e a s e i n
c arp o o l i n g t he r e p o r t ut i l i z e d o n e f u ll -m o d el t r an si t i o n e l e m e n t in C l earp a t h 2.0 : I n cre a se
J o u r n e y S ha ri ng . B as e d o n t he s urve y r e s ul t s, t h i s t r a ns i ti o n e l e me n t w a s m o de l ed t o 1 0 % a nd
1 5 % o f em pl o y e es com m u t in g t r i p s b y p ers o na l v e h i cl e sh if ti ng t o carp o o l i n g by 2 0 5 0 un d er t h e
m o d e r a t e a n d a m b i ti o us sc en a r io r e s p ec t ive l y .
F iv e 5 em p l o y e es st at ed t h a t t h ey w a l k r e gu l arl y an d s i x u s e d m i c r o m o bi l i t y r e g u l a r l y , w h i c h
c o m bi n ed re p r e s e n te d 1 7 % o f r es p on de n t s . M o re o v e r , fi v e a d di t i o n a l r e s p o nd e n ts i n d i c at ed
t h e y take m ic r o mob i l i t y on c e a m o nt h , t wo t o o k m i c r o m o b i li t y t w i c e p e r w ee k , an d o n e w a l k ed
on c e a m o nt h . A t o t a l o f 3 5 s u r v ey r e s p o n d e n ts l i v e d l e s s t h a n f i ve m il e s from w o r k . D e s p it e t he
d iff i c ul t ge o g r a ph y a n d c li m a te o f E st es P a r k , t he s u rve y i n d i c a t e s t ha t t h ere i s po t e n t i a l fo r
a d di t i o n a l e m p l oye e s t o i nt e g r a t e mo r e a c t i v e t r a n s p o r t a t io n o p ti o ns , s u ch a s wa l k in g o r
b iki ng , i n t o t h e ir c o mm u te s. T o m o d el th is ch a ng e th e r e po r t u t i l i z e d o n e f u l l -mod e l t r a ns i ti o n
e l em en t i n C le a r p a t h 2 .0 : S h i f t to Wal k in g a nd C yc l i n g . Ba s ed on t h e s u r v e y re s u l t s , t hi s
t r an s i t io n e l e m e n t w a s m o d e l e d t o 2 0% an d 25 % o f e mp l o y ee s c o mm u ti ng t r ip s by pe r so n a l
ve h i cl e sh ift i n g t o a ct i ve t r a n sp o r t by 20 5 0 u n d er t h e m o d e r at e a nd a m b i t iou s s ce n ari o ,
re sp e c t i v e l y .
40Estes Park Climate Action Plan and Inventory of Local Government Operations GHG Emissions
D e t a i l e d B r e a k d o w n o f P r o j e c t e d E m i s s i o n s R e d u c t i o n s
Th e f o l l o w i n g s e c t i o n i n c l u d es th e p r o j e ct e d e mi s si o n s re d u c t i o n s b y ea ch ac t ion m o d e l ed
u nd e r th e M o d e r a t e (T a b l e 1 1 ) an d Am bi t i o u s Sc en a r io (T ab l e 12 ). E a c h a ct i o n w as mo d e le d to
2 0 5 0 , h o w eve r , t he em i s s ion s f o r th e y e a r s 2 03 0 an d 2 0 40 a r e i nc l u d e d a s i n f o r m a t i o n a l . N o t e
t h a t t r a n si t i o ns r e la te d to e n e r g y may s h o w z e r o e m i ss i o n s re d uc t ion s i n c e th e e le ct r i ci t y g r i d
w a s m o de l ed t o b e 85 % c a r b o n f r ee b y 2 0 3 0 a n d 1 0 0 % c a r bo n fre e b y 2 05 0 [1 2 ].
[1 2] The Plat te R i v er P ower Aut h orit y is a l oc a l l y-ow n e d p u b l i c power u tility that p rov i d e s e l e ct r i c s e rvic e to f our
co mm u n i ties i ncluding Est es Park . Read mo r e abo u t the i r 20 24 Int egrat e d Res ourc e P l a n a n d l a te s t mode l i n g for no n -
carbo n ener gy g oal h e r e: ht tps ://pr p a .o r g /2 02 4irp/faq/
41Estes Park Climate Action Plan and Inventory of Local Government Operations GHG Emissions
Table 11: Moderate Scenario: GHG Emissions Reduction (Non-Cumulative) MT
CO2e
Transition Element Inventory
Category
2030
(MT CO2e)
2040
(MTCO2e)
2050
(MTCO2e)
Solar Buildings and
Facilities 2 4 0
Shift to Heat Pumps in Public Buildings Buildings and
Facilities 60 180 289
Energy Efficient public electric appliances Buildings and
Facilities 1 1 0
Energy Efficient institutional lighting Buildings and
Facilities 4 5 0
Retrofitting public buildings for efficient
heating
Buildings and
Facilities 20 35 26
Retrofitting public buildings for efficient
cooling
Buildings and
Facilities 3 4 0
Shift to from ICE bus to electric bus Transit Fleet 10 20 44
Shift to electric cars Fleet 10 23 39
Shift to electric light trucks Fleet 9 24 40
Eco driving of cars Fleet 0.1 0.3 0.4
Eco driving of light trucks Fleet 1 2 3
Increase journey sharing Employee
Commute 10 30 46
Shift to walking and cycling Employee
Commute 7 21 33
Grid converted to 100% carbon free Grid 1,577 1,713 1,855
Total 1,714 2,062 2,375
42Estes Park Climate Action Plan and Inventory of Local Government Operations GHG Emissions
Table 12: Ambitious Scenario: GHG Emissions Reduction (Non-cumulative) MT
CO2e
Transition Element Inventory
Category
2030
(MT CO2e)
2040
(MTCO2e)
2050
(MTCO2e)
Solar Buildings and
Facilities 4 8 0
Shift to Heat Pumps in Public
Buildings
Buildings and
Facilities 90 250 413
Energy Efficient public electric
appliances
Buildings and
Facilities 2 2 0
Energy Efficient institutional
lighting
Buildings and
Facilities 4 5 0
Retrofitting public buildings for
efficient heating
Buildings and
Facilities 25 36 0
Retrofitting public buildings for
efficient cooling
Buildings and
Facilities 4 6 0
Shift to from ICE bus to electric bus Transit Fleet 13 35 63
Shift to electric cars Fleet 30 35 56
Shift to electric light trucks Fleet 20 40 73
Eco driving of cars Fleet 1 2 2
Eco driving of light trucks Fleet 2 2 2
Increase journey sharing Employee Commute 20 40 64
Shift to walking and cycling Employee Commute 10 30 41
Grid converted to 100% carbon
free Grid 1,577 1,713 1,855
Total 1,801 2,203 2,570
The town of Estes Park has laid the groundwork for fleet electrification early by developing a comprehensive Electric Vehicle Infrastructure and Readiness
Plan. Moreover, part of the Town’s fleet is already actively utilizing or exploring alternative-fuel options. By synthesizing past infrastructure studies and
current departmental momentum, this roadmap outlines a practical pathway to successfully transition Estes Park's municipal assets into a highly efficient,
high-altitude green fleet.
The roadmap is intended to complement the Estes Park Climate Action Plan (CAP); a more detailed description of each strategy is included in the CAP’s
Recommendation Chapter.
Recommendations
Fleet
Category Strategy Type Town Lead + Partners Priority Costs Metrics Related Plans
Establish a Green
Fleet Procurement
Policy
ZEV First Fleet
Replacement Policy Policy Internal Services, Finance High $Policy adoption by Town Board
Estes Park EV Infrastructure and Readiness
Plan
Environmental Sustainability Task Force -
Objectives
Lifecycle Costing Policy Finance, Internal Services (Fleet Division)High $Lifecycle costing calculator
integrated into procurement
Fleet Utilization Study Service - Coming Soon
In April 2026, Estes Park put out an RFP to
search for a vendor to conduct a
comprehensive fleet utilization study Fleet Right-Sizing Operational Internal Services (Fleet Division), Utilities (Power and
Communications Division), Public Works Medium $Total vehicles reduced from baseline
Implement a Phased
Fleet Electrification
Schedule
Light-Duty
Electrification Capital Internal Services (Fleet Division), Utilities (Power and
Communications Division), Public Works High $$% of light-duty fleet electrified North Front Range Metropolitan Planning
Organization (NFRMPO) - Connected
Communities 2055 Regional Transportation
Plan (RTP)
State of Colorado Fleet Management Policy
(Senate Bill 13-070)
Medium-Duty
Electrification Capital Internal Services (Fleet Division), Utilities (Power and
Communications Division), Public Works Medium $$% of medium-duty fleet electrified
Heavy-Duty
Alternative Fuels
Capital/
Operational
Internal Services (Fleet Division), Utilities (Power and
Communications Division), Public Works Low $$$fuel usage and/or % of fleet
electrified
Level 2 Chargers Infrastructure Internal Services (Fleet Division), Utilities (Power and
Communications Division), Public Works High $$# of chargers installed Estes Park EV Infrastructure and Readiness
Plan
Downtown Parking Management Plan
Environmental Sustainability Task Force -
Objectives
DC Fast Chargers Infrastructure Internal Services (Fleet Division), Utilities (Power and
Communications Division), Public Works Low $$$# of chargers installed
Off-Peak Charging Operational Internal Services (Fleet Division), Internal Services
(Information Technology)Medium $Total kwh of electricity or costs saved
annually
Optimize Fleet
Logistics and
Telematics
Telematics Technology Internal Services (Fleet Division), Internal Services
(Information Technology)High $$# of idling hours reduced
Route Optimization Technology Internal Services (Fleet Division), Internal Services
(Information Technology), Public Works Medium $$Daily VMT
Eco-Driving
Training Operational Internal Services (Fleet Division), Human Resources Low $% of fleet drivers certified
Estes Park, CO - Implementation Roadmaps
Attachment 2
C h a l l e n g e s
F l e e t
Estes Park, CO - Implementation Roadmaps
Steep grade and cold-weather power demand and range for medium- and heavy-duty electric vehicles (EVs)
Seasonal electric grid strain
Upfront capital costs constraints
Grant management capacity
Vehicles for emergency response require reliable vehicles
Training for maintenance
C a s e S t u d i e s
The City of Salida, CO faced limited upfront capital to build municipal charging depots. To solve this, Salida installed Level 2 and DC Fast Chargers to create
accessible public charging networks near community hubs (e.g., parks, public parking structures). The Town utilized these public chargers to fuel the
municipal fleet during off-hours. This approach helped reduce the initial upfront costs to install chargers and helped the City more rapidly scale their fleet.
Read more at Drive Clean Colorado.
The Town of Avon, CO procured all-wheel drive for their light-duty administrative electric SUVs and hybrid vehicles for their police vehicles. The Town also
paired its municipal fleet procurement with regional public charging buildouts. Read more at the Town of Avon’s website.
A c t i o n s t o G e t S t a r t e d
Convene a Cross-Departmental Fleet Task Force
Assemble key staff from Internal Services, Fleet, Finance, and Public Works.
Adopt a "ZEV First" Fleet Replacement Policy
Draft an official ordinance that aligns with regional frameworks and amends the town's purchasing guidelines to require that all light-duty vehicle
replacements default to Zero-Emission Vehicles (ZEVs), which includes tiered exceptions for heavy-duty emergency or utility equipment where
alternative fuel options are not yet operationally or financially viable.
Baseline Telematics & Right-Sizing Study
Implement recommendations from the Fleet Utilization Study and use data from Telematics. Adopt route optimization and encourage eco-driving.
Institutionalize Lifecycle Costing
Revise municipal Request for Proposals (RFPs) to award contracts based on Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) instead of the lowest initial purchase price.
Align Fleet Electrification Projects with Colorado Grant Cycles
Pursue fleet electrification and EV charging deployment with state and federal funding cycles.
F u n d i n g a n d O p p o r t u n i t i e s
F l e e t
Prepared For:Estes Park, CO
Estes Park, CO - Implementation Roadmaps
Energy to Communities Program: Expert Match - NLR
Agency: National Laboratory of the Rockies (NLR)
Eligible Projects: specific questions related to a community's energy goals and challenges related to municipal fleets, public transit/micro-mobility,
electricity generation, energy resilience, building, and financing.
Type: Free Technical Assistance
Fleet-ZERO EV Charging Grant
Agency: Colorado Energy Office (CEO)
Eligible Projects: purchase and installation of EV charging equipment and infrastructure to support light-, medium-, and heavy-duty electric on- and off-
road fleet EVs. Also covers telematics.
Type: Grant
Charge Ahead Colorado Program
Agency: Colorado Energy Office (CEO)
Eligible Projects: purchase and installation of EV charging equipment and infrastructure.
Type: Grant
Colorado Clean Diesel Program
Agency: Clean Energy Economy for the Region (CLEER)
Eligible Projects: offsets a percent of costs of replacing diesel equipment with all-electric or hybrid-electric equivalents (ex. electric lawn mowers,
tractors, bucket trucks, snow groomers, etc.)
Type: Grant
Other r esources:
Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment’s Clean Fleet Enterprise
Colorado Division of Central Services - Alt Fuel Vehicles & Greening
US Department of Energy - Alternative Fuels Data Center: Colorado Laws and Incentives
CLEER - Recharge Colorado
Efficiency Works - Fleet Advisory & Incentives
Drive Clean Colorado
Produced By:ICLEI – Local Governments for Sustainability USASeptember 2026
Estes Park’s unique high-altitude geography requires balancing needs for durable transit vehicles, continuous community access, and sustainability. To
meet these demands, this roadmap seeks to establish key recommendations to transition the Town towards a cleaner transit fleet with electrification and
expanded transit access. Together, these actions will lower emissions, reduce long-term operational costs, and ease regional traffic during the high-
demand summer, while still serving the local workforce across all four seasons.
The roadmap is intended to complement the Estes Park Climate Action Plan (CAP); a more detailed description of each strategy is included in the CAP’s
Recommendation Chapter.
R e c o m m e n d a t i o n s
T r a n s i t F l e e t
Estes Park, CO - Implementation Roadmaps
Category Strategy Type Town Lead +
Partners Priority Cost Metrics Related
Plans
Town-Owned Fleet
Optimization and
Transition
Phase out the single gas bus
at the end of its useful
lifecycle and replace it with a
battery-electric bus (BEB) or
micro-transit electric van.
Capital
Public Works, Finance,
Internal Services (Fleet
Division)
High $$$
% of transit contracts
utilizing green lease clause;
Upfront capital savings vs.
traditional purchasing
Estes Park EV
Infrastructure and
Readiness Plan
Estes Park Transit
Development Plan (2025)
Establish a Green
Lease Procurement
Policy
Incentivize vendors to
supply electric, hybrid, or
renewable-diesel buses
instead of standard
gas/diesel models
Policy
Public Works, Utilities (Power
and Communications),
Finance, Platte River Power
Authority
Medium $$Number of fossil-fuel buses
retired
Expand Transit
Access Year-Round
Expand transit service
during off-season months
(especially for underserved
areas needing
transportation to essential
services, such as hospitals,
grocery stores, etc.).
Operational
Public Works, Finance,
Internal Services (Fleet
Division), Local Workforce
Orgs
Medium $$$Off-season ridership volume
North Front Range
Metropolitan Planning
Organization (NFRMPO) -
Connected Communities
2055 Regional
Transportation Plan (RTP)
T r a n s i t F l e e t
Estes Park, CO - Implementation Roadmaps
C h a l l e n g e s
Upfront capital costs constraints
Navigating complex multi-year lease obligations for leased fleet
High-altitude battery degradation
Grid capacity & charging demand
Winter operational hazards
Diminishing off-season ridership
C a s e S t u d i e s
The Town of Breckenridge, CO became the first Colorado mountain resort town to pilot a full-size electric bus on a mountain route in 2018. During the
pilot the Town found that under good conditions and a 7-hour charge, each bus can travel up to 120-150 miles a day. The two electric buses were
purchased using a Federal Transit Administration grant and following the success of the pilot they now serve the Town’s busiest and steepest route.
Moreover, Breckenridge has adopted a policy to convert 100% of its transit fleet to battery electric by 2030. Read more at the Town of Breckenridge's
website about their year-round transit service and their electrification efforts here.
In the neighboring town, Avon Transit operates two year-round transit routes that connect high-density workforce housing complexes directly to essential
local community services. Although the Avon’s entire fleet is not 100% electric, they have a phased transition to decarbonize their fleet. Read more at the
Town of Avon’s website.
A c t i o n s t o G e t S t a r t e d
Secure Competitive Grant Matches
Apply for the federal and the state funding pools to maximize local fund matching.
Map Dedicated Resident-First Corridors
Establish new, off-season transit routes that expand on existing tourist routes. Focus on linking residential corridors directly to the local grocery
corridors, medical center clinics, and community service hubs.
Review Current Lease Agreements
Review current lease agreements for gasoline and diesel buses and draft updates to encourage electrification or cleaner fuels as feasible.
Launch a Winter Micro-Transit Pilot
Deploy an on-demand micro-transit model using a fleet of smaller electric shuttles or vans managed via a localized mobile ride-hailing app.
F u n d i n g a n d O p p o r t u n i t i e s
T r a n s i t F l e e t
Prepared For:Estes Park, CO
Estes Park, CO - Implementation Roadmaps
Buses and Bus Facilities Discretionary Program (Section 5339-b)
Agency: Federal Transit Administration (FTA)
Eligible Projects: replace, rehabilitate, and purchase buses and related equipment as well as construct bus-related facilities, including technological
changes or innovations to modify low or no emission vehicles or facilities.
Type: Federal Competitive Discretionary Grant
Low or No Emission Grant Program - 5339(c)
Agency: Federal Transit Administration (FTA)
Eligible Projects: purchase or lease of zero-emission and low-emission transit buses as well as acquisition, construction, and leasing of required
supporting facilities.
Type: Federal Competitive Discretionary Grant
Colorado Clean Fleet Enterprise (CFE) Incentives,
Agency: Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT)
Eligible Projects: Varies, but in the past has included financial support to offset costs for innovative leasing structures for heavy-duty electric assets and
public-private partnership procurements designed to reduce fleet operations emissions.
Type: Grant
Formula Grants for Rural Areas (Section 5311)
Agency: Federal Transit Administration (FTA)
Eligible Projects: operational and administrative costs to support, sustain, and expand continuous public transportation in rural zones.
Type: Formula Grant
Colorado Federal Lands Access Program
Agency: Federal Highway Administration
Eligible Projects: supplements local resources for transit systems that provide critical year-round access to high-use federal recreation sites and
national parks. Could be used to fund year-round commuter links, resident-transit loops, and local multi-modal infrastructure due to proximity to Rocky
Mountain National Park.
Type: Federal Discretionary Program
Produced By:ICLEI – Local Governments for Sustainability USASeptember 2026
Other r esources:
Federal Transit Administration - Grants for Buses and Bus Facilities Program
U.S. Department of Energy Clean Cities and Communities - Funding Opportunities
CDOT Transit Grants Overview Page
CDOT Innovative Mobility & Clean Transit Enterprise
Drive Clean Colorado
North Front Range MPO Hub
Colorado Association of Transit Agencies (CASTA)
Argonne AFLEET Online Dashboard
Category Strategy Type Town Lead +
Partners Priority Cost Metrics Related
Plans
Active Transportation
Incentives
Create an employee e-bike
incentive program or
dedicate a small pool of
municipal e-bikes for staff to
use when traveling between
facilities for meetings during
the workday.
Subsidy / Program Utitlities (Power & Light),
Human Resources Low $$Voucher redemption rate,
Workforce VMT reduction
Estes Park Multimodal
Transportation Plan (2025)
Larimer County Climate
Smart Future Ready
Colorado Department of
Transportation(CDOT) -
Colorado Carbon
Reduction Strategy
Install additional bike
infrastructure in major Town
buildings, including secure
bike lockers and clothing
lockers.
Capital Infrastructure Public Works, Community
Development Medium $$Active-commute survey data
Continue to encourage the
use of the Estes Park
Riverwalk Parking Garage
for those working from
Town Hall, to encourage
additional walking and use
of shuttle.
Behavioral / Policy Public Works, Human
Resources High $Staff shuttle ridership
counts
Create Vanpool and
Carpool Programs
Explore internal incentives
to encourage employees to
carpool, such as internal
carpool networks, preferred
parking for carpoolers, etc.
Policy Human Resources Medium $
Number of employees
carpooling and signups for
incentive programs
Partner with regional
organizations to sponsor
dedicated municipal
vanpools from high-density
employee residential hubs.
Operational
Public Works, Finance,
Human Resource, Local
Workforce Organizations
Medium $$
Active daily route count;
Average commuter
ridership
Implement a Guaranteed
Ride Home program that
provides free rideshare or
taxi vouchers to employees
who rideshare or take
transit to ensure they can
get home immediately in the
event of a personal
emergency or unplanned
overtime.
Policy Human Resource High $Voucher participation rate
While tourism remains a major source of Estes Park’s seasonal traffic, daily employee commuting represents a consistent, year-round source of local
greenhouse gas emissions. This roadmap hopes to shift employee commutes away from single-occupancy vehicles thru expanding regional carpooling
networks and building a robust culture of active transportation (i.e. walking, cycling, and e-biking).
The roadmap is intended to complement the Estes Park Climate Action Plan (CAP); a more detailed description of each strategy is included in the CAP’s
Recommendation Chapter.
R e c o m m e n d a t i o n s
E m p l o y e e C o m m u t e
Estes Park, CO - Implementation Roadmaps
C h a l l e n g e s
E m p l o y e e C o m m u t e
Estes Park, CO - Implementation Roadmaps
Steep terrain, high elevation, and severe winter weather make year-round active transportation difficult.
Long distance commutes
Shift work and unpredictable hours
Limited local rideshare supply
C a s e S t u d i e s
The Town of Breckenridge, CO launched Breck E-Ride, a community electric bikeshare system. They placed geofenced e-bike docks at key workforce
centers, local residential hubs, and commuter parking structures. Membership for residents is subsidized and employees are eligible for free or discounted
membership. Read more about employee benefits at the Town of Breckenridge's website.
Winter Park, CO launched the Lift Flex Pilot program in summer 2026, an on-demand free microtransit service, 7 days a week from 7-12 am. It serves areas
outside of fixed lines and bridges regional transit gaps, providing additional flexibility to commuters who need more reliable transportation. The pilot was
funded through the Colorado Department of Transportation Clean Transit Enterprise Grant and a Grand County Community Priorities Grant. Read more at
the Town of Winter Park’s website.
The City of Fort Collins has a Shift Your Ride Program that aims to reduce travel demand by employing transportation demand strategies and support the
transition to cleaner fules. The program accomplishes this by providing information about transportation options, rebates and discounts, and tools and
programs. Learn more at the City of Fort Collin’s website.
A c t i o n s t o G e t S t a r t e d
Riverwalk Garage Pilot: Issue an incentive or education program encouraging Town Hall staff to park at the Riverwalk Parking Garage, while tracking staff
walking/shuttle data.
Bike to Work Day: Participate in the National Bike to Work Day and include activities (ex. raffles, competitions) to encourage participation.
Establish Preferred Carpool Parking: Designate high-visibility, premium parking spots at Town Hall and other major facilities specifically for vehicles with 2 or more
employees.
Deploy the Internal Ride-Matching Network: Establish a low cost platform for Estes Park Staff to find and coordinate carpools with colleagues working similar shifts.
Also can consider paid ride-matching platforms such as Rideamigos (used by Larimer County and Fort Collins).
Contract the Guaranteed Ride Home Program: Establish a formal agreement or pre-paid voucher system with a reliable local transportation service or collaborate with
existing regional efforts, including GoNoCo34, the Transportation Management Organization working on connecting communities along US 34 Corridor.
Procure the Workday Shared E-Bike Fleet: Purchase a small pool of 3–5 municipal e-bikes. Station them at key town facilities with clear checkout guidelines so
employees can use them for inter-facility meetings rather than driving fleet cars.
Expand Regional Vanpool Links: Collaborate with neighboring towns and Larimer County to map out targeted routes connecting high-density commuter hubs.
Explore E-Bike Purchase Incentives: Explore collaborations with Platte River Power Authority and the Colorado Energy Office to open a matched utility rebate program,
offering employees financial stipends to buy their own commuter e-bikes.
F u n d i n g a n d O p p o r t u n i t i e s
E m p l o y e e C o m m u t e
Prepared For:Estes Park, CO
Estes Park, CO - Implementation Roadmaps
Community Access to Electric Bicycles Grant Program and E-Cargo Bike Grant Program
Agency: Colorado Energy Office (CEO)
Eligible Projects: funding for e-bike ownership programs, fleet deployment, and regional bike-sharing pilots.
Type: State Competitive Grant (Up to $25,000 per award cycle via the Community Access Enterprise)
Multimodal Transportation and Mitigation Options Fund (MMOF)
Agency: Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT)
Eligible Projects: construction of integrated bicycle pathways, pedestrian corridors, missing trail linkages, and transit facility enhancements.
Type: State-Distributed Formula/Competitive Grant (Requires local matching funds)
Transportation Management Organization (TMO) Seed Funding Grants
Agency: Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT)
Eligible Projects: financial backing to deploy localized ride-matching apps, launch creative commute marketing, set up regional vanpool links, and
administer "Guaranteed Ride Home" safety net policies.
Type: State Innovation/Seed Grant
Produced By:ICLEI – Local Governments for Sustainability USASeptember 2026
Other r esources:
VanGo by North Front Range Metropolitan Planning Organization (NFRMPO)
RideNoCo - Mobility Coordination Hub
Larimer County - Employee Guaranteed Ride Home Program
CDOT - Grants
CDOT - Transportation Demand Management
Colorado Clean Commute Certification
Colorado Income Tax Topics: Alternative Transportation Options Credit
CommuteHub by RideAmigos
GoNoCo34 - Connecting Communities along the US 34 Corridor for a Sustainable Future
Category Strategy Type Town Lead +
Partners Priority Cost Metrics Related
Plans
Prioritize Energy
Efficiency Retrofits
LED Lighting Capital
Internal Services (Facilities
Division), Utilities (Power
and Communications
Division)
High Low Kilowatt-hours (kWh) saved
Estes Forward
Comprehensive Plan
Estes Park Capital
Improvement Plans and
Budgets
Estes Park Facilities Master
Plan
Building Audits Program / Study Internal Services, Utilities,
Public Works High Low
Number of facilities audited;
energy savings potential
identified
Building Retrofits Capital Internal Services (Facilities
Division), Public Works Medium High
EUI (Energy Use Intensity)
reduction; Annual
operational cost savings
Expand
Electrification
Heat Pumps Capital
Internal Services (Facilities
Division), Utilities (Power
and Communications
Division)
Medium High Therms reduced; Annual
operational cost savings
Electrification Policy / Capital
Internal Services (Facilities
Division), Utilities (Power
and Communications
Division)
High High % of building systems
electrified
The everyday operation of Estes Park’s Town buildings and facilities represents a consistent, year-round source of local greenhouse gas emissions and
energy consumption. This roadmap hopes to shift Estes Park’s public infrastructure towards energy efficiency retrofits, building electrification, and
integrating robust renewable energy systems. By modernizing the community's facilities, Estes Park will lower its operational costs and set an example for
the community.
The roadmap is intended to complement the Estes Park Climate Action Plan (CAP); a more detailed description of each strategy is included in the CAP’s
Recommendation Chapter.
R e c o m m e n d a t i o n s
B u i l d i n g s a n d F a c i l i t i e s
Estes Park, CO - Implementation Roadmaps
R e c o m m e n d a t i o n s c o n t i n u e d o n t h e n e x t p a g e
Category Strategy Type Town Lead + Partners Priority Cost Metrics Related
Plans
Deploy Smart
Building Automation
Systems (BAS)
Smart Thermostats Capital / Technology Internal Services (Facilities Division), Utilities (Power
and Communications Division)High Low % reduction in
heating/cooling energy use
Estes Forward
Comprehensive Plan
Estes Park Capital
Improvement Plans and
Budgets
Estes Park Facilities Master
Plan
Zoned Controls Capital Internal Services (Facilities Division), Utilities (Power
and Communications Division)Medium Medium Annual operational cost
savings
Peak Demand Management Program / Operational Internal Services (Facilities Division), Utilities (Power
and Communications Division)Medium Low Annual operational cost
savings
Municipal Building
Benchmarking Policy / Program Internal Services (Facilities Division), Utilities (Power
and Communications Division)High Low Compliance rate across
facilities
Expand On-Site
Renewable Energy
and Storage
Rooftop Solar Capital Internal Services (Facilities Division), Utilities (Power
and Communications Division)Low High Annual solar generation
(kWh)
Battery Storage Capital Internal Services (Facilities Division), Utilities (Power
and Communications Division)Medium High Hours of backup power
capacity
Microgrid Resilience Internal Policy / Process Internal Services (Facilities Division), Utilities (Power
and Communications Division)Low High System Reliability
Maximize Internal
Operations
Maximize internal
operations and
coordination
Program / Study Internal Services, Utilities, Public Works High Low Number of joint projects
Conduct a ”Return on
Investment” Study
On all Town buildings and
facilities before
implementation
Enabling / Policy Internal Services, Utilities, Public Works High Low
Study completion and
establishing pipeline of
projects
R e c o m m e n d a t i o n s
B u i l d i n g s a n d F a c i l i t i e s
Estes Park, CO - Implementation Roadmaps
C h a l l e n g e s
B u i l d i n g s a n d F a c i l i t i e s
Estes Park, CO - Implementation Roadmaps
High upfront capital costs
Competing budget priorities
Grant management and compliance capacity
Procurement and supply chain delays
Internal staff capacity
Historic and aging building stock
Grid capacity
C a s e S t u d i e s
The Town of Longmont, CO have used the regional Efficiency Works program to conduct audits of their Town’s facilities and use rebates. As a co-owner of
Platter River Power Authority, Estes Park can also take advantage of Efficiency Works.
Adams County advanced its carbon reduction goals by utilizing an Energy Savings Performance Contract (ESPC) to fund and execute bundled infrastructure
upgrades across municipal facilities. Through this financing framework, the county captured utility rebates for LED lighting and building electrification while
reinvesting energy savings into renewable energy infrastructure.
Additionally, Adams County stacked state grants from the Colorado Energy Office with federal IRA Elective Pay tax credits to support ongoing geothermal
initiatives. The facilities team is currently conducting solar feasibility studies using operational funds to prepare a pipeline of projects for the annual Capital
Improvements Project budgeting cycle. For more details, visit Adams County.
A c t i o n s t o G e t S t a r t e d
Form an Interdepartmental Energy Taskforce: Convene a dedicated monthly working group including key staff from Facilities Maintenance, Procurement,, and Estes
Park Power & Light to align project timelines and break down departmental silos.
Standardize HVAC Setpoints and Schedules: Program all facility HVAC systems to 70-degree heating and 75-degree cooling setpoints, while tightening building run-time
schedules where possible.
Execute Efficiency Upgrades Before Renewables: Focus heavily on optimizing LEDs, HVAC upgrades, and Building Automation System (BAS) retrofits first so that future
renewable energy systems like rooftop solar can be accurately right-sized for lower building loads.
Commission the Return on Investment (ROI) Study: Utilize data gathered from audits and envelope testing to calculate the net present value (NPV) and payback periods
for the major heat pump and solar projects.
Integrate Energy Goals into the Capital Improvement Program: Formalize a policy requiring that any upcoming facility roof replacement or major HVAC maintenance
scheduled in the Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) must automatically evaluate readiness for solar loads or heat pump electrification.
Conduct Building Envelope Testing: Where draftiness or high heating loads are a concern, perform specialized building envelope testing (such as blower door tests or
thermal imaging) to pinpoint exactly where to deploy target air sealing and insulation retrofits.
F u n d i n g a n d O p p o r t u n i t i e s
B u i l d i n g s a n d F a c i l i t i e s
Prepared For:Estes Park, CO
Estes Park, CO - Implementation Roadmaps
Produced By:ICLEI – Local Governments for Sustainability USASeptember 2026
Energy to Communities Program: Expert Match - NLR
Agency: National Laboratory of the Rockies (NLR)
Eligible Projects: specific questions related to a community's energy goals and challenges related to municipal fleets, public transit/micro-mobility, electricity
generation, energy resilience, building, and financing.
Type: Free Technical Assistance
Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) Direct Pay (Section 6417)
Agency: Internal Revenue Service (IRS)
Eligible Projects: Rooftop solar installations, commercial battery storage backups, and qualifying cold-climate heat pump systems.
Type: Tax Incentive / Direct Capital Reimbursement
Local IMPACT Accelerator
Agency: Colorado Energy Office (CEO)
Eligible Projects: Municipal building policy updates, localized resilience integration, and low-cost carbon mitigation initiatives
Type: Policy & Capacity Implementation Grant
Energy/Mineral Impact Assistance Fund (EIAF)
Agency: Colorado Department of Local Affairs (DOLA)
Eligible Projects: Public infrastructure improvements, energy efficiency retrofits, and municipal planning studies
Type: Tier I & Tier II Competitive Grants (Up to $1,000,000)
Microgrids for Community Resilience Program | Division of Local Government
Agency: Colorado Department of Local Afairs (DOLA)
Eligible Projects: build community resilience regarding electric grid disruptions through the development of microgrid
Type: Grant
Energy Performance Contracting | Colorado Energy Office.
Agency: Colorado Energy Office
Eligible Projects: program to explore Energy Performance Contracting with a pre-qualified Energy Service Company
Type: Program
Other resources:
Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant (EECBG)
Lawyers for Good Government - Elective Pay and IRA Tax Incentives Resources Page
Colorado Funding Opportunities - Department of Local Affairs
The Town of Estes Park is committed to providing equitable access to our services. Contact us
if you need any assistance accessing material at 970-577-4777 or townclerk@estes.org.
Report
To: Honorable Mayor Hall & Board of Trustees
Through: Town Administrator Machalek
From: Jason Damweber, Deputy Town Administrator
Department: Town Administrator’s Office
Date: October 13, 2026
Subject: Overview of Fish Hatchery Project to Date
Purpose of Study Session Item:
Provide an overview of the history of the Fish Hatchery project and an update on the
current status of the project.
Town Board Direction Requested:
No direction needed at this time.
Present Situation:
Historical Context
The Town-owned property known as the Fish Hatchery – an approximately 75-acre
parcel located in the northwestern part of town near the Fall River entrance to Rocky
Mountain National Park – was identified as a potential location for the development of
workforce housing for the first time in 1982, following the closure of the Colorado
Division of Wildlife’s fish hatchery operations on the site. Since that time, only a small
number of previously existing units on site have been used to house Town staff. While
discussions about how to best utilize the property occurred over the years, it was not
until around 2014 that discussions about development of workforce housing became
more serious, culminating in a decision in 2017 to seek a potential development partner
for the site.
In 2017, the Town of Estes Park issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) to seek a
qualified developer to evaluate, plan, and implement the development of the Fish
Hatchery property for workforce housing. Three proposals were received and evaluated,
and AmericaWest Housing Solutions and Prairie Fire Development Group
(AmericaWest) was selected as the Town’s “preferred developer.” The Town entered
into an Exclusive Negotiation Agreement (ENA) with AmericaWest on January 15, 2018.
The goal of the ENA was to come to a mutually agreeable Disposition and Re-
Development Agreement (DRA). That ENA expired on January 15, 2019 with no
agreement on a DRA. This was due in part to development constraints revealed during
the site evaluation process that would prohibit the level of density in AmericaWest’s
proposal.
In 2021, at the direction of the Town Board, a new RFP was issued seeking a
development partner. This resulted in the Town entering into a new Exclusive
Negotiation Agreement with America West Housing Solutions, selected again to be the
Town’s development partner. Despite good faith efforts to reach an agreement to build
this housing, as well as a rezoning of a portion of the property to RM-1 to allow for the
development of housing, we were not able to reach agreement on terms. Challenging
economic circumstances, which changed dramatically over the two-year period where
due diligence work and negotiations were occurring, made it difficult to keep proposed
rental rates affordable while also ensuring that apartments are occupied by members of
the local workforce. Accordingly, negotiations once again concluded without agreement.
Given our experience trying to work with a private sector development partner and in
light of the passage of Ballot Measure 6E, the Town pivoted to a new approach, formally
partnering with the Estes Park Housing Authority in March 2024 as the Town’s
development partner for the project. The new collaborative effort between the Town and
EPHA allowed for more flexibility and control over both the design elements of the
project and, ultimately, the affordability of the housing units. Around this time, the Town
also entered into an agreement with Larimer County, which committed $2 million
towards the Fish Hatchery project as part of its ongoing efforts to help address housing
issues within the County. The partnership agreement with EPHA was amended such
that the funding could be passed along and used for their efforts.
The Housing Authority got to work right away, issuing its own RFP for land planning,
landscape architecture, and entitlement services, and selecting a consultant. From
September 2024 through the summer of 2026, extensive predevelopment work was
completed, including a series of public meetings and other public outreach. A detailed
timeline enumerating the predevelopment work is available on the EPHA website here.
Current Situation
Despite attempts to find a creative solution to address water infrastructure challenges
associated with the site that do not disproportionately impact ratepayers across the
Town’s water system, the project was effectively paused in July 2026 while we work to
determine a path forward. In short, due to fire flow and water pressure requirements and
long-term challenges associated with an active pressure consecutive system, we have
determined that approximately $5 million, possibly more, in new water infrastructure will
be required in order to develop the site at the scale currently envisioned (which was
already scaled back from previous designs in response to information gleaned through
environmental studies related to wetlands setbacks and feedback from neighbors of the
site).
We will continue to work with EPHA to determine whether there is a path forward with
the existing design. Depending on funding options to address water infrastructure
requirements and housing development priorities, this may require that we rework the
design. We will plan to pull the current application if we determine there is not a viable
path forward for the foreseeable future.
Proposal:
Receive the presentation and provide feedback as desired. Because the application is
pending, its specific merits should not be discussed.
Advantages:
None directly associated with this update. Workforce housing has consistently been a
component of the Town Board’s Strategic Plans. Development of the Fish Hatchery site
could be an opportunity to develop workforce housing using land owned by the Town.
Disadvantages:
None directly associated with this update. Some community members have expressed
concern about development impacts related to environmental considerations and
density.
Finance/Resource Impact:
To be determined.
Level of Public Interest:
Medium
Attachments:
None.
Page 1 of 4
October 8, 2026
TO: Mayor Hall and Trustees
RE: October 13, 2026, Town Board Study Session — Fish Hatchery Housing Project
SUBJECT: Water Infrastructure Costs, Financial Accountability, Ratepayer Protection, and
Restrictions on Public Discussion
Dear Mayor Hall and Board of Trustees:
After reviewing the October 13, 2026, Study Session report concerning the Fish Hatchery
Housing Project, I have concerns regarding the project's financial feasibility, unresolved
water infrastructure requirements, and potential financial obligations for the Town and its
existing water utility customers.
The report confirms that the project was effectively paused in July 2026 because
approximately $5 million, possibly more, in new water infrastructure would be required
to address fire flow, water pressure, and other system requirements.
The report states:
“Despite attempts to find a creative solution to address water infrastructure challenges
associated with the site that do not disproportionately impact ratepayers across the Town’s
water system, the project was effectively paused in July 2026 while we work to determine a
path forward.”
This statement raises a significant concern. While staff acknowledges the need to avoid
disproportionately burdening existing water ratepayers, the report does not identify a
financially viable solution, explain how the estimated $5 million-plus infrastructure costs
would be allocated, or establish what safeguards would protect ratepayers if the project
moves forward.
If these concerns were significant enough to pause the project in July 2026, what has
changed, and how will the Town ensure that proceeding with the project does not
ultimately shift a disproportionate share of these costs onto existing water utility
customers?
Public Comment Received on 10/08/2026
Page 2 of 4
Using the currently published proposal of 109 housing units, subject to confirmation, and
a hypothetical infrastructure cost ranging from $5 million to $6.5 million, the expense
alone would represent approximately $46,000 to $60,000 per unit. The $6.5 million figure
is hypothetical and illustrates the potential impact of higher costs; staff has identified
costs of approximately $5 million, possibly more. These estimates exclude housing
construction and other development expenses.
Although staff states that no disadvantages are directly associated with this informational
update, the report identifies significant unresolved issues affecting the underlying project,
including substantial infrastructure costs, uncertain funding, and the possibility of further
redesign or withdrawal. These financial and operational concerns warrant meaningful
public discussion.
1. Financial Accountability and Infrastructure Costs
I request clarification on the following:
1. Infrastructure funding and ratepayer protection: Who will ultimately pay the
estimated $5 million-plus in water improvements? Will the Town provide a written
cost-allocation analysis identifying development-specific expenses, system-wide
benefits, proposed funding sources, and any developer contributions or fees? What
safeguards will prevent existing water ratepayers from bearing a disproportionate
share of these costs?
2. Water Master Plan and rate increases: Are any Fish Hatchery infrastructure
improvements included in the Town's Water Master Plan, capital improvement
budget, or proposed water-rate increases?
3. Financial feasibility and investment limits: Has an updated financial analysis
been completed identifying total development costs, infrastructure expenses, and
cost per housing unit? Has the Town established a maximum public investment or
cost-per-unit threshold beyond which the project would be reconsidered,
particularly if the number of units is further reduced?
4. Public funding and expenditures: What is the status of Larimer County's $2 million
commitment, and how much public funding has already been spent on planning,
engineering, consulting, environmental studies, and other predevelopment
activities? What happens to these funds if the project is redesigned or withdrawn?
5. Long-term financial obligations: Who would be responsible for future
infrastructure maintenance, replacement, operating expenses, and any associated
debt service?
Page 3 of 4
6. Conditions for resuming the project: What specific engineering, financial, and
funding requirements must be satisfied before the Town and EPHA determine that
the project can proceed?
2. Concern Regarding Staff's Restriction on Discussion
Under the Proposal section of the October 13, 2026, Study Session report, Town staff
states:
“Receive the presentation and provide feedback as desired. Because the application
is pending, its specific merits should not be discussed.”
I find this statement concerning because it does not clearly define what constitutes the
"specific merits" of the pending application or establish the permissible scope of
discussion.
How can the Town Board meaningfully discuss the project's financial status,
infrastructure challenges, and potential public obligations if the scope of permissible
discussion is not clearly defined?
I recognize that a pending land-use application may require the Board to avoid prejudging
matters reserved for a future quasi-judicial hearing. However, this obligation should not
prevent appropriate discussion of public expenditures, infrastructure financing, or the
Town's broader fiscal responsibilities.
I therefore request that Town staff and the Town Attorney clarify:
1. What specific subjects are considered off-limits while the application remains
pending?
2. May Board members publicly question staff about infrastructure costs, funding
sources, and financial obligations without compromising the pending application?
3. Does this restriction apply only to Board consideration of the application's merits, or
is it also intended to limit public questions about financial impacts?
4. What is the specific legal or procedural basis for this restriction, and how does it
distinguish land-use considerations from legitimate public financial oversight?
Protecting the fairness of a pending land-use proceeding and maintaining
transparency over public expenditures are separate responsibilities. Neither should
prevent the Town Board from fulfilling the other.
3. Key Unanswered Question
Page 4 of 4
If the Town and EPHA have not identified a financially viable solution that avoids
disproportionate impacts on existing water ratepayers, what specific funding
arrangement or financial safeguards must be established before the Fish Hatchery
Project can resume?
If no such solution has been identified, what justifies committing additional public
funds before the project's financial feasibility and infrastructure obligations have
been fully evaluated and disclosed?
4. Closing Statement
Before additional substantial public financial commitments are made, I believe the Town
should provide a comprehensive accounting of infrastructure costs, funding sources,
expenditures to date, and potential long-term obligations.
The Fish Hatchery Project was paused because of unresolved infrastructure challenges.
Before it resumes, the public deserves to know how those challenges will be resolved,
who will pay for the required improvements, and what financial safeguards will protect
existing water ratepayers.
I respectfully request that these concerns be included in the public record for the October
13, 2026, Town Board Study Session and that staff provide written responses addressing
the outstanding financial and infrastructure questions before any additional
substantial public financial commitments are authorized.
Sincerely,
Christy A. Jacobs
Resident - Estes Park
General Public Comment Received on 10/8/2026
Board of Trustees Public Comment
Name: Marty Miranda
Public Comment:
For your review.
File Upload
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Public Comment v1 10_13_2026.pdf 133.84KB
RE: Public Comment for October 13, 2026, Town Board Study Session — Fish Hatchery
Housing Project
SUBJECT: Public Comment — Water Infrastructure Costs, Ratepayer Safeguards, and
Discussion Restrictions
Dear Mayor Hall and Board of Trustees:
I am writing regarding the October 13, 2026, Study Session report on the Fish Hatchery Housing
Project to address two primary concerns: the significant water infrastructure costs and the
restrictions placed on public discussion.
1. Water Infrastructure Costs & Ratepayer Protection
The staff report confirms the project was paused in July 2026 due to an estimated $5 million or
more in required water infrastructure improvements to meet fire flow and system pressures. With
109 proposed units, this infrastructure cost alone amounts to approximately $46,000 to $60,000
per unit, excluding construction.
While staff notes a goal to avoid disproportionately impacting existing water ratepayers, no
financially viable solution or cost-allocation model has been presented. Before this project
moves forward or receives further public backing, I request that the Town clarify:
• Cost Allocation & Safeguards: Who pays for the $5M+ water infrastructure, and what
explicit protections will ensure existing ratepayers do not absorb these expenses?
• Master Plan Integration: Are these improvements included in the Water Master Plan,
capital budget, or upcoming rate increases?
• Total Expenditures & Thresholds: How much public money has been spent to date,
what is the status of Larimer County’s $2 million commitment, and has the Town set a
maximum cost-per-unit investment threshold?
2. Restrictions on Board & Public Discussion
The report instructs the Board to "receive the presentation and provide feedback as desired," but
notes that "because the application is pending, its specific merits should not be discussed."
Quasi-judicial land-use rules should protect procedural fairness, but they must not stifle
oversight of public expenditures and water utility impacts. I request that staff and the Town
Attorney clarify:
• What specific topics are considered off-limits under this rule?
• Does this restriction prevent the Board and public from questioning infrastructure
financing, ratepayer risk, and public fund allocation?
Conclusion
The Fish Hatchery Project was paused due to major infrastructure cost hurdles. Before the
project resumes or additional public funds are committed, the Town must provide a clear
accounting of infrastructure funding sources and establish strict protections for existing
ratepayers.
Please include these comments in the official record for the October 13, 2026, Town Board
Study Session.
Sincerely,
Marty Miranda
Estes Park Resident
The Town of Estes Park is committed to providing equitable access to our services. Contact us
if you need any assistance accessing material at 970-577-4777 or townclerk@estes.org.
Future Study Session Items
October 27, 2026
• Joint Study Session: 2027 Visit Estes Park Operating Plan
November 10, 2026
• Micromobility Devices Code Updates
• Liquor License Process
November 24, 2026
• Growth Management Areas Overview
• Future of 4th of July Fireworks
Items Approved - Unscheduled
• Police Department Mutual Aid Overview
• Façade and Sidewalk Improvement Program Proposal
• Unscreened Dumpsters Downtown
• Signage Downtown
• Structure of Potential Development Agreement with Whimsadoodle and the
Estes Park Housing Authority for Cleave Street Development
Items for Town Board Consideration
• Nothing