HomeMy WebLinkAboutSTRATEGIC PLAN Town of Estes Park 2026Final (12/09/2025 - R0)
KEY OUTCOME AREA
(Alphabetical order)
STRATEGIC POLICY STATEMENTS GOALS (MULTI-YEAR)OBJECTIVES (ONE-YEAR)
1. We support a wide range of housing opportunities with a
particular focus on a broad spectrum of affordable workforce 1.A. Incentivize private development of workforce and 1.1 - Consider an update to Section 11.4 of the Development Code, including
2.A. Continue to meet the needs of the senior community
in Estes Park by completing action items recommended in 1.2 - Consider updating Town policies defining workforce or attainable housing
2. We support the needs of our senior community, including 4.A. Continuously evaluate options for addressing the
1.3 - Discuss with the Housing Authority how 6E funding expenditures should be
targeted in the near term, in light of the current Housing Needs Assessment,
3. We support the needs of families in our community.
5.C. Continue to implement the 2019 Stanley Park Complex Open Space Master Plan for budgeting and implementation in 2027.
4. We support a wide range of childcare opportunities with a 6.A. Complete a full rewrite of the Estes Park Development from elected/appointed officials, stakeholders, and residents. (Multi-Year
our adopted transportation, drainage, parking design
standards, and construction policies in the Development
5. We expand our open space and public park infrastructure, and
improve and maintain the durability, functionality, and efficiency
7.A. Continue to implement the 2023 ADA Transition Plan.
7.B. Continuously implement organizational processes and
services to improve the accessibility of public information
in all formats, with a particular focus on the needs of
individuals with disabilities and those with limited English
6. We have an up-to-date Comprehensive Plan and Development
Code that reflect the will of the community.
Town of Estes Park 2026 Strategic Plan
THERE IS NO RANK-ORDERING OR PRIORITIZATION IN THIS PLAN. ALL NUMERICAL DESIGNATIONS ARE FOR REFERENCE PURPOSES ONLY.
For the purposes of Strategic Policy Statements, "We" refers to the Town organization, led by the Town Board of Trustees.
Exceptional Community Services - Estes Park is an exceptionally vibrant, diverse, inclusive, and active mountain community in which to live, work, and play, with housing available for all segments in our community.
10.A. Monitor the fundraising progress of the Fine Arts
Guild of the Rockies for the Encore Performing Ars Center,
contingent on an executed agreement between the Town
7. We prioritize community accessibility for residents and guests
history of Estes Park, and incorporate that history into our
1.A. Update and actively work on Human Resources Event and Visitor Services team employees including a tracking system for valid
package to ensure the Town remains competitive and 1.2 - Ensure that all employees who will use the new Enterprise Resource
2. We attract and retain high-quality staff by being an employer
of choice, including offering highly competitive benefits and 3.A. Ensure adequate grant writing capacity as the current 1.A.1 - Complete the organizational culture action plan objective to revise the
future preventative facilities maintenance needs for Town
3. We match service levels with the resources available to deliver
4.A. Explore options to improve the Town's ability to
ensure diverse membership representation on Boards and 7.B.1 - Streamline and automate recruitment and onboarding process through
5.A. Conduct a community survey biennially in odd years to
4. We strive to ensure that the membership of our appointed 5.B. Evaluate the inclusivity and effectiveness of Town 7.C.1 - Continue to digitize Community Development Planning and Zoning
5. We strive to gain meaningful input and participation from all
community members.
6. We prioritize and support a culture of customer service 10.A. Continually evaluate the functionality of our website
Governmental Services and Internal Support - We provide high-quality support for all municipal services.
11.A. Evaluate the service condition, safety, functionality,
accessibility, and land-use restrictions of our 32 public
buildings using a data-driven approach and document the
7. We support a culture of continuous improvement in our
internal processes and service delivery.
8. We operate with transparency by maintaining open
communication with all community members and proactively
11.D. Work with the Fire District to investigate and
evaluate strategies to use Town-owned buildings and Town
projects to demonstrate wildfire mitigation techniques for
9. We monitor for, and protect against, cybersecurity threats.
10. We maintain a robust, transparent, accessible, and user-
friendly public-facing website.
11. We ensure that our facilities are well-maintained and meet
the needs of Town Departments and the community.
1. We value broad collaboration with our partners in providing
outstanding guest services.
2. We provide and support a diverse selection of high-quality
3.A. Work with public- and private-sector entities to
encourage additional town destination opportunities for
5.A.1 - Improve the guest experience in the Visitor Center by replacing the 18-
3. We strive to balance the impacts of visitation with the needs
5.B. Visitor Services will work with Visit Estes Park and the
Rocky Mountain Conservancy on developing and
5.C. Continue providing the Guest Services (Service
Elevated) annual training for volunteers in the Visitor
4. We balance data-driven decisions with community values
when serving our guests and residents using up-to-date and
6. We work to ensure that Estes Park is a sustainable tourism
destination.
1. We are committed to safeguarding the lives and property of 1.A. Evaluate and meet the sworn officer, dispatch, and
suitable site, and obtaining approval of a comprehensive funding plan by
December 2026, with projected completion of construction and occupancy of a
1.B. Establish a timeline and funding strategy to implement
the Facilities Master Plan recommendations. Start with the 2.F.1 - Utilize County resources as available to begin work on development of a
2. We support environmental stewardship and sustainability
1.C. Evaluate the Town's approach to all-hazard emergency
management in collaboration with our local and regional
3. We recognize that substance abuse in our community and
schools is an ongoing issue and work with local and regional
2.B. Encourage alternative renewable energy options for
new and established homes and businesses, including
encouraging the replacement of fossil-fuel appliances with
4. We value the importance of maintaining a local emergency 2.D. The Events and Visitor Services Department will
remain active partners with Larimer County in its
5. We value the importance of maintaining the Estes Park Police 2.F. Continue work with Larimer County on Climate Smart
6. We value redundancy and collaboration in the provision of
dispatch and law enforcement services.
Council and the importance of Town representation on the
7. We strive to enhance the safety of emergency responders.
8. We believe in and support restorative practices as a way to
build and repair relationships, as well as increase understanding
10. We are proactive in our approach to wildfire planning and
mitigation in response to elevated fire risks in the Estes Valley
11. We recognize the importance of behavioral health in our
community and work with local and regional partners to improve
on a triple-bottom-line model, considering economic, social, and 2.A. Improve and streamline the Development Review 2.1 - Identify opportunities to support eclectic mix of business, including smaller
2. We create and sustain a favorable business climate.4.A. Continue implementation of the Downtown Plan.
3. We support a diverse economy, attracting and serving a broad
6.A. Work with the Economic Development and Workforce
Council to build capacity for small business owners to
4. We value the importance of a vibrant, attractive, and
economically viable downtown.
5. We support investment and revitalization in all of the Town's
commercial areas.
6. We support economic and workforce development efforts led
by other organizations.
7. We recognize the benefits of shopping locally and will actively
1. We maintain up-to-date financial policies, tools, and controls
1.A. Review and update key finance policies.
1.A.1 - Work with Town Departments to revise the Town's Purchasing Policies by
defining roles, evaluating threshold approvals, aligning with current regulatory
1.A.2 - Work with key staff members to revise the Town's Grant Policy that
2. We make data-advised financial decisions.
Robust Economy - We have a diverse, healthy, year-round economy.
Town Financial Health - We will maintain a strong and sustainable financial condition, balancing expenditures with available revenues, including adequate cash reserves for future needs and unanticipated emergencies.
3. We will consider the most effective financing strategy for large
capital projects on a case-by-case basis, ensuring that each
financing package is appropriately tailored to the project under
1. We value the development and maintenance of a safe,
sustainable, accessible, and efficient multimodal transportation
1.A. Upgrade and maintain our public trail network to
comply with adopted safety and disability standards 1.1 - Evaluate how the municipal code treats motorized/electrified scooters, golf
in-lieu mechanisms to assist in funding multimodal
2. We will maintain a high-quality network of streets for our
community.
Pavement Condition Index of 80 or greater for the Town pedestrian facilities following the water main and service installation project.
3. We will address traffic congestion throughout the Town.
traffic congestion with multimodal solutions throughout 3.A.1 - Continue evaluating Downtown Estes Loop traffic flow. (Multi-year
environmental clearance, and construction of the Moraine 3.A.2 - Construct the Visitor's Center parking & transit improvements if fully
4. We effectively communicate with residents and guests about 3.C. Consider implementing the recommendations in the Street to Marys Lake Road and seek construction grant funding. (Multi-year
5. We consider strategic, data-driven investments in technology
that promote the financial and environmental sustainability of
5.A. Continually evaluate implementation of the Downtown
Parking Management Plan in a manner that delivers 5.A.1 - Identify funding and construct a 3-level parking structure at the Big Horn
6.A. Work with CDOT and other partners to evaluate side of Community Drive between Manford Avenue and US36 and north side of
6. We identify and leverage local, regional, and national
partnerships that strengthen and extend the Town's parking and 8.A. Continue to implement the priorities in the Estes
8.B. Obtain funding to design and build a functionally
connected bike and pedestrian facility network within one
7. We consider the potential impacts of technology changes,
including electric and autonomous vehicles and repurposing of 8.C. Complete the Fall River Trail using available trail
8. We will develop and maintain sidewalk and trail connectivity
1. We provide safe, high-quality, reliable, and redundant water
service.
1.A. Ensure at least one water treatment plant can reliably
operate year-round.
1.B.1 - Implement the enforcement process for customers who do not comply
with water administrative regulations.
1.B. Decrease per-capita treated water demand through
loss reduction.3.A.1 - Replace the structurally deficient Performance Park bridge.
2. We provide safe, high-quality, reliable, and sustainable electric
distribution service.
1.C. Increase the resiliency of the water distribution
system.
3.B.1 - Complete at least one neighborhood stormwater CIP project from the list
included in the Stormwater Master Plan.
3.A. Continue implementing the Stormwater Master Plan. 5.1 - Identify funding options for a low-cost Trailblazer program.
3. We effectively and efficiently manage stormwater and are
3.B. Implement a stormwater program for Estes Park that
funds the administration, operation, maintenance, and
capital expansion of stormwater infrastructure over a 30 5.A.1 - Complete construction of Trailblazer Broadband system for customers in
system to reduce the risk of flooding and damage to public
4. We encourage and support renewable energy sources and
storage.
5. We provide access to high-speed, high-quality, reliable
3.F. Explore the Community Rating System (CRS) program
as a way to minimize flood insurance costs to the
4.A. Increase/enhance renewable energy sources and
storage by collaborating with PRPA and the other Owner
Communities to support PRPA's transition plan to minimize
6. We partner with the three other owner communities to
advance Platte River Power Authority towards our goal of a 100%
noncarbon energy mix.
investment in zero emission fleet vehicles, equipment, and
5.A. Accumulate net positive revenues and apply for grants
common modernization platforms between the three
owner communities and PRPA to support financial
sustainability of PRPA's carbon-to-renewable transition
Utility Infrastructure - We have reliable, efficient, and up-to-date utility infrastructure serving our community and customers.