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2026 Town of Estes Park Strategic Plan
Progress Report
February
KEY OUTCOME AREAS Party
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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.
Consider an update to Section 11.4 of the Development Code, including reconsideration
of appropriate definitions and density bonus amounts.Jason Damweber 50%
Consideration and discussions about updating the definitions of workforce and attainable housing, including how they
relate to density bonus amounts, are ongoing. Interest in updates to definitions were most recently discussed publicly at
the last joint Town Board/Planning Commission meeting as part of the Development Code rewrite process. Town and
EPHA staff have met a number of times to discuss recommendations. Potential new definitions (and possibly clarification
of existing ones) will be presented to the Town Board for consideration later this year. Updates will be included in the
Development Code rewrite and/or a Policy 227 update.
Consider updating Town policies defining workforce or attainable housing for the
purposes of Town funding.Jason Damweber 50%Updates to the Development Code as outlined immediately above will inform updates to Town Policy 227: Workforce and
Attainable Housing Guidelines.
Discuss with the Housing Authority how 6E funding expenditures should be targeted in
the near term, in light of the current Housing Needs Assessment, including a discussion
of senior and seasonal housing.
Jason Damweber 50%
A consultant has been selected to assist the Town and EPHA in the development of a Housing Supply Plan and to
ensure that our Housing Needs Assessment complies with new State requirements. This work is expect to wrap up in Q3.
Discussions about how to best address seasonal and senior housing between Town staff and EPHA staff have occurred
and are ongoing. A survey to learn more about the perspectives of business owners regarding seasonal housing needs
has been developed and will be shared through the Estes Chamber of Commerce in March. (It should be noted that 6E
funding must be used to address workforce housing, so resources committed to addressing senior housing - assuming
the seniors are not part of the workforce - would have to come from an alternate source.)
Work with the Housing Authority to evaluate potential for interest rate buy-down
programs.Jason Damweber 10%Meeting to discuss what an interest-rate buy-down program might entail and cost between Town and EPHA scheduled
for March.
Complete work on the follow-up recommendations from the Senior Needs Assessment
completed in 2025. Kate Miller 75%
Base funding recommendation has been completed. The Senior Resources webpage and handout are in progress. The
webpage is complete. Trustee Talks have been scheduled for April and November. The Senior Roundtable update will
take place at the Feb. 24 Town Board meeting. Management Analyst Simpson will present on the Senior Needs Analysis
at the "Aging Well in the Estes Valley" symposium on March 21.
Develop a master plan for Town Parks and Open Space, in cooperation with the
Recreation District and Estes Valley Land Trust. Include chapters on water-conscious
landscaping and pocket parks. (2025 CARRYOVER)
David Greear 50%
The Town Board approved a professional services contract with Design Workshop at the April 8 Town Board meeting.
The Town Board received an Update on the Parks Master Plan at the February 10 Town Board meeting. Projected
completion is scheduled for April/May 2026.
Select at least one specific recommendation from the 2045 Parks and Open Space
Master Plan for budgeting and implementation in 2027.David Greear 0%Staff plans to select a recommendation in May after Town Board conisderation of the final Master Plan.
Continue rewriting the Estes Park Development Code with participation from
elected/appointed officials, stakeholders, and residents. (Multi-Year Objective)Steve Careccia 40%Initial public outreach phase has been completed. Findings presented to Town Board on January 27. Consultant has
started drafting code update and will present rough draft to staff sometime March/April.
Review and update the Town's Public Art policy (Policy 880).Steve Careccia 25%Town Board study session scheduled for March 10.
Complete Museum Annex addition. (2025 CARRYOVER)Paul Fetherston 99%The addition was substantially completed on 2/13/26. Pending as-built drawings which is expected in a 2-3 week
timeframe.
GOVERNMENTAL SERVICES AND INTERNAL SUPPORT - We provide high-quality support for all municipal services.
Develop and implement an emergency and safety training program for all Event and
Visitor Services team employees including a tracking system for valid certifications.Rob Hinkle 0%This work will begin March.
Ensure that all employees who will use the new Enterprise Resource Planning system
receive sufficient training.Tammy Zimmerman 50%
All employee training sessions were conducted in December 2025 with step-by-step guides in iTown. Small group and
individual training has continued in January 2026 with various Finance staff. Finance is evaluating the potential for
assigning a Tyler training/video during onboarding for future new employees.
Complete the organizational culture action plan objective to revise the organizational
culture survey and implement survey in the 4th quarter of 2026.Jackie Williamson 10%Discussed the need for changes with consultant. Engagement Team to meet to outline suggested changes to the
Executive Leadership Team.
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2026 Town of Estes Park Strategic Plan
Progress Report
February
KEY OUTCOME AREAS Party
Responsible
On
Track
Behind
Schedule
Hold/
Tabled Done*%
Complete Comments
OUTSTANDING GUEST SERVICES - We are a preferred Colorado mountain destination providing an exceptional guest experience.
Complete infrastructure improvements to the O’Connor Pavilion including better
emergency communication capabilities.Rob Hinkle 0%This work will begin in April.
Improve the horse stalls and the safety of the horses in barns A-L and W by installing stall
mats.Rob Hinkle 20%The Request for Proposals is completed.
Improve the guest experience in the Visitor Center by replacing the 18-year-old carpet. Rob Hinkle 100%Completed in February.
PUBLIC SAFETY, HEALTH, AND ENVIRONMENT - Estes Park is a safe place to live, work, and visit within our extraordinary natural environment.
Ensure the completion of pre-design work, identification and securing of a suitable site,
and obtaining approval of a comprehensive funding plan by December 2026, with
projected completion of construction and occupancy of a new police facility by 2029.
(Multi-year Objective)
Paul Fetherston 5%
March 10 Town Board presentation on officially designating a preferred Town-owned property location on the northwest
corner of Community Drive and Manford Avenue for a new Public Safety facility. If approved, staff will release a Request
for Qualifications/ Proposals for award by September - the timing of which will be influenced by a state grant award for
design assistance. Presentation on the funcing plan expected in FY 2026 Q2 or Q3, with construction completed and
occupancy by December 2029.
Utilize County resources to complete the development of a Climate Action Plan. Jason Damweber 50%Climate Action Plan work has been in progress since late 2025. All requisite data has been provided to the County and
consultant. Interviews with staff completed in February. Plan drafting is in progress and will be completed in 2026.
Collaborate with Drive Clean Colorado to accelerate equitable adoption of clean
transportation options. (2025 CARRYOVER)David Greear (DK)25%Manager Klein virtually attended monthly meetings with Larimer County Climate Smart Future Ready. Staff has
succeesfully scheduled a ride and drive event for Bigfoot days on April 25th.
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2026 Town of Estes Park Strategic Plan
Progress Report
February
KEY OUTCOME AREAS Party
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Track
Behind
Schedule
Hold/
Tabled Done*%
Complete Comments
ROBUST ECONOMY - We have a diverse, healthy, year-round economy.
Identify opportunities to support eclectic mix of business, including smaller "mom and
pop" shops.Jason Damweber 50%
Town staff is currently represented on the Chamber Board (in an ex-officio capacity) and on the Economic Development
Workforce Council (EDWC), both of which provide support and resources for local businesses of all types, including for
"mom and pop" shops. Trustee Brown also serves on the EDWC Board. Staff met with the Chamber Executive Director in
January to discuss existing and potential new opportunities to provide additional support. Strategies currently employed
include facilitation of networking and relationship building, visibility and marketing, education and skill building, and
advocacy (a list of these opportunities for businesses in 2026 can be provided upon request). We will be working with the
Chamber and the Town Board to determine what additional strategies may be of interest.
Evaluate expansion of Town Hall hours (7-6) through schedule changes aligning with
customer and business needs.Travis Machalek 0% This work will begin in March.
Evaluate actions to ensure that the availability of local businesses is considered when
scheduling Town meetings.Kate Miller 0% This work will begin in Q2.
Work with the Chamber and Housing Authority to assess how seasonal employees are
housed in Estes Park.Jason Damweber 25%
Initial discussions with the Chamber and EPHA have occurred. A meeting was held in February with a focus on how to
more effectively gather information to understand the current situation. This will include a survey of local businesses put
out by the Chamber in March.
Work with the Estes Chamber of Commerce and Downtown businesses to evaluate
implementation options for the Downtown Plan. (2024 CARRYOVER)Travis Machalek 25%Staff members met with representatives from the Chamber of Commerce in January. Staff will be developing a spectrum
of implementation options for Town Board consideration at an upcoming study session.
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.
Work with Town Departments to revise the Town's Purchasing Policies by defining roles,
evaluating threshold approvals, aligning with current regulatory requirements, and
incorporating procurement best practices.
Tammy Zimmerman 5%
Preliminary discussions on structuring the collaborative outreach have begun. This work will begin after audit in May.
Work with key staff members to revise the Town's Grant Policy that creates a framework
for grant applications, evaluation, approval, and reporting.Tammy Zimmerman 10%Initial discussions with Grant Specialist, Grant Coordinator, and Department Project Managers have occurred. Continuing
meetings to get input on revisions to Policy 612
TRANSPORTATION - We have safe, efficient, and well-maintained multimodal transportation systems for pedestrians, cyclists, motorists, and transit riders.
Evaluate how the municipal code treats motorized/electrified scooters, golf carts, e-bikes,
and other low-speed vehicles.David Greear 10%
Plan for implementing a pilot program for golf carts on trails for handful of lodging grouped by ownership and need for
maid services between properties. Consider general parameters for other motorized transport restrictions and/or rules
such as bells, education, and helmets
Complete the reconstruction of Old Ranger Drive.David Greear 0%Construction to start and complete sometime between May and October dependent on talks with contractor.
Complete the reconstruction of Old Man Mountain Lane.David Greear 0%Construction to start and complete sometime between May and October dependent on talks with contractor.
Complete the reconstruction of 2nd Street and provide ADA compliant pedestrian facilities
following the water main and service installation project. (2024 CARRYOVER)David Greear 0%Construction to start and complete sometime between May and October dependent on talks with contractor.
Utilize SB267 grant funds to design transit & parking improvements in the Visitor Center
Parking Lot. (2023 CARRYOVER)David Greear (TW)80%Design in progress with completion anticipated in June 2026. Currently coordinating with CDOT on environmental
assessment since some work will be within CDOT ROW.
Construct the Visitor's Center parking & transit improvements if fully funded by SB267
grant funds. (2026/2027 Objective) (2024 CARRYOVER)David Greear 0%Construction anticipated to start in January of 2027
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2026 Town of Estes Park Strategic Plan
Progress Report
February
KEY OUTCOME AREAS Party
Responsible
On
Track
Behind
Schedule
Hold/
Tabled Done*%
Complete Comments
UTILITY INFRASTRUCTURE - We have reliable, efficient, and up-to-date utility infrastructure serving our community and customers.
Implement the enforcement process for customers who do not comply with water
administrative regulations.Reuben Bergsten 10%Staff developed an enforcement process and Attorney Kramer identified a draft/conceptual idea of required Municipal
code changes.
Initiate construction of the Mall Road Looping project. (2025 CARRYOVER)Reuben Bergsten 90%Paused late 2025 to mitigate financial risk of the Current Liability tied to the Prospect Mountain project.
Replace the structurally deficient Performance Park bridge.David Greear 20%Construction started in mid February with completion anticipated by June 2026
Complete at least one neighborhood stormwater CIP project from the list included in the
Stormwater Master Plan.David Greear 0%
Anticipated construction on Manford stormwater project to begin in late summer of 2026 after school is out (work to be
completed by Streets/Stormwater crews in-houe). Anticipate starting design on a larger scope stormwater project on
Woodstock in 2026, with construction plans in 2027
Identify funding options for a low-cost Trailblazer program.Reuben Bergsten 10%Looking for a funding source to cover the cost of new service installs, $600 to 700 each.
Complete construction of Trailblazer Broadband system for customers in the electric
service area. (Multi-year Objective)Reuben Bergsten 90%Our resubmitted BEAD applications were preliminarily awarded. We've completed 90% of the build based on customer
count. The remaining 10% of customers are the highest-cost construction and lowest revenue density.
* for multi-year projects, DONE refers to the portion of the project planned for the current year.