HomeMy WebLinkAboutPACKET Community Development Community Services 2015-10-22
Thursday, October 22, 2015
Community Development & 8:00 a.m.
Community Services Committee Town Hall Board Room
*Revised 10/15/15
1. PUBLIC COMMENT
2. COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
a) RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE TOWN BOARD
i. Transit Parking Facility Fee Waiver Request. Planner Kleisler
b) REPORTS
i. Community Development Quarterly Report. Director Chilcott
ii. Verbal Updates and Committee Questions.
Follow Up on Budget Meetings.
Status of Planning / Building Fees.
Downtown Business Floodplain Insurance Cost Examples.
Update on Vacation Home Rental Recommendations
Time Table.
3. COMMUNITY SERVICES
a) RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE TOWN BOARD
i. None.
b) REPORTS
i. Shuttle Report. Coordinator Wells
ii. Museum Quarterly Report. Director Fortini
iii. New Museum Vision and Mission Statement. Director Fortini
iv. Event Report. Coordinator Jacobson
v. Visitor Services Quarterly Report. Manager Salerno
vi. Verbal Updates and Committee Questions.
Follow Up on Budget Meetings.
Capital Projects Status.
4. ADJOURN
AGENDA
*
Town of Estes Park, Larimer County, Colorado, September 24, 2015
Minutes of a Regular meeting of the COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT /
COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMITTEE of the Town of Estes Park, Larimer
County, Colorado. Meeting held in Town Hall in said Town of Estes Park on the
24th day of September, 2015.
Committee: Chair Ericson, Trustees Holcomb and Phipps
Absent: None
Also Attending: Town Administrator Lancaster, Director Chilcott, Managers
Mitchell and Lynch, Coordinators Wells, Headley and
Jacobson, and Recording Secretary Limmiatis
Trustee Ericson called the meeting to order at 8:00 a.m.
PUBLIC COMMENT.
None.
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT.
REPORTS.
Reports provided for informational purposes and made a part of the proceedings.
Verbal Updates and Committee Questions – Director Chilcott introduced new
Planner Audem Gonzales and provided updates on the status of the Downtown Plan
consultant interview process, the current development projects by the Stanley Hotel
on Lot 4, Mountain River Townhomes, and Falcon Ridge, and the Hydroplant
Request for Proposals for bank stabilization. Director Chilcott stated construction is
booming as evidenced by a 50% increase in building permits from August 2014
along with a 90% increase in valuation. Building Division staff continues to face
challenges completing approximately 30 inspections daily and maintaining
associated paperwork.
COMMUNITY SERVICES DEPARTMENT.
REPORTS.
Reports provided for informational purposes and made a part of the proceedings.
Fairgrounds & Events Director Search Update – Administrator Lancaster stated
approximately 40 applications from across the country were received for the open
position. The pool has been initially narrowed down to 15 applicants and would be
further refined within the next week. Interviews would take place within the next two
to three weeks.
Reorganization of Community Services Department – Administrator Lancaster
informed the Committee the structure of the Community Services Department was
reviewed and it was determined having all the divisions under one director was not
the best use of personnel or finances. The Museum and Senior Center, who both
have strong leadership, would be separated from the Community Services
Department and placed under the supervision of Assistant Town Administrator
Machalek as the Cultural Services Division. The Fairgrounds, Event Center and
Visitor Center would remain under the leadership of the Fairgrounds and Events
Director.
Shuttle Report – Coordinator Wells stated the summer shuttle season concluded on
September 13, 2015 and the Elkhorn Express would continue to run fall weekend
service. The 2015 ridership numbers were down overall, which could be attributed to
the Town trolley being out for repairs. A local resident was identified as the 500,000th
passenger on August 29, 2015 and was presented with a ridership recognition
certificate and gift bag from the Town and local businesses. The Committee inquired
Community Development / Community Services – September 24, 2015 – Page 2
about grant opportunities to assist with year round shuttle services. Wells stated at
this time the budget does not allow for extended service, but staff would investigate
options if directed to do so. Administrator Lancaster stated most grants require local
matching funds and would have to be researched closely before proceeding with
applications.
Senior Services Quarterly Report – Coordinator Headley described the 31%
increase in attendance observed in all programs over the past year. New programs
such as art classes, meditation, and Tai Chi are being offered to attract a younger
audience. The Larimer County Office on Aging awarded two grants to Senior
Services to conduct a second round of free N’ Balance classes and provide 200
blizzard boxes to Estes Park residents in need. The Committee inquired about
reaching maximum capacity for programs and services. Manager Mitchell stated the
Senior Center continues to expand with limited time and resources as well as pursue
the master plan strategy of moving to the proposed Community Center. Most
individuals who participate in activities at the Senior Center as well as the non-profit
partners are supportive of the Community Center project, but a few express
concerns of diminishing quality in the programs offered.
Event Report – Coordinator Jacobson updated the Committee on the events to take
place in the fall. Elk Fest enters its 17th year and the organizers were challenged to
introduce new items. The Rut Run was added with the support of the Estes Park
Marathon and has over 50 participants registered. Cabela’s and the YMCA were
added as new partners of the event. The Tree Lighting Ceremony would honor
community members who receive awards on National Philanthropy Day. Staff has
partnered with Festive Fridays during the upcoming holiday season in an attempt to
get visitors to arrive on Friday and stay through the weekend for special events. The
Catch the Glow parade preparations are underway with Michael Young working on
six new floats. Performance Park would close for the season after the final Movie in
Mountains on September 29, 2015. This venue has been heavily utilized this
summer and comprehensive attendance numbers would be brought forward at the
next meeting.
Verbal Updates and Committee Questions - The Committee inquired about the
number of bookings at the Event Center for the remainder of the year. Manager
Lynch stated focus has been placed on reaching large groups during 2016/2017 and
she continues to experience challenges with bookings due to the lack of a break out
area within the Events Center, no bid fees, no volunteer support staff, the acoustics,
and lack of transportation available between venues. Administrator Lancaster
suggested a conversation take place with Forever Resorts to discuss the Town’s
relationship and investing into improvements at the Conference Center.
There being no further business, Trustee Ericson adjourned the meeting at 9:17 a.m.
Barbara Jo Limmiatis, Recording Secretary
Page 1
To: Community Development/Community Services Committee
Town Administrator Lancaster
From: Alison Chilcott, Director
Phil Kleisler, Planner II
Date: October 22, 2015
RE: Transit Parking Facility Fee Waiver Request
Objective:
Determine if the application complies with adopted fee waiver policy, and consider
recommending approval or denial of the associated request.
Present Situation:
The Town, coordinated through the Public Works Department, received development
plan approval in September to construct a four level, 414-space transit parking facility.
This project proposes to replace an existing surface parking lot with a four level 414-
space structured parking facility. The building site is located directly south and across
the Big Thompson River from the Estes Park Visitor Center. Figures 1a and 1b shown
below provides views from Highway 36 showing the relationship of the project site to
surrounding buildings. Located less than one half block east of downtown, the site is
considered by many to be an important entry point into the commercial center of Estes
Park.
The Town Board adopted the Fee Waiver policy in 2012 to support vital community
needs such as public funded government construction, affordable housing, assisted
living and health care services through the consideration of in-house fees assessed by
the Community Development Department.
Proposal:
The Town of Estes Park is requesting a fee waiver of $53,911 in development
application and building permit fees. Staff finds that the proposal substantially complies
with the Community Development Fee Waiver Policy because it is a “public funded
government construction” project (see #1 in attached policy).
Advantages:
• Advantage for the applicant: Reduces cost.
Community Development
Memo
Page 2
Disadvantages:
• Reduces Community Development Department revenue. Fees cover a portion of
the Town’s expense to process these multiple development applications.
Action Recommended:
Recommend approval or denial the fee waiver request. Because the amount is greater
than $3,000, the Town Board is authorized to approve this request.
Budget:
Approval of the request would decrease Community Development Department fee
revenue. Overall there will not be an impact to the General Fund.
Level of Public Interest:
Low for the fee waiver request. High for the project in general.
Recommended Motion:
I move to recommend approval/denial of the Town of Estes Park fee waiver request to
the Town Board.
Attachments:
1. Written request from the applicant.
2. Fee Summary
3. Community Development Fee Waiver Policy.
Figures 1a (above) and 1b (below): Proximity of Site to Nearest
HWY 36
Stanley
Village
Safeway Stanley
Hotel
Project
Site
HWY 36
Light and
Power
&
Fire District
Project
Site
To Visitor
Center
Transit Parking Facility Fee Waiver Request
Fee Summary
Review Fee
Development Review
Development Plan $2,000
Development Agreement $1,500
Pre-application $500
Fee Waiver Administration $300
Subtotal $4,300
Improvement Agreement/Letter of Credit
Set Up $200
Release at Completion of Phase $300
Final Release into Warranty Period $300
Subtotal $800
Building Permit Fees
Building Safety Review
Building Permit Fees $29,334
Plan Reviews $19,067
Grading Permit $200
Subtotal $48,601
Planning Division Review
Building Permit Review Fees $180
Grading Permit $30
Subtotal $210
Sum Total $53,911
1
To: Community Development/Community Services Committee
Town Administrator Lancaster
From: Brian Wells, Shuttle Coordinator
Date: October 22, 2015
RE: 2015 Fall Season Review for the Estes Park FREE Shuttles
Update:
Fall season shuttle service ended Sunday, October 4 coinciding with the end of Elk
Fest. The free trolley will operate during four more events in 2015.
2015 Shuttle Fall Season Ridership Numbers:
2015 Charter Ridership (to date): 3,269
2014 Charter Ridership: 2,883
Community Services Memo
2
Remaining 2015 Service Schedule:
The free trolley special service days include:
Saturday October 31 Fall Back Beer Festival
Friday November 27 Catch-the-Glow Parade
Saturday November 28 Santa’s Workshop
Saturday December 12 Tinsel & Taverns
Shuttle Committee:
Minor route and stops changes confirmed for 2016.
Elkhorn Express trolley repair:
Full engine replacement underway. Hoping to have it back prior to the Catch-the
Glow Parade and Santa’s Workshop events in November.
Background:
N/A
Shuttle Committee Recommendation:
N/A
Recommended Motion:
N/A
Cultural Services Memo
To: Community Development/Community Services Committee
Town Administrator Lancaster
From: Derek Fortini, Museum Director
Date: October 22, 2015
RE: Museum Quarterly Report
Background:
Attendance Highlights
August
The Museum offered two historic tours of Rocky Mountain National Park. Both
tours led by historian Ken Jessen, filled up fast with waiting lists. The
participation number (12 per tour) was limited to seats in the bus.
A total of 97 people attended two reenactments of F. O. Stanley at the Historic
Fall River Hydroplant. This was the first program of its kind at the site and
brought in visitors who had either never been or had not visited the Hydroplant in
a long time.
Kurtis Kelly as F. O. Stanley.
September
Curator of Education Mittelman facilitated a story time activity with Lifelong
Learning in the Estes Valley Preschool about Rocky Mountain National Park's
Centennial Anniversary.
Collection Highlights
Over the summer, Curator of Collections Gerakios responded to sixteen research
requests via phone, email, or in-person. She spent a total of 25 hours exploring
the Museum’s collections and archives to respond to community member’s
inquiries. Researched requests primarily centered on the history of individual’s
property or hotels. In September, she shifted focus to concentrate on the
Museum’s on-going deaccessioning project.
Another project started this summer was the processing and scanning of a large
collection of negatives that are part of the Joe Mills collection donated to the
Museum in 2012. This is the last step to having the entire Joe Mills donation
catalogued in the Museum’s database. To-date, 359 out of roughly 800
negatives have been numbered and rehoused. Since the negatives are
composed of celluloid nitrate, several precautions have to be taken to insure that
they are stored correctly.
Throughout the summer, the Museum accepted several small donations,
including postcards, archival materials, a painting of Swiss Chalets, and a map
by Richardson Rome.
Scans from the Joe Mills Collections.
Exhibits
Ongoing Temporary Exhibits
The temporary exhibits Climb On! and Gripped ended on October 4, 2015. The
exhibits were extremely successful in exhibiting new historic information, creating
a collaboration with the local community, and gaining attendance from an
audience who had not experienced the Museum before. Both exhibits have been
taken down. Gripped occupied an area of Artists’ Inspirations from the
permanent exhibit Tracks in Time. The space has since been filled with artwork
from the Museum collection, including the recent 2015 acquisition of Hallett Peak
by Alfred Wands. Staff is exploring the possibility of collaborating with
MacGregor Ranch for a temporary exhibit installation for th e summer of 2016.
Upcoming Programs
October 31 from 1:00 - 2:30 p.m. – Cemeteries and Remote Burials in the Estes
Park Area author presentation.
November 2 from 1:30 - 2:30 p.m. - Meet Me @ The Museum with the Curator of
Education.
November 5 from 1:30 – 3:00 p.m. – Conservation Workshop: Textiles. Led by
Museum Staff.
November 12 from 1:30 – 3:00 p.m. – Conservation Workshop: Photographs.
Led by Museum Staff.
November 19 from 1:30 – 3:00 p.m. – Conservation Workshop: Paper. Led by
Museum Staff.
December 3 from 7:00 – 8:00 p.m. – The Rocky Mountain National Park Reader
author presentation.
December 6 from 3:00 – 4:00 p.m. – Chronology: An Estes Park History Game.
Led by Curator of Education.
December 7 from 1:30 - 2:30 p.m. - Meet Me @ The Museum with the Curator of
Collections.
January 4 from 1:30 - 2:30 p.m. - Meet Me @ The Museum with the Director.
January 23 from 3:00 – 4:30 p.m. – Hidden Valley Table Discussion and
Presentation.
Other Highlights:
In the third quarter of 2015, the following professional development was
completed:
Curator of Collections: Western States & Territories Preservation
Assistance Service's "Protecting Cultural Collections: Disaster
Prevention, Preparedness, Response, and Recovery."
Curator of Collections: Connecting to Collections Care's
"Troublesome Trophies and Fragile Feathered Friends: Introduction
to the Care of Historic Taxidermy."
Curator of Collections: Connecting to Collections Care's "RE-ORG:
Step-by-step Storage Reorganization for Small Museums."
Director: American Alliance of Museums Webcast “Exhibition Label
Writing and Audience Engagement.”
Entire Staff: Connecting to Collections Care webinar
titled "Facebook, and Twitter, and Instagram, oh my! Sharing
Museum Collections through Social Media.”
In September, Curator of Collections Gerakios visited Colorado State University.
She spoke to a group of undergraduate students about the benefits and
challenges of working at a small local history museum. She also answered
questions about her own personal career path, offered advice for those
interested in working in a history museum, and talked about working in
collections management. Afterwards, Curator Gerakios spoke with Dr. Sarah
Payne about a potential partnership between her future classes and the Museum
in regards to internships or classroom projects that would benefit Museum
endeavors.
Administration has dropped the “Curator of Exhibits” role from Director Fortini’s
title. This does not mean there will be no more temporary exhibits, but that the
roles together are too large for current responsibilities. Director Fortini will still
take the lead on exhibits, but it will be a team effort to create them and staff will
continue operation without a Curator of Exhibits.
Cultural Services Memo
To: Community Development/Community Services Committee
Town Administrator Lancaster
From: Derek Fortini, Museum Director
Date: October 22, 2015
RE: New Museum Vision and Mission Statement
Background and Reasoning for a Change:
The Estes Park Museum is proposing a change from the current vision and
mission statements:
Vision: The Estes Park Museum will be a recognized leader in the collection,
management and interpretation of local history while providing exemplary
exhibits and programs on history, the arts and sciences.
Mission: The Estes Park Museum collects, interprets and preserves local history,
as well as presenting exhibits, programs and events, for the education and
benefit of residents and visitors of all ages.
to the following vision and mission statements:
Vision: The Estes Park Museum cultivates a passion for Estes Park history.
Mission: The Estes Park Museum conducts activities that preserve, share, and
respect the unique history of Estes Park.
The proposed vision and mission statements have been in the works since 2011. Staff
recognized problems with the existing statements, but wanted to take time to develop
an appropriate vision and mission. The final iteratio n has been measured against many
of the current and planned future activities of the Museum to ensure it is suitable. There
has also been time to gather feedback from the Estes Park Museum Friends &
Foundation, Inc. and Town Administration.
The proposed vision and mission statements will address many of the problems of the
current statements, such as: not being entirely unique to our community, focusing on
history, the arts, and science instead of solely on local history (arts and science are part
of our local history and will be explored when appropriate); and the unrealistic goal (with
our resources) to serve visitors of all ages. The proposed vision and mission will
improve the ability to creatively achieve the concepts captured in the statements, is
much more succinct, and will put the uniqueness of Estes Park’s history on the
forefront, making all our activities entirely unique to our community setting it apart from
any other organization.
While it will take some time to integrate the proposed vision and mission into the places
where they are currently stated (press releases, promotional material, etc.), the
proposed statements will have a positive impact on the current and future activities of
the Museum. It is believed that there will be a low level of interest from the public from
this change. While the highest level of interest is by the Estes Park Museum Friends &
Foundation, Inc., they have, in light of our proposed change, also changed their mission
to be more supportive of the Museum and the direction it is taking. At this time in the
process, the Museum would like to welcome feedback from the CD/CS committee.
Community Services Memo
To: Community Development/ Community Services Committee
Town Administrator Lancaster
From: Lexy Jacobson, Event Coordinator
Date: October 22, 2015
RE: Fairgrounds and Events Division- October and November Event Update
Report:
Highlight of Past Events:
The Elk Fest saw great success in its 17th year. The
event continues to expand each year and offer
something new for our guests; a Cabela’s Archery
Range, Short Film Series, Rut Run, improved
Bugling Competition and a Self-Guided Elk Tour
was highlighted in 2015. After surveying 28 of 36
vendors, they all agreed that this was their best
year yet in sales (some have been participating fr
over 10 years)!
Our partners continue to be a key component to the
diversity that is offered and the overall success.
This year we featured the Rut Run; a 5k foot race
produced by Estes Park Marathon and the Elk Fest
Committee. In our first year we saw approximately
219 runners/walkers. This is a HUGE
accomplishment for the first year and overall a
lucrative fundraiser for their organization. W e look
forward to continuing our partnership with EPM and
recruiting even more participants next year.
The Rotary Club of Estes Park served as our beer
concessionaire for the second year. This area is a
popular addition to the event and is a great
fundraiser for our local nonprofits. The Rotary
served close to 1,000 beers throughout the
weekend and took in roughly $4,000 for their
efforts. Again, all funds go directly back to the
organization.
Thank you to the Town and our partners for a job
well done; Colorado Parks and Wildlife, Cabela’s,
Estes Park News, EVRPD, EPM, Rotary and
YMCA.
Upcoming Events:
October/November
Event Center 10/23 Town Chili Cook Off
Event Center 10/23 CAST Meeting
Event Center 10/31 Fall Back Beer Fest
Downtown 10/31 Halloween Celebration
George Hix Riverside
Plaza
11/21 Tree Lighting Ceremony
Pumpkin’s and Pilsners, hosted by Families for
Estes, took place in Bond Park this past weekend.
The event featured a beer garden, pumpkin sales,
tractor rides and pony rides. The event is in its
second year and continues to see big numbers.
Families for Estes sold out of all of their mugs as
well as their temporary cups. They are still working
on the final fundraising amount but we will share
that when it is available. Congratulations to their
committee and partners on a job well done; the
Town, First Colorado Reality, The Barrel, Rambo’s
Liquor, Cheeley, Rockcut, EP Brewery, Ed’s
Cantina, EP News and Estes Park Medical Center.
Held each year on the day we turn the clocks back,
the 3rd Annual Fall Back Beer Fest will take place
on Halloween at the Event Center. FBBF will
feature over 30 breweries, live entertainment,
homebrewers and Halloween candy beer pairings.
To date the event has sold over 130 tickets which is
very promising for presales and overall event
interest. The Town continues to be a strong partner
in the production of the event. Town Administrator
Lancaster and Staff have been evaluating our
current agreement with the promoter and looking at
future years to see how we can work more
efficiently with one another.
Where we’re going:
November/December
Downtown 11/27 Catch the Glow Parade
Event Center 11/28 Santa’s Workshop
Event Center
12/5 Breakfast with Santa and Holiday Movie
Marathon
Downtown 12/12 Dasher 5K
Throughout the Village 12/12 Tinsel Tavern Tour
Performance Park Recap:
The most anticipated event of the holiday season
takes place the day after Thanksgiving; the Catch
the Glow Parade. Director Michael Young
produces 21 Town floats with the remainder being
produced by nonprofits, for a rough total of 42
units. The Town will feature the second year of
Santa’s Workshop to help make the parade a
more rounded weekend celebration rather than a
one night event. We saw upwards of 1,300 guests
last year and hope to gain more visibility in 2015!
Performance Park “closed the doors” after the last
event on September 29th. In 2014 the venue
hosted 26 events and saw roughly 4,261 people.
This summer, June to September, the venue
hosted 42 events, including three concert series,
two large music festivals and a movie series and
saw upwards of 7,493! The acoustically sound
amphitheater is a crowd favorite and a musician’s
ideal performance location. We hope to continue
this momentum into next summer as we start to
book 2016 events. (Please see attachment for a
complete event listing and attendance numbers
for 2015).
Date Event Band Appx Attendance
23-May Fine Arts Guild of the Summer Series 2015 Chain Station 180
29-May Estes Park Western Days Misc. Entertainers 300
30-May Estes Park Western Days Misc. Entertainers 300
11-Jun Jazz in June Temple band 65
13-Jun Big Band Bash Multiple 325
14-Jun Big Band Bash Multiple 300
17-Jun Wed Night Live Accoustic Ambience 60
18-Jun Thurs Night Live Longmont Concert Band 136
19-Jun Jazz in June Wm & The Romantics 60
20-Jun Fine Arts Guild of the Summer Series 2015 Harpeth 190
21-Jun Summit Worship Service NA 150
24-Jun Wed Night Live Ran off the Rooster 163
25-Jun Thurs Night Live Brad Fitch 250
27-Jun Jazz in June Series Academy Jazz Ensemble 55
30-Jun Summer Movie Series "The Great Outdoors"/ROTR 250
1-Jul Wed Night Live Riverside Ramblers 132
2-Jul Thurs Night Live Jeff Van Devender 66
4-Jul Estespark Village Band Village Band Patriotic Concert 400
8-Jul Wed Night Live Some Sweet Days 49
9-Jul Thurs Night Live Summer Song Fest VI 150
0-Jan Teen Super Hero Yoga NA 6
15-Jul Wed Night Live Steve Smersh and Friends 90
16-Jul Thurs Night Live Jazz Big Band 200
18-Jul Fine Arts Guild of the Summer Series 2015 Brassworks 250
22-Jul Wed Night Live David Michael Boyd 115
23-Jul Thurs Night Live Will Thomas 100
25-Jul Rocky Mountain National Park Centennial Concert 350
26-Jul Artists in Residence Series! Curtis Fox and Metropolitan Jazz Orchestra in Concert 225
28-Jul Summer Movie Series "Hook"/Just Jill Accoustic 140
29-Jul Wed Night Live Highland Brass Quintet 115
30-Jul Thurs Night Live Peggy Mann 125
2-Aug Taste of Shakespeare presnts "Measure for Measure"40
5-Aug Wed Night Live Live Music 225
6-Aug Thurs Night Live Elk Hollow 138
10-Aug Estes Park Jazz Big band Concert NA 425
12-Aug Wed Night Live Clear Wings 100
13-Aug Thurs Night Live EP Village Band 250
13-Aug Kid's Paint Out NA 12
15-Aug Fine Arts Guild of the Summer Series 2015 Ran Off The Rooster 225
19-Aug Wed Night Live Adam Green 56
20-Aug Thurs Night Live Matt Gurnsey 120
21-Aug Longs Peak Reunion NA 250
25-Aug Summer Movie Series "Batman"/Bayou Folk 120
19-Sep Fine Arts Guild of the Summer Series 2015 Silver City 180
29-Sep Summer Movie Series "Ferris Bueler's" Jon Pickett 55
7493
To: Community Development/Community Services Committee
Town Administrator Lancaster
From: Teri Salerno, Visitor Services Manager
Date: October 22, 2015
RE: Visitor Services Quarterly Report: July - September 2015
Third Quarter Visitor Center Traffic:
July - September visitor counts were up by 3.49% over last year, an increase of
7,340 people.
July and August were both down, by 3,970 and 797 respectively, while
September was way up over last year, by 12,107 people.
This third quarter was the busiest third quarter seen at the Visitor Center since
opening in 2006; likely reasons for this record could be due to the gorgeous
weather in September, coupled with Rocky Mountain National Park’s Centennial
activities.
September 2015 was the busiest September yet in the Visitor Center.
Visitor counts are up 4.69% YTD, equating to 15,687 more people through
September 2015 (334,349 in 2014 – 350,036 in 2015).
In comparison, Rocky Mountain National Park’s visitation is up 20.8% YTD; this
represents an increase of 614,022 visitors, with over 100,000 of them visiting in
September alone.
This significant increase comes on the heels of RMNP’s busiest year ever in
2014, when the park saw 3.4 million people. RMNP has already surpassed this
total; YTD through September, the park has had 3,572,177 visitors!
Visitor Center foot traffic: 2010 – 2015
1st Qtr. 2nd Qtr. 3rd Qtr. 4th Qtr. Total
2015 36,622 95,565 217,849 350,036
2014 27,953 95,887 210,509 57,018 391,367
2013 27,030 102,142 174,146 33,356 336,674
2012 31,464 101,192 184,459 47,275 364,390
2011 32,960 100,558 212,458 55,716 401,692
2010 19,877 76,080 179,627 49,394 324,978
Community Services Memo
The Visitor Center Lobby in September, 2015
Second Quarter Telephone Calls:
During the third quarter, 5,822 calls were answered, nearly 300 more calls than
the same time period in 2014; this represents an increase of 5.25%.
The increase in calls came in both July and September.
The trend of decreasing calls has been steady over the past several years, but it
appears the trend could be leveling out; however, more time will tell if this is
happening or not.
Visitor Center telephone calls: 2010 - 2015
1st Qtr 2nd Qtr 3rd Qtr 4th Qtr Total
2015 2,018 3,844 5,822 11,684
2014 2,090 3,866 5,532 2,057 13,601
2013 2,055 4,087 6,313 3,045 15,500
2012 2,357 5,112 6,368 2,341 16,178
2011 3,119 5,946 8,779 2,855 20,699
2010 3,934 7,162 9,772 3,224 24,092
Retail Sales
Retail sales through the end of June total $35,736, which is a 10.9% increase
over the same period last year, for a total increase of $2,331.
Sales totals for each month in the quarter surpassed the sales in the same
months in 2014, with September showing the most significant increase.
Third quarter sales are the highest each year and are the best indicator of how
sales will end for the year, and sales this October (so far) have been very strong.
At the end of September, the total retail budget of $34,000 for 2015 has already
been surpassed by $1,736.
The highest retail sales year in the Visitor Center was in 2007 at $43,554.
Total Retail Sales Revenue by year
2015 thru Sept $35,736
2014 $39,533
2013 $29,296
2012 $34,499
2011 $39,192
2010 $40,175
Volunteer Ambassadors:
The number of volunteer Ambassadors at the end of September totaled 66.
Effective the end of September, Ambassadors work weekends only at the Visitor
Center; this schedule will continue through mid-May when the hours will change
again, and Ambassadors resume daily assistance.
Seven new Ambassadors completed training this year and joined the Visitor
Services team.
Last year at this time there were 64 Ambassadors on the roster.
Two Ambassadors have retired so far this year; last year at this time, 13 had
retired.
Training for new Ambassadors has finished for the season. If new applications
are received, potential Ambassadors may be trained for the winter season if they
are needed, or the team will wait until 2016 to bring on new volunteers.
Visitor Center Hours of Operation
On Monday, September 28, the hours changed; the Visitor Center is now open
Monday – Saturday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
These hours will extend through mid-May, 2016.
Budget: N/A
Recommendations: None