CIO Gary Hall Retires From Estes Park Health

as opportunities arose, he made sure to procure “two of everything” so that lab tests are always available 24/7 for the community. Gary was instrumental in helping move EPH to an integrated electronic health record in late 2019 and has been continually working with UCHealth to ensure the best, fastest, 24/7 access to our hosted Epic platform at the UCHealth data centers.

Estes Park Senior Citizens Center Menu

Sept 11 – Sept 15

Monday, Sept 11 BBQ Pulled Pork Sandwich w/ Baked Beans & coleslaw

Tuesday, Sept 12 Fried Chicken (3 pc) w/ Mashed Potatoes, gravy & vegetables

Wednesday, Sept 13 Avocado Bacon Cheddar Burger w/ Fruit Salad

Thursday, Sept 14 Spaghetti w/ Meatballs, garlic bread & side salad

Friday, Sept 15 Trout (4 oz) w/ Baked Potato & soup of the day

Sept 18 – Sept 22

Estes Park Health has changed so much in this millennium, and in Gary Hall’s eighteen years at EPH, he’s been involved in most of that growth and change. Gary has now decided to retire and head off into the sunset.

Gary is the Chief Information Officer (CIO) at EPH, though over the years he’s managed the facilities team, medical records, materials management, laboratory, radiology, pharmacy, rehabilitative services, emergency management, dietary services, environmental services, marketing/media, and more.

“I’ve sometimes said that I do everything except IVs,” Gary said with a smile. “I’ve been Mr. Fix-It at EPH and I’ve tried to bring kindness to the process of supporting services across the enterprise. I very much enjoy working for a smaller organization like EPH, where you can truly impact the direction of the organization and therefore truly help support the best patient care possible.”

Gary has helped EPH through many great steps forward, including building the front (east) wings through the bond issue in 2006/2007, the emergency department expansion in 2009, the addition of the first MRI/CT suite in 2013/2014, the procurement of three houses north of the building to provide on-call housing for emergency management services and others, and much more. He’s been involved in all the information technology progress over the years, as so much work has moved to the cloud, and he likes to point out that EPH only had a single fiber link into town for many years.

“We had six megabits of internet access when I arrived,” Gary remembered. “Now, with Trailblazer, for which we were strong advocates, and other steps forward, we enjoy internet line redundancy and many gigabits of critical broadband service.”

Gary was highly involved in the creation of the Urgent Care Center in 2020, and also converted the entire radiology suite to digital equipment over the years, including the addition of 3-D mammography in 2020. He loves to create redundancy of tools at EPH to prevent downtime for patient care. In the laboratory,

Gary’s tenure has spanned the 2013 flood, when all internet/cell/long-distance access was lost. He and his team worked through a cyberattack/ransomware attack in June of 2019, and was proud to point out that no patient care was interrupted despite the challenges of that time. Gary helped set up a communication hub in Loveland (in a friend’s basement) during the great evacuation in 2020 for the East Troublesome Creek fire. He helped create negative-pressure rooms during the early days of the COVID crisis and built telehealth options during that time. He’s overseen the modern movement toward telecommuting, which he says has been hyperbolic since the COVID pandemic began.

Gary has been a strong collaborator with Colorado’s healthcare CIOs over the years and managed the “C4” group of Colorado CIOs for several years, helping to share useful information among this team that is so important to the progress of Colorado health care. In the past two years, Gary was nominated by his peers for, and was a finalist for, the CIO of the Year award in Colorado for this size of organization.

Gary also had a 27-year career in the for-profit world before moving with his wife Linda to Estes Park in 2003. He and his wife climbed all of Colorado 14,000foot peaks between 2004 and 2012, and they still hike year-round. They were involved in founding the Estes Park Marathon in 2004 and Gary ran road races and marathons for 35 years, including the Estes Park race. Gary plays music around town and is a member of several different musical groups this summer. He’s also recorded much original music over the years.

“It’s been a wonderful time at EPH,” Gary stressed. “I’ve built lifetime friendships with many current and past employees, as well as community members. I’ve very much enjoyed being an ambassador for Estes Park Health and I’ll continue to do that even as I step away. Providing all these services is tremendous and difficult work on the part of the EPH employees and we’ve been fortunate to have many dedicated, highly skilled people providing or supporting wonderful patient care through all of ups and downs.”

Gary and Linda plan to stay in Estes and continue to enjoy our mountain paradise. As a private citizen, as well as an employee, Gary has advocated for and is in strong support of the potential affiliation with a larger health system, to provide long-term stability for our local hospital. As Gary often says, “Ever onward!”

Monday, Sept 18 Breakfast Croissant (eggs & cheese topped w/ sausage patty) w/ Hashbrowns & fruit

Tuesday, Sept 19 Chicken Parmesan w/ Spaghetti, garlic bread & side salad

Wednesday, Sept 20 Country Fried Steak w/ Mashed Potatoes, gravy & vegetables

Thursday, Sept 21 BBQ Chicken Breast w/ Corn Bread, Grits & vegetable

Friday, Sept 22 Fish & Homemade Chips w/ soup of the day

Meals are $7 for current 2023 EP Senior Citizens Center members and are by reservation only. (Or 3 meals for $20; use pre-paid meal tickets.) Exact cash or check payment required. Reservations must be made by 1:00 PM at least one business day in advance. Note, if you want to reserve a meal for Monday, Sept 11th, you need to call before 1:00 PM on Friday, Sept 8th. For reservations call 970-581-2195 and leave a detailed message. Pre-paid meal tickets and membership forms are available at the Estes Park Senior Citizens Center located at 1760 Olympian Lane.

The Center is OPEN (Monday, Wednesday, Thursday & Friday 10-1; Tuesday 10-2) TriFit M-W-F 10:30-11:15; Yoga T-T 10:15-11:15; Circuit Balance Class Mondays 1-1:45 PM

Mahjong Tuesdays 10 – 2

Live Music & Presentations Tuesday @ 12:00 – 1:30 (TBA)

Two Bridge Groups: 1st, 3rd, & 5th Wed. of the month & Every Thursday 12:30 - 4 PM

Reserved Meals-to-Go delivered to your vehicle or EAT at the Senior Citizens Center Check out our website: estesparkseniors.org or call for the latest information

Friends....ten years ago the Great Flood of 2013 swept through Larimer and Boulder Counties, killing people and destroying homes, businesses, roadways and infrastructure. The cost of the 100-year flood was in the billions. Here is the column I wrote at the time.

Patrick woke us at 11:30 WEDNESDAY night. “The garage is flooding.” And so it began.

It had rained that morning, so I deferred my run until late in the afternoon, when Irish clouds hung low on the mountains; going around the lake was like walking on the Cliffs of Moher, with droplets gently tapping my face. Wisps of mizzle curled down the folds of Lumpy Ridge; mist spilled over the top of Mount Olympus; Prospect Mountain was enshrouded in puffy grey fog. Four Korean tourists asked me to take their picture as they enjoyed an innocent walk around Lake Estes. Little did we know…

Lizzie and I raced to where Patrick’s room was now threatened by water pouring from the sky and gushing down the slope behind the garage. We grabbed brooms and swept vainly at the flowing deluge. For hours, like Sisyphus pushing his rock, the three of us toiled ineffectually: too much water had been unleashed and we couldn’t keep up with the volume. We dug a diversion ditch behind the garage. We dug deep holes for bailing buckets on the slope side. They filled almost as fast as we emptied. Robotically, we kept sweeping and bailing. The rain persisted, endlessly, implacably. There was nothing but rain, full buckets, sweeping brooms, shovels, more rain, wet clothes, blisters, soggy shoes, more buckets, darkness, occasional fiveminute breaks, more rain, sweeping, buckets, fatigue, hunger, and no end to time. Dawn finally came, grey and cold.

THURSDAY was a blur. We were groggy from lack of sleep; the downpour continued. Lizzie and Patrick went out for sandbags. We lost phone capability. On 9NEWS we learned the magnitude of the “Biblical” downpour: Highways 34 and 36 out of commission; Glen Haven a loss; Lyons shattered; Longmont sundered; Boulder inundated. Trail Ridge Road the only way out of town? It was hard to absorb.

We kept bailing as the day lengthened and the rain refused to wane. Lizzie devised a nightwatch: two-hour individual shifts. Pat’s girlfriend Andi joined us, and we four worked late into the night as a team. Sleep, bail, dig, sweep, bail, dig, take a short break, sweep, bail, dig. Lizzie took the midnight shift and I slept till 4:00 a.m. The rain had abated by then, and bailing was now manageable. The worst was past.

Doug Frisbie and Eileen Flaherty came over FRIDAY morning for our sporadic internet access, as they had no way of communicating with their daughters. We built a fire and spent much of the day watching TV and alerting friends across the country that we were safe.

Shelley Chew came by to borrow sandbags (none were left at the stores) and send e-mails and texts to loved ones.

Patrick and I drove out to look at the damage. The golf course was under water. Brown sludge and detritus clogged streets. Thick debris choked Lake Estes on the south side of the causeway. Wapiti Meadow was a lake. Fish Creek road was sloughing off chunks as a torrent undercut the roadway. We were reminded that “the mountains don’t care;” they sit, implacable and solid, battered indifferent veterans, witness to centuries of dynamic elements, seemingly heedless of hot, cold, wet or dry weather.

In the afternoon Everett Bowles and Josh Brown come by. They had been out juice shelves, meats (chicken and beef) going quickly; long lines and full carts at checkout. A clerk tells me a truck will come daily now, and they are working hard to keep up with panic shopping.

I step outside and sit on the curb, eyes closed, to take a moment in the sun. A noise next to me sounds like sobbing, and there is a woman in tears, shaking, pushed beyond her limits. “Can I help?”

“I just can’t take it any more,” she says. We talk. Her husband works in Longmont. Her office in Estes is flooded. She doesn’t deserve this.

The merchants and workers in town; what will they do? How will they survive? Route 34 gone for a year or more? Route 36 inoperative for at least six months? Nobody knows. The town meeting on SUNDAY may provide some answers.

We wake to restored telephone service and a queue of voicemails from friends across the country. Walking to the Town Meeting I see Amy Hamrick, alone, in

tant…

After the meeting Lizzie takes two Chinese girls who work with her at Ponderosa Lodge to sign up for the free shuttle to DIA. She then helps them get their final paychecks and transports bicycles for them. Like so many in Estes, she’s a good Samaritan, finding a need and filling it.

Charlie Dickey organizes a downtown Community Watch, beginning MONDAY morning. I take the 9:00 a.m. shift and walk slowly down the emptiness of Elkhorn. Paula Steig is at Macdonald Book Shop, where a green placard adorns the door. Karen and Todd Jirsa are in front of Village Goldsmith, shoveling out mud. It is oddly silent, and in every direction I see sandbags, mud and closed shops, each with a green, yellow or red placard. Few people are out. The sadness of it aches.

Elkhorn Avenue is a maze of traffic cones, road barriers, straw bales and police tape. Blinking lights and beep-beep backup blasts of bobcats punctuate the eerie stillness as town road crews use shovels, brooms, elbow grease, front-end loaders and dump trucks to scrape up and remove the caked mudsilt. The National Park Service hotshot fire crew is attacking Riverwalk Plaza and the parking lot by Casa Grande with shovels. Their speed and indomitable energy generate hope as merchants resolutely continue the cleanup.

looking for trouble, which they found on Peak View Drive, where Everett designed a temporary diversion dam to keep homes from flooding more. They were beaming with pride at having been helpful to others.

We go to Doug and Eileen’s for dinner. Despite an excellent meal, our usual animated conversation is muted, eroded by fatigue and the immensity of what Estes is enduring.

There is still no mail or phone service on SATURDAY. We text friends and watch more grim reports on television. Over 500 people are unaccounted for in Boulder and Larimer counties. We drive out again to survey damage, and see: a woman, face drawn and grimacing, stolidly carrying belongings from her home to a pickup truck; soaked carpets piled on sidewalks outside for trash collection; neighbors with shovels chatting across backyard fences, pausing as they dig diversion trenches; sump pumps draining basements and yards; intermittent choppers; pickup trucks with bales of hay, wheelbarrows and shovels; everywhere we hear the sound of gurgling water streaming downhill to the already glutted lake.

At Safeway we encounter the omnipresent Walt Hester, taking notes and shooting pictures. Inside there is no bread and slow lines at the pharmacy; power drinks and water are on display; cereal boxes are disappearing and milk is vanishing fast; a few melons, decimated

Kind Coffee. It hurts my heart. Other merchants along Elkhorn Avenue are similarly engaged as I trek towards the Municipal Building. Their grit moves me.

An overflow crowd fills the auditorium and spills out to the atrium. Again, I hear bits of conversations. “You open?” one restaurateur ask another. “We opened this morning. Limited menu.” People confer about water in their houses and compare notes.

The town meeting begins: Mayor Bill Pinkham, town administrator Frank Lancaster and essential services are there: local police, county sheriff, the schools, NPS, sanitation, etc. All deliver consistent messages: We are in this together. We must stand together. People need to help each other. Heed warnings about not crossing roads. Beware of water—you don’t know what’s underneath.

Announcements are made: A meeting for evacuees at 1:00 p.m. today at Mountain View Bible Fellowship Church…. Hwy 7 is compromised and unpredictable; emergencies only… A “no flush/boil water” mandate is in effect for upper Fish Creek…. Dumpsters will be placed around town for household trash…. Mail is over in Grand Lake; use blue boxes for outgoing…. No FedEx or UPS….. Free shuttle service to DIA leaving at 2:00 p.m. today…. Winterize now. FEMA is coming, but they will leave, and winter is long… 911 works, mostly. Don’t call dispatch unless it’s impor-

Frank Lancaster is once again calm, poised, reassuring, professional and avuncular at the town meeting; he induces trust, as do all members of the emergency response team. Store manager Eddie Martinez reports that Safeway trucks are coming over Trail Ridge Road with supplies: food, gasoline and drugs. I blink. Tractor-trailers over Trail Ridge?

The overflow crowd is again polite, attentive, cooperative, tired. Each speaker is applauded. Mayor Bill Pinkham, who stood through Sunday’s meeting, now sits exhausted; I can only imagine how hard he has worked during the past 96 hours, and on how few hours of sleep he is functioning. And how many other first responders share the same status?

It took the Red Cross representative five hours (normally one suffices) to drive from Fort Collins to Estes Park. He commends citizens and town administration alike for the spirit and competence with which all have responded to this critical situation.

What we did for ourselves and for others during the past week is what you do when you live in a small town. As Frank Lancaster said, “We are all in this together.” Estes will rise again, as it has in the past. We face a hard winter, but spring, renewed hope and rebirth are as ineluctable as the reappearance of Rocky Mountain Bluebirds. Tourists will return to an even stronger Estes Park. There are not enough ways to thank the town and the people who live here, the people who did not quit, who answered this trial and were not found wanting.

Estes Park. Mountain strong.

Colorado tough.

Reader response welcome: ftm7522@gmail.com

The Estes Park Genealogical Society will meet on Thursday, September 14 at 1:00 p.m. in the Hondius Room of the Estes Valley Library. Professional genealogist Sylvia Tracy-Doolos will discuss “Hook ‘em and Reel ‘em In: Getting Your DNA Matches to Respond.” How do we get our family tree or DNA relatives to bite when we cast a hook into their genealogy pond? Giving them enough information to show you are worth their time, but not so much that you get nothing in return, is a balancing act.

Quilt Guild Meeting September 13

Estes Park Genealogical Society Meeting September 14

Sylvia has over 40 years of genealogical experience as a researcher, teacher, lecturer, and writer and operates New Leaf Genealogy, a genealogy consultancy business. She is a member and officer of the Colorado Chapter of the Association of

The Estes Valley Quilt Guild will meet on September 13 at 6:45 p.m. September is our 31st Anniversary Celebration! Timepieces and ebony are common gifts for a 31st anniversary. So, let’s do a block drawing featuring 9.5 inch hourglass blocks in black. Participation is voluntary. More information and block instructions are attached to the August newsletter. Along with this article are two blocks as samples (see above). Guests are welcome. All levels of quilters are welcome; we learn from each other. Come early to visit with your quilting friends. Bring your show and tell. The location of the meeting is Mountain Bible Fellowship Church, 1575 South St. Vrain.

Professional Genealogists, the International Society of British Genealogy and Family History (ISBGFH), and the Wales, Ireland, Scotland, England Family History Society (WISE-FHS), plus a member of the Colorado Genealogical Society, Longmont Ge- nealogical Society and others. She has a BA in History with a minor focusing on linguistics to better understand the role of language change and its effect on record keeping.

The EPGS meets the second Thursday of every month from January through November in the library, offering a wide variety of programs and workshops. EPGS meetings are free and open to the public. Come join us!

Many people remember Wednesday night, September 11th, 2013, as being a night of relentless rain. Travelers in the two highway canyon roads, Highway 34 and Highway 36, had an unusually difficult time making it back home to Estes Park that night. The canyon walls were so water saturated, rain cascaded down the rocks and flowed across the pavement causing cars to hydroplane.

One might have imagined, “Is this how it was during those famous floods of 1976 and 1982?” That night, the rain never let up. Four inches of rain fell just that night. Extremely early the next morning, Thursday, September 12th, a panic was starting to set in. The Big Thompson and Fall Rivers had peaked and were now overflowing their banks in the town of Estes Park. EP Police, Estes Valley Firefighters and emergency responders sounded the alert, and began to rescue residents from their flooding homes. The people in the canyon were told to seek higher ground. Many visitors and residents woke to the alarming reality that this was a serious situation. The thick, dark clouds above had stalled over the Rocky Mountains and continued to empty heavy moisture onto the Estes Valley and beyond.

Before long, it was apparent that this would be another historic flood. Word spread that the highways below, both 34 and 36, had been washed away. Highway 7, going south was completely impassable too. The only route in or out of town was through Rocky Mountain National Park, across Trail Ridge Road at 12,183 feet. At this time of year, that road could quickly close as precipitation at that altitude is typically snow. Estes Park residents and guests were virtually on an island, with no way in or out.

The Estes Park Town employees, police, fire, and public works, did their best to maintain safety. Sandbags were provided and businesses and homeowners used them to protect their doors from the rising river waters, yet the water levels continued to rise.

On Friday, September 13, 2013, the reality of our local disaster was reaffirmed when we had the chance to see the aftermath. Businesses downtown, lodges on Fall River Road and private homes along Fish Creek Road were among the worst damaged. Low lying properties and structures were not the only ones affected. The torrential rains that rolled off of hillsides also created devastating water damage and new underground springs popped up where they had never been seen before.

Many roads in and out of our area were completely demolished. Residents were trapped in neighborhoods. Underground infrastructure such as utilities, sewer and communication lines had been cut off. People rallied and checked on family and friends to make sure they were safe and if immediate help was needed that became the priority. Town Hall became the central location for information. Frequent Town Hall meetings allowed Town administration, police, and structural engineers to inform the crowds with most current information and answer their questions. An emergency shelter was set up by the Red Cross at the Mountain View Bible Fellowship Church, but when sewers failed and a “no flush zone” was instated, that location had to be changed because the church was also in the “no flush zone.”

Business and property owners now faced the long term problem of drying out and cleaning up. Water is an extremely strong force. Foundations were compromised, floor surfaces destroyed and where that water flowed, it reduced some structures to debris.

September is normally the time of year that many guests from around the world come to Estes Park to soak in the fall colors and watch the elk rut. Efforts were made to provide a safe haven and provisions for these guests as well as year-round residents.

This community of great strength and determination got to work immediately on restoring the Estes Valley to survivable conditions. Quick planning and decisions were developed because Estes Park administration, police, fire, Larimer County, department leaders and many volunteers had already been preparing for the possibility of a disastrous situation. This idea was developed from Home Land Security after the terrorist attack on the World Trade Center in New York September 11, 2001.

Police, fire, emergency responders, medical staff, CERT (Certified Emergency Response Team), Town employees and teams of volunteers had gone through extensive training, even though no one expected this kind of disaster to really happen!

Help from outside services, government, both state and national, came to the aid of Estes Park, and also surrounding towns and cities. Estes Park was just one of many communities affected by this historical flood.

Understanding the critical need for roads to and from Estes Park, Town Mayor Bill Pinkham and Town Administrator Frank Lancaster received much needed help from Colorado State Governor John Hickenlooper and federal assistance from FEMA. Hickenlooper vowed to back all expenses so immediate work could begin and continue on US Highways 34 and 36. This vision, persistence and execution provided much celebrated ribbon cutting ceremonies, opening roads much earlier than previously predicted.

Thanks to greatly appreciated assistance from outside sources and the fortitude and resilience of the Estes Park people, the town quickly once again resembled the beautiful place it was known for, a most beautiful and pristine vacation destination.

The days immediately following this flood officially declared a national disaster, Estes Park locals began to rally together to help lift the spirits of everyone affected. Each and every individual, family and business went through this tragedy with their own experiences and burdens.

In the “no flush zone,” it was very difficult to walk blocks away on cold windy nights just to use the port-a-potties, yet a porta-potty decorating contest was very well received!

The historic Stanley Hotel never anticipated the overwhelming attendance when they graciously offered to have the three Rotary Clubs in town host a much needed community gathering September 27th. People needed to talk to their friends and neighbors to exchanged experiences and everyone asked the most important question to date, “Can you flush?” Music was provided by the local popular band Amplified Souls who helped calmed many a trouble soul that night. Proceeds from this event benefitted flood relief.

Volleyball enthusiasts eagerly dove into the idea of Flood Mud Volleyball fundraiser. Kind-hearted food suppliers stepped up to the plate when business leaders told them that the annual expense of Halloween candy might be a burden to downtown businesses at that time. Suppliers showed up with truck loads of candy. Pallets of canned food was also donated to help those in need.

The term “Mountain Strong” was introduced, and the iconic design captured everyone’s enthusiasm. The logo is still very popular and is seen frequently displayed on apparel, on vehicles and in business windows. The design has been used for fundraising for flood relief and thousands of dollars have been dispersed.

Embracing the very popular theme Mountain Strong, in Sept. 2013, Mayor Pinkham and Frank Lancaster presented the then State of Colorado Governor John Hickenlooper with his very own t-shirt as thanks for being so helpful to this Estes Park community.

Governor Hickenlooper joined in the “Mountain Strong” enthusiasm of Estes Park. This icon became, and remains, the image of our local strength and resilience. Thousand of dollars have been donated from the proceeds of shirts and stickers. It was first presented in the Estes Park News September 20, 2013 issue front page and centerspread.

Estes Park is now, as it has been in the past, the perfect place to enjoy the splendor and beauty of the Rocky Mountains. Travelers from around the world come to see the wildlife in our beautiful town. The climate is fantastic year round, the restaurants serve the finest foods in a wonderful atmosphere, we have lovely lodging establishments galore, and many quaint shops offering unique merchandise from the friendly store owners.

This special place, nestled in a protected valley, is home to many families and retired couples. Our community of high spirited, mountain people, has proven to be endlessly resilient. Immediately during and after the days of September 12th, 2013 the entire community of Estes Valley residents came together to put our town back to better than it was before.

Thank you Town Administrators, Town Police, Town Board Members, The Estes Valley Volunteer Fire Department and the Dive Team, Town Employees, The Estes Park Medical

Center Staff and Emergency Responders. Thank you also to Larimer County Sheriff’s office and the staff at Rocky Mountain National Park who were an integral part of the disaster and recovery as well. We thank CDOT workers and the many, many private construction firms who gave their all to help in the clean up and repair of our roadways and dwellings. The National Guard and the Army Corps of Engineers also came to our aid when we needed it most, rescuing stranded and isolated people.

There have been countless volunteers from within the Estes Valley and from far away places, who have given their strength, help and good will. 2013 Governor Hickenlooper stood firm on restoring roads to keep Estes Park open for residents and visitors alike. We are very lucky in this day and age, to have the advanced technology and equipment for our use. But nothing compares to the good will, strength and cooperation of so many people, near and far, who make Estes Park the most beautiful place on Earth.

This Weekend’s 47th Annual Longs Peak Scottish-Irish Highland Festival Dedicated To Founder Dr. James Durward

Get your tickets today for the 47th annual Longs Peak Scottish-Irish Highland Festival in Estes Park, Colo. This year’s festival is dedicated to its late founder, Dr. James Durward, who passed away in May. After 43 years at the helm of the festival, Dr. Durward passed the leadership torch to his daughter, Peggy Young. Thanks to Young and the Durward fam-

North America’s largest Celtic parade on Saturday morning that runs through the heart of Estes.

The Estes Park International Tattoo –one of the largest and longest established military music displays in the United States – will take place during the Festival on Friday and Saturday evening.

The Festival is a Colorado nonprofit and has been a top attraction and highlight in Estes Park for 47 years. The Festival needs your help to keep going for generations to come. There are several ways to help. Purchase tickets to this year’s Festival and Tattoo or make a donation via the Festival website. Your donation is tax deductible.

The Festival takes place Friday, September 8th to Sunday, September 10th, 2023. Festival open: 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. daily.

Festival Parade in downtown Estes on Elkhorn Ave.: 9:30 a.m. on Saturday, September 9th

Estes Park International Tattoo: 7:30 p.m. on September 8th and 9th

Estes Park Folk Concert: 7:30 p.m. on Friday, September 8th

Estes Park Ceilidh Rock Concert: 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, September 9th ily, Dr. Durward’s legacy will live on for years to come.

The fun takes place at the Estes Park Event Complex, 1209 Manford Avenue Estes Park.

For tickets, visit ScotFest.com or at the gate. Children five and under are admitted free when accompanied by a paying adult.

Join us to find out what keeps Coloradans coming back for more family fun every year. The festival has something for everyone – featuring, world class Scottish Highland Athletic competitions, hurling demonstrations, Irish and Highland dance performances, dog exhibitions, folk and rock musical performances, Scottish and Irish food, drinks and crafts. Attendees can participate in a Scotch Whiskey tasting seminar Friday through Sunday and enjoy