Wild Beauty Moss, mist, and movement in the heart of the Rockies.
Photo by Marsha Hobert
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Town Demonstrated Specialized Vac Truck Uses On October 6th
Estes Park’s 1% sales tax at work managing stormwater and mitigating future flood damage
The Town of Estes Park recently acquired a powerful new tool for stormwater system maintenance – the combination sewer cleaner. This “Vac Truck” is specifically designed for cleaning buried stormwater inlets and pipes, and safely potholing to locate underground utilities. It is used for everyday maintenance work, as well as emergencies like pipeline breaks and floods.
Community members were invited to watch the Vac Truck in action Monday, October 6th at 10:30 a.m. at the south side of the Visitor Center Parking Structure.
mitigation.
When stormwater systems such as culverts, ditches and inlets become clogged, the risks of roadway and property flooding increase. Erosion
tem operational, the Town previously managed these issues with numerous smaller labor-intensive water tanks, pumps, trucks and excavators.
The purchase was made possible by the 1% sales tax, which was approved by voters in 2024. This sales tax revenue is dedicated to community improvements including street maintenance, stormwater management, trails expansion, wildfire mitigation and powerline upgrades for wildfire
Town Seeking Feedback On Special Events In The Estes Valley
The Town of Estes Park is seeking feedback on special events in the Estes Valley. Please take five to ten minutes to answer questions about your experiences with several specific events, as well as your opinions of the full spectrum of events offered in Estes Park each year.
The Town’s goal is to create the best experiences for residents, businesses, and visitors. Your feedback will help the Town develop a guiding philosophy to serve as the foundation for future event-related decisions. The survey is available at polco.us/szu4se and will be open through Sunday, October 19th
For more information, please contact Management Analyst Suzanna Simpson at ssimpson@estes.org or 970-577-3700.
can undermine roads and driveways, and more debris can be washed into our creeks and rivers. Frequent intense summer storms, combined with numerous gravel driveways and open roadside ditches, have created significant challenges for the community in past rain and flood events. With limited staff to keep the stormwater sys-
The Vac Truck purchase is a significant investment in the community’s stormwater infrastructure and resiliency. The Public Works Department is responsible for maintaining an extensive stormwater drainage system, including 369 inlets, 541 pipes and 425 culverts (56,780 linear feet total), 94 manholes, 28 detention ponds, 102,582 linear feet of curb and gutter on 53 streets, over 75 roadside drainage ditches, drainage pans, water quality features, 12 roadway bridges, and 24 pedestrian bridges over waterways.
For more information about the Town’s stormwater maintenance efforts, please visit estes.org/stormwater or contact Greg Muhonen, Stormwater Engineer, at gmuhonen@estes.org or 970-577-3581.
Serve Your Neighbors - Join The Estes Park Board Of Adjustment
Application open through October 31st, 2025
Applications are currently being accepted for a volunteer position on the Estes Park Park Board of Adjustment. As a Board of Adjustment member, volunteers will have an opportunity to consider and grant variances to zoning regulations that, when strictly enforced, would create an unnecessary hardship for a property owner, when such hardship is due to peculiar conditions of the land and not the fault of the property owner, and hear and decide appeals from property owners on administrative decisions and interpretations made by Town staff on zoning related matters.
The Board of Adjustment is scheduled to meet once a month – every first Tuesday at 9 a.m.. However, the Board only meets as needed, and typically
meets about six to eight times a year, with the typical meeting lasting about 30-40 minutes. While the time commitment could be considered relatively low compared to other volunteer opportunities, the Board has a significant impact on development activities within town and helps ensure zoning regulations are fairly applied.
To learn more and apply, please visit estes.org/volunteering. Applications must be submitted by October 31st, 2025.
Town Encourages Public Participation In Budget Process: New Public Hearing Date
The originally scheduled date for the first public hearing on the 2026 budget has been changed since the time this information was first released on September 9th, 2025. Please note the new date of October 28th, detailed below.
The Estes Park Town Board will review the proposed 2026 Town budget in September, October, and November. The community is invited to attend. Two study sessions took place on September 18th and October 3rd
Public hearings on the budget will take place during the October 28th and November 12th Town Board meetings with final adoption anticipated on November 12th. The public is encouraged to attend and comment at these public hearings, which take place at 7 p.m. in the Town Board Room.
Study sessions and meetings take place in the Town Board Room of Town Hall, 170 MacGregor Avenue. Meeting agendas and materials are provided at estes.org/boardsandmeetings.
Reminder: Help Shape The Future Of Town Parks & Open Spaces
The Town of Estes Park Parks Division invites residents and visitors to help shape the future of the community’s parks and open spaces by participating in a public survey for the Parks and Open Space Master Plan. This plan focuses on the Town’s downtown parks and plaza spaces as well as Knoll-Willows Open Space, Thumb Open Space, and the town-owned lands that are the Fish Hatchery Property and Scott Ponds Area. The plan will serve as a blueprint for the next 20 years, and community input is essential to ensure it reflects the needs and priorities of those who live, work, and play in Estes Park. To raise awareness and encourage participation, the Parks Division has installed yard signs at multiple locations in your parks and open spaces throughout Town. The survey is now live and can be accessed at: estes.org/parksplan. The survey takes 5 to 10 minutes to complete and will remain open until October 31st giving the community ample time to participate.
The Master Plan process will continue through the fall and winter, with more opportunities to provide input throughout
the process. The Master Plan is expected to be complete by the Summer 2026.
The Parks Division operates with a team of five full-time employees and five to ten seasonal staff members, depending on the time of year. Each year, the Parks Division plants more than 38,000 annual flowers and 8,000 perennial flowers; and manages and maintains all the Town right-of-way and park trees, 4 recreation open spaces, 10 small picnic and day use areas, 11 parks, 25 bronze statues, 13 water access points, 16.4 miles of trails, 32 irrigation systems, and 53 flower beds. The Parks Division staff also care for all Townowned property grounds, some of which include the Estes Park Museum properties, Estes Park Visitor Center, the parking structure, and Stanley Park Fairgrounds. Additionally, they keep all downtown areas clean and tidy, and assists with snow removal during the winter and spring.
For more information on the Parks and Open Spaces Master Plan process, please visit estes.org/parksplan or contact Parks Division Supervisor Brian Berg at bberg@estes.org or 970-577-3783.
Estes Valley Fire Protection District Lifts Open Burning Restrictions
Thanks to cooler temperatures and increased moisture, the fire risk within the Estes Valley has reduced since the beginning of the month. Therefore, effective at 8 p.m. on October 3rd, 2025, Interim Fire Chief Stacey Sutherland lifted the open burning restriction within the Estes Valley Fire Protection District (EVFPD). Dangerously dry weather can occur any time of year, so visit estesvalleyfire.org/fire-restriction-bans for the most current fire restriction information.
The risk of wildfires never goes away completely, so residents and guests are still reminded to exercise care whenever burn-
ing outside, especially on windy days. A recreational fire’s fuel load must remain less than three feet in diameter and two feet in height, and it is always recommended to have a readily available source of extinguishment. Fires should be wet and cool to the touch before being left unattended. Fireworks remain illegal in the State of Colorado.
EVFPD highly recommends having a fire mitigation professional walk with your property to discuss individual risks. Learn about risk assessments on their website at estesvalleyfire.org/wildlife, or by emailing prevention@estesvalleyfire.org.
Estes Valley Fire Protection District Board Accepts Chief Capo’s Resignation
After engaging outside investigators to conduct an independent, thorough, and fair investigation, and after consultation with the District’s counsel, the District accepted Chief Paul Capo’s resignation from his position effective immediately. The Board will now focus its efforts on conducting an expansive
search for a suitable new chief. We expect that this process will take at least several months. The District Board is committed to engaging in a thoughtful and thorough search process that will involve all the District’s members and staff, as well as members of the public.
Chamber Community Dinner Reservations Now Open
By: Estes Chamber of Commerce
As the tourist season starts to wind down, the Chamber is planning a community gumbo dinner to kick-off the winter season.
“The entire community is welcome to join for this ‘Friendsgiving’ themed night of food and fellowship. Invite your neighbor, coworker, and their kids to partake,” said President Colleen DePasquale.
The community gumbo dinner will take place Thursday, November 6th from 5-7 p.m. at the American Legion.
Carl Robicheaux of Elkhorn Law and his merry band of volunteers will be preparing authentic Louisiana style Gumbo, for this, the fifth annual community dinner. The Chamber will offer several sizes of Gumbo to enjoy with your family and neighbors in the American Legion Hall or you can take it go.
EVFPD firefighters generally respond to medical calls in their personal vehicles, allowing for a faster response. On other incidents, firefighters respond to a fire station to respond in department apparatus with specialized equipment.
During the week of September 28th, 2025, the Estes Valley Fire Protection District (EVFPD) responded to 18 calls for service. This included:
• Emergency Medical (assist EPH): 3
be offering a cash bar for beverages.
• Alarm Activation: 4
• MVA (Motor Vehicle Accident): 5
• Elevator Rescue: 1
• Odor Investigation: 1
• Assist: 1
• Potential Illegal Burn: 2
• Wildland Fire: 1 estesvalleyfire.org
“Making an authentic Cajun gumbo has always been a part of my life,” said Carl Robicheaux. “My father taught me how to make traditional Cajun gumbo (NEVER TOMATOES). He learned how to cook gumbo from his mother who learned it from her mother. Dad taught me that the number one ingredient in a GREAT gumbo is LOVE. No measuring of other ingredients is ever needed. When LOVE is the main ingredient then the color, smell, and consistency tell you when your gumbo is ready to serve.”
“Once you’ve tried Carl’s homemade gumbo, it’s easy to taste why we sell-out
On September 24th, police stopped a 47-year-old male driver in the area of 144-267 Moraine Avenue. The suspect was charged with driving a vehicle while under the influence of alcohol, driving a vehicle with blood alcohol content of 0.08 or more, and careless driving. He was booked and released.
On September 26th, police were called to 408 Overlook Court. On scene they contacted a 31-year-old male and cited him with third agree assault.
early every year, so we are opening reservations nearly a month in advance, to give as many people as possible the opportunity to join us and enjoy this delicious event,” DePasquale added.
Online food reservations end at 3 p.m. on November 6th
This year’s dinner is made possible by the generous support of Visit Estes Park and Bank of Estes Park.
Reserve your meal today on the Chamber’s website, and “laissez les bon temps rouler.”
Pre-order at esteschamber.org to reserve your spot:
$15 for Gumbo Dinner at the Legion
$7 for Children Gumbo Dinner at the Legion (Pre-order to reserve your spot)
$15 for Regular Size To Go
$7 for Child Size To Go
$22 for Bulk Size To Go (24 oz.)
On September 26th, police stopped a 29-year-old male driver at 101 S. St. Vrain Avenue. The suspect was charged with driving a vehicle while under the influence of alcohol, driving a vehicle with blood alcohol content of 0.08 or more, and failure to drive in a single lane (weaving). He was booked and released.
The charge(s) are merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
The Gumbo comes with bread & butter and the Legion will
Visit Estes Park & Frozen Dead Guy Days Award $28K In Grant Funding To Support Local Workforce Needs
Visit Estes Park, in partnership with Bosco Productions, the producer of Frozen Dead Guy Days (FDGD), is proud to award $28,394.17 in grant funding to support critical local workforce housing and childcare needs.
Visit Estes Park secured a one-time rebate through the Colorado Tourism Office, a division of the Colorado Governor’s Office of Economic Development and International Trade, to offset costs of the inaugural Estes Park FDGD Festival in 2022. In support of local ballot measure 6E, which provided a dedicated funding mechanism for workforce housing and childcare in Estes Park, the two organizations agreed to redistribute the funds to local partners working in these key areas. The decision, which impacts Estes Park’s economy and sustainability, aligns with Visit Estes Park destination stewardship initiatives.
“We’re thrilled to support organizations that are making a real difference for local families and workers,” said Dana Paiement, Senior Destination Development Manager at Visit Estes Park. “These investments in
childcare and accessibility not only strengthen our workforce but also help create a more sustainable and inclusive community.”
In March, Visit Estes Park invited local partners to join a Grant Funds Distribution Committee to help shape the application and selection process. The committee included Beth Burgin, Cato Kraft, Dana Paiement, Elizabeth Lanning, Joan Hooper, Molly McGee, and Thomas Pemberton. The committee developed criteria and a transparent process for distributing the funds to eligible local organizations.
After a competitive review process, the following recipients were selected:
Mountain Top Childcare, Inc. – awarded $20,000 to enhance ADA accessibility
Little Kids Montessori – awarded $8,394.17 for preschool and playroom supplies
Visit Estes Park encourages all eligible organizations to stay connected for future opportunities to apply for funding that helps build a stronger Estes Park for residents and visitors alike.
Estes Valley Watershed Coalition To Sponsor Fifth Annual Fishing Line Cleanup
On Saturday, October 11th, the Estes Valley Watershed Coalition (EVWC) will host its annual fishing line cleanup along the shores of Lake Estes — a volunteer-driven effort to protect local wildlife and preserve the natural beauty of the area.
Volunteers will gather from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. at Fisherman’s Nook on the lake’s north shore, armed with gloves, buckets, and a shared commitment to environmental stewardship.
After a bustling summer of fishing, discarded lines and hooks often remain tangled in trees, bushes, and along the shoreline. These remnants pose serious threats to birds and aquatic life, which can become entangled or injured. Fishing line, a plastic pollutant, takes over 600 years to degrade, making its removal critical for long-term ecosystem health.
This cleanup is a great way to spend a morning outside, meet neighbors, and help keep Lake Estes safe and beautiful.
Who: Sponsored by the Estes Valley Watershed Coalition
What: Fishing Line and Tackle Cleanup —
We will clean around Lake Estes and along the Big Thompson River between the golf course and the lake.
When: Saturday, October 11th, 2025, 9:30 to11:30 a.m. (Rain Date: October 18th)
Where: Meet at Fisherman’s Nook, Lake Estes.
From U.S 34, turn onto Lakeshore Drive, which ends at Fisherman’s Nook
Please bring:
• Gloves to protect your hands from hooks and other hazardous material you might encounter during the cleanup.
• While some utility buckets will be available for the collected fishing line, tackle, and trash, if you have a bucket, please bring it.
• If you have waders, these will be useful to retrieve the line that hangs over the river and can only be reached from the water.
• Please bring any food and drinks you may want while you are participating.
Please RSVP: evwatershed.org/events
We look forward to seeing you this Saturday, October 11th!
YMCA Estes Park Center To Host RMNP Trash Pickups In Moraine Park
Dates: October 11–12 & 18–19
Time: 8:30 a.m. meet-up | 9 a.m. hike
Location: Boone Family Mountain Center, YMCA of the Rockies – Estes Park Center @ 2515 Tunnel Rd., Estes Park, CO.
Join us for a community trash cleanup in Moraine Park! This volunteer-led effort, with support from YMCA and B&G, helps keep Rocky Mountain National Park beautiful during a time when maintenance is limited. We’ll lead guided hikes through
scenic trails while collecting litter along the way.
We’ll provide trash bags. Participants should bring their own water, snacks, sun protection, and sturdy footwear. It’s an easy, rewarding way to support
the park and preserve its natural beauty for all to enjoy.
Sign up to volunteer at tinyurl.com/3m9f9adh (for October 11-12) and tinyurl.com/2nwzbzfx (for October 18-19).
Stronger Together: Business + Tourism Collaborations Build Income For Local Nonprofits
By: Karen McPherson Jackson, Estes Nonprofit Network
Part Three of a Three-Part Series
No single person or organization can “do it all.” When you combine skills and assets from various parties, you create a mighty web working towards one vision. This week’s collaborative highlight focuses on the intersection of Tourism + Businesses + Philanthropy to help bridge a gap between the people who benefit from nonprofits and those who currently pay for them.
There are 70+ nonprofits registered in the Estes Valley, and most seek donations from our 11,000 locals. Donor fatigue and finite resources force nonprofits to find funding elsewhere. The Estes Nonprofit Network identified tourism as an undertapped resource for nonprofit programs and services (first through logic and then through the 2024 Nonprofit Economic Impact Study). Tapping the 4.5M tourists on the shoulder to see if they would like to give back makes sense. About 80% say yes; it’s worth the ask.
Some nonprofit programs and services are invisible to guests and others are right in front of them (although they may not “see” the work that goes into it): childcare assistance for our workforce, emergency services, healthy open spaces and waterways, art murals, and free concerts. All of this undeniably adds to our guests feeling like they “Love Estes.”
Giving Guest
Vision: Leverage tourism dollars to support local nonprofits
In 2022, The Network launched the Giving Guest program by engaging philanthropically-minded businesses to invite customers to give back.
Giving Guest Business Partners are a critical part of the equation. They are already invested in this community and invite their customers to join them by
rounding up at the register (or purchasing a donation-dedicated product). All of that “pocket change” is a big deal: so far this year, nine retail businesses and three lodges have gathered over $14,800 in donations. Retailers either invite guests to round up at the register or sell a designated product; lodges offer an opt-in donation to guests. Some retailers support all 40+ nonprofits registered for the program, and others lean into a sector that aligns with their brand or values.
The Network acts as a financial passthrough for the donations, distributing funds collected throughout the year to participating nonprofits.
This program is a match for Visit Estes Park’s Stewardship Imperatives. Sustainable Tourism took root as a focus area for our local destination marketing organization a couple of years ago. The Giving Guest program is then mentioned in their 2025 Strategic Plan and addresses their goal to enhance the overall quality of the visitor experience while “cultivating the town’s authentic character and contributing to the town’s quality of place.” With this strategic overlap in mind, Visit Estes Park came on as a marketing partner this year. They are in the midst of producing three short videos that focus on the Giving Guest Business Partners and the nonprofit projects that are funded.
The $14,800 up against the 4.5M visitors to Estes Park tells us this program has room to bloom. As more business partners come on board and our tourists are encouraged to give back, this collaboration will help to
keep Estes a vibrant community worth visiting again…and again.
How to get involved:
Business partners interested in learning how to participate should contact karen@epnonprofit.org. Customers of Giving Guest Business Partners can thank or acknowledge the business. Individuals can donate directly to Giving Guest. Visit epnonprofit.org/giving-guest to learn more about this program.
The Estes Nonprofit Network supports and strengthens nonprofits in the Estes Valley through education, collaboration opportunities, and resources. Registration is now open for 4 Steps to Cultivating Collaborative Partnerships. Participants will learn how to set clear goals, establish shared agreements, foster psychological safety, and create sustainable, co-owned leadership structures. October 21, 10-12 pm. Learn more at epnonprofit.org/education.
Sidewalk Sale In Estes Park This Weekend: October 11th & 12th
This weekend, October 11-12, is the traditional weekend for Estes Park's end of the season Sidewalk Sale. Many shops will be having some amazing sales and thinning out their summer inventory. Be sure you are ready to shop!
Twice a year in May and October, businesses throughout our town display their merchandise on the sidewalks, featuring low cost and clearance merchandise.
Hours of the sale run from 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. and will be held rain (or snow) or
shine.
Carey Stevanus, owner of Cabintique, vintage cabin and camp decor and gift store located on Highway 7, commented, "This is going to be a big sale! I'll have lots of clearance items up to 75% off!"
Many merchants around town will be offering unique merchandise at discount prices. Make sure you get to the Sidewalk Sales to do some personal and holiday shopping and grab some fantastic deals!
Our neighbors just got a top-notch, whiz-bang, solar-powered wildlife camera. It is motion activated, moves to follow the activity it sees, sends video footage to their phones, and it captures all sorts of critters on the screen. Except the one they really want to see: the beaver. This large rodent (largest rodent in North America, in fact) has been felling trees in our area faster than a wagonload of lumberjacks. The busy beaver needs to be stopped before the entire neighborhood is stripped of all its shade, wind protection, and aesthetics. But the beaver is elusive. It can’t see very well but when it hears and smells us humans it disappears. We only know it’s around because pencil-point tree stumps keep appearing along our little lake’s shoreline.
them any harm. We just want them to leave our (their) dam trees alone and find somewhere else to deforest. The way we encourage them to leave is by painting the trees with a mix of latex house paint and sand. A beaver doesn’t like to get sand in its teeth so it leaves a painted tree alone and the paint doesn’t harm the tree at all. It’s a win/win— we keep our trees and hopefully the beaver will decide to go elsewhere to file down its teeth.
We know this strategy works. Joe and I (the neighborhood “Beaver Brigade”) have been painting trees for several years but there are countless more trees that are bare and vulnerable. Now, with the neighbors’ camera, we can plan which trees to paint based on beaver activity spotted on screen.
But in a way, the cameras take away the mystique of the animal kingdom slinking, snuffling and snooping under the moon and stars. Where we used to wake up in the morning to discover paw prints that magically appeared while we slept, now we see exactly who those footprints belong to and how they got there.
After the neighbors explained their wildlife camera to us, Joe told me he wanted to rent a Sasquatch costume and prance back and forth across the path of the camera in the dark of night. But with today’s global culture of malice and mistrust and with guns rampant out there, he decided it would be best to stay home and hope the real Big Foot shows up instead.
Similar acts of mischief have been erased by Ring security cameras and video doorbells. I understand the peace of mind these devices provide but they also take away some of the playfulness we used to have.
Booed us. The intrigue was bewitching. The success of Booing someone without getting caught was fa-boolous.
That secret gift-giving can’t be pulled off today because of the doorbell camera. Even if I were as sneaky as an incognito beaver gnawing trees, I’d be caught on camera, thus eliminating the mystery of Boo-ism. I might as well ring the bell and wait for someone to answer the door so I can hand over the basket in person. Not the same.
Delivering May Day baskets? There’s no thrill—for giver or receiver—if the furtive friend waves at the camera after hanging a paper cone of pansies on the doorknob. High school kids harmlessly TPing after an exciting football win? The pranksters get chased off as soon as the dad spots them on camera.
By using the wildlife camera to observe the beaver sawing logs, usually at night while we’re also sawing logs, the neighborhood association will know how to proceed with preserving our beloved trees. We admire the beavers; they are a keystone species in aquatic ecosystems, they’re smart, industrious and have a close-knit, cooperative family hierarchy. We don’t want to do
More and more folks are setting up cameras so they can view the amazing and very active array of wildlife on land that used to belong solely to the animals. Prior to the boom of wildlife cameras, busyness went on in the dark of night we had no idea was taking place. Capturing the activity on “film” gives people wildlife bragging rights.
Especially in the two weeks before Halloween. Twenty years ago and for several years running, someone in my Tuesday Morning Breakfast Group (we met at Mountain Home Cafe) would start the “Boo!” tradition. She would secretly leave a basket of goodies at the door of a friend with a note saying, “You’ve Been Booed!” The person who received the treats would put up a sign saying, “We’ve Been Booed” and then would sneakily deliver a boo basket to another friend. Soon the fun spread across town as more homes were Booed. From one year to the next, we never knew who
In this know-everything era, we may use our security cameras to see a bear lumbering across our yard, a mountain lion dozing in our tree, foxes, coyotes, deer, elk—beavers—doing what they do—and maybe even Sasquatch leaving giant footprints in front of the lens. But we don’t get to experience the surprise and delight of opening the door and finding a basket of goodies awaiting our discovery. That is a true loss of yesterday’s innocence.
You may let The Thunker know what you think at her e-mail address, donoholdt@gmail.com.
Five utilities, one purpose: the power of public power
Platte River Power Authority proudly joins the American Public Power Association and communities across the nation in celebrating Public Power Week, October 5th–11th, 2025. This annual recognition honors the people, partnerships and purpose that make public power a cornerstone of reliable, affordable and sustainable energy.
At Platte River, our theme—Five utilities, one purpose—reflects the strength of our partnership with our owner communities of Estes Park, Fort Collins, Loveland and Longmont. Together, we deliver more than electricity, we deliver trust, transparency and a shared commitment to serving the public good.
“Public power is more than a business model, it’s a community promise,” said Tim Blodgett, chief strategy officer at Platte River. “Our purpose is rooted in service, and our success is powered by the people who live and work in our communities.”
Public power utilities like Platte River
are locally owned, not-for-profit, community-focused and mission-driven. That means decisions are made to serve the best interest of our owner communities. It also means we’re uniquely positioned to:
Maintain reliability through strategic investments and responsive operations
Support our communities with volunteerism, education and local initiatives
Navigate cost pressures responsibly, keeping rates stable and predictable Advance decarbonization through innovation and collaboration
This Public Power Week, Platte River Power Authority and its owner communities are celebrating the people behind the power, from lineworkers and engineers to customer service and sustainability teams. Learn how we're investing in long-term reliability, expanding renewable energy, creating a virtual power plant and exploring new technologies to meet our carbon reduction goals while responsibly managing costs. We invite residents to learn more, get involved, and celebrate the value of public power.
Another Great Season Of Noxious Weed Removal
The Estes Land Stewardship Association (ELSA) along with the Town of Estes Park (TOEP) hosted three very successful Monitored Weed Drop-off events this past season in July, August and September 2025. 851 tall yard bags of weeds were collected with 317 folks in attendance at our new location 380 Community Drive. The good news is that several individuals indicated they were identifying and digging immature weeds earlier to avoid bagging, and they were seeing improvement in their property after a couple of years of persistence. Volunteers served over 100 hours on-site at these three events. ELSA receives support from the TOEP Community Initiative funding, Larimer County Natural Resources, and donations.
available on the TOEP website: estes.org/weeds. Other Helpful Documents are also featured on the website, including the Weed Management Plant List and Applicators & Consultants to help you manage your property. There has been an increased interest in being good stewards of one’s property! ELSA encourages all land owners, renters, HOAs, and POAs to make booklets available to their members, and encourage weed management in their neighborhoods. Noxious Weed Violations and Code Compliance are being managed by the TOEP Police Department: ce@estes.org or 970-586-4000.
This year ELSA distributed over 1,000 Twenty Ob-noxious Weeds in the Estes Valley weed booklets. Weed booklets are available year around at the Estes Valley Library, and seasonally at Ace Hardware. The weed booklet is also available electronically at the TOEP website: estes.org/weeds.
Thanks to EP News for publishing the weekly Estes Valley’s Weed Alert articles from April thru September, and featuring articles for the Monitored Weed Drop-off events. The Weed Alert articles are also
The Estes Land Stewardship Association was formed in 2008 to address environmental threats to the Estes Valley and surrounding areas. Awareness and educational materials from ELSA are showing positive results in the Estes Valley. ELSA meets the first Thursday of the month (February, March, April and November) at 9:30 a.m. in the George Hix Room at US Bank or TOEP Parks Division building. Our next meeting is November 6th at the TOEP Parks Division building located at 600 Big Thompson Ave at 9:30 a.m. The Estes Land Stewardship Association can be contacted at elsa.weeds@gmail.com.
Register To Attend National Philanthropy Day
National Philanthropy Day in Estes Park is a FREE community event for community members who come together for the “feel good” event of the year. This event fills up; join a room full of 300 philanthropists and catch up with 30 different nonprofits.
By: Karen McPherson, Estes Nonprofit Network
National Philanthropy Day in Estes Park brings together over 300 do-gooders at the YMCA of the Rockies on November 20th. Hear nonprofit industry updates, visit with nonprofit organizations, and help celebrate philanthropic nominees and award winners. The YMCA of the Rockies generously supports this event by preparing an abundant buffet of hearty
appetizers, staff, technology, and their Assembly Hall for us to gather. There are spots for 30 nonprofits to table. And yes, tabling is actually a word….it means nonprofit staff and volunteers are there to share their organization’s updates and answer questions. This event is open and FREE. Come! You will leave feeling flush with warm fuzzies. Please RSVP to attend and/or reserve a spot for your organization to table at epnonprofit.org/npd.
Registration Now Open: 4 Steps To Cultivating Collaborative Partnerships
Government, business, nonprofits, clubs, and community members alike: registration is now open for 4 Steps to Cultivating Collaborative Partnerships. Participants will learn how to set clear goals, establish shared agreements, foster psychological safety, and create sustainable, co-owned leadership structures.
Join us on October 21st, 10 a.m. - 12 p.m. Learn more at epnonprofit.org/education. This town is full of people and organizations looking to
do good together. Set yourself up for effective and successful outcomes.
249 West Elkhorn Ave. • Near The Water Wheel
Important Voting Information For November 4th Election
When: You should receive your ballot in the mail the week of October 13th. If you don’t get a ballot log on to GoVoteColorado.com and check your registration details.
What is on my ballot? Go to vote411.org/colorado for Larimer County measures. Scroll down and click “Preview Your Ballot Info.” Your ballot will also include Colorado Ballot measures
LL and MM, and if you live in the Town of Estes Park, Ballot measures #300 and #301.
ing on Election Day at the Voter Service and Polling Center):
Estes Valley Community Center (Rec Center) 660 Community Dr. inside the lower-level, Monday through Saturday, October 28th – November 2nd (8 a.m. – 5 p.m.); Monday, November 4th (8 a.m. – 5 p.m.); Tuesday, November 5th (7 a.m. – 7 p.m.).
Where and when to submit your ballot:
1. Ballot Drop Boxes: October 14th –November 5th at two locations open 24 hours a day until Election Day (November 7th), when they close at 7 p.m. a. Estes Park Municipal Building, (outside the EP Town Hall) 170 MacGregor Ave
b. 1601 Brodie Ave outside the Larimer County Vehicle Licensing Office
2. USPS with a first-class stamp. Best to mail by October 28th to allow for slow delivery.
3. Voter Service and Polling Center (here you can register in person includ-
For voting resources from the League of Women Voters, go to lwvcolorado.org. Our Colorado Ballot Issues pamphlets and Voting Resources cards in English and Spanish can be found at the Estes Valley Library, Town Hall foyer, Salud Health Center, EVICS, American Legion, and The Learning Place.
Other voting info can be found at: larimer.gov/clerk/elections sos.state.co.us/pubs/elections lwv-estespark.org
The League of Women Voters of Estes Park serves the community as a nonpartisan education and advocacy organization, neither supporting nor opposing individual candidates or political parties at any level of government. Visit lwv-estespark.org to learn more.
Learn More About November’s Ballot Issues
The LWV of Estes Park has not taken a position on the Town of EP ballot issues nor the Larimer County ballot issues and is not vouching for the content or opinions expressed.
Area voters have a plethora of resources available for upcoming ballot issues: Town of Estes Park Ballot Issues #300 and #301 webpage: estes.org/elections Preserve Estes Park: preserveestespark.com/ballot-initiatives
Estes Chamber of Commerce
Member Advocacy Committee votes to oppose citizen-led ballot initiatives: issuu.com/estesparknews/docs/estes_p ark_news_september_9_2025, page 4
Estes Park Housing Authority Board: esteshousing.colorado.gov
Larimer County Ballot Issues 1A and 1B webpage: larimer.gov/clerk/ elections/current-elections/2025
The Coloradan, “Your guide to Larimer County-area candidates and issues on 2025 ballot:” bit.ly/3VWi3cT
Colorado Ballot Issues LL and MM: English: leg.colorado.gov/publications/2025-blue-bookenglish
League of Women Voters of Colorado Ballot Information: lwvcolorado.org/ballot-issues
Our League proudly serves the community as a nonpartisan education and advocacy organization, neither supporting nor opposing individual candidates or political parties at any level of government.
For more information, please visit lwv-estespark.org.
Quota Club provides scholarships primarily to women for career development or a return to school later in life. If you are a local resident interested in receiving scholarship monies email: akasper45@yahoo.com with questions or for an application.
Visit: estesparkquota.com
Nationally Acclaimed Speaker Kelly McDonald Returns To Estes Park October 23rd
Back by popular demand! “How to Market to, Sell to & Serve People to Grow Business Now.”
In this free community event, Kelly will share real-world, no-cost strategies to help businesses connect with new audiences, strengthen customer relationships, and grow revenue. Attendees will learn how to reach new customer bases, understand what different generations and genders value most, and discover the five magic words that can turn any customer complaint into loyalty.
Boomers, Gen X, Millennials, and Gen Z
• How Disney ensures world-class customer experiences under challenging circumstances
• The exact five words customers want to hear when something goes wrong, and the ones to avoid
Participants who register early can submit questions in advance for Kelly to answer during her presentation, making this a truly interactive experience.
Don’t miss your chance to learn from one of the nation’s most sought-after speakers, right here in Estes Park.
In this info-packed session, attendees will learn:
• 7 proven ways to reach new customer bases in meaningful ways
• The game-changing differences in how men and women want to be sold
• Consumer insights into Baby
Join us on Thursday, October 23rd at 5:30 p.m. in the Estes Valley Recreation Center Lower Level. Plan to arrive early to have time to get your food and be seated. A catered dinner of sandwiches will be provided.
The event is free, but registration is required to reserve a seat. Seats are limited.
Register today at forms.office.com/r/ R0SMCSHmaE, scan the QR code, or call the Estes Park Health Foundation office at 970-577-4370.
Don’t miss your chance to learn from one of the most dynamic speakers in the country. Kelly’s last event in September filled up quickly, so reserve your spot today and walk away with tools to grow your business now. This event is part of the Estes Park Health Foundation Giving Back Series.
Pumpkins & Pilsners last weekend, October 4th, was absolutely wonderful. Perfect weather, fun people, delicious food, lively music, and lots of fun!
Photo by Kris Hazelton
It Takes A Village: There’s No Place Like Home
Grace
Calden and her daughter Zailey are grateful recipients of family support resources from EVICS.
There aren’t any tornadoes or ruby red shoes involved in her story, but Grace Calden recently realized that “there’s no place like home” and moved back to Estes Park.
Born and raised in Estes, she had lived elsewhere in the state for four years until returning with her two children to her hometown. “I wanted to be closer to my family and to be back in the mountains, where I can see and experience the beauty of nature right outside my front door.”
As a single mother to seven-year-old son Rylan and 11-month-old daughter Zailey, she also experienced one of the challenges of living in a mountain town.
“The biggest challenge of living here is the lack of family support resources,” Calden said. “When I was living in Greeley every resource I needed was at my fingertips. Here in Estes, I’ve relied on the support and services provided by the EVICS (Estes Valley Investment in Childhood Success) Family Re-
source Center.
“EVICS is amazing! They’ve helped me a lot. I recently got clothes and a new car seat for my infant daughter. As a single mom with stretched finances, I had been stressing out about how I was going to be able to get a car seat for her that would fit and be safe for her.
“Estes has limited resources for people in my position. EVICS helps to fill the void, providing essential support for families, especially single moms who are struggling to get by. Kids are expensive. I’ve had to scramble to figure out ways to provide for my kids’ needs. EVICS has helped me every step of the way.”
“We were pleased to be able to help Grace and her young family,” said EVICS Executive Director Rut Miller. “Our doors are open to anyone in need in the Estes Valley. We provide real resources and solutions so that Estes families can thrive.”
Miller and her EVICS team are currently soliciting support for their mission through the sale of tickets or sponsorships to its 2025 Fall Gala event, “It Takes a Village,” scheduled for 5:30-9:30 p.m. on Friday, November 7th at The Homestead at Black Canyon Inn. Go to evics.org/evics-fallgala-event for ticket and sponsor information.
“The Gala is our one major fundrais-
ing event of the year. It brings our community together to celebrate stories of resilience and raise critical funds. The proceeds raised by our Gala event help to ensure that we have the resources to sustain programs that families depend on. Without those resources, many families in Estes Valley would go without critical support.”
EVICS began in 2006 as a resource to help children and their families access quality early childhood care and early childhood development resources. Over time, its leaders recognized that supporting children also meant supporting their families. To that end, EVICS’ role has grown to include family advocacy, mental health support, youth programming, and partnerships that address the broader needs of the community. This evolution has transformed EVICS into a comprehensive family resource center, partnering with families to support them at every step.
Supporting EVICS is a way to invest in young families and in the future of the Estes Valley. These families power the valley’s visitor-industry workforce and play key roles in sustaining its economy.
“Without EVICS, many families would fall through the cracks,” said Miller. “Investing in those families today builds a stronger, healthier Estes Valley for tomorrow.”
The Crooked Aspen Of Colorado
By: Brad Manard
When I first saw images of the crooked aspen of Colorado’s San Juan Mountains, I thought, “I’ve got to photograph those.” They were both unique and mystical, so I began to research their location.
I Googled crooked aspen and dancing aspen, read articles, searched photographers' sites, but the only indication I could find was that they were near Ophir. So precious to naturalists, it’s not that their location is a secret. It’s just that no one will tell you where they are. Ophir, I thought. I can find Ophir and from there I will be on a mission to find the trees.
So…as far as their location, that’s all you’ll get from me. That’s all I got, so I’m not going to be the one who says, “Turn here…” and unravels the location mystery. I like that these mysterious trees are in a mysterious location. Mystery adds to their mysticism. Years before, I had four-wheeled into this area. It had been a bit frightening, the rough and ruggedness of the trail, but I had made it once. So when I drove into the dense forest, my emotions were caught between fear and anticipation, heightened by the inch of snow that had
fallen the previous night.
The road was narrow, the trees encompassing, and the ride rough. At one point, I drove under a fallen tree, and I hoped the trail would remain clear of obstacles. I hit bumps, my SUV bounced, and I felt a bit desperate that the road might become rougher. But I ventured on.
It must have been an old mining road, the San Juans covered with veins of old trails created to move the ore from the hills. But I kept moving on, working through the colors of the dense, fall forest.
As I slowly drove, I was looking into the trees, searching for any sign of a crooked aspen. Moved along, I came upon a slight pulloff, room for a couple of vehicles to park. Across was a narrow trail into the forest. Where it led, I did not know, but I was searching.
I parked, pulled out my camera and tripod, and moved across the 4-wheel
As I walked, I looked, scanning for crooked trees. Not far down the trail, I thought I saw one. Then the forest thinned, opening up to a small clearing. It was there that I stopped, transfixed. There they were, just like in the pictures I’d seen. A small grove of crooked aspen standing as if they were dancing in the forest.
For a while I just watched them, taking in their uniqueness, the beauty they exuded. The dancing appearance was the result of a natural phenomenon where heavy snow, an avalanche, or slow-moving soil creep had bent the young trees. From there, they continued to grow creating the distinctive wavy or crooked appearance.
To capture the vision, I set my tripod low to the ground, squatting to a lower angle. The trees looked mystical, magical, standing in a similar wave as they posed for my camera. Taking several
images, I kept making slight adjustments to the tripod to capture the angle of the curves.
Then I moved in closer. Realizing they looked like the neck of a giraffe or was it a pre-historic brachiosaurus, tall, slender, and wavy. As if reaching up to the light green and fall yellow leaves, the crooked aspens were a contrast to the typical straight, white bark of the trees.
Then I moved the tripod to the base of three dancing aspens bunched closely together. Angling the camera upward, in the sky blue sky the sun burst bright.
For nearly an hour alone in the forest, I selected angles, lighting, and the backdrop to capture the magic of the curved aspen forest. I felt like I was in a different land, one of another time or place that was not known to me. One that would capture beautiful, unique photographs.
When I felt I’d truly experienced the crooked aspens of Colorado, I picked up my tripod, followed the trail back to my SUV, loaded the camera gear, and headed back to Ophir on the 4wheel drive road.
As I drove, I thought of how lucky I was to have the time and ability to visit such unique places. And I had captured the images to remember that I had danced with the aspen in the hidden forest of southwest Colorado’s San Juan Mountains.
Brad Manard
drive road down the trail into the forest.
Help Us Catch Cancer Before It Catches Them
Estes Park Health Foundation’s Fall Campaign Expands Free Cancer Screenings
This fall, the Estes Park Health Foundation is launching a powerful message across the valley: Help us catch cancer before it catches them.
Through the Cancer Screening Fund, the Foundation is making early detection possible for uninsured and underinsured residents of the Estes Valley. October’s focus is on free mammograms in recognition of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, but the program doesn’t stop there.
Starting in November, applications open for free colon, prostate, and lung cancer screenings, expanding the reach of lifesaving care to even more people in need.
“Behind every screening is a person, someone with hopes, fears, and a family who loves them,” said Dr. Max Salfinger, Board Director of the Estes Park Health Foundation. “Your donation makes it possible to find cancer early, when treatment is most effective and survival
rates are highest.”
The Foundation is partnering with Crossroads Ministries and The Bridge of Estes to ensure that cost, transportation, and other barriers never stand in the way of care. These local partners provide financial, emotional, and holistic support for those navigating a diagnosis, so that no one in the Estes Valley faces cancer alone. Every $500 donation fully funds a screening, a direct lifeline to early detection. But every gift, no matter the size, helps protect a neighbor, friend, or loved one.
“One screening. One life saved. It starts with you.”
Residents can help fund screenings or apply for one themselves by scanning the QR codes on the Foundation’s fall campaign materials or visiting givebutter.com/cancerscreeningfund.
One test. One life. One community standing together against cancer. Donate now at givebutter.com/cancerscreeningfund or scan the QR code above.
Early Bird Gets The Room
Each fall, as the Library prepares for the new year, Early Bird Booking is offered to patrons who wish to plan ahead for community gatherings and personal room usage. This opportunity is perfect for all HOAs, nonprofits, book clubs, service clubs, interest groups, and community members who need a meeting room and know their dates in advance.
From October 27th - November 11th, 2025, Early Bird Booking provides the convenience of submitting all of your preferred 2026 dates and times, with alternates, at once during the earliest point in the process. All meeting room requests submitted during this period receive equal consideration. All requests are processed with the intention of accommodating as many patrons as possible. Our team works directly with patrons who don’t get their preferred choices to help find a suitable space.
However, this year will be a little different. The Library is excited to begin renovations in mid-2026 to improve and expand our accessibility, safety, and spaces in response to our 2022 Community Needs Assessment. Due to the uncertainty of meeting room availability as this project progresses, the Early Bird Booking period will
only be offered for the first part of the year (January 1stMay 31st, 2026). We don’t want to overpromise and under-deliver. Beginning on June 1st, 2026, meeting room availability may be affected by construction. Our goal is to release additional room availability beyond that date as soon as we have more information on how our operations will be impacted. You can choose to be contacted during the Early Bird Booking process for future availability. Abbreviated Early Bird Booking sessions will be conducted once our construction schedule is clearly defined. Another update in response to the Community Needs Assessment includes new year-round hours that will go into effect on January 1st, 2026 and should be considered when submitting Early Bird Booking. Enjoy an extra hour of Library services on Friday and Saturday evenings with our new schedule:
By November 15th, 2025, patrons will be notified of their complete, scheduled meeting room dates and times. After that date, you will be able to book 2026 meeting room reservations online as usual. Early Bird Booking isn’t the only time to book Library meeting spaces, but it does give first crack at the upcoming year!
To learn more and submit an Early Bird Booking request starting October 27th, visit estesvalleylibrary.org/ earlybird.
What’s Happening At The Estes Valley Library
WINTER HOURS
Mondays - Thursdays, 10 a.m. - 8 p.m.
Fridays & Saturdays, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Sundays, 1 - 5 p.m.
Registration is required for most programs! Visit calendar.estesvalleylibrary.org to secure your spot.
BOOKS & AUTHORS
“Difficult Conversations”
Book Discussion
Monday, October 20, 6:15 - 7:45 p.m., Hondius Room
As part of Conflict Resolution Month in collaboration with Estes Valley Restorative Justice Partnership, we invite you to a book discussion on “Difficult Conversations: How to Discuss What Matters Most” which gives you a stepby-step approach for how to have your toughest conversations with less stress & more success.
Finding My Way with Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Malala Yousafzai
Wednesday, October 22, 5 - 6 p.m., Online
Be one of the first to hear from Malala Yousafzai as she shares about struggling to find her place in the
world through friendship, love, anxiety, & the self-discovery of staying true to yourself when the world wants to tell you who you are.
ALL AGES
Young Adult Dungeons & Dragons
Sunday, October 12 & October 19, 24:30 p.m., Hondius Room
Young adults & teens who want to learn to play Dungeons & Dragons are invited to make friends, explore your imaginations, build cooperation, & strengthen problem solving skills.
A family program where we explore creativity in tandem. Adults dive into hands-on learning with Makerspace equipment, while youth enjoy a supervised craft in the Wasson Room.
ADULTS
Tech Help with Digital Navigators of Larimer County
Build digital skills like using your smartphone, accessing websites & accounts online, improving online communications, & more. Appointments required.
The Artist’s Way: A 12-Week Journey to a More Creative Life
Tuesday, October 14 & 21, 5:15 - 6:15 p.m., Quiet Room; Session 6 & 7 of 12
This 12-week workshop will help you discover (or recover) your creative self by using The Artist’s Way, the classic tool for anyone interested in living more creatively.
Housing: What Shall We Do?
Wednesday, October 15, 5:30 - 8 p.m., Estes Park High School Commons
Join Community Conversations for public deliberation on housing in the Estes Valley. These discussions provide an opportunity to share perspectives & look for common ground to inform the Town of Estes Park’s Development Code Update. Dinner & childcare provided.
BASE Program
Monday, October 20, 8:30 a.m. - 2 p.m., Hondius Community Room, Session 3 of 14
Hosted by the Estes Chamber of Commerce, this series on improvement & growth is available to businesses that have an economic impact in the Estes Valley. Advance application & acceptance is required.
TEENS & KIDS
Artwork Wednesday: Leaf Art
Wednesday, October 15, 12:30 - 1:30 p.m., Hondius Room
This month we are using dried flowers & leaves to make art with the colors of fall.
Young Dragon Slayers
Wednesday, October 15 & 29, 3:305:30 p.m., Hondius Room
Interested in learning how to play Dungeons & Dragons? Want to think strategically & make new friends? Join other tweens for this classic fantasyworld game.
We are dropping knowledge on gravity! Explore science as we experiment with gravity, learn the history, & release a giant slinky from the second floor.
School’s Out Hangout: Painting in the Makerspace
Thursday, October 23, 4 - 5 p.m., Makerspace
Teens & tweens are invited to join us to paint & assemble wooden cutouts to create a unique wooden sign.
KIDS & FAMILIES
Library Storytimes
Baby Storytime: Thurs. & Sat. at 10 a.m.
Preschool Storytime: Thurs. & Sat. at 10:30 a.m.
Fire Station Storytime Friday, October 10, 10:30 - 11:15 a.m., Dannels Fire Station
Enjoy a special storytime with local volunteer firefighters & get the opportunity for an up close look at fire engines & emergency support equipment. Storybook Explorers: Light Patterns Saturday, October 11, 11:15 - 11:45 a.m., Hondius Room
We’ll read Look & Learn: Patterns, then use glowsticks in a dark room to practice making shapes & patterns.
Friday Kids Club: Autumn Elf Door
Friday, October 17, 10 - 11 a.m., or 45 p.m., Hondius Room
During this creative crafting session, we’ll color & decorate an autumnthemed elf door.
Parents, grandparents, family members, neighbors & friends are invited to join us to get insight on early learning activities designed for children from birth to age 5. Learn about childhood brain development, receive books & materials, & enter a drawing for larger giveaways.
Friday Kids Club:
Spooky Silhouettes
Friday, October 24, 10 - 11 a.m. or 45 p.m., Hondius Room
Join us to create a whimsical Halloween or Fall themed scene using silhouettes with glow-in-the-dark eyes.
MAKERSPACE CLASSES
Intro to Craft & Hobby
Friday, October 10, 10 - 11 a.m., Makerspace
Join us for an interactive session to explore Craft & Hobby — your digital gateway to thousands of creative projects, tutorials, & expert tips.
Learn the Laser Cutter
Monday, October 13, 10 - 11:30 a.m. or 5:30 - 7 p.m., Makerspace
For ages 10 & up (participants under the age of 17 must be accompanied by an adult).
Paint a Fall Sign
Tuesday, October 14, 5:30 - 7 p.m., Makerspace
Celebrate the season with us where you’ll learn painting techniques & assemble a wooden, fox-themed sign that’s perfect for decorating your front porch, wall, or entryway.
Mountain Stained Glass
Thursday, October 16, 10 a.m. - 12 p.m., Makerspace
Repeated Monday, October 20, 10 a.m. - 12 p.m. or 5 - 7 p.m., Makerspace
In this hands-on, creative workshop, learn to design & craft a stained glass mountain suncatcher.
LIBRARY BOARD OF TRUSTEES Regular Meeting
Thursday, October 9, 6:30 - 8 p.m., Wasson Room
Learn about the Board of Trustees & meeting topics at estesvalleylibrary.org/board.
FRIENDS OF THE LIBRARY FOUNDATION
Cliffhanger Used Books
Cliffhanger Used Books, located next to the Post Office, is operated by the Friends of the Library Foundation, offering gently-used books, movies, & music at discount prices. Open daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Upstream Concerts/SnowyGrass Presents:
River Mann With Clay Rose –Live In Estes Park
Estes Park native Will Thomas returns with his band River Mann for a special hometown performance on Friday, October 24th at Lonigan’s Bar & Grill.
After a well-received set at this summer’s Friends of Folk Festival, the band is bringing their rich blend of folk, rock, and classical influences back to Estes. With soaring violin, slide guitar, and layered harmonies, River Mann’s sound moves seamlessly from intimate storytelling to powerful, full-band energy.
The evening will open with a set from Colorado songwriter Clay Rose, whose raw and heartfelt performances have earned him a devoted following. Clay has played this room with the annual Upstream Songwriting Retreat, which will take place February 19-22.
Presented in one of Estes Park’s premier listening spaces, this intimate concert pairs top-notch
sound with a close connection between artist and audience.
General admission tickets (standing/dancing) are $25. Reserved Seating is limited availability — highly recommended for those planning to dine during the show. Tickets are available for purchase at snowygrass.org
Cash Bar and Dinner menu available. We recommend arriving early (5:30-6 p.m.) to enjoy dinner in the restaurant prior to the show. You may also order food inside the room during the concert with reserved seating.
Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Clay Rose plays at 7 p.m., and River Mann will go onstage at 8:20 p.m.
This concert is made possible with support from local sponsors: Twin Owls Steakhouse, Ed’s Cantina, Tom Thomas at First Colorado Realty, Coffee on the Rocks, Glacier Creek Construction, Ziggi’s Coffee, and Estes Park News.
Get Ready To Rock & Roll With B-Rad & The Nifties, & The Maraschinos
Get ready to rock and roll! B-Rad & the Nifties, and the Maraschinos, will be at the Estes Park High School Auditorium on Saturday, October 18th
The fun starts at 7 p.m. and features B-Rad & the Nifties: Brad Fitch (guitar & vocals), Mark Rashid (lead guitar), Jason Lenz (bass guitar), Colby Birchfield (drums) and Tristan Anderson (keyboard & back-up vocals).
And in good 50s fashion we have the Maraschinos: Michelle Allen, Rachel Ryan, Ivy Anderson, and Bridget Rago, to provide backup vocals. Songs in the line-up: “Bye-bye Love,” “Dream Lover,” “Peggy Sue,” “Blue Suede
Shoes,” “Money,” “The Twist,” “Wake Up Little Suzie,” and many others to transport you back to the “good old days” of sock hops, American Bandstand, and 45s in the juke box. Oh, the memories if you’re old enough to have been there! If not, come on down and hear what you missed!
Concert goers are encouraged to wear 50s attire and will be invited to dance throughout. Brought to you by the Fine Arts Guild of the Rockies, tickets are available at Macdonald Book Shop, online at fineartsguild.org, and at the door. Adults are $20, Seniors are $18, ages 6-18 are $12, and 5 & under are free.
Explore Your Artistic Side With Classes At The Art Center Of Estes Park
Flex your artistic skills (or learn some new ones!) in one of these excellent October classes at the Art Center of Estes Park.
On October 12th from 1-4 p.m., Deb Coombs will be leading “Translucent Tiles with Tea Lights.” Participants will be making two square tiles that can be displayed separately or back to back. These beautiful tiles lend themselves window hangings or votives, hence the tea lights, perfect for a holiday setting!
One of the tiles will have the tangle Turkitail –just in time for Thanksgiving! You do not need to be able to drawif you can write your name, you can Zentangle®! Come experience the joy of Zentangling and its unique meditative, mindful and stress reducing practice. Deb Coombs is a Certified Zentangle® Teacher (CZT), long-time member of the Art Center and long-time resident of Estes Park. The instructor will provide two TranslusentZ tiles, one tea light, string to copy onto tiles, and will have pastel pencils and special metallic
markers for students to borrow.
Students will provide a macron pen (01 or 10 and 8), graphite pencil, and two tortillions. You are also welcome to bring your own pastel pencils so that you can choose your own colors.
If you are new to Zentangle®, a supply kit is available for purchase for $8. It contains a Micron Pen 01, a graphite pencil, white charcoal pencil, two tortillons, two white Zentangle® tiles, and a bookmark with the eight Zentangle® steps listed.
The workshop fee for Art Center members is $36; non-members cost is $40.
On October 14th from 1-3:30 p.m, Kurt Caddy will be leading “Kintsugi: Mending Toward Newness.”
Kintsugi is the 14th century Japanese art of mending broken vessels with gold. This workshop is a hands-on creative experience in which participants will experience and learn the basic skills needed to mend a broken vessel. Each participant will break and mend a replica of a Japanese tea bowl. All ma-
terials and tools including a handthrown tea bowl are included.
Kurt Caddy is a visual artist based in the Ozarks, near Springfield, Missouri. He specializes in abstract painting and sculpture, with a distinctive visual language characterized by heavy textures that create depth. He then applies layers of transparent color, building a rich palette of warm and cool tones that harmonize with the composition to create a beautiful work of art. His artistic concept is to bring beauty from brokenness.
Kintsugi, the 14th-century Japanese art of mending broken bowls with gold, perfectly aligns with his artistic vision. He leads workshops and exhibits his work across the country. He is represented by the Obelisk Gallery in Springfield, The Revealed Gallery in Charleston, SC, and The Creo Arts Guild in Wilmore, KY.
The workshop fee for Art Center members is $67.50; non-members cost is $75.
On October 22nd from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Cathy Goodale will lead “Let’s Throw Some Paint Around!”
Let it happen! We will be outside the Art Center with buckets of water and paint. Join us for a color study of warm and cool colors. Sometimes the paint will suggest a subject for your creation or you can bring photos of birds, flowers, animals, or another idea that might interest you. It is amazing what you learn when you play with paint and color. Bring several pieces of watercolor paper; we will throw three or four sheets of watercolor. We will move inside to evaluate and paint.
The workshop fee for Art Center members is $72; non-members cost is $80.
To register online, visit artcenterofestes.com, look under “Classes,” or contact the Art Center at 970-5865882.
The Art Center is open daily from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Autumn Gold 2025: A Celebration Of Community, Music, & Spirit
The 2025 Autumn Gold Festival — A Festival of Bands, Brats & Beverages — brought thousands of locals and visitors together in Bond Park for a weekend of sunshine, live music, and Rotary fellowship. Hosted by the Estes Valley Sunrise Rotary Club, the event once again showcased the best of Estes Park’s community spirit with great food, cold drinks, and nonstop music in the crisp mountain air.
Adding to the excitement was the Autumn Gold Raffle, which offered attendees a 1-in-50 chance to win cash prizes while supporting Rotary community programs. This year’s Grand Prize of $10,000 went to Todd Gunter, Benton, AR with $2,500 going to Susan Brayton, Sheridan, WY and five $500 prizes awarded to Mark Cauthon, Olathe, KS; Stacey Winsor, Estes Park, CO; David White, Estes Park, CO; Phil Sudbury, Den ver, CO; and William Collins, Longmont, CO.
The raffle remains one of the festival’s biggest fundraising traditions, directly benefiting school scholarships.
A new attraction — the Rocky Mountain Spirits Experience presented by Full Throttle Distillery — made its debut, featuring craft distilleries from across Colorado. Festivalgoers sampled regional spirits and learned about the art of small-batch distilling, adding a new flavor to this long-time Estes Park tradition.
Beyond the food and fun, both the September Autumn Gold Festival and the Estes Park Labor Day Arts & Crafts Show remain two of the Estes Valley Sunrise Rotary Clubs’ most important community fundraisers. Proceeds from the event support local scholarships, community grants, and international Rotary projects, including clean water initiatives in Ecuador.
Thank You to Our Sponsors
The Estes Valley Sunrise Rotary Club extends heartfelt appreciation to the many local businesses and organizations whose generous sponsorships made our two 2025 festivals possible: Community Hearing Center, Aldrich Builders, Pedersen Toyota, Estes Park Team Realty, Full Throttle Distillery,
Mueller, Pye and Associates CPA, Bank of Estes Park, Chrysalis Gift Shop, Bank of Colorado, Estes Park Mountain Shop, Big Horn Restaurant, Tim Barron Architect, Expedition Lodge, C3 Real Estate, State Farm, Crona & Associates PC, Allnutt Funeral Services, Longhorn Liquor, Stanley Home Museum, The Estes Park Resort, Guild Mortgage, Kind Coffee, Estes Park News, Estes Valley Voice, The Donut Haus, The Estes Park Learning Place, Visit Estes Park, Town of Estes Park, Estes Valley Recreation and Park District, Robert H. Foster LLC, Country Market, and 5280 Magazine.
Volunteers Make It Happen
The Sunrise Rotary Club also wishes to recognize the many volunteer groups who made this year’s event such a success:
The Estes Park Newcomers Club, Estes Park Scout Troop 8, the Estes Park League of Women Voters, the Estes Valley Recreation and Park District, the Rotary Club of Estes Park, and volunteers from 18 local nonprofits who received Sunrise Rotary community grants this year. Their time, energy, and enthusiasm truly embodied Rotary’s motto of Service Above Self.
A Community Tradition Estes Valley Sunrise Rotarians shared, “Autumn Gold is all about community — local businesses, volunteers, musicians, and visitors coming together to celebrate Estes Park’s spirit of giving. We’re proud that this event not only brings joy to so many but also gives back to the community we love.”
As the last notes of music faded from Bond Park, one thing was clear — Autumn Gold 2025 was another shining example of what makes Estes Park such a special place to live, work, and play.
The Estes Valley Sunrise Rotary Club is part of Rotary International, a global network of 1.2 million neighbors, friends, and leaders who take action to create lasting change. Locally, the Club supports scholarships, community service projects, youth programs, and international humanitarian work.
Learn more at portal.clubrunner.ca/5242 or by emailing evsr@evsr.org.
Get Your Advance Directives Done
Advance directives help you formally
document your preferences and values to guide future medical care. Start your plan for peace of mind today by learning about advance directive documents and prepare for conversations with loved ones. Participants will be given the chance to complete documents with notarization after class. If you prefer, materials from this class can be sent via email or mail and a follow-up consultation is available at no cost. Note: A notary will not be available at this presentation.
Registration is required by calling the Aspen Club at 970-495-8565.
Join UCHealth and Aspen Club Senior Services in Estes Park on Wednesday, November 12th from noon to 1:30 p.m. at the Estes Park Senior Citizens Center for information about advance directives.
October 13 – 17
Monday, Oct 13 Country Fried Steak (w/ gravy on the side), Scrambled Eggs, Hashbrowns & Biscuit
Tuesday, Oct 14
Wednesday, Oct 15
Thursday, Oct 16
Chicken Fajita (w/ grilled red bell peppers & onions), Rice, Refried Beans, Guacamole, sour cream & corn tortillas
Patty Melt Sandwich w/ Tomato Salad
Chicken Parmesan w/ Pasta, garlic bread & side salad
Friday, Oct 17 Fish & Homemade Chips w/ soup of the day
Monday, Oct 20
Tuesday, Oct 21
October 20 – 24
Denver Omelette (ham, mushrooms, onions & green peppers) w/ Hash browns & fruit
Wednesday, Oct 22 Grilled Chicken Breast Sandwich (topped w/ mushrooms & swiss cheese) w/ Pasta Salad
Thursday, Oct 23
Friday, Oct 24
Mexican Platter (beef taco in corn shell, bean burrito w/ pork green chili & cheese quesadilla) w/ refried beans
Salmon (6 oz) w/ Rice Pilaf & soup of the day
Individual Meals are $9 for current 2025 EP Senior Citizens Center members and are by reservation only. (Or 3 meals for $25; 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, Oct 13th, you need to call before 1:00 PM on Friday, Oct 10th. 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 thru Friday 10 -- 1
TriFit M-W-F 10:30-11:15 AM Circuit Balance Monday 1-1:45 PM
Mahjong Tuesday 10 – 2 Tai Ji Class Tuesday 10:15 – 11:15 AM
Pound Unplugged + 1st, 3rd & 5th Thursday 10:15-11:15 AM Chair Yoga 2nd & 4th Thursday 10:15-11:15 AM
Live Music & Presentations Tuesday @ 12:00 – 1:30 (TBA)
Aspen Club Blood Pressure Check 4th Wednesday 10:00 – 1:00
Aspen Club Presentations 2nd Wednesday 12:00 – 1:30
Bridge Group Every Thursday 12:30 – 4:30 PM with lessons in the morning Canasta, Euchre & Pinochle 1st, 3rd & 5th Wednesday 1:00-4:30
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
Artist
Monte Michener Finds Strength & Support At The Community Center
Acclaimed multimedia artist Monte Michener has been a dedicated member of the Community Center since it opened in 2018. At age 13, he was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes (T1D), a life-changing moment that introduced new routines including insulin management, dietary monitoring, and regular blood glucose checks.
“Fortunately, exercise is one of the best tools for managing T1D,” Mi-
chener shared. “I use the weight training and cardio areas at the Center to stay fit, which helps me keep my blood glucose levels in check.”
In 2024, Michener faced another major challenge—a fractured femur that required surgery involving a pin and rod, followed by three months of physical therapy. “I was back at the Rec Center using a cane for another three months. Working out played a key role in my recovery—and it really helped lift my spirits,” he said.
We are proud that the Community Center has played such a meaningful role in Michener’s health and healing journey. His resilience and positive outlook continue to inspire our community.
31st Annual Golf Marathon To Benefit Junior Program On October 23rd
On Thursday, October 23rd, five local golfers—Austin Logan, John Peterson, Tim Hull, Rene Archambault, and Chris Layton—will tee off on a dawnto-dusk golf marathon at the Estes Park 18-Hole Golf Course. The group is expected to play an estimated 450 holes throughout the day, all to benefit the Junior Golf Program.
The annual fundraiser helps provide local youth with updated equipment
and professional lessons each summer. Supporters can contribute by pledging at three levels; Bronze, Silver, and Gold with pledge amounts for each Par, Birdie, or Eagle—with final pledge amounts calculated after the event based on the golfers' performance. To get involved or request a pledge form, email Austin Logan at austin@golfestes.com.
Our Second Annual 100-Mile Swim Challenge Is Complete!
The results are in, and what a splash it was! Congratulations to our top three swim superstars:
Michael Milosh – 202.87 miles
Elizabeth Halas – 177.93 miles
Mike Fallon – 150.60 miles
A huge round of applause to everyone who took part in this fun (and impressively competitive) challenge. Whether you swam 10 miles or 100, you’re all champions in our book!
Help Spark Joy In Our Community
Bright Christmas Kicks Off 41st Year of Service to Families
As we celebrate our 41st holiday season of sparking joy and spreading cheer, we are deeply thankful for the kindness and generosity of our community.
Last year, thanks to the incredible support of sponsors and donors, we were able to make the holidays brighter for 111 Estes Park families by providing children’s gifts and new shoes, as well as food and gift cards for the whole family.
Earlier this year, we also provided:
• 134 Estes Park students with school supplies, backpacks, and swimsuits
• 85 new children’s winter coats to the Crossroads Coat Drive
Bright Christmas:
1. Sponsor a family. A great option for families, individuals, or co-workers!
Purchase gifts for a selected Bright Christmas family. Contact brightchristmas.ep@gmail.com.
2. Make a financial contribution. A great choice for businesses, clubs, and donors! Your tax-deductible donation helps us continue this important work. Donate online: epbrightchristmas.org or send a check to:
How families can participate in Bright Christmas:
Register for our Christmas program at Crossroads (1753 Wildfire Road) during these registration dates & times:
• Saturday, Nov. 1st, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
• Tuesday, Nov. 4th, 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
• Thursday, Nov. 6th, 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Bring: ID, proof of residence in the Estes Park School District, and income information.
Note: On-site registration is required. You do not need to be a current client of Crossroads to participate. How the community can support
Bright Christmas P.O. Box 2981
Estes Park, CO 80517
3. Donate new, unwrapped books for children and youth. Perfect for anyone who wants to help! Donate new books in English and/or Spanish for children ages 0–15. Drop-off locations:
• Crossroads Ministry
• First Colorado Realty
• Macdonald’ Book Shop (buy and donate on-site)
Get involved and stay connected on Facebook (Estes Park Bright Christmas), via email at brightchristmas.ep@ gmail.com, watch for updates in Estes Park News, and/or contact Nancy Almond at 970-227-3638 or Mary Murphy at 970-214-6350.
Bright Christmas is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Thank you for helping us Spark Joy this holiday season!
¡Ayúdanos a Compartir la Alegría en Nuestra Comunidad!
Bright Christmas celebra 41 años ayudando a familias
Estamos emocionados de comenzar nuestra 41ª temporada navideña, llevando alegría y esperanza a los hogares de Estes Park.
¡Gracias a todos los que hacen posible esta hermosa tradición!
El año pasado logramos:
• Alegrar la Navidad de 111 familias, con regalos, zapatos nuevos, comida y tarjetas de regalo
• Entregar útiles escolares, mochilas y trajes de baño a 134 estudiantes
• Donar 85 abrigos nuevos para niños en la colecta de Crossroads
¿Eres una familia que necesita apoyo navideño?
¡Inscríbete en Bright Christmas!
Lugar: Crossroads — 1753 Wildfire Road
Fechas y Horarios de Inscripción:
• Sábado 1 de noviembre — 10 a.m. a 1 p.m.
• Martes 4 de noviembre — 1 p.m. a 4 p.m.
• Jueves 6 de noviembre — 3 p.m. a 6 p.m.
Documentos Requeridos: Identificación (ID), comprobante de residencia en el Distrito Escolar de Estes Park, información sobre tus ingresos.
IMPORTANTE: La inscripción es en persona.
No necesitas ser cliente actual de
Crossroads para participar.
¿Quieres apoyar a Bright Christmas?
1. Patrocina a una familia. Ideal para familias, amigos o grupos de trabajo. Compra regalos para una familia asignada. Escríbenos a: brightchristmas.ep@gmail.com
2. Haz una donación económica. Tu apoyo es deducible de impuestos y muy valioso. Dona en línea: epbrightchristmas.org. O envía un cheque a:
Bright Christmas
P.O. Box 2981
Estes Park, CO 80517
3. Dona libros nuevos (sin envolver). Libros en inglés o español para niños y jóvenes de 0 a 15 años. Puntos de Entrega:
• Crossroads Ministry
• First Colorado Realty
• Macdonald Book Shop (compra y dona allí mismo)
Mantente Conectado:
Facebook: Estes Park Bright Christmas
Correo: brightchristmas.ep@ gmail.com
Noticias: Estes Park News
Contactos:
• Nancy Almond: 970-227-3638
• Mary Murphy: 970-214-6350
Bright Christmas es una organización sin fines de lucro 501(c)(3). ¡Gracias por compartir alegría esta Navidad!
Harvesting & Sowing Flower Seeds
“Pet Pawtraits” Art Center Of Estes Park Fall Fundraiser
Most all of us have now or had in the past a favorite pet that we keep close in our hearts. So have our friends and family members.
The Art Center of Estes Park is having a Fall Fundraiser that is an opportunity for you to receive an 8x10 painting of that lovable critter, done by one of our talented Art Center artists, just in time for holiday gift giving. (Or gift keeping, if it’s just for you!)
We don’t discriminate. The critter can be furry or non-furry. German Shepherd or gerbil. Siamese or salamander. Parakeet or piranha.
Simply send a photo or two, along with your name and the name of your critter, to Diana Wade at
dwade81744@aol.com during the month of October. (The earlier the better, as we have a max of 30!)
Just as soon as the Art Center receives your donation of $50, Diana will assign your photo to an artist who will begin work on the little painting. You may pick up your finished painting on Friday night, November 14th, between 5 and 7 p.m., at the opening reception for our last featured artist show of the year. Wine, punch, and light refreshments will be served.
Join us in this celebration of our favorite critters; support the Art Center of Estes Park; and receive a lasting momento of a pet who is, or was, near and dear to your heart.
The Estes Park Garden Club will meet on Monday, October 13th, from 10:30 a.m. - 12:15 p.m. in the Hondius Room of the Estes Valley Public Library. Alison O'Connor will give a presentation entitled "Harvesting and Sowing Flower Seeds in the Estes Valley." The public is welcome to come to this meeting.
Alison will cover the basics of collecting seeds from flowering plants and the best methods to sow them for success. She will discuss a few examples of plants that are best grown from seed, their life cycles, and preferred cultural care. Following her presentation attendees will have the opportunity to
participate in an activity to help choose presentation topics for the Club's April through October 2026 meetings.
Alison O'Connor is the Colorado State University Extension horticulture agent in Larimer County. She has been with the Extension for 20 years. Alison coordinates the Larimer County Master Gardener program and assists homeowners and industry with horticultural questions. She attended Iowa State University and The Ohio State University, majoring in horticulture, and completed her Ph.D. at Colorado State University in 2014. In her spare time, she enjoys golfing, baking, and tending to her backyard chickens.
Citizens’ Ballot Initiatives
To the Editor:
There are a lot of rumors and misinformation concerning the two citizen’s initiatives (300 & 301) that will be on the November 4th ballot.
The Citizens’ Ballot Initiatives are supported by Preserve Estes Park (PEP), which is a group of local residents who are concerned about preserving the quality of life in our small mountain town.
When passed, the initiatives will give the neighbors of any proposed residential rezoning or Planned Unit Development (PUD) a voice in the process. It is one simple step. Too often in the past, neighbors’ concerns about overdevelopment have gone unheard by the Town Board and Community Development Department.
PEP is not anti-development but supports development in appropriately zoned areas. It is not fair to rezone residential areas simply to increase density, thereby changing the character of existing neighborhoods; neighborhoods where people have often in-
vested their life savings and presumed their neighborhood would be safeguarded by the existing zoning.
PEP supports the provision of truly affordable housing. The current Development Code gives breaks, bonuses, to developers who build “workforce housing.” The “workforce housing” designation carries no income restrictions but allows a developer to build projects with more height and density than would otherwise be allowed. Without income restrictions, the term “workforce housing” is essentially meaningless. Workforce housing does not mean affordable housing.
Unlike groups and some individuals opposing the Ballot Initiatives, PEP has no economic interest for supporting the initiatives. Rather, PEP’s support is based on restoring balance in the residential rezoning process and helping to preserve the character of the town we all love.
Vote YES for initiatives 300 & 301!
Jed Eide Estes Park
Delicious Food & Valuable Social Interaction Provided By Meals On Wheels
By: Brian Schaffer
Michelle Purdy, who coordinates our Meals on Wheels program, has more than 30 years of experience delivering hot meals to neighbors throughout the Estes Valley. Like many of our volunteers who are delivering meals today, Michelle has comforted those mourning a loss of a beloved spouse, given hugs to those going through a tough time, called emergency responders to offer assistance, shared words of encouragement, listened to personal stories, and taken action to ensure our neighbors who receive the hot meals feel loved and valued. We are truly blessed to have such a caring team of people who deliver the meals to our neighbors.
You may not know this, but our friendly volunteers deliver hot, nutritious meals directly to a person’s home while simultaneously providing seniors with much-needed social interaction and a regular wellness check. Research has shown that seniors who receive meal deliveries are more likely to maintain their independence, experience fewer hospitalizations, and have better overall health outcomes compared to those who do not receive such services. Seniors with better social engagement tend to be more resilient, and better cope with stress, anxiety, depression, and hard times. I know this is true for my Dad who is actively engaged in his local senior center, church activities, and local music groups. He has been playing his guitar and singing at a local assisted living center for the past 28 years, and now at 84 years of age, he reminds me that every Thursday morning he gets to sing to the old folks. I respond with, “You mean, people who are older than 84?” We chuckle together, and he readily admits that he might fit into that group now. Since Mom passed away in 2023, it’s not been the same for Dad, and we’ve been more engaged with him to ensure he’s living his best life. Making sure he is maintaining a healthy diet is a weekly conversation, because left to himself, he doesn’t always select the most nutritious items at the grocery
store. I’m so glad he is connected to a senior center that has meal delivery and other services for people like my Dad.
One of the most common misconceptions about Meals on Wheels is that it’s only for those who are already struggling with severe health issues or mobility challenges. But, from our experience, if a person waits until a crisis occurs, it is much more difficult to manage health and maintain independence. Whether we want to admit it or not, nutritional needs change as we age. Meals on Wheels addresses these dietary needs through a specialized food delivery program designed for older adults. Each meal is balanced to include each food group and the proper vitamins and minerals for a senior diet. The meal plans are prepared by trained chefs at the Good Samaritan Society located in Estes Park. What’s great about this arrangement is that meals are periodically rotated to include seasonal foods to increase variety. I would encourage you to give them a try for a week, and see what you think. Meals can be postponed for a day, or canceled indefinitely for any reason. There is a lot of flexibility in the meal delivery schedule. If you or a loved one could benefit from the services provided by Estes Valley Meals on Wheels, the time to act is now. Early engagement can help prevent the decline that often comes with poor nutrition and social isolation. Part of loving our neighbors is to ensure that every older adult has the nutritional support that they need. We offer our meals to anyone regardless of income. If someone can pay for the services, then meals can usually begin the next day. But, sadly there are many in our community who need our daily meals but can’t afford them. This is where you can partner with us by sponsoring a person with one meal a day at a cost of $140 per month, or if you’d like to cover an entire year of meals it is $1,680. To find out more about sponsoring a meal, or to sign up for meals, you can visit our website at CrossroadsEP.org.
Celebrate Halloween In The Mountains
Join the Hilltop Guild and friends on Friday, October 31st for a costume party to celebrate Halloween mountain-style. Meet up at 5:30 p.m. at the Kelley House, home of the Hilltop Guild, 18720 Highway 7 just outside Allenspark. Admission is free and there's plenty of parking. Appetizers and assorted drinks will be served, BYOB. Don't be afraid to get dressed up in a special costume because prizes
Lunch That Looks At You! St. Bart’s Autumn Market
In addition to buying food to take home, shoppers at St. Bart’s Autumn Market on October 18th can enjoy a lunch at the church, 880 MacGregor Avenue, from 10:45 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. Featured will be chili and corn muffins, or, for the adventurous, personalized hot dogs in blankets.
will be awarded for the best outfit. The Hilltop Guild is a community organization for men and women who like to weave, quilt, sew, and cook. Handicrafts are sold at an annual Bazaar that takes place the first Saturday in August. Much of the money raised at the Bazaar and the Fall Festival goes to scholarships for high school students in Lyons, Allenspark, and Estes Park.
An annual event at the church, sales of frozen soups, casseroles, and quiches as well as baked goods and
snacks and fall crafts provide funds for St. Bart’s philanthropic outreach.
A special item this year is chokecherry jelly in decorated crystal goblets.
And catering to every family member, new this year, are healthy dog treats and dressy dog scarves.
The Market is open on October 18th from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Pre-ordered pasties may be picked up then.
Lunch will be available from 10:45 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. at St. Bart’s Autumn Market on October 18th and the menu will include hot dogs in dough with edible candy eyes.
Peak To Peak Concert Features
Dr. Andre Garcia-Nuthmann & John Wolf
The Oratorio Society of Estes Park presents the first Peak to Peak concert of this season, “Spanish Canciones,” featuring tenor, Dr. Andre Garcia-Nuthmann, and pianist, John Wolf.
The concert will be held Saturday, October 18th, at 2 p.m. at the Shepherd of the Mountains Lutheran Church, 2000 Ptarmigan Trail. This event is free (though donations are appreciated), and a reception to meet the performers will follow.
The program includes music of the three most important Spanish composers of the late Romantic and early 20th century periods: Manuel de Falla, Enrique Granados, and Isaac Albeniz. The rhythms and sounds of these pieces are evocative of the culture, history, and geography of Spain. Throughout the program, you will hear the influences of folk dance, the guitar, and flamenco music. Also included on the program are 20th century works by Federico Longas, Federico Mompou, Jean Berger, and Argentine composer, Alberto Ginastera.
Dr. Andre Garcia-Nuthmann retired from New Mexico Highland University this past June, where he was the Director of Choral and Vocal music for 35 years. He was recently named Music Director of the New Mexico Performing Arts Society. In addition to conducting the University choirs and various church choirs in Santa Fe, he is an active soloist in northern New Mexico. Garcia-Nuthmann has been featured as a
tenor soloist with the Santa Fe Symphony, New Mexico Philharmonic, Santa Fe Desert Chorale, and Canticum Novum. He has sung in numerous operas, including the premiers of four modern operas, the last of which was an adaptation of Bless Me, Ultima. His most challenging role was that of the Mad Woman in Benjamin Britten’s Curlew River. He holds a Doctorate in Vocal Performance from Arizona State University, studied at the Mozarteum in Salzburg, Austria and was coached by the late international opera star, Regina Safarty Rickless. John Wolf retired to Estes Park, Colorado in 2020 to immerse himself in mountains and music. He holds a Bachelors of Music in piano performance and music literature from Southwestern University, and a Masters of Music in piano performance and pedagogy from SMU. He has performed in solo recitals, as an accompanist, and as a soloist with the Southwestern Sinfonietta and Dallas Civic Orchestra. After graduation, Wolf pursued a career in public education and continued to teach piano privately. He was a sought-after accompanist for talented high school band, string, and choral students in San Antonio and Dallas for many years. He attends the Rocky Ridge Adult Piano Seminar on Longs Peak Road annually and is currently studying piano under the guidance of Hsing-ay Hsu, a concert pianist in New York City. Mr. Wolf enjoys being a substitute teacher in the Estes Park schools and serves on the board of the Estes Valley Library Friends and Foundation.
Dr. Andre Garcia-Nuthmann
John Wolf
Financial Focus® How To Cope With Market Volatility
The financial markets always go through periods of instability. And we may see more of that now, given concerns about tariffs, inflation and the economy. As an investor, how can you deal with this volatility?
Some investors try to take advantage of market ups and downs by attempting to follow the age-old advice to “buy low and sell high” — that is, they seek to buy stocks when they feel prices have bottomed out and they sell stocks when they think the market has reached a high point. In theory, this is a great idea, but in practice, it’s essentially impossible, because no one can really predict market highs and lows. Rather than trying to anticipate highs and lows, your best strategy for coping with the price fluctuations of the financial markets is to diversify your investment portfolio by owning a mix of stocks, bonds, and other types of securities. Different types of financial assets can move in different directions at any given time — so, for example, stocks may be up while bonds are down, or vice versa. If you only owned one of these types of assets, and the market for that asset class was down, your portfolio could take a bigger hit than if you owned a variety of asset types.
maturities.
Some investments, by their nature, are already somewhat diversified. A mutual fund can contain dozens, or even hundreds, of stocks, or a mixture of stocks and bonds. And different mutual funds may have different investment objectives — some focus more on growth, while others are more incomeoriented — so, further diversification can be achieved by owning a mix of funds.
Furthermore, some investors achieve even greater diversification by owning alternative investments, such as real estate, commodities and cryptocurrencies, although these vehicles themselves are often more volatile than those in more traditional investment categories.
While a diversified portfolio is important for every investor, your exact level of diversification — the percentages of your portfolio devoted to stocks, bonds, and other securities — will depend on your individual risk tolerance, time horizon, and financial goals. You may want to consult with a financial professional about creating the diversified investment mix that’s right for your needs.
And you can further diversify within individual asset categories. Stocks can be domestic or international, largecompany or small-company — and these groupings can also move in different directions at the same time, depending on various market forces. As for bonds, they too don’t always move in a uniform direction, or at least with the same intensity — for instance, when interest rates rise, bond prices tend to fall, but longer-term bonds may fall more than shorter-term ones, which are closer to maturity with fewer interest payments remaining. Conversely, when rates are falling, longerterm bonds may be more attractive because they lock in higher yields for a longer time. Consequently, one diversification technique for bonds is to build a “ladder” containing bonds of varying
Ultimately, while diversification can’t guarantee profits or protect against all losses, it can help you reduce some of the risks associated with investing and better prepare you to deal with the inevitable volatility of the financial markets — two key benefits that can help you over the many years you’ll spend as an investor.
You must evaluate whether a bond or CD ladder and the securities held within it are consistent with your investment objectives, risk tolerance and financial circumstances. Including callable bonds may increase the interest rate risk of a bond ladder. Bonds may be called prior to maturity, which could result in lower yields with new investments.
This article was written by Edward Jones for use by our local Edward Jones Financial Advisors. Edward Jones, Member SIPC
Estes Park Quota Club Wants To Help! EspañolEstes Park Quota Club quiere ayudar!"
5) True or False: Hearing loss only happens in your senior years. FALSE! Hearing loss can happen at any age. Use of earbuds or headphones at a high volume can result in hearing loss caused by noise at any age. Learn more about Quota Club's Hearing and Speech work in Estes Park at estesparkquota.com/contact-info
5) Verdadero o falso: la pérdida de audición solo ocurre en los últimos años. ¡FALSO! La pérdida de audición puede ocurrir a cualquier edad. El uso de auriculares o audífonos a un volumen alto puede provocar pérdida de audición causada por el ruido a cualquier edad. Obtenga más información sobre el trabajo de audición y habla de Quota Club en Estes Park en https://estesparkquota.com/contact-info
Congratulations to Linda Bowie and Joel York for qualifying for the APA Poolplayer Championships in Las Vegas, April 26 - May 2, 2026. They competed in the Rocky Mountain Regional this past weekend. Way to represent Estes!
Our Lady Of The Mountains Golf Tournament A Huge Success
The fifth annual Our Lady of the Mountains Golf tournament on September 19th was a huge success. 48 golfers, donations from dozens of individuals and local businesses, hole sponsorships and the support of the Estes Park Golf Course, all contributed to an enjoyable fundraising event. Many thanks to all who played a part in raising money for the youth of our Parish.
1st place – The McDermott and Stevens foursome
perfect for adventurers or electric vehicle owners. Spread across two lots with level access, this home offers ample space and privacy. Lovingly maintained for 41 years by the current owner, it’s ready for you to make it your own. Priced at $595,000, this year-round haven combines
It was a lovely fall day, and although a few golfers had to maneuver around them, it was fun to see the elk also enjoying the course.
Congratulations to the winning teams:
2nd place – Matt Quinn, Greg Fyfe, Jim Bangs, and Tom Keyworth 3rd place – Twyla & Mark Moraczewski, Paul Besson, and Rick Zuba Plan to join us next September for our sixth annual event.
Estes Park Men's Golf Association Results For October 6th, 2025
No Men’s League play due to in climate weather. One more Monday left for the EPMGA 2025 season.
Results of the 2025 Season long Match Play events are below. Congratulations to all participants and winners!
EARL FAULKNER 65 & over Net Match Play
Larry Noshbish – Champion
Tom Keyworth – 2nd Place
Jerry Rupert – Tie for 3rd
Jim Gallup – Tie for 3rd
SENIOR 55 & over Gross Match
Play
Brad Doggett – Champion
Jim Gallup – 2nd Place
Greg Fyfe – Tie for 3rd
Tom Keyworth – Tie for 3rd
OPEN DIVISION (any age) Net Match Play
John Copenhaver – Champion
Larry Noshbish – 2nd Place
Tom Keyworth – Tie for 3rd
Greg Fyfe – Tie for 3rd
LONGS PEAK 2-Man Net Best Ball
Greg Shipman and Jerry Rupert –
Champions
Tony Paglia and John Copenhaver –2nd Place
Steve Nagl and Al Arms – Tie for 3rd
Mike Riley and Larry Noshbish – Tie for 3rd
CHAMPIONSHIP GROSS MATCH
PLAY
Austin Logan – Champion
John Peterson – 2nd Place
Spooky Events & Fun At The Oldest Operating Single Screen Movie Theatre In The United States
By: Jenna MacGregor, Historic Park Theatre
There is spooky and amazing fun to showcase at the Historic Park Theatre, including tons of live events and amazing movies the whole month of October. The Historic Park Theatre in downtown Estes Park is the oldest single screen movie theatre in the nation, but we have more than movies. Join us for ghost hunts, amazing live tours of history or our haunted tour, psychic readings, the cult classic of Rocky Horror with a live cast... or a first-run movie like Tron Ares, or maybe a classic movie like Frankenstein 1931, or The Dark Knight Rises (Batman) and returning from the Ghibli Festival, Spirited Away. Come be dazzled by these amazing events and choose what is fun for you, enjoying the best there is of our spooky fall season.
stones. Bekah and Rob also sell ghost hunting equipment to help with communicating with the spirits gone before. Readings with Bekah cost $45, last about a half hour and are individual readings with her special cards. For those interested in ghost hunting this is your place. Whether you want to learn to Ghost Hunt or are a pro, all are welcome to join our latenight ghost hunts with our owners of the theatre, and visiting mediums on Friday and Saturday nights from 10 p.m. to midnight in October. Come hunt with us to work with the souls gone before who love to play at the Historic Park. Late night ghost hunts are only $35 per person and a great way to see the mystic energy that remains today from the past, present, and future.
October is a special time at the Historic Park Theatre. Our first-run show Tron Ares, created by Disney, will play through at least October 23rd, and we are so pleased that so many businesses that have sponsored our free classic movies so all can see Batman Dark Knight Rises on Saturday morning, October 11th, at 10 a.m. On October 18th and 21st we will have the classic Mary Shelly’s Tale of Frankenstein (1931) on the big screen.
Join us for our live events! What could be better than a reading in a haunted theatre where the spirits love to gather, or a fun ghost tour where we tell the stories of the theater’s spirits. We also have our classic history tours.
Every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday in October, our local psychic Bekah Blackburn is available for you to get your reading, and shop her spooky dolls, healing products, beautiful handmade jewelry, protective gems, and
On October 25th at 10 p.m. we welcome back the cult classic Rocky Horror Picture Show with our live cast NoPicnic from Northen Colorado. This exhilarating fun movie comes to town only a few times a year so join us and scream the lyrics as we time warp, or toilet paper your neighbor. Virgins are welcome but be prepared to go onstage before the show to be inducted to the RHPS (Rocky Horror Picture Show) cult. Tickets are just $15 and we highly suggest you get your tickets now as this October show often sells out. Bring your $5 for a prop bag and extra funds to tip the cast — they are what makes this 1973 movie a blast.
Come and gather at the theatre to see a new show, a classic show, enjoy a tour, or work with the spirits. All tickets for movies and events can be purchased online at historicparktheatre.com, or in person at the Historic Park Theatre at 130 Moraine Ave right here in Estes Park.
Celebrate The 50th Anniversary Of Rocky Horror Picture Show On October 25th
By: No Picnic Shadowcast
Lights! Camera! Callbacks? A hallmark of the Rocky Horror Picture Show is its iconic interactive experience, complete with raucous gags, hilarious callbacks, and toilet-papering your neighbor. The No Picnic Shadowcast invites you to celebrate the 50th anniversary of The Rocky Horror Picture Show with us at the Historic Park Theatre on Saturday, October 25th, 2025 for a mindbending fun time!
The first time a person sees this show, they find themselves far out of their depth of experience — something we in the shadowcast business like to call “Virgins.” If you yourself are a virgin to the interactive shadowcast world, allow me (a member of the No Picnic Shadowcast) to invite you into our world of hijinks, debauchery, and queer entertainment.
ture Show has been a beacon of free speech, free will, and freedom to be weird. On its 50th anniversary, the No Picnic Shadowcast is ecstatic to continue this tradition at the Historic Estes Park Theatre.
The Rocky Horror Picture Show is a horror-musical in which high school sweethearts, Brad and Janet, find themselves on the doorstep of the fabulous Dr. Frankenfurter’s castle after their car breaks down. Within, they stumble upon a plot akin to Frankenstein, with the ‘monster’ instead being a muscle hunk himbo named Rocky.
The plot doesn’t get any better than that folks! With a questionable plot, unique lyrics, and endless gags-upongags, what made The Rocky Horror Picture Show such an iconic cult classic? Well, to tell you the truth, it was a combination of post-war rebellion, transgender joy, and a welcoming space for anyone considered an ‘other’ to be their weird, free, selves.
The very first callback was born in the theatre when someone called out to Janet in the rain, “Who uses a newspaper as an umbrella?” From here, the callbacks kept coming, followed by people dressing up as the iconic cast, followed by theatre troupes (named shadowcasts, as they perform in the shadow of the movie) performing the movie in theatre.
While every shadowcast runs differently, the common theme in each of them is found family. Since its inception in 1975, The Rocky Horror Pic-
No Picnic is a shadowcast with its home in Fort Collins, but its heart is in Estes Park. On my very first adventure up to Estes, the tiny car we traveled in was packed to the brim with people, props, costume pieces, and blankets — in case we got stuck in the blizzard raging up the canyon.
A small skeleton crew made the drive that night, worried that it would be for naught when no one arrived to watch us perform. The town of Estes, however, proved to be much more of a family, a community, than we could have predicted. Performing in front of an audience that I knew drove through a blizzard to see us, to support a local small business, and to simply be there for their community members? Enough to make a shadowcast cry. Estes Park has always been the leader in the weird, the macabre, and the overtly silly. No Picnic loves performing for you and is proud to call the Historic Park Theatre a friend to Rocky Horror. We invite the community to join our shadowcast at this lovely theatre on Saturday, October 25th, 2025, for the 50th anniversary of The Rocky Horror Picture Show and a rocking good time.
Life is no picnic, but performing for Estes Park has been a steaming mug of hot chocolate on a winter’s night —
classic, and truly comforting.
Audrene (Audi) E. Knotwell Yenter
Audrene E. Knotwell Yenter, 87, of Imperial, Nebraska died Tuesday, September 30th, 2025.
She was born to late Marion and Katherine Knotwell on March 11th, 1938 in Imperial, NE. Audrene (Audi) graduated from Fort Collins, CO in 1956 and received a BA in Nutrition from CSU in Fort Collins, CO. She married the late Jim Yenter in 1959, living in Fort Collins, then Fort Morgan, Cortez, Alamosa, and Estes Park, CO. She was a caregiver at a nursing home in Alamosa, a telephone operator, and a food service director of the Alamosa school's hot lunch program.
Jim and Audie retired and eventually moved Estes Park. Audrene started painting and making art such as oil painting, Scratchboard, and being involved with the Art Center of Estes Park. After Jim had passed,
Dr. Thom Serrin Van Boskirk
Dr. Thom Serrin Van Boskirk, 81, of Gering, NE, passed away peacefully while taking a break from a fixit project at the vacation home in Estes Park, CO, that he loved.
Please come celebrate his life on October 12th, 2025, at 4:30 p.m. at the Vine United Methodist Church, 2002 4th Ave., in Scottsbluff, NE. Reception will follow at the West Nebraska Arts Center, 106 E. 18th St., Scottsbluff, NE.
Thom was born on September 15th, 1944, in Omaha to Homer and Faye (Messman) Van Boskirk. He achieved his Eagle Scout rank at age 16 and was the President of his 1962 graduating class at Omaha Central
Audie and her daughter moved to Greeley, CO, and then moved to Chadron, NE in 2020 as to be closer to her son Jim and daughter-in-law Jennifer. Audie is survived by two children: Katherine Yenter of Chadron, NE, and James/Jennifer Yenter of Chadron, NE. She is also survived by four grandchildren, seven great grandchildren, and two great great grandchildren. She is also survived by her brother Terry Knotwell (Joanie), brother-inlaw John (Mary) Yenter, various nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.
She is preceded in death by her parents Marion & Katherine Knotwell, brother Larry Knotwell, husband Jim, her son Dan Yenter, and niece KayCee Yenter Julesonnet.
In lieu of flowers the family is requesting that donation be made to Art Center of Estes Park and the Western Wildlife art show.
High School, where he was the lead trumpet in dance band and orchestra, was active in swimming and keeping his brother Ray out of trouble. He graduated from Hastings College in 1965 and from the University of Nebraska, Dental School in 1969. In his last year of dental school, his cousin Marcia (Messman) O’Donovan set him up on a blind date with her friend LaRita (Rumbaugh). This began Thom and LaRita’s 56-year love story. Thom was smitten with Marcia’s spunky friend who “finished her entire steak at dinner.” Thom and LaRita were married on June 28th, 1969, and moved to Gering where Thom set up a dental practice. They had two daughters, Shea in 1973 and Shar in 1975.
Thom’s dental practice was more than a vocation; it was part of his lifelong commitment to serving others. He cared for thousands of patients over his 45-year career, including the disadvantaged, shut-ins, and uninsured, at times settling-up in kind or when the harvest was in.
Thom was committed to Scouting, serving as Scout Master for Troop 3 in Gering and in leadership roles for multiple national and international jamborees. He was a Wood Badge trainer and an executive board member for the Longs Peak Council, later the Adventure West Council. He was awarded the Silver Beaver award in 2019, and he
and LaRita were recognized with the Scouting Distinguished Citizens Award in 2022.
Thom was also active in Kiwanis serving as President of the Scottsbluff Club and Lt. Governor of the Rocky Mountain District. He Co-Chaired the Scottsbluff United Way, was President of the Hasting College Alumni Board, initiated the Clean Communities Foundation in Gering/Scottsbluff, and helped bring the welcome statue to the Gering Civic Center.
Thom studied, taught, and witnessed God’s Word throughout his life, in small group studies, while mountain climbing with friends, via monologues to patients in the dental chair, and as an active member of The Church at Bryant, West Way Christian Church, and the Vine Methodist Church, all in Scottsbluff, Central Church of Christ in Gering and an associate member of the Allenspark Community Church in Allenspark, CO and The Presbyterian Community Church of the Rockies, in Estes Park, CO. Thom had just finished day 273 of Father Mike’s Bible In a Year Podcast – a study he was doing with LaRita and Shar – the day before he died.
Everyone knew Dr. Thom for his sense of humor, twinkling eye, and ability to be “fantastic, but getting better.” He golfed year-round; “The frozen ground makes your ball roll farther!” And if he wasn’t on the Gering Golf Course in his yellow golf cart, he was zipping through town in his white Suzuki. He loved this valley. And learning the histories and connections of everyone here often extended a quick errand into a community history adventure.
Thom’s drive and commitment to a job well done carried into his hobbies
Audie's memorial service is in the planning stages; as soon as the date and location is confirmed, Audie’s family will share.
To send condolences or leave a special message for the family, please visit newcomerdenver.com.
and free time. He summited all 58 of the peaks over 14,000 feet in Colorado, many of them multiple times. He ran the Bolder Boulder six times. He hit a hole in one, won the Gering member/guest golf tournament and league championships. He climbed Kilimanjaro, the Grand Canyon, Mt. Whitney and Longs Peak (for the 7th time on his 70th birthday). He built barns, garages, roofs, furniture, canoes, dune buggies, and antique cars.
Of all the summits Thom accomplished, nothing made him prouder than raising two girls to do everything he could. He loved traveling, golfing, mountain climbing, remodeling old houses, and working on cars with them.
Thom is preceded in death by his parents Homer and Faye, his infant brother Lee Warren, his parents-in-law Cortley and Florence Rumbaugh and his sister-in-law Marcia (Wilson) Rumbaugh. He is survived by his dearest LaRita, his daughters Shea and Shar (Court), his brothers Ray (Linda), Bob (Deb), his sister Marla Boyd (Bob), two grandchildren, two step-grandchildren, six great-grandchildren and many nephews and nieces.
In lieu of flowers, contributions in Thom’s memory may be made to Festival of Hope, P.O. Box 377, Scottsbluff, NE 69363; Scouting America for Camp Laramie Peak, The Van Boskirk Staff Building, 10 S. Beltline, Scottsbluff; or the Omaha Central High School Foundation 1111 N. 13th St., Ste. 318, Omaha, NE 68102.
Friends may visit dugankramer.com to view his obituary, and share stories and condolences with the Van Boskirk family. The services for Thom have been entrusted to the Dugan Kramer Funeral Home.
Kingswood Homes and Kingswood Home Services seeking Residential Project Manager for remodels, decks, or new homes. From initial meet to job completion. Solid carpentry background preferred. Duties include ….
estimating
scheduling of trades and materials.
manage site activities
contract management
people skills w/both vendors and client
cost management
Send resume to mike@homesbykingswood.com.
JOIN OUR TEAM!
Full details on employment opportunities and the application can be found at estes.org/jobs.
Regular Full-time
• Civil Engineer I/II
• Emergency Services Dispatcher I/II/III
• Police Officer I/II/III
• Records Technician I/II/III
• Street Equipment Specialist I/II/III
The status of applications will be communicated via e-mail. By choice, the Town of Estes Park is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer.
We’re hiring for all positions starting at $22.61/hr.:
To apply visit www.albertsonscompanies.com select Careers then search for Estes Park, CO to locate jobs After your application has been completed, please call 970.586.4447.
You've discovered the perfect fit! Thriving family adventure
Outdoor World and Rocky Mountain Connection year-round retail stores for clothing and gear are hiring. $18/hour. Stocking shelves, engaging customers. Bring your upbeat vibe and people skills. Flexible shifts on your terms. Ages 15 to 80 welcome. Reach Ernie anytime, day or night, every day of the week. 970 232 8290.
AA & Al-Anon Meetings
AA of Glen Haven
Mondays at 6:30 p.m. at the Town Hall
Early Worms
Monday through Saturday at 7 a.m. (hybrid meetings with Zoom #796 839 839 PW:Worms20) at St. Bartholomew Church, 880 MacGregor Ave.
Early Worms Women's Meeting
Mondays at 12 p.m.
St. Bartholomew, 880 MacGregor Ave. Mixed Nuts Al-Anon Group
Fridays from 6:30-7:30 p.m. (hybrid meetings with Zoom #285 426 3644 PW:serenity) at St. Bartholomew Church One Day At A Time AA Meetings
Tuesdays at noon: Open discussion
Thursdays at 6:30 p.m.: Open discussion
Saturdays at 5:30 p.m.
Location: Presbyterian Community Church of the Rockies, 1700 Brodie Ave. Meetings are in the lounge on the main floor by the front entrance to the church. Park upstairs by the main entrance of the church.
Alcoholics Anonymous Fall River Group
Current Schedule as of 6/17/2025 Zoom ID 999 829166 for AA Meetings
Mondays at 12 p.m., in person and Zoom — O, D
Mondays at 7 p.m., in person and Zoom — O, BB
Tuesdays at 12 p.m., in person and Zoom — O, D
Wednesdays at 12 p.m., in person and Zoom — O, D
Wednesdays at 7 p.m., in person and
Zoom — O, D
Thursdays at 12 p.m., in person and Zoom — O, D
Fridays at 12 p.m., in person and Zoom — O, D
Saturdays at 12 p.m., in person and Zoom — O, D
Sundays at 12 p.m., in person and Zoom — O, ABSI
Sundays at 7 p.m., in person and Zoom — O, D
Last Monday of each month is birthday night; potluck at 6 p.m., speaker at 7 p.m.
Location: 453 West Elkhorn Ave.
***Contribute via Venmo, @FallRiverGroupAA
Other 12 Step Meetings Held at Fall River Group
Narcotics Anonymous “New Horizons” Group, Thursdays at 7 p.m., in person and Zoom (705 555 930) — O, D
**O=Open to all
D=Discussion
BB=Big Book
Zoom Meetings
Every day at noon, Zoom #999 829
166 (no password needed)
Zoom Big Book Study, Mondays at 7 p.m. #654 598 884 (no password needed).
Wednesdays at 7 p.m., Zoom #999 829
166
Online AA and NA Meetings at intherooms.com.
There are 70 AA meetings and 30 NA meetings a week.
The Bird’s Nest
Now hiring Barista - open and closing shifts minimum wage + tips. Please stop by or email info@thebirds–nest.com
2515 Tunnel Road
Estes Park, Colorado, 80511
Join Our Team
YMCA of the Rockies operates two purpose-driven family and group conference and retreat centers: Estes Park Center and Snow Mountain Ranch, along with a residential camp. Serving over 225,000 guests annually, we create meaningful experiences, foster community, and welcome all in the beauty of the Colorado Rockies.
Working here means making a difference. Every role contributes to positive experiences for our guests, staff, and communities. Enjoy a rewarding role with growth opportunities and benefits.
Seasonal Opportunities
• Housekeeping
Maintain clean, inviting facilities at our mountain retreat. Clean cabins, lodges, and common areas to high standards. Detail-oriented, reliable team players wanted; training provided.
Pay: $14.50–$15.50/hr
• Food Service
Provide quality meals and exceptional service at our mountain retreat. Prepare, serve food, and maintain dining areas to high standards. Detail-oriented, reliable team players wanted; training provided. Pay: $14.50–$15.50/hr
• Bennett Preschool Assistant Teacher
Supports toddler-aged children using a nature based curriculum in collaboration with co-teachers and the Preschool Director.
Pay: $20.00–$23.00/hr.
Volunteer Opportunities
We have year-round positions available for local volunteers in our Museum, Post Office, Craft Shop, Pre-School, Gift Shop, Buildings and Grounds, Housekeeping, and International Programs. Volunteers enjoy benefits such as discounted nights at our Lodges, free use of our pickleball courts, and access to all Y facilities.
Come join our growing community of local volunteers!
Apply today at: jobs.ymcarockies.org
Patron Experience Substitute Hours vary, as needed
Pay range: $16.61-$23.25/hour
Summary: Come thrive in our fastpaced, collegial, multitasking environment, as part of a team attuned to the details of office processes & computer systems. This on-call position provides exceptional customer service at both the first & second floor service desks, & may assist with programs, collections, & promotions. Spanishbilingual is a plus. Must be able to work days, evenings, & weekends when regularly scheduled staff are away.
Closing Date: Open until filled.
PROCEDURE FOR APPLICATION:
Review full job description and apply at estesvalleylibrary.org/jobs
Only complete applications with cover letter and resume will be considered.
Silver Saddle Inn
Now hiring: Housekeeping
Apply in person: 1260 Big Thompson Ave. or email resume: info@estesresort.com
Food Program Manager
32-35 hours a week
$28-$32 an hour DOE
This position is responsible for: Managing all aspects of The Market which is a distributor of emergency food. Coordinating operations, food distribution, volunteer coordination, and customer service. Review of applications will begin on October 15th, and continue until the position closes October 31st.
For a full job description, please send an email of interest along with a resume to Brian Schaffer, brian.crossroadsep@gmail.com
YMCA OF THE ROCKIES
Condos
Winter Rental -
Furnished: month to month lease. 10/1/25 thru the end of April 2026. 2 bedroom 2 bath. $1879 per month plus deposit. No pets, No more than 2 tenants. Rent includes everything but electricity. Call/text 970-624-7191
Ponderosa Realty has several rental units open immediately!
We have a large variety from single bedrooms for rent up to a 3 bedroom home that allows for horses/livestock and several options in between. With Price ranges from $750/M to $2600/M we can fit into most budgets.
Call us at 970-586-6500 for details on your next home!
BR 2BA Workforce condo, like new. Open concept floorplan, A/C, extra storage and indoor parking. W/D. Small pets considered. No smoking unit.
$2500 mo plus utilities. SD required. 970-232-5511
Apartments
Perfect winter rental near Lake Estes!
$1300/Month - all utilities are included. Available October 26 through Memorial Day. Fully furnished. 1 bed lodge room. Stunning lake and mountain views. A perfect seasonal rental in a peaceful, scenic location Contact us at 970-779-7455
Cabins
Winter rental at Colorado Cottages! $1300/Monthall utilities included. Available October 26 through Memorial Day. Fully furnished. 1 bedroom. Cozy fireplace. Prime location close to downtown, trails and RMNP. Contact us at 970-779-7455
One-bedroom cottage with a loft, available for $1,075.00/month plus utilities. admin@glaciercreekinc.com
One bedroom, one bath, furnished cabin, $1600/month, includes utilities, no smoking, dog neg. Call Todd @ 970-581-8487
Charming 2-Bedroom/ 1 Bathroom Cabin for Rent – $2,000/Month + Utilities. Available October 1st! Cozy and convenient cabin located within walking distance to downtown Estes Park. This home is close to schools, the hospital, shopping, and dining — perfect for anyone wanting comfort with easy access to town. Large 1 acre parcel in town. Features include: Washer and dryer in unit. Bright living area with mountain charm. Walking and biking path. Contact (970) 586-1685 or admin@glaciercreekinc.com
Commercial Rentals
Office space/storage space for $575.00/month + utilities admin@glaciercreekinc.com
Expert Landscaping – 20 Years Experience From garden makeovers to custom outdoor spaces, I’ll bring your vision to life with quality and care. (970) 213-3102Orkin43@gmail.com
Sewing/Alterations
Remixed Custom Sewing Services. Small Furniture, Restoration, Outdoor and RV Cushions, and Commercial Upholstery. Call for appointment 970-492-5446
Piano Tuning
Susan Novy, local piano tuner. Call for appt. 577-1755 www.estesparkpiano tuner.com
Misc.
Almost new Toro Power Clear Snow Blower. Works great! $195. 970-231-4037
MISCELLANEOUS
Business
Seeking former McPhee Plumbing emplyees who worked in the Estes Park area between 1987-1993. Please contact Erica Wilson at 314-803-3096.
REAL ESTATE
Homes
****OPEN HOUSE 10.11.25
11 A.M. - 3 P.M. **** ENJOY SWEEPING VIEWS, PEACE & PRIVACY FROM ALL LEVELS OF THIS GRAND VICTORIAN CASTLE BATHED IN SUNSHINE. Open, spacious floor plan. Immaculate condition. Quality construction and finishes. Quick & easy access - only 1 mi. to Hwy. 36. Fenced yard+dog shower+predator-proof kennel for dog lovers. Protected hot tub. Cellular + high-speed internet. 4-CAR GARAGE + RV PARKING ON FLAT, CONCRETE DRIVEWAY. Backup generator and backup cistern for water storage. OUTSTANDING VALUE WITH 4834 sq. ft! 3 beds + 3 baths. $1,249,000. 60 Chieftain Court, Lyons, CO 80540 303-444-2224
Commercial Spaces for sale and lease. Call Eric.
Anderson Realty. 586-2950
Commercial SALES
Garage Sales
MEGA GARAGE SALE, 1 DAY ONLY!
Sunday 10/12 9am - 4pm
Household goods, electronics, rugs, electric bike, 10x10 pop up canopy, tons of clothing, winter coats, jackets and shoes - plus sizes! 288 Sunny Acres Ct, Estes Park, 80517 (Fall River Village Resort)
Estate Sales
ESTATE/MOVING SALE
Need to have one, but seems overwhelming. We do the work, you make the $. Local, Affordable, References. CALL JUDI 970-215-5548
Misc. Sales
Moving/Downsizing Sale
Saturday, October 11, 9am - 3pm 1901 Ptarmigan Trail, Apt 106, Estes Park Off Dry Gulch Rd., Good Samaritan Main Building, main entrance, main floor. Cookware and kitchen gadgets, furniture, decor.
Moving Sale Fri & Sat 10 to 6 2420 Big Owl Rd, Allenspark
Legal Notices
NOTICE TO CREDITORS
Estate of Karen Lewis McClure, Deceased Case Number 2025PR30546
All persons having claims against the above-named estate are required to present them to the Personal Representative or to the District Court of Larimer County, Colorado on or before February 10, 2026, or the claims may be forever barred. John Rannells Howell, Personal Representative c/o Enichen Law Office, LLC 885 Arapahoe Avenue Boulder, CO 80302
Notice is hereby given to the following parties that their personal items stored at Estes Park Storage, 1210 Woodstock Dr, Estes Park, CO 80517, will be sold or disposed of unless claimed prior to October 24th, 2025.
Unit 102Teresa Townsend Date of Redemption: October 24, 2025
Notice is hereby given to the following parties that their personal items stored at Estes Park Storage, 1210 Woodstock Dr, Estes Park, CO 80517 will be sold or disposed of unless claimed prior to October 25, 2025.
Unit 205Lourie Zipf Date of Redemption: October 25, 2025
PROFESSIONAL BUSINESS BUILDER
Northern Arboristry Tree Service/ Removal, Firewood, Cleanouts and Chainsaw Shop!
Chris Lowe 970-815-4252 northernarboristry@gmail.com
BARBER SHOP
Gale Baniak - Owner/Barber Racheal Giroux - Barber
970-586-2000 • 415 W. Elkhorn Ave. 100 feet North of the Bighorn Restaurant No Appointment Necessary (for straight razor shaves only)
880 Dunraven Ste B Estes Park, CO 80517 Matthew P. Heffernan heffwesi@live.com 970-480-5403
