Wild company at coffee time. David Kempkes sent us this amazing photo of a bobcat and said, “You never know who’s watching you drink your morning coffee.”
Photo by David Kempkes
5,400 copies were printed this week, and distributed FREE to hundreds of Estes Valley locations including Allenspark, Glen Haven, & Lyons. A National Online Audience With Loyal Local Readership
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Street Improvements On Steamer Parkway, Big Boulder Drive, & Matthew Circle Began Sept. 2nd
The Town of Estes Park’s contractor, Coulson Excavating, will complete several street improvement projects in September and October. The projects include extensive work on Steamer Parkway in September, paving of Big Boulder Drive in late September, and reconstruction of Matthew Circle in October. Local access will be maintained during the projects, but there may be short durations when access to a driveway is not possible. Please drive with caution and follow the guidance of any traffic control flaggers who may be on site.
Construction of Steamer Parkway will consist of installing new concrete curb and gutter, removal of existing pavement, new asphalt surface and pavement markings. Traffic disruption will be minimal during concrete repairs with lane shifts and short duration flagging operations during lane closures. Traffic patterns will shift to full lane closures during milling and paving operations with two-way travel maintained under flagging operations. Access to local businesses will be maintained during construction, to the extent possible. During paving, there may be short durations when access to a driveway is not possible.
Big Boulder Drive paving operations are anticipated to take two days to complete, and local traffic will be allowed to access
the neighborhood at all times.
The Matthew Circle project will consist of full pavement removal, base treatment, concrete curb and gutter, and new asphalt surface. This street will be closed to through traffic during construction, but local access will be maintained for residents of the neighborhood.
Working hours for all street improvement projects will be 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. from Monday through Friday. No projects are expected to result in full road closures, but lane closures and local detours will be necessary to complete the work. Please drive with caution and follow the guidance of any traffic control flaggers on site. These projects are part of the Town’s Street Improvement Program, which aims to maintain the Town-managed street system in good condition, with a Pavement Condition Index of 80. The plan receives its funding from the 1% sales tax approved by voters in 2024 and includes extensive preventative maintenance that will preserve good road conditions throughout the Town.
For more information on the Town’s Street Improvements Program, including a project map and regular updates, please visit estes.org/stip or contact Town Engineer Trevor Wittwer at 970-577-3724 or twittwer@estes.org.
Additional Options Available For Water Fill Station During Scottish Irish Highland Festival Closure
Based on concerns we have heard from community members as the scheduled temporary closure of Community Drive for the Scottish Irish Highland Festival nears, the following options will now be available for water filling needs September 4th-7th
•Thursday, September 4th: Community Drive water fill station will be open to the public all day.
•Friday, September 5th: 1360 Brook Drive Water Shop will be open noon to 4 p.m.; Community Drive water fill station
will be open from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.
• Saturday, September 6th: 1360 Brook Drive Water Shop will be open noon to 4 p.m.; Community Drive water fill station will be open from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.
• Sunday, September 7th: 1360 Brook Drive Water Shop will be open noon to 4 p.m.; Community Drive water fill station will be permanently reopened by 7 p.m.
Thank you for your understanding. Please reach out to the Town of Estes Park Water Division at 970-577-3626 with any questions.
Community Invited To Provide Feedback On Development Code Update
Next Open House is September 20th; Online survey open through September 22nd The process of updating the Estes Park Development Code continues with more opportunities to get involved. The Town and its selected consultant, Design Workshop, have completed a comprehensive review of the Development Code to identify areas in need of updating. These updates aim to ensure the Development Code reflects community values, supports the Comprehensive Plan’s vision, and guides future development in a way that preserves Estes Park’s unique character and sense of place.
The focus areas identified by the project team were shared with the community at an Open House in June. Residents were invited to provide feedback on potential code updates. Anyone who could not attend is encouraged to visit estes.org/devcodeprocess to review the same materials and provide feedback by contacting the team and taking the online survey, which is open through September 22nd. Additionally, a second Open House will take place Saturday, September 20th, from 9 a.m. until 11 a.m. in the cafeteria at the Estes Park Middle School, 1500 Manford Ave, to provide another opportunity to review the materials presented at the June Open House. A light breakfast and drinks will be provided. The project team will also be in town September 10th and 11th at various times and locations, including the Estes Valley Farmers Market. For more information on the process, please visit estes.org/devcodeprocess or email the project team at devcode@estes.org.
Annual Meadow Closures In Place For Elk Rut Season In RMNP
Beginning on Monday, September 1st, annual meadow closures went into effect in Rocky Mountain National Park to prevent the disturbance and harassment of elk during their fall mating season. Meadow closures are also in place for safety and enjoyment of park visitors who are enjoying wildlife viewing during the elk rut season. Meadow closures will be in place between the hours of 5 p.m. to 10 a.m. Areas that are closed include meadow areas in Horseshoe Park, Upper Beaver Meadows, Moraine Park, Harbison Meadow and Holzwarth Meadow. During the specified hours, these meadow areas will be closed to all travel on foot or via horseback off established roads and trails. Meadow closures will remain in effect through Oc-
tober 31st, 2025.
Fishing locations along the Fall River, Thompson River, and Colorado River that are accessed by walking through closed meadow areas are closed to fishing between the hours of 5 p.m. to 7 a.m.
Wildlife viewing is one of the most popular activities that visitors enjoy each fall. Keep your distance and view wildlife with respect. When viewing elk keep back at least 75 feet (23 m). This is the length of two school buses. It is our responsibility to keep our distance. Don’t keep approaching wildlife until they react to you. As always, elk calling and the use of spotlights or vehicle headlights for spotting wildlife is prohibited within Rocky Mountain National Park.
Estes Park Housing Authority Announces Strategic Acquisition Agreement For 830 Moraine Avenue
The Estes Park Housing Authority (EPHA) is pleased to announce that it has executed a purchase and sale agreement to acquire 830 Moraine Avenue, currently operated as Tiny Town Cabins.
The EPHA Board of Directors and staff are excited to begin formal due diligence on this site, which they believe offers significant opportunity to expand the available housing stock in the Estes Valley. This
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 August 24th, 2025, the Estes Valley Fire Protection District (EVFPD) responded to 25 calls for service. This included:
• Emergency Medical (assist EPH): 3
• Alarm Activation: 6
On August 21st, police were called to 407 Driftwood Avenue. On scene they contacted a 25-year-old male and charged him with prohibited use of weapons and reckless endangerment. He was arrested and transported to the Larimer County Jail.
On August 22nd, police were called to
potential acquisition represents a strategic step forward in EPHA’s long-term vision to address local housing needs.
This extended purchase and sale agreement is not expected to close until fall 2026.
Questions may be directed to Scott Moulton, Executive Director, via email at smoulton@estes.org or by phone at 970591-2537.
• Possible Illegal Burn: 1
• Smoke Investigation: 2
• Odor Investigation: 3
• Gas Leak: 2
• Elevator Rescue: 1
• Assist: 1
• Wildland Fire - Unfounded: 1
• Structure Fire: 1
• MVA (Motor Vehicle Accident): 3
• Rescue: 1 estesvalleyfire.org
1766 Lower Broadview. On scene they contacted a 35-yearold female and served her with a warrant for a traffic misdemeanor. She was arrested and transported to a jail facility. The charge(s) are merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
Photo by P. Baker RMNP
Kurtis Kelly Presents Al Birch & Tour Of The Birch Ruins & Cabin
This Thursday, September 4th at 2 p.m., Estes Park Museum Members are invited to attend a special program featuring local storyteller and reenactor Kurtis Kelly as he presents the story of Al Birch. Kelly will portray the newspaper editor and local character as he brings this piece of Estes Park history to life in the Museum meeting room. Following the indoor re-enactment at the Museum, attendees are invited to an outdoor tour of the Birch Ruins and Cabin at the Centennial Open Space at Knoll-Willows. Members and their plus ones are invited to join us for one or both portions of the program.
Following the performance, the Museum Staff-led tour will begin at 3:30 p.m. near the Enos Mills statue in Bond Park. The tour portion of the program will discuss the history of the site, including the fire that destroyed the bungalow, and the growth and development of Estes Park. Members and their plus ones will have the opportunity to explore inside the Birch Cabin and Ruins to view structural details and compare the cur-
rent site with historic images for greater insight into this local landmark. Good walking shoes, sun protection, and a water bottle are recommended for the tour. For information regarding paid parking, please visit estes.org/parking. Free parking is available along MacGregor Avenue and at the parking structure near the Estes Park Visitor Center.
For over two decades, Kurtis Kelly’s firstperson portrayals of historical legends have thrilled and educated audiences of all ages. Through the magic of live storytelling, his one-man shows awaken the past, drawing upon thoughtfully-crafted and factually-accurate story arcs.
Become a member today with a donation as low as $35 which can be made online at estes.org/museum-friends or in person at the Museum. The Museum gallery is open Wednesday – Saturday, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. For more information regarding membership, please email Jeanna Edwards at jedwards@estes.org.
Estes Park Museum Match Campaign A Success!
The Estes Park Museum Friends & Foundation, Inc. and Estes Park Museum want to thank the 39 donors who contributed to the 2025 Match Campaign. The campaign raised $14,555, marking a rousing success!
A private donor gave $7,000 to support the most current and pressing opportunities for the Museum through this general fund campaign match. Museum members and supporters stepped up, giving $7,555 in less than one month to support the campaign. These donations will be used to continue Museum successes in community education programs, exhibitions, collections care, and
staffing. Each charitable donation had twice the impact during the campaign, and the support is greatly appreciated!
The remarkable response to this campaign displays the financial commitment the community has in aiding the success of the Estes Park Museum. This endeavor is necessary for the Estes Park Museum Friends & Foundation, Inc. in achieving their mission to support the Museum through fundraising and advocacy.
Thank you to all who helped reach the goal and made the 2025 campaign a success!
Make Conservation Your Career: Explore Job Opportunities At Colorado Parks & Wildlife
Do you enjoy working with the public and protecting Colorado’s landscapes and wildlife? Join our team at Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW). Get your boots dirty with us and protect 43 worldclass state parks, 350 wildlife areas, more than 960 wildlife species and 23 million acres of public lands. At CPW, we're not just hiring State Park Officers and District Wildlife Managers. We're looking for passionate individuals who will play a vital role in our mission to perpetuate the state's wildlife resources and provide quality parks and outdoor opportunities for all.
who do well on the oral panels will complete a polygraph exam and physical fitness test between October 29th and November 5th. The final Executive Management Interviews will be November 5th-6th. Interested in learning more about becoming a
CPW Officer? Join us on Zoom on Thursday, September 11th, 2025, at 6:30 p.m. for a Hiring Webinar and Q&A about the hiring process. Please note that there is no in-person option. Registration online is required.
Applications are live now through September 30th, 2025 for CPW District Wildlife Manager Trainee and CPW Park Ranger Trainee.
CPW staff will send links to the written exam, writing prompt and background check materials to applicants shortly after the application period closes. The next step for those who score well on the written exams is participating in an online oral panel hosted from October 15th-17th. Those
“Our staff often describe their careers with us as a dream job. The work is deeply meaningful, as CPW staff are dedicated to conserving Colorado's lands, waters and wildlife. Every day is unique, filled with new and exciting opportunities that help keep our landscapes healthy and our wildlife thriving, and that support the outdoor lifestyle we cherish,” said Law Enforcement Training Manager Tyler Sewald.
To learn more about becoming an officer, visit cpw.state.co.us/careers.
Ribbon Cutting Celebrates Restoration Of Timber Creek Campground Amphitheater In RMNP
Timber Creek Campground Amphitheater on the west side of Rocky Mountain National Park (RMNP) welcomed visitors to free ranger-led programs this season after significant repairs and upgrades took place this year, thanks to a $25,000 gift from Rocky Mountain Conservancy. A ribbon-cutting ceremony was held on August 14th to celebrate the improvements, which allowed for the return of ranger-led evening programs that have been on hold since 2020.
Before the COVID-19 pandemic and the East Troublesome Fire, the amphitheater welcomed visitors each summer to learn from park rangers about wildlife, ecology, and the park’s history. When the East Troublesome fire hit Rocky in the fall of 2020, 22 beds of seasonal housing burned, forcing park staff to commute from as far as Winter Park—an hour
away. Long travel times, coupled with the pandemic, brought most Timber Creek Campground evening programs to a halt for four summers. In that time, the amphitheater saw little use and regular upkeep declined, eventually contributing to Rocky Mountain National Park’s $233 million maintenance backlog. While seasonal staff housing was being rebuilt, Rocky Mountain Conservancy stepped in to move repairs to the amphitheater forward.
“From their inception in national park campgrounds, these ranger-led programs are at the heart of the National Park Service’s mission,” said RMNP Superintendent Gary Ingram. “Due to Rocky Mountain Conservancy’s support and the work of dedicated and talented park staff, we were able to complete this project at a faster pace than if we were to go at it
alone.”
The recent repairs and upgrades include:
• Replacing lights, fixtures, outlets, and 130 feet of rotted walkway handrails
• Repairing sections of the retaining wall, stage rockwork, capstone mortar, and rotted purlins
• Repainting accessible parking spaces, visitor seating, and restrooms
• Installing a steel fire ring
• Repairing rodent damage in support buildings
The work, completed by RMNP Facilities and Interpretation teams, ensures visitor safety, accessibility, and readiness for new programming. In 2026, the teams will also purchase and install new A/V equipment at the amphitheater.
Chris Berry, agent for Simcha Rudolph’s
added:
“Education is so important and is such a key part of the National Park Service mission, and Simcha would be proud to support such a project where families and individuals can come together to learn more about Rocky Mountain National Park.”
With the amphitheater restored, Friday and Saturday night ranger programs returned this summer, engaging 120-130 visitors each weekend in the heart of the park’s mission to inspire, educate, and connect people with the natural world.
The Conservancy’s funding ensured that these repairs happened now—before small issues became costly future challenges—while giving visitors and rangers alike a safe, vibrant gathering space to share the park’s stories for years to come.
Charitable Fund whose donation made the repairs possible,
Experience The Exciting Elk Rut With Rocky Mountain Conservancy
Rocky Mountain Conservancy’s Field Institute is offering “Fall Color Elk Tours in Rocky Mountain National Park” on multiple dates in September and early October. During this time, elk descend from the alpine tundra to montane meadows for the rut, their annual mating season. The rut is a display of elk mating behavior such as bull elks bugling, posturing, and herding to compete for mating rights with a cow herd. Paired with the yellows and golds of fall foliage, these natural wonders will be available for viewing from the comfort of the Conservancy’s 14-passenger minibus.
Knowledgeable guides who lead each tour will discuss elk ecology, interpret elk behavior, and share elk artifacts such as antlers and hides for participants to see and touch. Lasting about 2.5 hours, this tour will have several stops, depending on where elk are gathering.
Participants can step off the bus at each
stop to take photos. Some stops may include a short walk over unpaved ground to maximize viewing opportunities. ADA accessible transportation is available upon request.
To register for upcoming elk ecology tours, go to RMConservancy.org/events. All required fees and permits for park entry are included in the registration fee. Since 1931, Rocky Mountain Conservancy has been the official philanthropic partner of Rocky Mountain National Park, supporting the park and other nearby public lands in various ways. Through generous member and donor support, the Conservancy funds research projects, trail restoration projects, search and rescue efforts, and education programs in the park. Committed to its mission of promoting stewardship and education in the park, the Conservancy has been providing field-based, hands-on Field Institute courses for 63 years.
EP NEWS/ Kris Hazelton
September Quilt Guild Meeting
The next Estes Valley Quilt Guild meeting is Wednesday, September 10th You're out and about shopping for your next quilt project but wouldn't it be great if your fabric stash and pattern collection could come with you? Join Tammy Carlson, IT technologist and quilter, as she explores the quilting and sewing apps to help you manage your fabric, patterns, and notions. Learn how to sort, search, complement, and create with what you already have.
Don’t forget your Show-and-Tell. First time visitors are free. The meeting begins at 6:45 p.m., but come early to visit with your quilting friends.
The location is Mountain Bible Fellowship Church, 1575 South St Vrain Ave.
I fought the dog and the dog won. That’s what happened last Thursday when I was walking Chance, the most adorable dog on the planet.
Chance is not fond of most big dogs. He’s been attacked more than once, to the degree that we’ve twice had to take him to the emergency vet to treat his wounds. So when he saw a big dog on a leash and her owner walking toward us, he wanted to run to get out of harm’s way. And so we ran. But that got the big dog riled up. She broke free of her leash and chased after us.
From experience Joe and I have figured out that when Chance is scared, we simply pick up all 22 pounds of him and the fear goes away. In this instance, I tried to scoop up Chance while simultaneously sticking my foot in the face of Big Dog to keep her away. Travis Kelce would have made this look effortless. But me? The best laid plan laid me flat on my back. Only not flat because I fell on a gully of very sharp, hard rock. There was nothing flat about that craggy ravine. Just ask my phone.
have endearing accents and their reading style is absolutely delightful! I’m 34% of the way through and it is quickly becoming one of my favorite books). I had no idea what appointments I had lined up. I needed a new phone NOW.
Thank goodness I have a laptop at home. I researched online for a replacement, but I am leaving town in a few days and was afraid if I ordered one online it wouldn’t arrive in time, so the next day I went to the Apple store. That’s like landing on another planet where they speak Appleese, a language very foreign to my tongue. I bought the cheapest phone Apple sells in the store ($599), spent two hours with an Apple specialist, and came home with a phone bigger than I wanted, more expensive than I wanted, and a long way from being fully functional.
Oh, never mind. My phone, which was in my back pocket, was shattered. The biggest puncture wound went through the front glass and out the back of the device. My fall was no gentle tumble. This was bumps and scrapes and swelling and bruises.
Chance wriggled and struggled to get away from Big Dog until her owner eventually called her off. Once the antagonist was back with her owner, I was again upright and able to pick up Chance and look him over. Our little guy seemed to be free of injury. I acted like I was too. I brushed myself off and said I was fine. I tried to walk away without limping.
But when I rounded the next corner I stopped to assess the damage. That’s when I discovered my phone did not survive the tussle. Now the real pain began.
I couldn’t call. I couldn’t text or email. The only way to get a weather report was to look up at the sky. My steps weren’t getting counted and my GPS disappeared into a directionless black hole. I couldn’t listen to my current book (The One Hundred Years of Lenni and Margot by Marianne Cronin. I highly recommend the audio version. The narrators
I adored my iPhone 12 mini and would have replaced it with the exact same phone but Apple discontinued that model. It easily fit in my pocket, its Bluetooth connected with all my other Blueteeth, and all my passwords worked. My new phone is too tall to fit in my pocket, it doesn’t come with a charger, and of course the port is different than the port on the 12 mini so I had to get all new charger boxes and cords. I had to get a new case and screen protector sheets, Bluetooth is not connecting with my hearing aids, and my credit card app won’t respond to face recognition. That’s just for starters.
With a few more hours with an Apple specialist on the phone, a visit or two to the Genius Bar in the store, and some time with a hearing aid technician, I’ll be up and running again. The swelling in my ankle is going down, the scrapes on my back itch like crazy which means I’m healing (there’s just one twinge on my spine that I feel when I lift heavy objects), nobody can see the big purple bruise on my behind and I can easily sew up the hole in the seat of my pants.
The best part is that, although he’s a little clingy after the unfortunate Big Dog encounter, Chance seems to be healthy and happy. That’s what matters most. You may let The Thunker know what you think at her e-mail address, donoholdt@gmail.com.
This screen protector is all that’s left of my phone.
Estes Chamber Welcomes New Board Members: Kelly Kessler & Devin Jacobs
By: Estes Chamber of Commerce
“For the past several weeks, the Chamber has been reviewing applications to select two new Board members to fill vacancies left by term limits,” said President Colleen DePasquale.
“We are always thrilled to find passionate business leaders who bring unique perspectives to the Board, and a desire to lead and grow,” said Chamber Board Chair Keith Pearson. “Those qualities, among others, allow our Chamber to design and deliver the best possible support and experiences to help all our local businesses thrive,” he added.
Board Member Kelly Kessler is the Owner of Estes Park Ride-A-Kart. Kelly is a proud Estes Park native with deep roots in the community. She and her husband, Andrew, are third-generation owners of Estes Park Ride-A-Kart, now finishing their fourth summer of welcoming locals and visitors alike to enjoy classic mountain-town fun. In addition to running the family business, Kelly works full-time as a Data Engineer at Key Data Dashboard, a global leader in short-term vacation rental
Estes Valley Community Garden Is At Its Peak!
The garden is at its peak!
The sunflowers are tossing their heads in the breeze as they peek over the fence!
The ground squirrels have mostly left off raiding the garden and leaving holes. The irrigation is working perfectly at last!
analytics. Her work provides actionable data to property managers, destination marketing organizations, and media outlets around the world — including Visit Estes Park. Kelly’s professional background spans the hospitality and travel industries, with experience in revenue management and operations at Vail Resorts, Frontier Airlines, Expedia, and Wyndham Vacation Rentals. She holds dual master’s degrees — an MBA and a Master’s in Entrepreneurship — from the University of Colorado. Passionate about both business and community, Kelly balances her career with family life alongside Andrew, their 4year-old daughter Bryce, and their Great Dane–Mastiff–Pit Bull mix, Hallett (named after the iconic peak in Rocky Mountain National Park). In her free time, she enjoys camping, skiing (both snow and water), golfing, and hiking in the mountains she calls home.
Board Member Devin Jacobs is the owner and general contractor of Alpine Construction. His company specializes in new construction and restoration of custom homes in Estes Park.
The GREEN is everywhere in the plots. From chard to lettuce! From turnip greens to pea vines! There is an explosion of green-ness that just makes you feel happy to look at it.
We have an open door at the Commu-
nity Garden. You are welcome to stroll or sit in the garden until you have your fill of the delights here!
Please do not take anything from the private plots. These separate little concentrated plots are there because of someone’s hard work. Look but don’t touch!
We will be rebuilding and improving more of the plots this fall when the harvest is done.
Then all the plots will have fresh lumber and be good for another ten years.
Thanks to all the people that make this garden so alive.
Staying Connected In Paradise: Why Fiber Internet Matters For Local Businesses
You’ve got the menu, the atmosphere, the loyal customers—or maybe the cozy rooms, the packed events calendar, or the smooth online ordering system. In other words: you’re already having a successful season. But in today’s world, great service isn’t just about what’s on the plate or how comfy the bed is—it’s also about the connection (yes, the WiFi kind).
As the summer pace slows after Elk Fest and the town catches its breath, it’s the perfect time to reflect on what worked and what’s worth upgrading before next season. One upgrade that continues to stand out for local businesses? Fiber internet.
A Quick Reality Check: Vacationers Want Fast Internet, Too
Even in a destination as stunning as Estes Park, travelers look for reliable high-speed internet. Guests committed to “unplugging” still want the peace of mind of checking in with family or work before they truly relax. And those who aren’t quite as unplugged? They’re thrilled to discover they can stream,
Zoom, or upload vacation photos without a hitch—sometimes even staying a few extra days because they realize they can work from paradise. That’s where fiber internet becomes a hidden gem for your business: it keeps guests happy, connected, and coming back.
Why Fiber is a Game-Changer for Local Businesses
1. Keeping Guests Connected and Coming Back
In a tourist town, the guest experience is everything. Fiber internet means vacation photos upload in seconds, streaming is smooth, and video chats home happen without interruptions. Happy, connected guests leave better reviews, extend their stays, and add your business to their annual “mustvisit” list.
2. Hospitality Entertainment, Supercharged
Already using a managed technology solution, streaming services for businesses (similar to DirecTV or DISH for Business). Pair your entertainment services with fiber, and suddenly your hotel guests enjoy crystal-clear HD channels, your sports bar streams multiple games without hiccups, and your lobby TVs look professional and seamless.
3. Seamless Service at Peak Times
bandwidth and dedicated lines keep everything running smoothly: Point of Sale (POS) systems process quickly, reservations update instantly, and livestreams don’t glitch.
4. Staying Visible Year-Round
Tourist season may end, but your digital presence never sleeps. Fiber helps you
booking systems, fiber’s speed and reliability keep you ahead of the curve so you’re ready to roll when the crowds return.
The Bottom Line
Estes Park will always draw visitors for the views, wildlife, and outdoor adventures. But in today’s world, even the most
keep your website updated, send newsletters, and run marketing campaigns with ease. Fast, reliable internet keeps you connected to past and future guests alike.
5. Future-Proofing Your Business
Summer crowds mean every device is fighting for bandwidth—guests, staff, payment systems, you name it. Fiber’s massive
The off-season is planning season. Whether you’re scouting vendors, learning hospitality trends, or upgrading your
breathtaking destinations need reliable connectivity to match. With fiber internet, your business can keep guests happy, boost repeat visits, and stay competitive season after season.
Learn more or sign up at trailblazerbroadband.com or by calling 970-577-3770.
Mid-Year Financial Report From Estes Park Health Shows Improvements To Keep Revenues At Projected Budget Levels
This week, Interim Chief Financial Officer Pamela Serbin-Olson presented the year-to-date financials through the second quarter of 2025 at the Park Hospital District finance committee meeting on Tuesday, August 26th and the regular board of directors meeting on Thursday, August 28th
Estes Park Health is on-target with their patient service revenue budget goal for year-to-date in 2025 of $28.7 million, a $1 million increase over June of 2024 and $2.2 million above June of 2023.
“The revenue numbers are exactly where we should be for this point in the fiscal year,” said Serbin-Olson. “I am pleased to see the increase in year-over-year figures of $1.067 million or 3.9% over 2024.”
Serbin-Olson, however, indicated that expense management needs to be a priority for the remainder of the year. Currently, Estes Park Health is only 2.5% over budget for operating expenses. The position reflects good management of expenses for maintenance, repairs, insurance, and supplies, which are all under budget.
Where the well-managed figures get offset are in the categories of professional fees and purchased services, and utilities.
A significant portion of the over-budget professional fees are related to under budgeted legal expenses to prepare for the affiliation with UCHealth and an extensive number of responses and legal proceedings connected to Colorado Open Records Act requests.
The excess in purchased services reflects the need to hire temporary nursing staff and locum physicians to fill in for vacancies in the first half of the year. These openings do not reflect anything within the organization but rather the loss of several employees who had family and personal changes that resulted in a move from Estes Park.
After reporting that the hospital was $353,000 under budget at the May meeting, Serbin-Olson updated the group to indicate that the operating loss is unfavorable to budget by $789,000 for the year.
“Overall, EPH is on target with our revenue budget year-to-date for 2025,” said Serbin-Olson. “However, we need to continue to focus on expense management. We have a favorable cash on-hand figure, which increased two days year-over-year. And days in receivables also improved by ten days year-over-year.”
Recent articles have reflected inaccurate information about the financial condition of the hospital and the capital projects being worked on at the facility. EPH shared the hospital was under budget by $353,000 through May 2025, not the $1.45 million reported.
The firewall project under the capital projects list of priorities is not a computer project but rather a building project to reclassify walls that no longer need the firewall rating or need to be upgraded to accommodate changes within the facility since original construction of areas of the
hospital. This project became priority, and thus bumped a couple of other projects down on the list, as part of the preparation for closing with UCHealth later this year.
One of those projects is the replacement of the hospital roof. EPH CEO Vern Carda noted at the PHD board meeting on Thursday that the roof project is still a priority and estimates are currently being obtained. The projected date for the project is to start in May 2026 so the estimated four-month project can be completed before weather becomes a hinderance.
Overall, EPH CEO Vern Carda feels the hospital is in an excellent position for this point in the year. With recognition of managing expenses in professional fees and contract labor, Carda is optimistic that the year can continue to stay on course to achieve budget.
He also noted at the board meeting that the affiliation process is progressing, with UCHealth looking at the processes to transition PTO days, counterpart staff members on both sides beginning conversations about their work requirements, and completing the request to update resumes in the hospital HR system. In addition to budget numbers, staffing data shows better-than-average turnover rates when compared to industry standards. As shared in the special public meeting with hospital employees, leaders and physicians and the Park Hospital District Board of Directors on August 21st, Human Resources Manager Anna Lipasek stated that the staff turnover rate at EPH is 11.11% for 2025, when including PRNs (or as-needed staff), and 12.09% without PRNs. The health care industry average is 20.7%.
“Many of the people leaving EPH are voluntary terminations, with 9.72% of the 11.11% figure representing employees choosing to leave,” said Lipasek when asked to clarify the figures she presented last week. “Most of the reasons they leave include benefits being too expensive, a difficult cost of living in Estes Park and the choice to no longer drive the long distance to get to work.”
Two resolutions that were tabled at the August 21st special board meeting were also voted on at the August 28th board meeting. The resolution to not make any changes in or to evaluate senior executives at Estes Park Health prior to the completion of the affiliation with UCHealth passed, while the resolution to update the process of PHD Directors working directly with EPH staff rather than through the appropriate officer positions, as the current guidance states, has been tabled indefinitely.
The next Park Hospital District board meeting will be held in-person and online on Thursday, September 25th at 5:30 p.m. Register for the meeting at eph.org/about-us/board-ofdirectors/meeting-information-revised.
249 West Elkhorn Ave. • Near The Water Wheel
Respiratory Illnesses Are On The Rise: Sign Up For A Flu Vaccine Today
will also ask if you have been in any of these situations or are symptomatic. They can supply you and anyone accompanying you with a free mask to help prevent the spread of the germs.
The calendar has barely flipped into September and cases of flu and COVID-19 are already starting to climb in Colorado.
Estes Park Health asks that you please be considerate of your fellow neighbors and community members to help prevent the spread of respiratory conditions. If you are feeling ill, have a cough or have been in contact with someone who is COVID or flu positive in the last seven days or had a fever in the last two days, please wear a mask when at Estes Park Health and the Urgent Care Center.
When you come in for your appointment, please mention if any of these situations apply to you.
In addition, the registration team
If your visit to the hospital is for a routine, non-urgent appointment, consider calling your provider to see if your appointment can be rescheduled to a later date to protect the health of the patients and staff.
In preparation for the arrival of the flu season, Estes Park Health now has flu vaccines available. To schedule an appointment to receive a flu vaccine, contact the physician clinic at 970586-2200.
Flu and COVID vaccine clinics will also be scheduled in September and October. Please stay tuned to the Estes Park Health website (eph.org) and Facebook page for information about dates and the indications for who should receive the COVID booster. For more information or have questions, please contact the UCHealth triage line at 719-444-2273.
Flu season has arrived. Appointments for flu vaccines are now being scheduled at Estes Park Health.
Photo by Wendy Rigby/Estes Park Health
American Legion Post 119 Has Irrigation & New Landscaping Thanks To The Village Thrift Shop
Thanks to the Village Thrift Shop’s generous grants over the past two years, American Legion Post 119 (located at the corner of Highways 36 and 7) upgraded their landscaping. They installed a new irrigation system in their outdoor patio area and created a safer viewing area next to the Honor Wall. Along Highway 7, they planted numerous potentilla bushes which further enhanced the Legion’s welcoming atmosphere.
Come check out their outdoor patio and landscaping as well as the newly renovated Tavern at the Legion. They are open to the public so enjoy a meal and a beverage and stay a while.
Thank you Village Thrift Shop! The Legion and the Village Thrift Shop have proven time and time again that they are committed to helping veterans and the supportive community thrive.
Next ELSA Monitored Weed Drop-Off
Saturday, September 20th
Noxious weeds are once again having a banner year, so keep removing and bagging these invaders. Removing and bagging flowers and seed heads will help curtail your weed population next year. Time and persistence will give native plants a better chance!
The next Monitored Weed Drop-off will be held September 20th from 9 a.m. to noon at 380 Community Drive (west of the pickleball courts). No early birds or illegal drop-offs; follow the signs. Do not block traffic on Community Drive. Estes Land Stewardship Association (ELSA) volunteers will be on hand to answer weed questions and direct traffic flow.
of weeds.
Bring in your weeds – no slash, pine needles, cones, dirt, trash – in paper yard bags for free disposal. Please remove/shake off dirt from plant roots. Excessive weight of wet weeds and dirt is a safety hazard for our volunteers. Only bag flowers and seed heads rather than entire plants.
Read our weekly Estes Valley’s Weed Alert articles (published April through September in the EP News) to help identify invasive plants and manage seed producing plant parts for disposal.
If you want ELSA to continue to sponsor these events, please adhere to the guidelines. Owning property in the Estes Valley can be challenging and different! Bagging mature weeds this time of year is not ideal weed management and not how you want to spend your time. Be proactive – learn your native plants and manage the invasive plants in a timely manner with a weed management specialist if you don’t have the time, energy, or expertise to manage your property. A list of weed management specialists who can help is available at larimer.org/naturalresources/weeds/applicators. Also, refer to the information and Helpful Documents at estes.org/weeds.
This is the final Monitored Weed Drop-Off for the season. These events are being made possible with the support from Estes Land Stewardship Association, the Town of Estes Park, Larimer County Natural Resources, Estes Valley Land Trust, and donations.
Weeds and trash can be disposed of year-around at Waste Management for a fee. Bags of non-weed materials or native plants will not be accepted at this event. Paper yard bags are available for purchase at local hardware stores. We had a good turnout on August 16th and collected over 315 bags
Twenty Ob-Noxious Weeds in the Estes Valley weed booklets are available year around at Ace Hardware, Estes Valley Library, and estes.org/weeds. Estes Land Stewardship Association (ELSA) meets the first Thursday of the month (February, March, April, & November) at 9:30 a.m. in the George Hix Room at US Bank (March and April) and at the Parks Department office (November and February). The next meeting is November 6th.
For more information about ELSA, contact elsa.weeds@gmail.com.
Even the elk appreciate it!
A "Crowning" Cancer Achievement
There are few words more life-altering than "you've got cancer." However, here in Estes Park through generous contributions to the Rooftop Rodeo "Crowns for the Care" campaign, breast, lung, colon, and prostate cancer screenings for under-insured and uninsured residents will be possible. The Rodeo campaign was a life-saving success raising $133,497.36! The Estes Park philanthropic organization "100 Women Who Care" is proud to have gifted a significant portion of that total with a donation of $9,450. "100 Women Who Care" applaud that when breast cancer, for example, is detected early, the five-year survival rate is 99%!
"100 Women Who Care" will be hosting their fall meeting at the Kissing Moose Cafe at 800 Moraine Avenue on September 18th from 5 to 6 p.m. During the meeting three local nonprofits will be highlighted and the member-
ship will vote to determine which organization will receive that evening's donations.
Five years ago four local women got together to organize the local "100 Women" Chapter — a good beginning. Since then, with scores of women joining the Chapter, over $100,000 has been raised and donated to nonprofits in the Estes Valley. Wow! And the ensuing fellowship over dinner and refreshments after their meetings has brought Estes Park women of all ages, stages, professions, and interests together in friendship and a shared desire to "pay it forward."
New members and guests are always welcome at every meeting of "100 Women Who Care." For information about the September 18th meeting, contact Janet Collison at janet.collison@gmail.com.
Estes Park Chorale Starts New Season
The Estes Park Chorale, a mixed community chorus beginning its 55th season, will resume rehearsals starting on Wednesday, September 17th from 7 – 8:30 p.m.
Auditions aren’t required to sing in the Chorale, just a desire to sing and a
commitment to attend Wednesday rehearsals. Interested singers are invited to come to the first rehearsals and check us out. We rehearse at the Presbyterian Community Church of the Rockies, 1700 Brodie Ave.
Our first concert will be a Holiday Concert on Saturday, December 13th at 2 p.m.
More information on the organization and information on joining can be found at our website, estesparkchorale.com.
Bear Déjà Vu
can detect the ripe fruit from miles away. One of the most notable shrubs in Rocky Mountain National Park, chokecherries are a leafy perennial that produce small, single-seeded fruits similar to a cherry. Ripe in the late summer and early fall, they are a bear’s favorite during hyperphagia. Hyperphagia is a natural time for bears when they overeat intensely to gain body fat before winter hibernation.
On August 30th, 2022, I was in RMNP paying particular attention to areas
where I knew there were chokecherries. Watching one particular hillside, among the greens and chokecherry berries, I saw a reddish-brown hump appearing and disappearing only to reappear as it moved through the shrubs.
Excited, I realized it was a reddish phase black bear feasting on the chokecherries. As I exited my car, watching the bear’s movement, her head popped up, curious about the person down by the road. She watched me, and I watched her, my camera coming up.
Then she began meandering away, disappearing among the thick brush.
I scanned the area, almost jumping when I saw them. High in a giant ponderosa pine, two cubs slept peacefully on parallel tree branches. Looking back to where I had seen the mother bear, she emerged on the edge of the foliage, moving to the tree. Climbing up, she stopped below the cubs. From there, she stood, reaching her paws over a branch, and stared at me as if to say, “No closer.” Respectfully, I obliged.
Fast forward to August 27th, 2025, I was driving as I looked at the same band of chokecherries when a head appeared. Like a teddy bear on a bed, she looked reddish, soft, and fluffy feeding among the green leaves and red berries.
Then on the hill behind her, another, smaller bear…a cub running. The cub climbed onto a fallen tree, walking the beam like Simone Biles, and dismounted onto a bed of pine needles. I looked back to the mother bear where she sat upward and another cub appeared. Twins. Déjà vu.
All three moved toward the same giant tree that on August 30th, 2022, had been occupied by the black bear sow and her twins. I pulled my 600 mm prime lens from the back of my SUV, set up the tripod, and attached the camera. I moved up above the edge of the road, setting the camera in place and looked to find the bears once more.
Mother bear sat watching from the base of the ponderosa pine. Focusing the camera, I began to capture images from a significant distance away. She was calm, not moving. Light had begun to brighten her fur, the red highlighted to nearly blond. My shutter clicked silently as I captured the beautiful bear’s image.
I could feel it happening around me. Photographers, tourists, and people in awe of this special sighting began to gather. They knew my camera must be pointed at something, and as they saw the bear, the excitement in their whispers was evident. For the visitors, this would be the highlight of their vacation.
Then, seeing her coming head-first down the tree, I whispered, “A cub.” She
was followed by the second cub, and as mom watched protectively, they began to play. Wrestling, tussling, tumbling, and falling on each other, the cubs were a delight. My camera was in action. It was a unique and special moment in RMNP. With only an estimated thirty black bears in its 415 square mile land mass, spotting bears is rare. Photographing them at play was a moment a photographer dreamed of.
She was a beautiful and protective mother, watching us watch her as the cubs tumbled playfully behind her. Every now and then, curiosity would overcome their playfulness. The cubs would stop, stepping up beside their mother looking to see what she was watching.
That is when our cameras reacted, the mother and her cubs posing for pictures, smiling at the photographers. Portrait shots of a family on their best behavior. But that would only last a minute because bear cubs are like little kids. A small paw would reach for the other cub’s head, the other cub’s mouth opened as she reacted, and the tussle was back on.
Like kids, eventually, the cub’s play wore them out. They retreated up the tree to a large branch, sleeping protected. As they did, mother bear crossed her paws, laid her head on top, and began her own rest and recovery.
The cubs were safe, the people a good distance away, and she was weary. So at the bottom of the tree near the chokecherry shrubs, she slept. As she did, I stood from behind my camera, took a deep breath, and silently thanked her for sharing her family for just a bit of time.
By: Brad Manard
Black bears love chokecherries and with their powerful sense of smell they
Brad Manard
“Bon Voyage” To Dr. Juli Schneider
For nearly seven years, Dr. Juli Schneider has been primary care physician for many local residents, serving the community through dedicated and professional internal medicine. She has recently announced her resignation from Estes Park Health, and a community-wide party is being held this Saturday, September 6th, from 1 to 3 p.m. in the Estes Valley Community Center, lower-level meeting space. There will be food and beverages, and all of her patients, friends, and colleagues are invited to come and wish her “bon voyage” on the adventure she is planning. In a personal letter to her patients, Dr. Schneider wrote, “After my last day on September 4th, I will take some down time, then set off on a yearlong adventure of travel to at least 17 countries.” “I have decided,” she added, “to take a step back from medicine to see and experience the things that I otherwise wouldn’t until formal retirement, and before I may not be able to do so.”
Can We Count On You?
Cancer doesn’t wait, and neither should screening.
Beginning in October, the Estes Park Health Foundation will launch its Cancer Screening Fund, Powered by Your Generosity, to provide lifesaving screenings to under- and uninsured residents of the Estes Valley.
Thanks to strong community partnerships with Crossroads Ministry and The Bridge of Estes, barriers to care are being removed. If a mammogram or future cancer screening shows something that needs attention, additional support will be available through these partners, ensuring no one faces a diagnosis or the next steps alone.
This effort has two urgent calls to action:
• If you need help accessing a screening: Scan the application QR code to take the first step toward lifesaving care. Screenings begin in just weeks, and this program is here for you.
• If you can help make screenings possible for others: Scan the donation QR code and give to the Cancer
Screening Fund today. Every dollar goes directly to funding appointments for those who might otherwise go without.
Your generosity has the power to bring hope to neighbors who have waited far too long for care. Early detection saves lives, and your gift ensures cost is never a reason to delay. The need is here. The screenings are ready. The solution is you.
Can we count on you?
Donate today at givebutter.com/cancerscreeningfund or scan the QR codes to apply for help or make your gift. Together, we can ensure that every member of our community has access to lifesaving cancer screenings.
The Estes Park Health Foundation increases community awareness of Estes Park Health, and develops, manages, and distributes funds to assist EPH in fulfilling its mission. To learn more about their initiatives, volunteer or give, please contact them at GiveToEPH.org/donate or 970-577-4370.
Bossy Bladder & Bowel
Do you have a bossy bladder or bowel? In partnership with the Aspen Club, join Covell Care for a lecture on understanding your bladder or bowel issues, what a healthy bladder or bowel looks like, and walk away with tools or next steps to help you
take back control.
The program will take place on Wednesday, September 10th from noon-1:30 p.m., at the Estes Park Senior Citizen's Center, 1760 Olympian Lane.
EVICS Continues 20-Year Commitment
For more than 20 years, EVICS Family Resource Center has stood alongside childcare providers in the Estes Valley, equipping, training, and supporting them so families can thrive. From licensed centers to small in-home care, EVICS has always recognized that childcare takes many forms and that all providers play an essential role in the community.
Among them — and often overlooked — are Family, Friend, and Neighbor (FFN) providers who step in to care for children, filling the gaps where licensed infant and toddler care is limited. In Estes Park, where infant childcare spots are especially hard to find, FFN providers are the ones stepping up to meet the need. Many of those partnered with EVICS already have waiting lists, a clear sign of how valued they are by local families.
To continue this legacy of support, EVICS is launching its next FFN Provider Training Cohort in October. Participants will gain CPR/First Aid certification, free training and resources, $950 in startup materials, and connections to EVICS staff and fellow providers.
“Since our founding, EVICS has been committed to strengthening
To Supporting Childc are Providers With New FFN Training Cohort
the childcare system in our community,” said Rut Miller, Executive Director. “This FFN training is one way we continue to invest in caregivers who are vital to the well-being of Estes Valley families.”
Only ten spots are available in the October cohort. To reserve a place, email jessica@evics.org.
This initiative is possible thanks to a grant from the Colorado
Department of Early Childhood, distributed by the Colorado Statewide Parent Coalition. EVICS is honored to bring this state investment directly into Estes Park, where it will strengthen the trusted family, friend, and neighbor providers who are already caring for so many of our children. Learn more at evics.org.
To learn why consolidating your retirement
On Exhibit At The Art Center Of Estes Park
On exhibit at the Art Center of Estes Park is the 7th Annual Estes Valley Plein Air, featuring 34 artists from 17 states, with exhibit of Main Paintings in the main gallery and Nocturnes and Miniatures in the Sunroom.
The Gala Opening and Awards Ceremony was held the evening of August 29th. The following were the selected winners:
• Best of Show/Mayor’s Award/Art Center Board Award –Kathleen Lanzoni, “Boulder at Lumpy Ridge
Estes Valley Recreation & Park District Employee Spotlight: Kassi Fisher
Congrats to Kassi Fisher, EVRPD’s employee spotlight!
Kassi began working at the pool in 2010, years before the Community Center was built. A former Otters Swim Club member, she became certified as a lifeguard and has proudly served in that role for the past 15 years.
Today, Kassi is a Head Lifeguard, Swim Instructor, Rec Swim Team Coach and Personal Trainer and Fitness Instructor at the Community Center. She enjoys the variety of working across multiple departments and finds motivation in helping others succeed.
“I am inspired to help people of any age discover that they are capable of so much more than they think they are,” she said.
Kassi credits her teammates for much of her growth. “Amy, Nani and Kaitlynn have helped me improve my social skills and open up to people. I have a learning disability and was self-conscious about taking classes. Getting certifications for lifeguarding, personal
training and fitness instructing was something I needed to do to succeed at work, and their support helped me through it. I feel lucky to have coworkers who are also friends.”
All of us at the Community Center are happy that Kassi is on our team!
Trailhead”
2nd Place – Jeff Steiner, “Stanley”
3rd Place – Elizabeth Menand, “Fall River Road”
Honorable Mention – Suzanne Burnell, “A Day in the High Country”
• Nocturnes – Patricia Sweet, “Trail Ridge View”
• Miniatures – Jeff Steiner, “MacGregor Wagon”
• Artists’ Choice Award – Marie Massey,“Lunch for Mama and Baby Moose at Sprague Lake”
2nd Place – Patricia Sweet, “Haze Over Estes Park”
3rd Place – Deb McCahan, “In Motion”
The public is invited to come view these freshly painted artworks and vote for your favorite for the People’s Choice award, which will be announced at the end of the exhibit on September 29th
Special recognition and expression of appreciation to our sponsors and inkind sponsors:
Sponsors
Town of Estes Park
Visit Estes Park
Denise Shank
Fine Arts Guild of the Rockies Velina and Dave Davidson/Aspen and Evergreen
Mary Murphy
Leslie & Guy Van Der Werf
Mayor Gary Hall
Dave and Michelle Hall/UPS
Freddy and Mary Frankel
Jill and Dale Hurd/Dallas Foundation
Bank of Colorado
Susan Faraday/State Farm Insurance
Snowy Peaks Winer
Susan and Mark Newendorp
Anonymous
Victoria Endsley/Bear and Bee
ACEP Board
Southwest Art Magazine
Plein Air Magazine
Mark and Barbara Richards
Karen Wirrig
EP Health
In-Kind Sponsors
MacGregor Ranch
Sourcetek
Estes Park News
St. Bartholomew’s Episcopal Church
Raven’s Roast
North Peak Media
Jimmy John’s
The artist members’ artwork is also on display in the back gallery. The Art Center is open daily, 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. Learn more at artcenterofestes.com.
Estes Arts District
Kathleen Lanzoni, Best of Show
Kathleen Lanzoni, Winner of three awards
Estes Valley Plein Air Artists
Attendees at Gala Opening
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
Soil: An Evening with Camille T. Dungy
Friday, September 5, 7 - 8 p.m., Hondius Room
Fort-Collins-based writer & CSU Professor discusses her book, Soil: The Story of a Black Mother’s Garden, the seven-year odyssey to diversify her garden against homogenous policies that limited the possibilities. A Back to Basics program.
Argue Less & Talk More
Wednesday, September 10, 12 - 1 p.m., Online
Join us for a conversation with communication expert Jefferson Fisher, as we chat about his book, The Next Conversation: Argue Less, Talk More. A Back to Basics program.
Book Club for Mortals: The Gentle Art of Swedish Death Cleaning
Discuss end-of-life issues & our shared mortality. This month we’ll explore the original guide to Swedish death cleaning — an approach to putting a home in order while reflecting on the joys that make up a long life. A Back to Basics program.
Our Failed Attempts to Make English Eezier to Spell
Wednesday, September 17, 12 - 1 p.m., Online
Ever wondered why the English spelling of words is just weird? Author Gabe Henry will take us on a hilarious journey through the history of the English language discussing troublemakers like Mark Twain. A Back to Basics program.
ALL AGES
Fictional Young Chautauqua Club: Kickoff Party!
Thursday, September 18, 5:30 - 6:30 p.m., Hondius Room
In celebration of a decade of Young Chautauqua performances, we are honoring the popular request to bring fictional characters to life. This program is not just for youth — adults are encouraged to join in the fun. A Back to Basics program.
Saturday Social: Cards & Board Games
Saturday, September 20, 2 - 4:30 p.m., Hondius Room
Play board games including classics like Clue & Candyland, or newer games like Blank Slate & Bologna. Bring your family, friends, & neighbors. Refreshments provided. A Back to Basics Program.
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.
Wilderness Survival Skills for Women
Sunday, September 7, 1:30 - 3 p.m., Hondius Room
Repeated Sunday, September 22, 1:30 - 3 p.m., Wasson Room
Femme Trek founder Sharon Saternus is back to lead a wilderness survival workshop designed for female day hikers. Topics will include staying calm to think clearly, shelter building, & fire, water, signaling, & navigation basics. A Back to Basics program.
Monthly Writing Group
Monday, September 8, 6:15 - 7:45 p.m., Wasson Room
Calling all writers, aspiring writers, & anyone interested in writing! Join us on the first Monday evening of every month to share your writing, enjoy others’ work, receive & provide feedback. All genres & forms are welcome.
Journey to a More Creative Life
Tuesday, September 9 & 16, 5:156:15 p.m., Quiet Room; Session 1 & 2 of 12
This 12-week workshop, facilitated by executive transformational coach & mindset strategist Julie Abel, 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. A Back to Basics program.
Composition: Take Better Photos with Your Phone
Thursday, September 18, 10 - 11:30 a.m., Makerspace
Repeated Monday, September 22, 5:30 - 7 p.m., Hondius Community Room
Shawn Whitney leads another handson smartphone photography workshop, teaching essential techniques to elevate your smartphone photography skills. A Back to Basics Program.
Interested in learning how to play Dungeons & Dragons? Want to think strategically & make new friends? Join other tweens for this classic fantasyworld game.
Teens & tweens are invited to bring their friends to play video games, experiment with new crafts & enjoy snacks. A Back to Basics program.
Corky Crafts
Saturday, September 20, 10:30 - 11:30 a.m., Makerspace
Repeated Wednesday, September 24, 10:30 - 11:30 a.m., Makerspace
Teens & tweens — let’s get crafty with corks! In this program, we will upcycle corks into a variety of items like magnets, gnomes, houses or gardens. A Back to Basics program.
We are dropping knowledge on gravity! Explore science with Mark as we experiment with gravity, learn the history, & even release a giant slinky from the second floor.
KIDS & FAMILIES
Library Storytimes
Baby Storytime: Thurs. & Sat. at 10 a.m.
Preschool Storytime: Thurs. & Sat. at 10:30 a.m.
Friday Kids Club: Marble Run Friday, September 12, 10 - 11 a.m. or 4 - 5 p.m., Hondius Room
Design a working marble run out of cardboard, tubes, cups, craft foam, tape, & low temperature hot glue guns. All creations will go home with their makers.
Friday Kids Club: Fabric Landscape Art Friday, September 19, 10 - 11 a.m. or 4 - 5 p.m., Hondius Room
Youth are invited to explore their inner artists as we use fabric scraps to cover cardboard canvases, creating a unique landscape scene.
Friday Kids Club: Legos Friday, September 26, 10 - 11 a.m. or 4 - 5 p.m., Hondius Room
Will you accept our Lego challenge? If so, you’ll build & test a hand sized creation that will be heavy enough (but not too heavy) to successfully make it all the way down a zipline.
MAKERSPACE CLASSES
Learn the 3D Printer
Monday, September 8, 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).
Learn the Laser Cutter Monday, September 15, 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).
Botanical Bundles: Naturally Dyed Scarves
Tuesday, September 16, 10 - 11 a.m. or 5:30 - 6:30 p.m., Makerspace, Sessions 1 of 2
Repeated Thursday, September 18, 5:30 - 6:30 p.m., Makerspace, Session 1 of 2
Discover the beauty of nature’s palette in this hands-on, two-part workshop. We’ll use household ingredients to create a bundle-dyed silk scarf that celebrates sustainability & self-expression. A Back to Basics program.
Family Makerspace Mornings Saturday, September 27, 10 a.m. - 12 p.m., Makerspace & Wasson Room
Families are invited to join us for a unique program where we will explore our creativity in tandem. Adults will dive into hands-on learning with Makerspace equipment, while youth enjoy a supervised craft in the Wasson Room.
LIBRARY BOARD OF TRUSTEES
Regular Meeting
The Artist’s Way: A 12-Week
Read to Therapy Dog Annie: Sat., September 6 at 11 a.m.
Friday Kids Club: Model Magic Bugs Friday, September 5, 10 - 11 a.m. or 4 - 5 p.m., Hondius Room
Create a one-of-a-kind dragon fly, beetle, or bee with your choice of colored Model Magic clay, wings, & legs. A Back to Basics program.
Monday, September 22, 6:30 - 8 p.m., Wasson Room
View meeting agenda and packet materials 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.
49th Annual Longs Peak Scottish-Irish Highland Festival Arrives In Estes Park
Get your tickets today for the 49th annual Longs Peak Scottish-Irish Highland Festival in Estes Park, CO. Join us to find out what keeps Coloradans coming back for more family fun every year. The festival has something for everyone – featuring, world class Scottish Highland Athletic competitions, Irish and Highland dance performances, dog exhibitions, folk and rock musical per-
formances, Scottish and Irish food, drinks and crafts. Attendees can also participate in a Scotch Whiskey tasting seminar.
The Estes Park International Tattoo –one of the largest and longest established military music displays in the United States – will take place during the Festival on Friday and Saturday evening.
The Festival is a Colorado nonprofit and
has been a top attraction and highlight in Estes Park for 49 years. The Festival needs your help to keep going for generations to come. There are several ways to help. Purchase tickets to this year’s Festival and Tattoo and/or make a donation via the Festival website. Your donation is tax-deductible.
• Friday, September 5th to Sunday, September 7th, 2025
• Festival open: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily
• Estes Park International Tattoo takes place 7 p.m. on September 5th and 6th
• Estes Park Event Complex, 1209 Manford Avenue, Estes Park, CO 80517
Order tickets today by visiting the website at ScotFest.com. Children five and under are admitted free when accompanied by a paying adult.
“DON’T CRY BECAUSE IT’S OVER, SMILE BECAUSE IT HAPPENED!”
This was the simple message written on a piece of paper and handed to me at our recent garage sale, when a woman learned that we were soon to be ‘uprooted’ from our beloved Estes Park. She said the paper had been handed her by a young person who lives near her. What a great message to anyone…but especially us…as we prepare to move in a couple of weeks. And have we ever been ‘smiling’ (ie. rejoicing) that Estes Park has ‘happened’ for us.
As I mentioned in my article last week, each experience has left us ‘rejoicing’ that we moved here and were blessed to serve with the Church of Christ here in Estes and get to know so many wonderful people while here…both from Estes and from afar as millions came to visit. Each one will be missed and kindly thought about for the rest of our lives.
One experience that ‘happened’ here in Estes was the experience…and privilege...of writing an article each week to be in the EPNews. When I moved here I had written a few ‘how-to’ manuals and some Bible School and Vacation Bible School and summer camp curriculum, but a weekly article, that was a whole new ball game. But, here we are, nearly fifteen years later, with articles ready practically each week, and, much of it due to the help of Tim and the EPNews people, the sponsorship of the church, and a whole lot of encouragement from many of you. How often I’ve heard: “I read your article every week!”, as well as hearing such from online readers. I won’t cry because that is over…but I will smile and rejoice that ‘it happened’.
But, that was just one experience that I’ve enjoyed so much. Those I mentioned last week…meeting with dozens at McDs, counseling sessions and prayer times with numerous people, the men’s Community Bible Study, the EP Hospital Hospice program….the list goes on. I feel so tremendously blessed, and I am ‘smiling’ and ‘rejoicing’ over all of it, as we bid our ‘Adieu’ to our beloved Estes and its people in a week.
We will be moving to southern California, to live on the same plot of land as our daughter, so she can provide some ‘assisted living’ to us both. We will cherish that time with them, as long as the Lord sees fit for us to live on this earth. And then what? Several years ago I drove into southern Canada to visit a dear Christian friend, Monte, who was dying of cancer. We reviewed our lives together, spent some wonderful time…talking to our Father in prayer, and reminiscing, and then it was time for me to head back across the border. I hugged his frail body, wept for a bit, and I got up to leave, Monte waved feebly and said: “See you on the other side!”
And those are my words to each of you. If you are ‘in Christ’ (“Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord” - Rev. 14:13) and ‘faithful unto death’, (“Be faithful unto death and I will give you the crown of life”.- Rev. 2:10), I will ‘see you on the other side’. No need for ‘crying’ there, just the ‘smile’ and ‘rejoicing’ that our life happened and eternity is beginning. See you there! Bob Lewis
Let’s Get Back To Basics
September is when the Estes Valley Library encourages patrons to focus on self-sufficiency, preparedness, and sustainability. We call this initiative "Back to Basics" and feature a variety of programs and resources throughout the month that support these themes. Learn new skills through programs such as Wilderness Survival Skills for Women or create naturally dyed silk scarves using household ingredients in the Makerspace. These activities are designed to help you engage with the world around you in more thoughtful ways.
Explore our Library of Things collection to be better prepared for your next outdoor adventure. You can check out items such as solar chargers, walkietalkies, or a kit to make a paracord bracelet. Combine these items with state or Larimer County park passes and discover new areas near and far. If you prefer to keep your adventures closer to home, the Library of Things can assist with those preparedness projects too. For example, use our portable scanner to create digital copies of your most important documents and photos which you can save on a flash drive for your bug-out bag. Or consider checking the moisture content of your firewood before burning this winter. Our moisture meter will help ensure your firewood is dry, preventing creosote buildup in your fireplace and maximizing heat production while minimizing wasted energy and air pollution.
Mending and sewing are great ways to practice sustainability by keeping your garments in good condition or by repurposing them into new fashion. We offer sewing machines in the Makerspace as well as the Library of Things for at-home use. Whether you are an experienced seamstress without a machine or a beginner eager to learn, we can help you keep clothes out of landfills and in your daily rotation.
If you are a gardener, now is an excellent time to start harvesting seeds from your successful plants this past season. Help us replenish our Seed Library, spread the joy of gardening to your neighbors, and create self-sufficiency in our community.
Finally, our partners in sustainability at The Town of Estes Park’s Power and Communications department have generously provided efficiency kits to help reduce electric and water consumption. These kits include two dimmable LED light bulbs, two dimmable floodlights, two dusk-to-dawn light bulbs, an ultra-high-efficiency shower head, a dual spray kitchen swivel faucet, plumber’s tape, a five-minute shower timer, a refrigerator/freezer thermometer, adhesive backed weather stripping, and a smart socket to wirelessly control any device. Visit our Grab & Go page to reserve yours today. These are just a few of the ways the Library helps us get “Back to Basics” this September. Learn more at estesvalleylibrary.org.
Be The Difference In The Life Of A Youth
Did you have a mentor in your life when you were young? If not, did you wish you did? Several youth in the Estes Valley are waiting for mentors to be another positive adult role model in their lives.
Do you have 1-3 hours a week to spend with a youth in the Estes Valley? School-Based Mentors spend an average of one hour a week with a youth during a school year and must be 18 years of age and out of high school.
Community-Based Mentors spend an average of three hours per week with a youth for a year from the date they are matched and must be at least 21 years of age.
Having reliable transportation is important for both programs.
Time is of the essence! Please call 970-577-9348, email kwhitacre@poweredbypartners.org, or inquire online at poweredbypartners.org/getinvolved/#volunteer now!
Vic Anderson To Perform Cowboy Concert On September 9th At High Noon
Mark your calendars for a good ol' time you don't want to miss! Join us Tuesday, September 9th, at 12 p.m. for a free concert with the one and only Cowboy Troubadour, Vic Anderson, at the Estes Park Senior Citizens Center (EPSCC), 1760 Olympian Lane. Feel free to bring your lunch, enjoy refreshments, or even order ahead (details below), and settle in for an eventfilled hour-and-a-half of Western tunes, good com pany, and plenty of heart. We’re lookin' forward to seein' y’all there!
Vic Anderson has been the ulti mate professional per former for seven decades! He said he just realized that as of Labor Day this year, he has been entertaining for 70 years. He started In White Sulphur Springs, Montana singing in the Mint Bar at age 12 when “Homer L” asked him if he’d like to sing a song with him. Vic began sitting in with him a couple times or so a month, and got $5 and all the pop he could drink each night. Thus, it all began!
heard in western movies, around a campfire, and on radio and television. His music has been featured in a movie, several television productions, radio and on stages throughout the Western United States, Canada, and Germany.
Vic entertains at cowboy gatherings, senior facilities, weddings, dances or wherever good, wholesome, family entertainment is needed. He is available to entertain from bars to barns, cornfields to concert halls. You can find further information on Facebook. If you are interested in having him perform at your upcoming event, private or public, contact Vic at 970214-5020 or mtyodeler@hotmail.com.
September
8 – 12
Monday, Sept 8 Breakfast Burrito (eggs, cheese, refried beans & potatoes in flour tortilla) w/ green chili on the side
Tuesday, Sept 9 BBQ Pork Ribs (4) w/ Mac ‘n Cheese & Baked Beans
Wednesday, Sept 10 Philly Chicken Sandwich (topped w/ mozzarella cheese, green peppers & onions) w/ Pasta Salad
Wednesday, Sept 17 Bleu Cheese Bacon Burger w/ Pasta Salad
Thursday, Sept 18 Taco Salad w/Chicken
Friday, Sept 19 Shrimp Basket (8 fried) w/ Homemade Chips & 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, Sept 8th, you need to call before 1:00 PM on Friday, Sep 5th. 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
Vic is a singer, songwriter, three-time international yodeling champion, world class melodic whistler, author, columnist, former ranch/rodeo cowboy, and six-year member of the Lazy B Chuckwagon, both original and second iteration. He sings his own compositions as well as songs you have
If you are ordering lunch for the concert, the meal on Tuesday will be BBQ pork ribs with mac ‘n cheese and baked beans. The cost of a meal is $9 for EPSCC members and $12 for nonmembers. You must order your meal before 1 p.m. on Monday, September 8th. Become a member of the EPSCC for just $35 per year to take advantage of lunch discounts and all of the great activities offered.
To order a meal or for more information about the EPSCC, please call the Senior Center at 970-581-2195.
Oratorio Society To Begin Rehearsals For Christmas Season Concerts
The Oratorio Society of Estes Park (OSEP) will soon begin rehearsing for our Christmas season concerts. Choral singers and string players are invited to join with the Oratorio Society Chorus and Orchestra as we resume rehearsals on Sunday, September 14th at the Presbyterian Community Church of the Rockies (PCCR), 1700 Brodie Ave.
The chorus will meet from 4:30 - 6 p.m. and the orchestra will meet from 6:30 - 8 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall. Hope to see you there!
The OSEP holiday season concerts will be on Friday, November 21st at 7 p.m. and Saturday, November 22nd at 2 p.m at PCCR.
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
w/ ham), Hash browns
Every year, the community shines a light on philanthropists who impact the Estes Valley. So many people give of their time, talent, and treasure to make Estes Valley a healthy place to live, work, and play. They deserve to be celebrated. National Philanthropy Day in Estes Park returns to the YMCA of the Rockies on November 20th. This event is an opportunity to recognize philanthropists in front of 300 volunteers, nonprofits, donors, and neighbors.
the Shavlik Nonprofit of the Year. It’s easy to nominate: submit information through epnonprofit.org. Nominations close Friday, October 3rd. Award winners are chosen by an independent volunteer committee of community members. The Estes Park Nonprofit Network staff and board do not serve on the awards committee.
Community members are encouraged to nominate a philanthropist in any of the following categories: Youth, Business, Enduring Service, Katie Speer Individual Philanthropist of the Year, and
It’s a joy to share information about the nominees and the winner in each of the five categories. Nominations remind the Network—and the community-at-large—of the force of philanthropy in the Estes Valley.
Thanks in advance to everyone who nominates. Visit epnonprofit.org or bit.ly/npd-nominate to get started.
Wild Turkey Fest Takes Flight In Allenspark On September 13th
A new summer festival has come to the mountains! The free Wild Turkey Festival takes place Saturday, September 13th, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the heart of Allenspark, located between Estes Park and Lyons.
The day kicks off with a 9 a.m. pancake breakfast hosted by the Allenspark Area Club at the fire station, located just off State Highway 7. Maps will be available highlighting the day's events and placement. The breakfast will be followed by a town-wide scavenger hunt where participants can compete for the grand prize: an 8'x8' Tuff Shed.
"Finish the easy scavenger hunt and you will be eligible for the Tuff Shed drawing," said organizer Tony Ploughe.
Throughout the day, visitors will enjoy live music by Jon Pickett, Three Moose Morning and Marc Kriewaldt. Local vendors and a farmers' market will have food for sale throughout the day. And turkey legs also are on the day's menu.
Kids will love the coloring contests, games, and family-friendly activities, while adults and kids can show off in the costume contest, turkey-calling contest, and the turkey strut. With live entertainment, shopping, and prize drawings throughout the day, there’s something for everyone.
"The Wild Turkey Fest is a chance for our small mountain community to come together and celebrate what
makes Allenspark so special," said Ploughe. "We welcome everyone — neighbors from near and far, people of all backgrounds — to join us on a day that reflects the warmth and acceptance of mountain living while raising funds to support our local nonprofits.”
Some of the vendors include The Grill Guy, Paris Bakery, Kim's Mountain Jams, Eagle Plume's and Mountain Man Nut & Snack Co. Coffee vendors include Tree Huggers Trading Co. and Highland Coffee Co.
You will be able to sign up for the contests beginning at noon at the Wild Turkey Fest headquarters in downtown Allenspark. The turkey-calling contest will start at 1 p.m. Get ready to gobble, yelp, cluck and cackle. During the live music intermission, step up to the mic and demonstrate your vocal turkey talents.
And at 2 p.m. the costume contest will take place. Wear any costume you like, but the winners will likely be dressed as turkeys. This is not a passive event. At 2:15 p.m. the turkey strut will begin. Contestant turkeys will flap, bob and puff for two blocks beginning at the WTF headquarters. Hint – secret judges will be posted along the route, so pace yourself and display all the way. Prizes will be awarded to the top kid (under 14) and the top adult (over 14) in each competition. Those who enter all three competitions will be entered into a special prize drawing.
and the
and 3
Gallery from noon to 5 p.m.
For a full schedule of events and additional details, visit visitallenspark.com.
Closing ceremonies
Tuff Shed drawing takes place between 2:45
p.m. Adults will be able to purchase Wild Turkey and cocktails at The Old
Upcoming Art Classes At The Art Center Of Estes Park
Attention artists! Join one (or both) of these upcoming Art Center of Estes Park classes:
“Kaleidoscope Triangles” with Deb Coombs
September 7th, 1 - 4 p.m.
Art Center Members: $40.50
Non-Members: $45
Learn how one triangle duplicated five times can make a kaleidoscope! You’ll be able to turn your triangles and reassem ble them to make three different designs. If you can write your name, you can Zentangle® — you do not need to be able to draw. You’ll be guided step-by-step in the Zentangle® method, one stroke at a time. Experience the joy of Zentangling and its unique meditative and mindful practice. Deb Coombs is a Certified Zentangle® Teacher (CZT), long-time member of the Art Center and long-time resident of Estes Park.
pastel pencils (2nd choice: watercolor pencils with brush).
If you have taken any of Deb’s beginning classes then you may already have most of these supplies. If not, you may want to purchase a basic supply bag available for $8, containing 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. If you need more tortillons – she has those, too.
“Helpful Drawing Suggestions for Painting Outside” with Cathy Goodale September 17th, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Art Center Members: $72
Non-Members: $80
Deb will provide six (plus a spare) 3Z tiles (triangles). Students will provide Micron Pen 01, graphite pencil, white charcoal pencil and two tortillons plus enough tortillons to blend the pastels –total of five.
Students will also need three colors of
We will paint on location and apply nine drawing suggestions that will help you draw the subject you want to paint. When a subject is not drawn well it diminishes the overall painting. Bring a notebook for the discussion on drawing skills and your outdoor painting equipment.
To register online, visit artcenterofestes.com, under “Classes,” or contact the gallery at 970-586-5882.
THE GOMEZ TEAM
Help Celebrate Constitution Week
September 17th-23rd In Estes Park
The United States Constitution, America’s most important document, stands as a testament to the tenacity of Americans throughout history to maintain their liberties, freedoms and inalienable rights. And, Constitution Week is celebrated annually during the week of September 17th-23rd to commemorate its history, importance, and bring attention to how it serves still today.
This celebration of the Constitution was started by the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR). In 1955, DAR petitioned Congress to set aside September 17th-23rd annually to be
on the south side of Bond Park on the sidewalk to ring bells on Wednesday, September 17th for one minute at 2 p.m. to herald the beginning of this commemorative week. DAR members will be holding “We The People” and “Signing Date” posters. DAR members will have pocket constitutions available. See a member if you would like a copy.
Interested in learning more about the American Revolution? Head to the Estes Park Elementary School library to read or go to the Estes Valley Library to borrow books listed below that were donated by local Estes Park
dedicated for the observance of Constitution Week. The resolution was later adopted by the U.S. Congress and signed into public law on August 2nd, 1956, by President Dwight D. Eisenhower.
The aims of the Constitution Week celebration are to:
• Emphasize citizens' responsibilities for protecting and defending the Constitution.
• Inform people that the Constitution is the basis for America's great heritage and the foundation for our way of life.
• Encourage the study of the historical events which led to the framing of the Constitution in September 1787.
Constitution Week is a great time to learn more about this important document and celebrate the freedoms it gave us. Mayor Gary Hall will read a Proclamation celebrating Constitution Week at Town Hall on Tuesday, September 9th, 2025 at 7 p.m. Please join us.
Bells Across America is an annual celebration of the signing of the U.S. Constitution. Participants gather to ring bells, much as the church bells of Philadelphia rang out when the U.S. Constitution was first signed at 4 p.m. on September 17th, 1787. Please join us
members of the Longs Peak DAR Chapter earlier this year.
• Revolutionary Friends General George Washington and the Marquis de Lafayette by Selene Castrovilla
• She Fought Too, Stories of Revolutionary War Heroines, and
• We Fought for Freedom The Story of Our American Revolution by Tara Ross
• Understanding the Declaration of Independence,
• The Bill of Rights, and
• Understanding the Constitution by Sally Senzell Isaacs
• Revolutionary Prudence Wright Leading the Minute Women in the Fight for Independence by Beth Anderson
• Black Heroes of the American Revolution by Burke Davis
• Her Name Was Mary Katharine: The only woman whose name is on the Declaration of Independence by Ella Schwartz
• Our Patriots The Men and Women Who Achieved American Independence — A Coloring Book — by National Society DAR
Happy Constitution Week, September 17th-23rd, in Estes Park.
Social-Memory Café On September 11th
This month’s Social-Memory Café is Thursday, September 11th We will be celebrating fall and Rocky Mountain animals by enjoying activities, sing-a-long music, games, and snacks. Bring your stories about animals you have seen here. Whether you have come to Memory Café before or want to join us for the first time, you are welcome! We meet at St. Bartholomew’s Church (880 MacGregor Ave) from 10–11:30 a.m.
The café meets every second Thursday of each month, same time, same place. It is free and open to anyone in Estes Valley who is experiencing any level of memory loss due to any form of dementia, with a friend, caregiver or family member. If you are independent in driving or living independently, feel free to come on your own. Please know you are welcome to come enjoy fun and friendship.
For more information, call St. Bart’s church at 970-586-4504 or Jane (Memory Café coordinator) at 970-430-8105.
Fine Arts & Crafts Festival In Bond Park On September
The Fine Arts & Crafts Festival is just around the corner! The Fine Arts Guild of the Rockies has sponsored this art show for 50 years, but thanks to the 2013 flood on the very weekend set for the festival, this will only be the 49th to actually be held.
Almost 100 artists will be on hand to share their artistic creations in wood, ceramics, photography, wearable art, painting, fiber in several forms, personal care products, leather, jewelry and more.
There will be silent auctions both days, with proceeds from the auctions supporting scholarships and youth programming, and a mask decorating activity for kids of all ages under the pergola at the corner of Elkhorn and Virginia Drive, 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. both days.
The Festival will run from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. on Saturday and 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. on Sunday. It’s a great time to start your Christmas shopping!
14th & 15th
Never Forget: Stair Climb & 5K To Honor The Lives Of Those Lost On 9/11
On Thursday, September 11th, 2025, Estes Valley will host our third 9/11 Memorial 5K and Stair Climb.
The event is to honor the lives of those lost on September 11th, 2001 and support the family of firefighters across the country through the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation (NFFF).
The event includes two options for activities (attendees are welcome to participate in one or both):
The 5K is a walk or run around Lake Estes. The distance symbolizes the run that FDNY Firefighter Stephen Siller made from the Brooklyn Battery Tunnel to the World Trade Center where
from Estes Valley Fire Protection District (EVFPD) staff, Mayor Gary Hall, and EVFPD volunteer firefighter Scott Manning, whose brother was lost on September 11th. The climb will begin at 8:46 a.m., representing the Eastern time the first tower was hit.
After the event, attendees are encouraged to enjoy a free lunch, provided by American Legion Riders and Auxiliary.
“We hope the community, both local residents and visitors, will come out to support this important event,” commented Laura Shepard, chair of the Stair Climb & 5K planning committee.
“Whether you complete the 5K or stair climb (or both!), or just participate in
he lost his life in the service of others. You can read more about his story at t2t.org/stephens-story.
The Stair Climb takes place at the Visitor Center parking garage. Participants will have the opportunity to climb 110 stories — the height of the World Trade Center. Participants are encouraged to climb what they can, whether that be one story or all 110. Participants of all ages are welcome to participate and climb in honor of those lost.
Both events will kick off with a ceremony of remembrance. For the 5K, runners and walkers are invited to assemble at the parking garage at 6:40 a.m. for bagpipes and brief comments about the symbolism of the run/walk. The event will begin at 6:46 a.m., the local time (MST) that the first tower was hit.
For the Stair Climb, all attendees are invited to the parking garage at 8 a.m. for bagpipes, stories and comments
one story, or simply donate a few dollars, we invite you to join us in remembering those lost on September 11th.”
All funds raised support the National Fallen Firefighter Foundation. The United States Congress created the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation to lead a nationwide effort to remember America's fallen firefighters. Since 1992, they have developed and expanded programs to honor fallen fire heroes and assist their families and coworkers. They also work closely with the U.S. Fire Administration and other major fire service organizations to help prevent and reduce line-of-duty deaths and injuries.
Started in 2022 by former EVFPD Chief David Wolf, the Stair Climb & 5K planning committee intends for this to be an annual event hosted every year on September 11th. Mark your calendars for this and future years, and consider supporting this important opportunity for remembrance.
To learn more and sign up, visit estesvalleyfire.org/9-11-stair-climb-5k.
Join us in thanking our 2025 sponsors, partners, and supporters:
American Legion Post 119 Auxiliary
American Legion Post 119 Riders
Bank of Colorado
The Bull Pin
Bureau of Reclamation
Estes Park Health (EMS)
Estes Park Marathon & Running Club
Estes Park News
Estes Valley Recreation & Park District
Flinch Forward
Kind Coffee
Loveland Fire Rescue Authority
National Fallen Firefighters Association
Third Point of Performance
Town of Estes Park
Trail Ridge Printing
Ty Young
US Air Force Special Warfare
Visit Estes Park
The Dark Side Of Meditation
I’m going to let you in on a little secret: I don’t actually meditate very often.
There were a handful of years where I sat almost daily (15–20 minutes, nothing crazy), but I’m not there now. And while that practice served me, I’ve since let myself off the curved piece of metal meant for hanging things on.
You know, the hook. The guilt hook. That little voice that whispers, If you were a good wellness coach, you’d meditate every morning before sunrise. If you were a real yoga teacher, you’d levitate while chanting Sanskrit.
I used to believe meditation was the wellness equivalent of kale: so totally good for everybody, and if you didn’t like it, well, you just hadn’t tried the right recipe yet.
I even judged people for not meditating.
During my yoga teacher training, one admitted she just couldn’t bring herself to do it.
I thought, You just haven’t tried hard enough.
Our group threw suggestions at her like prizes on Oprah: “Try walking meditation!” “Just start with two minutes!” “Stick with it!”
We meant well. But, let’s be honest, we were really saying, “You’re doing wellness wrong, honey.”
Months later, I stumbled across a peer-reviewed psychology article about the downsides of meditation. How, for some people—especially those with a history of trauma, anxiety, or depression—meditation can actually make things worse.
We’re talking panic attacks, flashbacks, emotional dysregulation. Turns out, the practice I’d been treating like a panacea was, for some, a Pandora’s box. Cue me feeling like a total A-hole. We wellness folks love our sacred cows. And meditation has been worshipped like a magic bullet. And sure, it can be amazing. But it’s not one-sizefits-all. Sometimes tuning inward is the opposite of what your nervous system needs. For someone with trauma, “watching your thoughts” can feel like being trapped in a haunted house. Even yoga’s ancient texts mention meditation-induced breakdowns, but somewhere along the way, the spiritual crowd glossed over that. We forgot everything has a dark side.
And even if meditation does help you, it can become a crutch. I’ve seen people use it to check out of their actual lives—to “transcend” instead of having the hard conversation or doing the messy, complicated work. It’s like scrolling Instagram for spiritual memes. Just with better posture. Over the years, I’ve let go of the need
to meditate as a formal, structured, check-it-off-the-list practice. And yet, mindfulness is baked into my life in a way it never was when I was whiteknuckling my way through daily sits.
Now, I pause to notice the way the late-afternoon light streams in my living room window. I try to really taste my morning matcha latte instead of mindlessly chugging it like life fuel. I look my partner in the eye during hard talks.
And yes, sometimes I do feel called to sit quietly, eyes closed, and just breathe—no agenda, no timer, no “good meditator” gold star. Sometimes that’s five minutes. Sometimes it’s thirty seconds.
What I’ve realized is that mindfulness isn’t about sitting on a cushion in total silence. It’s about cultivating the ability to notice, to be here for your actual life, whether that’s on a yoga mat, in bed with your lover, or in line at Safeway on a Friday afternoon of a holiday weekend. It doesn’t require you to pretend you’re a serene monk living on a mountain top.
My point here isn’t that meditation is “bad” or even “good” for that matter. It’s that no single practice gets to be the holy grail of mental health. Not green juice, not breathwork, not therapy, not gratitude journaling.
When we treat any wellness practice like a moral test—if you don’t do it, you’re failing at life—we miss the actual goal, which is feeling better, not performing better.
So if meditation makes you feel more anxious than calm, it doesn’t mean you’re broken or need to try harder. It means you’re wise enough to notice when something isn’t working.
Consider this your official permission slip to step off the guilt hook. To stop forcing yourself to do the thing everyone swears by if it doesn’t feel right for you.
You don’t get extra points for meditating every day if it’s making your mental health worse. You don’t get docked points for dancing, lifting, hiking, or coloring in adult coloring books instead.
You just get to feel like a human who’s taking care of themselves in a way that actually works.
Because at the end of the day, wellness isn’t about being the most zen person in the room. It’s about having the energy, clarity, and resilience to live your life—not escape from it.
Of course, if you want more real-life, BS-free, willingness to look at the dark side of things in your life, email me at chazz@higherelevationscoaching.com to join my weekly-ish mailing list.
Estes Park Aviation Club’s September Meeting Features Rich Chiappe
The September meeting of the Estes Park Aviation Club will be held at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, September 10th at the Estes Park American Legion Hall. The public is invited to attend.
Our speaker will be Mr. Rich Chiappe of SureFly Partners, LTD. Rich has been a private pilot for 30 years with VFR Single-Engine Land and MultiEngine Land ratings. He began flying in Texas and is lucky to have owned and flown more than a dozen different aircraft through the years. He currently owns two aircraft: a 1971 homebuilt biplane Starduster Too he flies out of Granbury, Texas and a 1964 Cessna 172E he flies out of Longmont.
Rich was a partner in both Sky-Tec lightweight aircraft starters and Plane-Power lightweight aircraft alter-
nators. Upon selling both companies to propeller manufacturer, Hartzell in 2015, Rich and his wife, Deborah, also from a family rich in aviation history, moved from Granbury, Texas to Estes Park. They now enjoy living yearround in Windcliff where they also own and manage the Windcliff vacation rental program.
Rich is also a founder and partner in aviation manufacturer SureFly Electronic Ignitions which is the industry’s leading manufacturer of replacement
electronic magnetos based in Granbury, Texas. This is sure to be an entertaining presentation!
The American Legion Hall Post 119 is located at 850 N. St. Vrain Ave. in Estes Park. As always the Legion is open to the public with food and drink for purchase at 5:30 p.m.
Our gathering is open to all interested so if you are aviation enthusiasts, join us for a fellowship dinner at 5:30 p.m. and/or our meeting at 6:30 p.m.!
Elk Safety In Estes Park
By: Margolee Pemberton, Visit Estes Park
Since the elk clearly run this town, it’s the perfect moment to talk about how to safely admire them.
• Keep Your Distance (75 feet is a must)
When elk are around, think two school buses away—that’s about 75 feet (23 meters). If an elk lifts its head and stares, you’re too close—take a step back.
• The “Rule of Thumb” Trick
Want a quick reference? Make a thumbs-up, extend your arm, close one eye—if you can still see the elk above your thumb, you’re too close. Slowly back up until it disappears behind your thumb.
• Fall: When the Elk Get Extra Aggressive
Elk mating season—aka the rut— runs from mid-September to mid-October (sometimes stretching into early November). That’s when bull elk bugle, display impressive antlers, spar with rivals, and might harass anything in their path. Just hearing that bugle gives you major goosebumps—but it’s also a cue to stay alert and really give them space.
• Spring: Watch Out for Protective Moms
Late May through June is calving season, which means cow elk are on high alert. They may seem calm one moment and defensive the next if they feel their calf is threatened. Unlike bulls in the fall, these moms don’t posture or bugle—they act fast.
How to spot a protective mom:
She positions herself between you and her calf
She fixes a long, unblinking stare on you
She may lower her head or make a sudden short charge to push you back If you notice these behaviors, back
avoid surprises and keeps the encounter safe for people and animals alike.
• Elk Body Language: Know the Signals
Elk don’t usually hide how they’re feeling—if you know what to look for. Their body language is like a flashing warning sign:
way of saying, “Back off.”
If an elk suddenly stops grazing or moving to stare at you, that’s your cue you’re too close.
The rule is simple: if their behavior changes because of you, you need to give them more space.
• If They Approach You—Calmly Create Space
away slowly and give her space. What looks like an open meadow or easy trail to us might be a nursery to her.
One last tip: if you see wildlife on or near a path, do fellow park-goers a favor—pass the word along. A quick, friendly warning like, “There’s an elk just around that bend,” helps everyone
Bull elk in the fall may raise their heads high, thrash their antlers, or let out a bugle that echoes across the valley. Those are signals they’re fired up and ready to defend their turf.
Both cows and bulls may pin their ears back or stomp the ground when they’re agitated—think of it as their
If an elk starts moving toward you: Don’t run or zigzag. Back away slowly, give it room to pass. If you're near a vehicle or building, move toward safety— but don’t slam doors or yell (sudden moves can escalate things).
• Leave No Trace— Please Don’t Feed or Harass
Elk aren’t wild pets—they’re wild. Feeding them can make them lose their natural wariness and get dangerous. It’s also illegal in national parks.
• Make It KidFriendly (and Memorable)
Think of elk like the shy siblings of the animal world who need personal space. Ask children to imagine two big yellow school buses between them and the elk—even then, that’s just respectful distance, not playtime. If a mom elk is bugling or staring, that’s her way of saying, “Back up, please!”
John Berry/Visit Estes Park
Bid Bob & Martha Lewis Farewell
By: Estes Park Church of Christ
Bob & Martha Lewis have lived and served God in Estes Park for many years. They love this piece of paradise but have found it is time to move closer to family. Please stop by the Estes Park
Church of Christ on Saturday, September 13th and share a memory and help us bid them farewell. Join us at 1470 Fish Creek Road from 3-5 p.m. to send them off on the next leg of their life’s journey.
A Cup of Coffee, A Circle of Friends, A Faithful God — At Cornerstone Church
Looking for a place to laugh, connect, and be refreshed? Grab a cup of coffee with us at 9 a.m. on Thursdays and enjoy some conversation before we dig into God’s Word together. Beginning September 18th, we’re kicking off a brand-new eight week Ladies Bible Study that will carry us through the fall. Whether you’re brand new to Bible study or you’ve been at it for years, this is a place to make new friends, stay connected, and be encouraged. This season we’re studying Finding God Faithful by Kelly Minter. Through the life of Joseph in Genesis, we’ll see how God’s hand was at work—even in betrayal, broken dreams, and unfair circumstances— and discover that His faithfulness holds true in our own lives as well.
We may not have worn a multicolored robe or traveled by camel to a foreign land, but we do know what it’s like to face hard relationships, feel overlooked, or wonder, Where is God in this? Together, we’ll trace Joseph’s story and find hope in the God who is always with us.
• Thursdays, September 18th –November 6th
• 9:15–10:45 a.m. (Coffee at 9!)
Allenspark Community Church Dementia Symposium
By: Pastor Ralph Patrick
The Allenspark Community Church is hosting the second annual Dementia Symposium — “Come to the Summit” — on Saturday, September 6th from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. The church is located at 16 Washington Street in downtown Allenspark.
This year we are fortunate to have as our featured speakers Dr. Lotta Granholm-Bentley, researcher at CU Anschutz, and Dr. Rebecca Chopp, Chancellor Emeritus at DU and author of the book “Still Me.” In addition, presentations will feature Leah Quiller, music therapist, and Ralph Patrick, dementia consultant. A special dementia friendly “GLOW” concert will be performed by a string quartet of the Boulder Symphony.
Dr. Lotta Granholm-Bentley is a tenured professor in the Department of Neurosurgery at CU Anschutz Medical Campus. She was born in Sweden and received her PhD from the Karolinska Institute in Stockholm. In 1985, she came to the University of Colorado as a Postdoctoral fellow and fell in love with this state and its people. Dr. Granholm-Bentley has written close to 200 peer-reviewed articles; most of them about healthy aging and neurodegenerative disorders including Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease. She was the inaugural executive director for the Knoebel Institute for Healthy Aging (KIHA) at the University of
Denver and is currently the leader for a biobank consortium focused on brain donations from persons with DS throughout the lifespan, with eleven sites in the USA, India, and Europe.
Dr. Rebecca Chopp is co-chair of the Board of Voices of Alzheimer’s and serves on the board of “Us Against Alzheimer’s.” She has served on both the national and state board of the Alzheimer’s Association. A former university president and a scholar of religion, Rebecca uses her skills and experience to educate people about early detection and living well with dementia, including Alzheimer’s. Rebecca lives in the mountains of Colorado where she paints, hikes, is active in community groups, and works on projects to help caregivers and those living with dementia thrive.
Ralph Patrick has over 30 years working professionally with people experiencing brain changes. His dementia journey became deeply personal when his mother, Jean, was diagnosed in 2001. His experience with his mother resulted in his desire to serve those living with cognitive challenges and their care companions. Ralph became a volunteer, and then a Regional Director in the Colorado Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association. Currently Ralph is a dementia consultant and coach through “Cardinal Crossroads” which he started in honor of his mother. Serving as the pastor of Allen-
• Cornerstone Church of Estes Valley, 2200 Mall Road, Estes Park, CO Format: 45-minute discussion followed by a 30-minute video Study Book: $22 (Contact Becky Finger at 970-430-1066 to sign up) This study is for women of all ages and stages of faith. Come expecting laughter, fellowship, and encouragement, and leave with a deeper understanding of our faithful God!
spark Community Church, Ralph enjoys mountain life and is very busy with his grown daughters and three grandchildren.
Leah Quiller is a music therapist who is completing her PhD in music therapy at CSU.
After lunch, there will be a Dementia Friendly “GLOW” Concert featuring the Boulder Symphony String Quartet. A “GLOW” Concert draws on research-based knowledge of how music interacts with memory and emotion, and is crafted to spark recognition, connection and meaningful moments between attendees and their loved ones.
The String Quartet will be conducted by Artistic Director Devin Patrick Hughes alongside board-certified music therapist Leah Quiller. This event is sponsored by: Allenspark Community Church Harmony Senior Referrals—Senior Placement Service with a Personal Touch. Britt and Walt Roberson Kapsak/Estes Law Firm—Dan Kapsak and John Estes, Elder Law Attorneys, Longmont Cardinal Crossroads: Providing Dementia Consulting and Coaching, Ralph Patrick
All are welcome to attend. A donation will be taken to help provide funding for future programming. Please RSVP to apcconline@gmail.com.
Ghost Town Legends: The Lost Mines
By: Ethan Knightchilde
Abandoned diggings, lost mines, buried treasure.
There are likely as many stories about lost mines and hidden caches as incredulous tales of discovery. Some are deceptively simple--like the case of a solitary miner who buried gold dust in tin cans near his cabin. After he died in a sudden and untimely fashion, the
Ten years later, a prospector confided in a potential partner that he possessed the notebook of that ill-fated party’s sole survivor, as well as the precise location of the cache and diggings. The partner was skeptical until he saw samples of the ore. But two weeks later, the prospector was killed in a saloon brawl, and all knowledge of the mine was lost again.
question of the hidden wealth drove some to search for years.
Other tales seem straight out of a classic Greek tragedy. Take, for instance, one of Colorado’s early lost mine legends, which begins with a group of ‘49ers on their way to the California gold fields when they found color in a streambed eight days’ journey from Pike’s Peak. Six of the original party stayed and dug for weeks, eventually striking high-grade ore. They had cached an estimated $100,000 of gold in a drift when provisions ran low and a snowstorm closed in. One of their number set out for supplies, but additional storms delayed his return. When he finally made his way back to the camp, he found the landscape radically transformed.
An avalanche and earth slide had torn their way down into the valley, taking with them the cabins and the men and burying beneath massive heaps of rubble the drift in which the gold had been stored. Broken by the tragedy, he did not speak of it again until 1881, when he relayed the tale just before passing away.
Transformational Leadership: Inspire Your Team & Drive Innovation
By: Karen McPherson Jackson, Estes Nonprofit Network
Nonprofits account for 10% of the annual GDP in the Estes Valley. Leaders in the nonprofit industry may not come with the training they need to inspire teams. Passion aligns us around a mission, and it can get us far, but true leadership takes practice, reflection, and support. The Estes Nonprofit Network’s educational programs give everyday leaders in town the confidence, tools, and inspiration to guide change and make a lasting impact. “Transformational Leadership” is intended for nonprofit leaders, managers, executive board members, and changemakers looking to inspire teams and lead with purpose.
This dynamic workshop explores the
principles of transformational leadership, equipping participants with the skills to drive innovation, foster collaboration, and lead with authenticity. Through interactive exercises and case studies, attendees will learn strategies for visionary leadership, conflict resolution, and adaptive decision-making that empower teams and strengthen organizational impact.
All educational programs are FREE for Estes Valley nonprofit staff and volunteers, and $50 for community members, government agencies, nonlocal nonprofits, and for-profits.
Whether you’re a board member, manager, program staff, or someone who naturally steps up in group settings, now is a great time to sharpen your leadership skills.
There are many tales like these, and sometimes it seems that their sheer number should give good odds of walking out your back door and tripping over a lost mine. In the final act of Best Documentary Award-winning Ghosts of the West: The End of the Bonanza Trail, several such stories are told. I invite you to come to a show at the movie house where it began its journey: the Historic Park Theatre, built when the film’s events were still in living memory. Catch a screening at 2 p.m. on September 11th or October 9th As the film’s writer-director, I will be on hand whenever possible to answer questions about the entire project after each program.
Visit HistoricParkTheatre.com for information and tickets. Visit KnightSkyPictures.com, the production company’s official website, to view the film’s trailer, gallery, and production info.
Portions of this article originally appeared in the screenplay for Ghosts of the West: The End of the Bonanza Trail and the companion book Ghosts of the West: Tales and Legends from the Bonanza Trail by E. S. Knightchilde.
Whet Your Appetite For St. Bart’s Popular Meat Pasties
St. Bart’s Episcopal Church pastie project is well under way as volunteers gather weekly in the St. Bart’s kitchen to make the little meat pies.
For more than 25 years members of St. Bart’s have assembled, baked, and frozen pasties as part of their fall fund raising activities, using money raised for the church’s many philanthropies.
Pasties have a long history in Welsh/English cooking as a delicious combination of meat and vegetables baked in homemade pie crust. St. Bart’s pasties have a fan following both with local residents and tourists.
This year St. Bart’s pastie patrol plans on making 500 pasties which will include 120 gluten free.
The pasties are six to a bag. Regular are $26 per bag, gluten-free are $28. Also available are pints of apple, raisin, and zucchini chutney at $10 a jar.
To get an order form online go to: forms.gle/uJm6JvTEDZoKU1FZ9. For more information contact the church office by visiting stbartsepiscopal.org.
Orders can be picked up at the church’s Autumn Market on October 18th
Trays of pasties cooling in the St. Bart’s kitchen before being placed in bags.
Our Lady Of The Mountains 5th Annual Golf Tournament
On Friday, September 19th, Our Lady of the Mountains Catholic Church will host their 5th annual golf tournament at the beautiful Estes Park 18-Hole Golf Course. The golf tournament is a fundraiser for youth programs, and over the past several years has provided funds for many young parishioners to attend youth camps and retreats.
The public is invited to golf, sponsor a hole, provide prizes or donate to the youth activities of Our Lady of the Mountains Parish. The format will be a four-person scramble, with a shotgun start at 1:30 p.m. Registration is open until September 12th and more information is available by contacting Our Lady of the Mountains at 970-5868111.
The Elk Rut Begins
This bull elk, starting earlier than most of his colleagues, has a harem of fifty in Rocky Mountain National Park. He will be competing to maintain it with other equally powerful males in the near future.
Estes Park Women’s Golf Association Results For September 2nd, 2025
The Estes Park Women’s Golf Association had a beautiful day on the course on Tuesday, September 2nd. The game was Criss Cross, where certain holes were paired and counted for the win.
Congrats to the winners: 1st place — Linda Bowie 2nd place — Twyla Moraczewski
Tied for 3rd place — Amy Klein and Jan Alderman
Tied for 4th place — Colleen Logan and Kay Boyle
Tied for 5th place — Johanna Gengler and Jane McAfee
If you’d like more information about EPWGA, please contact Diane Butler at dibutler04@gmail.com.
Photo by Alan Lipkin
Joan “Jody” Magnuson
Forty-five minutes into her 94th birthday, long-time Estes Park resident Joan “Jody” Magnuson passed away peacefully, August 22nd, 2025, with her two children at her side. Jody had been in declining health for the past year and after suffering a stroke she spent her final week in Poudre Valley Hospital and then Pathways Hospice Center, both in Fort Collins, Colorado.
Jody was born in Humboldt, Kansas on August 22nd, 1931, to Cecile and Donald Markley. As an only child she spent the formative years of her life in numerous small towns in southeast Kansas where she enjoyed the rural landscapes and bright Kansas
sunshine. She was surrounded by grandparents, aunts and uncles and many cousins, each of whom significantly influenced her life with solid values and a love for family that she carried with her always.
In 1947 the family relocated to Estes Park, Colorado where in 1949, Jody graduated from Estes Park High School. It was here she met her beloved Donald “Don” Magnuson, who had also attended Estes Park schools. After high school, Don served overseas during the Korean Conflict while Jody attended Clark’s Business School and Washburn University, Topeka, KS and then Colorado State College in Greeley, CO.
After returning to the states from Korea in 1953, Don and Jody were married in front of the stone fireplace in his parents Estes Park home. They moved to Spokane, WA where Jody worked for an attorney and Don completed his tour in the US Air Force. From here, they headed west to the San Fernando Valley, California where Jody worked for another attorney and Don worked in the aerospace industry and attended college. Longing for the mountains, after two years in southern California they moved back to Colorado where Don completed his master's degree at Greeley’s Colorado State College, followed by a long career in teaching. Life in public education took them briefly to Fowler, CO, Rapid City, SD, then Keenesburg, CO where the family lived for six years. It was in Keenesburg and rural southeast Weld
AA & Al-Anon Meetings
Stepping Stones Al-Anon (a 12-step program for family and friends of Alcoholics)
Thursdays from noon-1 p.m. at the Presbyterian Community Church of the Rockies, 1700 Brodie Ave. in the upstairs lounge, Estes Park.
AA of Glen Haven
Every Monday night at the Town Hall at 6:30 p.m.
Early Worms
Monday thru Saturday at 7 a.m.
(Monday through Saturday hybrid meetings with Zoom #796 839 839 PW:Worms20) at St. Bartholomew Church, 880 MacGregor Ave.
Early Worms Women's Meeting
12 p.m. Mondays
St. Bartholomew, 880 MacGregor Ave.
Mixed Nuts Al-Anon Group
We meet Friday from 6:30-7:30 p.m. at St. Bartholomew Church. The meeting is hybrid with Zoom #285 426 3644 PW: serenity.
One Day at a Time
Location: Presbyterian Community Church of the Rockies, 1700 Brodie Ave., Estes Park
Tuesday at noon Open discussion
Thursday at 6:30 p.m. Open discussion
Saturday at 5:30 p.m.
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, 453 West Elkhorn, Estes Park.
Current Schedule as of 6/17/2025
Zoom ID 999 829166 for AA Meetings
Mon.-12 p.m.-In person and Zoom-O, D
Monday-7 p.m. In Person and Zoom-O, BB
Tuesday-12 p.m. In Person and Zoom-O, D
Weds.-12 p.m. In Person and Zoom-O, D
Weds.-7 p.m. In Person and Zoom-O, D
Thurs.-12 p.m. In Person and Zoom-O, D
Friday-12 p.m. In Person and Zoom-O, D
Sat.-12 p.m. In Person and Zoom-O, D
Sun.-12 p.m. In Person and Zoom-O, ABSI
Sunday-7 p.m.-In Person and Zoom-O, D
Last Monday of each month is birthday night; 6 p.m. Potluck, 7 p.m. Speaker.
*** Contribute via VENMO @FallRiverGroupAA
Other 12 Step Meetings Held at Fall River Group
Thursday-7 p.m. Narcotics Anonymous “New Horizons” Group-O, D
In Person and Zoom 705 555 830
**O=open to all
County where Jody developed numerous, special friendships that were maintained throughout her life. She said the people here reminded her of southeast Kansas where no one is a stranger and everyone waves. Along the way, between Greeley and Fowler, daughter Dee Ann (1956) and son Mark (1959) were born.
In 1970, the family moved back to Estes Park permanently to be near Don’s ailing parents. Jody found fulltime employment in Rocky Mountain National Park, serving in several administrative support positions. She loved her work with the National Park Service and forged many life-long friendships with fellow employees, who to her were “among the finest people on earth.”
Beginning in 1957, Jody and the family lived in Rocky Mountain National Park every summer through 1975, where Don worked as a seasonal park ranger and, according to Jody, she served as the “unofficial and unpaid park cleaning lady” who maintained many ranger stations, backcountry patrol cabins, and park service summer residences. Living at Bear Lake, Wild Basin, Hallowell and Moraine Parks, and occupying backcountry cabins for extended periods was a highlight of her life. Many a story and a few tall tales were born during these years and Jody enjoyed sharing those memories till the end.
During her life, family was the focus of everything. She enjoyed supporting her two kids, actively participating in scouting, 4-H, and many school-related activities and functions. She loved
D=discussion
BB=Big Book
Zoom Meetings-Everyday at noon Zoom #999 829 166 (no password needed).
Monday Zoom Big Book study at 7 p.m. #654 598 884 (no password
to cook and would often announce, “If anyone leaves this house hungry it’s your own fault.” Friends of Dee and Mark’s still comment on how well fed they were at Jody’s house. There was never a stranger to Jody, only friends she had not yet met. The family would often joke, “she develops new friendships while waiting in line at the grocery store.” Jody was known and will be remembered for both her feisty spunk and her kind, loving heart.
In recent years, Jody was open about her end-of-life horizon and would not hesitate to declare, “I’m ready to go. I have lived a long, full and happy life. I just can’t understand why the Lord has not yet called me.” Jody valued her many friendships and above all, she cherished her family. A life well lived and loved. Jody was preceded in death by her parents, and husband Don in 2004. She is survived by daughter Dee Ann (Leo) Arellano, Mark Magnuson and his partner Dorothy Bensusan; six grandchildren, Erin (Michael) Veile, Aaron (Nicole) Magnuson, Kaley Bell, Logan (Stephanie) Magnuson, Karrie (Todd) Arellano-Lopezi, Jackie (Brandon) Arellano-Williams, and fourteen great-grandchildren. As Jody’s many dogs were always important members of her family, she is also survived by numerous family pets.
Memorial contributions may be made to the hospice: Pathways Inpatient Care Center, 317 Carpenter Road, Fort Collins, Colorado 80525, or at giving@pathways-care.org.
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.
Denise Shank
Our beloved friend, Denise Post Shank, 71, passed away on August 22nd, 2025.
Born in Waco, Texas, on October 8th, 1953, to Fred Post and Earlene Chesser, Denise spent her childhood in Waco before moving to Richardson, Texas, in her teen years.
She graduated from J.J. Pearce High School in Richardson and moved back to Waco to attend Baylor University. She earned a B.A. and master’s degrees in drama and education before working as a teacher.
Denise married Philip J. Shank in April 1976. They lived in Waco until 1988 when they moved to San Antonio, Texas.
Her beloved husband Phil passed away in 2007. Denise moved to Dallas, Texas, in 2010. When her friends Jan and Wendy Rigby moved to Estes Park, she quickly fell in love with the mountain town. Denise moved to Estes Park in 2020.
In her later years, Denise concentrated on philanthropy, sharing her monetary gifts with numerous organizations in Estes Park including Estes Park United Methodist Church (EPUMC), Crossroads Ministry, Estes Nonprofit Network, The Stanley Home Museum and Education Center,
EVICS, EVCA, and the Women’s Monument Project among others.
Denise devoted her free time to playing handbells and singing in the church at EPUMC, knitting, and going off-roading with her “adopted” sons Ryan Powell, Ryan Singer, and Dillion Powell. She also loved and cherished her “adopted” granddaughter Sophie Mardock.
Her fiery red hair and her fiery personality are unforgettable. Denise will be missed by her many friends in many cities.
She is survived by her sisters-in-law, Karen Priztl and Pam Shank; her friends Jan and Wendy Rigby; and her godchildren Travis Rigby and Amanda Rigby.
Denise was a smart, funny, capable, generous, and kind person whose impact on Estes Park will be felt for years to come. She was happy to spend the “last chapter” of her life in this beautiful place.
Please visit allnuttestespark.com to leave messages to the family. Donations considered to Crossroads Ministry of Estes Park crossroadsep.org/donate, or to the United Methodist Church at epumc.breezechms.com/give/online.
2515 Tunnel Road
Estes Park, Colorado, 80511
Join Our Team at YMCA of the Rockies
YMCA of the Rockies operates two mission-driven family and group conference and retreat centers—Estes Park Center and Snow Mountain Ranch—as well as a residential camp. Serving over 225,000 guests annually, we are committed to creating life-changing experiences through Christian hospitality, welcoming all people, and fostering community in the beauty of the Colorado Rockies. Our team members play a vital role in ensuring safety, hospitality, and meaningful engagement across all areas of our organization. We are currently hiring for the following positions:
Association Risk and Compliance Manager
This position oversees the development, implementation, and monitoring of risk management and compliance initiatives across the Association. Responsibilities include workplace safety, transportation compliance, emergency planning, youth protection, contract review, and insurance claims management. The manager collaborates with departments and leadership to support the mission and ensure regulatory adherence.
Salary Range: $70,000–$80,000/yr.
Bennett Preschool Toddler Teacher
This role involves working with co-teachers and the Preschool Director to teach toddler-aged children using a nature-based curriculum.
Payrate: $20–$23/hr.
Housekeeping – Staff & Laundry Attendants
Housekeeping staff clean cabins, lodge rooms, lobbies, and public areas. Laundry Attendants handle sorting, folding, shrink-wrapping, and transporting laundry. Applicants should indicate their preference for Housekeeping, Laundry Attendant, or No Preference. Flexible work agreements are available for up to 8 months.
Payrate: $14.81/hr.
Lifeguard – $300 Signing Bonus!
Lifeguards ensure the safety of patrons by preventing and responding to emergencies, enforcing facility rules, and maintaining cleanliness in pool areas, locker rooms, and restrooms. This role requires test-ready CPR/Lifeguarding/First Aid skills and participation in regular trainings.
Payrate: $17.81/hr.
jobs.ymcarockies.org
YMCA OF THE ROCKIES
JOIN OUR TEAM! Full details on employment opportunities and the application can be found at estes.org/jobs.
Regular Full-time
• Police Officer I - 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.
Rooms for Rent!
Bright, spacious double decker condo with shared 1.5 baths. Quiet neighborhood, walking distance to Lake Estes. Each Room $1300 + Utilities. WiFi included. If two roomates, $1250/each. Contact: cmathew8@gmail.com
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 $3000/M we can fit into most budgets.
Call us at 970-586-6500 for details on your next home!
You've just found it! Fun family business
Outdoor World and Rocky Mountain Connection retail clothing and equipment year round stores need you. $18 per hour. Retail selling, merchandising. You must be cheerful and like people. Choose your hours. Ages 15 to 80. Call Ernie 24 hours a day Mon - Sun. 970 232 8290.
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.
Apartments
1400 sf Apartment, beautiful finishes, wood floors, tile, granite countertops, main bedroom, open sleeping loft/office 18’ ceiling, window walls, available 9/1. Call 970-679-7938.
Duplexes
Duplex for rent. 2 bd, 1 ba, 1000 sq. ft., $1800/mo. 1 year lease. Convenient location. Includes water and trash pickup. Washer & dryer hookups. Non smoking, no pets. 970-586-6302
Commercial Rentals
OFFICE SPACE For Rent
Private Parking, 2 offices, each w/ separate entrances, shared bathroom. Rent 1 or both. $400 ea. 970-290-4488
Visit Estes Park seeks a marketing & PR coordinator to support the execution of content marketing, paid media and communications strategies that inspire responsible visitation to Estes Park. Assigned tasks will support leisure market visitation and destination development events and initiatives. This entry-level position will work closely with the marketing director and key marketing team members to execute content marketing and public relations plans.
Learn more: visitestespark.com/careers
Mountain
Concrete is looking for Concrete Laborers & Form Setters. Call Scott at 970-586-3775.
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
Landscaping
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
HOUSEHOLD
wood King bedframe and large headboard. High quality. Need it gone! Mattress also avail. FREE if you haul it away! 970-215-9346
Send resume to mike@homesbykingswood.com.
discounts
• Profit Sharing
• A great work environment surrounded by beautiful American art!
Please drop off resume in person at: 141 E. Elkhorn Ave. or, Email to info@earthwoodcollections.com
HOUSEKEEPING
Come join our award winning housekeeping team. Seeking energetic, enthusiastic, and attention to detail oriented individual to join our housekeeping team. Position available immediately, through beginning of November. Ideal candidate would housekeep during the morning hours and assist with projects/putting up Christmas lights in the afternoon. Starting at $19/hour, plus $750 bonus upon completion of contract. Fill out application at office 1520 Fall River Rd, Estes Park, CO
and
Condos
PROFESSIONAL BUSINESS BUILDER
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)
