Live Well Estes - Spring 2020

COVID-19: A 6-Month Timeline of Pandemic's Path to Estes Park

Free Meals from Local Restaurants and Nonprofits Continue

Keep Moving Forward: EVRPD Virtual Fitness & a PE Teacher's Challenge

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Spring 2020

COVID-19 _ Edition

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A Historie Review of the 2020 Coronavirus Pandemic ,a ESTES PARK HEALTH

EMERGENCY

EMERGENCY * ADMITTING

C W Key Sponsors: The Stanley Hotel Estes Park Health Estes Valley Library Smokin' Dave's BBQ “"McDonald's YMCA of the RockiesH Trait ciazette WWW.EPTRAIL.COM

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Index Timeline of COVID-19 ......... 4 Honoring Wellness Warriors .........5-7 Mental health in rocky times ...... 8 Food services in Estes ....... 9-13 Proposed stimulus donation ......... 14 Foundation and relief funds ..... 15 Plan ahead for weddings ... 16-17 Moving forward: Challenge ....... 18

Stanley Hotel / Courtesy photo

The Stanley Hotel goes blue in honor of first responders and medical workers. The new LED lights will remain on until this pandemic we are all facing ends, allowing Estes Park to reopen.

Repurposed distillery ......... 19

Wellness Warriors, we salute you!

Freeze frame: April 24 .......... 20 Banks help with CARES Act ..... 21 Photographic look at crisis .......... 22 Estes Valley Library 3D printer works ............. 23 YMCA and SkyRun flex to help ............... 24 Water quality update ........... 25 Please support our sponsors .. 31

t the Estes Park Trail-Gazette, we have been amazed, inspired and encouraged by the many ways people in our town have shown courage and fortitude during the COVID-19 crisis.

In this issue of our Wellness Guide, we are honoring the men and women who have been on the front lines of this pandemic, some of whom risk infection every day as they serve in their essential roles. We also want to

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honor those many businesses and organizations who have stepped up to help and feed many, even while their businesses were suffering financially as well.

None of us could have foreseen the extreme stress, danger and economic impact the crisis has had on our community over the past two months.

From first responders and healthcare workers, to businesses and nonprofits, we salute

those people who have fed the hungry, tended the sick and endeavored to keep the economy of Estes Park going during this difficult time.

In these pages, you will find messages of hope, healing and help in these extraordinary times. It is our honor to share these stories.

Mike Romero Publisher Wendy Rigby Managing Editor

To the Trail-Gazette staff, thank you! he media has been deemed essential during this pandemic. Although we often get overlooked, I would like to thank my staff at the Trail-Gazette for their work during this historic and scary time.

We all have been working tirelessly, posting news from

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all sources and in all categories, but most importantly on the breaking news regarding the COVID-19 pandemic. We have posted online no fewer than 10 news articles a day, seven days a week, since this started. Each member of this team has put themselves in harm’s way on several occa-

sions to the get the story.

My thanks to Wendy Rigby, Tim Mosier, Daniel Sewell, Deb Thelander, as well as our delivery drivers John Schapps and Bob Aiken who have delivered our copies throughout the community during this time.

Thank you! The work you

all have done has made me very proud. I am sure the community is thankful for your dedication and service as well!

Sincerely and with much appreciation, Michael A. Romero, Publisher, Estes Park Trail-Gazette COVID-19 WELLNESS WARRIORS • 3

COVID-19: A pandemic timeline Six months into the pandemic, timeline continues to grow

By Tim Mosier Trail-Gazette

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ovember 17, 2019 may very well be a date that will live in infamy. That was the date of the first case of SAR-Cov-2 (COVID-19), a respiratory condition caused by the novel coronavirus, in Wuhan, China.

On January 19, 2020, a 35year-old man walked into an urgent care clinic in Snohomish County, Washington, with a four-day history of cough and subjective fever. According to the New England Journal of Medicine, upon checking into the clinic, the patient put on a mask in the waiting room. After waiting approximately 20 minutes, he was taken into an examination room and underwent evaluation by a provider. He disclosed that he had returned to Washington State on January 15 after traveling to visit family in Wuhan, China.

That was the first recorded case in the United States.

After slowly making its way across the country, it finally made its way to Colorado on March 5. Colorado’s first positive case was a man in his 30s who stayed at the Slopeside Condos in Keystone. On March 5, he tested positive, along with a woman in Douglas County.

From there, the virus seemingly reached into every aspect of our lives, causing an unprecedented number of shut downs, closures, cancellations, and postponements.

On March 10, the Governor of Colorado declared a State of Emergency related to the presence of COVID-19 in the State.

On March 12, the NBA, NHL, and almost every collegiate athletic conference sus4 • COVID-19 WELLNESS WARRIORS

Larimer County Department of Health and Environment / Courtesy image

A breakdown of positive COVID-19 cases in Larimer County. pended operations until further notice and the MLB was never able to start the 2020 season.

On March 13, the President of the United States declared a National Emergency and Larimer County declared a Local Disaster Emergency related to COVID19. Later that day, at 3 p.m., Colorado health officials reported the first death from COVID-19 in Colorado. The death occurred in a female in her 80s with underlying health conditions residing in El Paso County.

“While we were expecting this day, it doesn’t make it any less difficult to hear and share this news. As a state we are in mourning and our hearts go out to the family and loved ones of the Coloradan we lost,” said Gov. Jared Polis in a

statement.

On March 15, the Larimer County Public Health Director issued a Public Health Order prohibiting events of 250 or more people and all Events at Senior Community Centers.

On March 16, Gov. Jared Polis’s administration ordered the closure of in-house dining at all restaurants and bars in Colorado for at least 30 days.

Delivery and takeout was still available. The order, issued by Jill Hunsaker Ryan, the executive director for the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, took effect March 17 at 8 a.m.

According to the order, it applied to food courts, cafes, coffeehouses, and other similar places of public accommodation offering food or beverage for on-premises

consumption, bars, taverns, brewpubs, breweries, microbreweries, distillery pubs, wineries, tasting rooms, special licensees, clubs, and other places of public accommodation offering alcoholic beverages for on-premises consumption, cigar bars; gymnasiums; movie and performance theaters, opera houses, concert halls, and music halls, and casinos. Polis said there are over 12,000 restaurants and bars in the state.

“Our hearts go out to 240,000 employees in the food and beverage industry,” Polis told reporters during a press conference at the state Capitol Monday afternoon. He added, “The more seriously we take this public health emergency, the better we can See COVID-19, pg. 30

EPH COVID-19 team at the helm

By Wendy Rigby Trail-Gazette

• Leslie Roberts, Emergency Department Director.

• Karlye Pope, Inpatient Serot one. Not one single vices Director. person missed a shift.

• Erica Williams, Infection Every staff member at Prevention Director. the Estes Park Health hospital, • Lisa Taylor, Public Infornursing facility and clinic mation Officer. showed up for work during • Catherine Cornell, Emerthese uncertain times. It’s a gency Preparedness Liaison. testament to the commitment “Within the building, our of front-line health professionstaff is disciplined to wearing als.

PPE (personal protection The doctors, nurses, lab equipment) and disciplined to technicians and others who the appropriate handwashing,” provide important patient care said Gary Hall, EP Health in the Estes Park community Chief Information Officer. knew they were putting themEstes Park Health / Courtesy photo The measures being taken at selves at risk by continuing to Karlye Pope and Erica Williams are two members of the COVIDthe hospital are keeping work in healthcare during a 19 Operations Team. patients and staff as safe as worldwide pandemic. They possible. EP Health has six came to work and they were prepared to protect themselves This six-person team meets ventilators available. Recently, er jobs and have volunteered and their patients. daily to understand the chang- to take on this new responsibil- the hospital created four negaEstes Park Health also destive pressure rooms and ing recommendations and the ity. ignated a COVID-19 OperaThe team members are: changing information about invested money to reverse the • Terri Brandt Correia, the virus itself. tions Team whose work has air flow to make both operatAll of these people have oth- Chief Nursing Officer (CNO). been nothing short of heroic.

See EPH, pg. 29

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COVID-19 WELLNESS WARRIORS • 5

Ambulance crews on the front line

By Deb Holmes For the Trail-Gazette

every minute of their lives, not only while they are on shift but even when they are home.

When crews go to a house, mbulance crews around they not only have the chance the world are truly the of facing Covid-19 face to face, warriors of the front their chances of being exposed line, first responders during skyrockets. Every single crew this unprecedented time.The ambulance crews are often the member, returns from various first contact with patients when calls wondering ‘what if that was the call that exposed me?’ they call for medical assistance. They are the first to see Then they must wait for hours to find out if the patient they patients in their homes, they are the first to screen patients spent so much time with tested positive. and they are the first to be Exposure to any virus or flu, exposed to the contagions is always a concern for those around the environment and on the front line. They not only patient they have are transrisk getting sick themselves porting. It is up to the ambulance crews to make the initial and being temporarily out of work, but the chances of carryright call, protecting theming the virus and passing it selves and others. onto their own loved ones is The lives of our local ambulance crews have been rocked equally concerning.

The heightened awareness like all crews around the UnitDeb Holmes / Courtesy photo of this contagion has driven a ed States and world, as the Paramedic Rachel Hofsess waits for crew member Debbie FranSee AMBULANCE, pg. 30 cis to begin the decon process before she can take her PPE off. threat of Covid-19 seeps into

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Larimer County shines during dark times Officials adjust on the fly, keep citizens informed

By Tim Mosier Trail-Gazette

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hroughout the entirety of the this global pandemic, officials at Larimer County have been on the front lines organizing, adjusting, and communicating the most important pieces of information to the community.

On March 13, the same day the President of the United States declared a National Emergency, Larimer County declared a Local Disaster Emergency and later that day, Colorado health officials reported the first death from COVID-19 in Colorado.

Wasting no time, on March 15, Larimer County Public Health Director Tom Gonza6 • COVID-19 WELLNESS WARRIORS

les, issued a Public Health Order prohibiting events of 250 or more people and all events at Senior Community Centers. Less than 48-hours later, on March 17, Gonzales issued an order closing all bars, restaurants, theaters and gymnasiums, and restricting events to 50 people or less.

As new information continued to roll in from across the country and around the globe, Larimer County officials were ready to adjust and adapt to the ever-changing conditions the spread of COVID-19 creat-

ed.

The day after Rocky Mountain National Park closed, on the 21st, Gonzales issued a Public Health Order ceasing the operations and vacating the premises of all short-term lodging in the Estes Valley.

“We have been encouraging visitors to not drive up to Estes Valley and we will continue to do so,” Larimer County Public Information Supervisor Katie O’Donnell said.

On March 25, the same day that Gov. Polis issued similar orders; Gonzales issued a Stay-at-home Order for all of Larimer County that was set to last until April 17 but would eventually be extended to April 26.

On April 23, sensing the economic hardships felt by those in the County and in tandem with the Town of Estes Park, issued Orders allowing accommodations to reopen with some restrictions. The

Orders last through May 31 but State and local lodging regulations, when more strict, still had to be followed. It was made clear that the restrictions may be extended or amended in response to the pandemic.

According to most medical professionals, we are still in the early stages of this pandemic. Some are predicting the world will feel the lingering effects of the Coronavirus for years to come and considering we are only through our first few months, I believe it is safe to say we are not out of the woods yet.

One thing is for sure, the citizens of Larimer County can rest a little easier knowing that while we may be stuck in the woods currently, the leadership of Larimer County is working tirelessly to find the clearing and bring a little light back to our everyday lives. We thank them.

Estes Park Police keep town safe Patrol officers protect vacant businesses

By Tim Mosier Trail-Gazette

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uring these times of stay-at-home orders and social distancing, we tend to get a sort of tunnel vision in regards to our lives.

Intellectually, we know that there are millions of people risking the health and safety of themselves and their families to protect and serve our communities. Outside of the vast array of medical professionals treating patients and easing pain, there are also millions of police officers across the country keeping individuals and businesses safe during this time of unrest.

Estes Park Police Department / Courtesy photo

Estes Park Police Department’s Officers Andrew Johnson and Maria Jonoska in all of their personal protective equipment.

In Estes Park, the local Police Department is adjusting their normal day-to-day activities to account for the difference in society. Something the Police might be uniquely suited for.

“As Police Officers we’ve always been encouraged to keep a safe reactionary gap from persons, said Estes Park Police Department’s (EPPD) Officer Andrew Johnson. “Calls for service have been about the

same, productivity between shifts has been the same because we’re still policing the same community, the same businesses.”

One of the biggest differences for law enforcement is the commonality of masks and gloves, accessories traditionally associated with criminal activity which have now become encouraged.

“Two to three years ago I would never ask a person to place a mask on their face nor gloves and go into a bank or supermarket, but sadly, that’s our common practice now,” Officer Johnson said.

Numbers pertaining to the volume of calls has not been released, but the types of calls have definitely changed.

“The number of calls, off hand, is unknown. We frequently get calls for service from perSee POLICE, pg. 28

COVID-19 WELLNESS WARRIORS • 7

Minding mental health in rocky times

By Wendy Rigby Trail-Gazette

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n this time of uncertainty and stress, the mental health of the residents of Estes Park is of paramount importance. Frontline therapy warriors have been relying on technology to help them continue important sessions with clients.

“Connection, I believe, is one of the keys to helping people overcome mental health challenges,” said Ray Nypaver, MA, LPCC, owner of Wanderlust Counseling in Estes Park. “Connection is extremely important at this time. We just have to be mindful of the way that we do it.”

Nypaver has been conducting her therapy sessions via Zoom, although she admits, the set-up is less than ideal.

“We do rely on facial expressions and the energy we have

Ray Nypaver / Courtesy photo

Ray Nypaver owns Wanderlust Counseling in Estes Park. during in-person sessions,” she noted, “but our work continues.”

Nypaver started her practice in Estes Park in October of 2019. She has a degree from the University of Colorado Boulder in mental health counseling with a concentration in

nature therapy.

“Mother nature offers a lot of wisdom,” she said. “There is science behind it. Sitting under a tree, taking a walk, looking at the mountains activates a part of the brain that helps us remain calm.”

Nypaver is one of about a half

dozen therapists in Town. No psychiatrists practice here, so people who need more acute mental health care are referred to psychiatrists in other cities in Larimer County.

However, the half dozen or so therapists in Town offer a variety of approaches to mental wellness, from animal therapy to EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing Therapy.

To help people who might not be able to afford therapy right now, in April, Nypaver offered one free session to anyone whose income has been compromised but who still need someone to talk to in order to help them through the crisis.

“I can’t fix anything as far as their life challenges go, but I think sometimes people need a nonjudgmental place to talk and to work out the emotions that See MENTAL, pg. 28

Thank You, Estes Park From our family to yours...

We take pride in serving each and every one of you.

We gave hundreds of free Thank You Meals to first responders and health care workers from our Estes Park restaurant in March/April. Thank you to ALL workers on the front lines helping others during this difficult time.

Bob, Amy, Pat, Todd & Frankie Luther Local Owner/Operators, Estes Park McDonald's 501 Big Thompson Ave. • (970) 586-3434 8 • COVID-19 WELLNESS WARRIORS

YOU ARE OUR HEROES!

Ziggi’s serves free drinks to nurses, doctors and first responders

By Wendy Rigby Trail-Gazette

Z Mountain Home Cafe / Courtesy photo

Many of the meals included at least one donated mask for each family member.

Crossroads and Mountain Home Cafe feed hungry

By Wendy Rigby Trail-Gazette

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rossroads and Mountain Home Café partnered together to serve hundreds of meals to people in need during the COVID-19 crisis. Many of the meals also included at least one donated

iggi’s Coffee, at www.ZiggisCoffee.com, supported nurses and doctors, along with first responders by offering one free drink per day at any currently operating Ziggi’s Coffee location throughout Colorado, Oklahoma, and Arizona. The offer included any menu drink in any size.

Ziggi’s Coffee continues to serve the community from its drive-thru locations, in an effort to protect the safety and well-being of its customers.

The offer was one free drink per physician, nurse or first responder per day. Valid only for physicians, nurses,

Wendy Rigby / Estes Park Trail-Gazette

Ziggi’s in Estes Park is located at 519 S. St. Vrain Ave. firefighters, paramedics and police officers.

mask for each family member, since Coloradans are being encouraged to wear masks whenever in public.

Mountain Home asked for donations to go toward feeding local families during the stay-athome order. They are distributing free meals every Wednesday through the end of May.

McDonald’s serves first reponders free

By Daniel Sewell Trail-Gazette

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s a thank you to Estes Park’s men and women who continue to work on the front lines, day in and day out, to maintain safety, security, and peace, McDonald’s gave away free Extra Value Meals through the month of April to support our committed first responders to say “Thanks” for taking care of all

the people in Estes Park.

The restaurant offered a free Extra Value Meal, of their choice, each day, to medical personnel and first responders.

McDonald’s is on the Northeast corner of Hwy 34 and Hwy 36, is the perfect place for a pit-stop.

McDonald’s continued taking drive-thru orders, take-out and mobile app orders for quick and convenient service.

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COVID-19 WELLNESS WARRIORS • 9

Providing a safe way to shop

By Wendy Rigby Trail-Gazette

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hile a crisis of pandemic proportions grips the world, people still need to eat. The biggest grocery store in Estes Park, Safeway at 451 E. Wonderview Ave., has been open for business and even recruiting extra manpower to meet the high demand of a population hungry for food, medicine and supplies.

“The first to go was toilet paper, hand sanitizer and wipes,” said Store Director Dion Steffonich.

The rush for goods began in mid-March after orders from the Colorado governor and President Trump for non-essential workers to stay home and for everyone to practice social distancing.

“There was a lot more foot traffic,” Steffonich said. “A lot more people came into the store. It was less like a routine shopping trip. It was more like a stocking-up kind of buying.”

The necessity to refill emptying shelves and meet the consumer demand meant long hours for Steffonich and his staff.

Dion Steffonich is the store director of the Safeway in Estes Park.“When this all started, I worked nearly three weeks straight,” Steffonich commented.

He is not alone.

Deli Manager Bill Reorda just got a day off after working 20 days in a row.

“I’ve been stocking everywhere,” Reorda stated. “I’ve been back and forth doing everything. The biggest challenge is just keeping everything clean, as clean as we possibly can keep it.”

Reorda noted that store customers are very appreciative of the staff’s service. “The people do appreciate it. They really do,” he said. “They come up

Jan Rigby / Courtesy photo

Grocery Cashier Graham Nelson, has worked at the Estes Park Safeway for 10 years. and thank us all the time. It’s kind of cool.”

New signage at Safeway encourages social distancing.Grocery Cashier Graham Nelson, who has worked at the Estes Park Safeway for 10 years, said he has not been nervous having to work at a job that exposes him to the general public during a pandemic.

“I feel like this situation is a time when I can create a calmness and a peace and a prospect of hope for people to talk to,” Nelson said.

“This crisis has empowered me to help out the community.

And to be friendly and kind and family-first.”

Jan Rigby / Courtesy photo See SHOP, pg. 11 New signs at Safeway encourage social distancing.

10 • COVID-19 WELLNESS WARRIORS

Schools continue to hand out meals

By Tim Mosier Trail-Gazette

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he Estes Park School District was one of the only ones that started food services the first day the students were out of school.

The program started off slowly until organizers realized some people were having some transportation issues

getting to the pick-up site. In heroic fashion, they organized bus drivers to help with that and have gone all the way our to Allenspark and other surrounding communities.

Organizers are quick to make sure the lunch rooms where the food is prepared are all clean and sterile, keeping staff healthy to provide the much needed meals.

“We have been getting more meals out. The first week we were averaging about 120 meals a day, that has steadily increased to around 390-400 a day as of the last week and a half,” said District Business Manager, Brian Lund.

Pick-up sites around town made the free food convenient for people to access.

make sure everyone is six feet apart. Customers are limited on the amounts of certain items they can buy at one time.

Employees are wearing masks and gloves.

Safeway has also implemented special hours for seniors to shop, since older people are believed to be more vulnerable to coronavirus. Only people over 65 are allowed to shop between 7 a.m. and 9 a.m. on

Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays.

“We are a grocery store, but we are also compassionate,” Steffonich said.

While he said he cannot compare grocery store staff to first responders or healthcare workers on the front lines of the pandemic, Steffonich said he is proud his store continues to provide an essential service in these difficult times.

SHOP from page 10 No Safeway employees have been laid off due to the crisis.

In fact, the grocery store has added staff to keep up with the increased demand, hiring Estes Park residents who had been laid off at places like the YMCA of the Rockies, restaurants and hotels.

Aisles at Safeway are now one way.“If we’re allowed to be open, I can do what I can to make sure that people who are needing

jobs can have them,” Steffonich emphasized. “So we’ve continuously been hiring.”

Many changes have been implemented at Safeway over the past several weeks. Plexiglass shields separate cashiers and customers to lessen the change of the spread of COVID-19. Aisles are now one way. Shoppers stay behind lines when waiting with their carts at the check-out stands to

We are here for you during this time!

(970) 586-9230

COVID-19 WELLNESS WARRIORS • 11

Hot meal giveaway feeds Estes

By Wendy Rigby Trail-Gazette

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hot meal means a lot for people who are struggling after being laid off or having their work hours cut due to the impact of the COVID-19 crisis.

A hot meal means a lot for people who are struggling after being laid off or having their work hours cut due to the impact of the COVID-19 crisis.

Acknowledging these recent struggles, the Estes Valley Nonprofit Resource Center (EVNRC) has extended the Food Support Network in Estes Park.

“Community members who find themselves out of work, underemployed, or working harder than ever are all welcome,” said Laurie Dale Marshall, director of the EVNRC.

Jan Rigby / Courtesy photo

A hot meal means a lot for people who are struggling after being laid off or having their work hours cut due to the impact of the COVID-19 crisis.

With funds from the Town’s Community Relief Fund, the

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12 • COVID-19 WELLNESS WARRIORS

American Legion Post is a new site for food access for anyone in need.

Shepherd’s pie, vegetables and peach cobbler were on the menu one Friday night during a huge drive-through meal give-away at the American Legion Post 119 in Estes Park.

One of those in need is 27year-old Matthew Kinnett who recently lost his job as a bartender at Bird and Jim when the restaurant temporarily closed due to the pandemic.

Kinnett has filed for unemployment, but the checks have not started arriving yet. While he is relying on some of this donated food, he is also donating his time to serve the meals to others.

“It did not feel right to take food without helping,” Kinnett said. “It seems like a pretty nice cause. It’s just nice to be able to contribute.”

Dozens of volunteers are working behind the scenes preparing the meals and on the front line serving up the food.

All guidelines for safe and no-contact meal pick up are

being followed.

The meals are available Tuesday and Friday, 4 p.m. – 6 p.m.The goal is to get food to people who may not be eligible for to receive it any other way.

Meals are designed to feed two people, with the Friday meal including a weekend pack of goodies to last a couple of days.

“This is awesome. It’s incredible what they’ve got going on,” Kinnett said. “This town’s has a lot of service people. It’s nice for everybody to have an option. You know, rent was due a couple of days ago. Everybody’s got bills coming up. So it’s nice to be able to help.”

Donations are always accepted to support this program and can be made on-site, directly to the American Legion, or to the EPNRC Nonprofit Relief Fund.

The meals are available Tuesday and Friday from 4 to 6 p.m.

The drive-through is at the American Legion Post 119, 850 S. St. Vrain Ave. Enter off 1st Ave.

Antonio DeSousa feeds Estes Park

By Wendy Rigby Trail-Gazette

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t’s not about community. It’s about doing what a human is supposed to do.”

Those words by Antonio DeSousa, owner of Antonio’s Real New York Pizza in Estes Park, speak volumes about his character.

DeSousa’s restaurant has baked and served up about 300 loaves of fresh bread in the first two weeks of the coronavirus crisis. On March 17, DeSousa started doing something amazing in response to the COVID-19 crisis. He began leaving fresh baked bread and flour on a table in front of his restaurant and inviting people who need food to come get it.

While he asks for a donation, he does not require one.

“I just want to make sure people who need food are able to get it at this time,” DeSousa said. “I realized that people in the working class who are having their hours cut or are being laid off would not have the means to buy food.”

DeSousa’s restaurant has baked and served up about 300 loaves of fresh bread just in the first two weeks of the coronavirus crisis.

He commented that he is most impressed by the comments and reactions from people in the community who are not in need, who are working quietly in the background to help. Some residents have contacted him to give him money to keep his efforts going.

When asked how long he will keep up bread making, he said, “Until this is over.”

DeSousa is also buying milk from his supplier and selling it to people who need the staple at cost.

“In addition to the bread, flour and milk, in the last week

Antonio’s Real New York Pizza Courtesy photo

DeSousa’s restaurant has baked and served up hundreds of loaves of fresh bread during the coronavirus crisis.

Antonio’s Real New York Pizza / Courtesy photo we fed the entire Estes Park Antonio DeSousa owns Antonio’s Real New York Pizza in Estes Medical Center staff, Safeway’s staff, Country Supermar- Park. ket’s staff and a few other places,” DeSousa explained. “All for free. Those who are dealing directly with the impact of coronavirus need to be recognized and supported. Everyone needs to eat!”

Antonio DeSousa began leaving fresh baked bread and flour on a table in front of his restaurant and inviting people who need food to come get it.DeSousa said he moved to Colorado from New York “for the beauty.” He quickly realized there was a need for good pizza in Estes Park. First, he served the Italian favorite out of a coffee shop he owned.

Now, he runs a pizza restaurant.

None of his 12 employees have been laid off so far. DeSousa said they are making pizza “all day long” for pick up.

Customers can call in an order or order online.

This is all quite a change for a man who used to work for an internet marketing firm.

Antonio’s Real New York Pizza is located at 1560 Big Thompson Ave. in Estes Park.

COVID-19 WELLNESS WARRIORS • 13

Resident proposes stimulus donation

By Wendy Rigby Trail-Gazette

The Estes Chamber of Commerce is part of a committee helping to decide how to use the $250,000 Community Relief ike many people, contracFund approved by the Town of tor Frank Theis of Estes Estes Park Board of Trustees Park is expecting a stimon March 24. ulus check in the mail as the “The Chamber is actively federal government seeks to participating in a committee lessen the economic impact of evaluating the business needs the COVID-19 pandemic. and deciding on distribution of Unlike many people, Theis these funds,” Chamber Execusaid he doesn’t really need the tive Director Donna Carlson money to survive the current said. “There are three possible crisis. categories of need we can use Theis is proposing that peothis money to help address: ple like him in Estes Park pool mortgage costs, bills (includtheir direct cash payments and ing utilities) and taxes and create a fund to help people in insurance.” the town who really need it.

The Estes Park Nonprofit “Most of the suddenly-unemResource Center has estabployed hourly workers are lished the EP Nonprofit Relief going to be needing help Fund for disbursement within beyond the initial payment,” Estes Park only.

Theis said.

“This fund will support any For the Estes Park workers operational need that contribwho are employed as waiters, utes to the execution of an bartenders, housekeepers, essential service and/or basic cooks, hospitality staff or retail need in our community,” the employees, this crisis comes at EPNRC said in its announcea terrible time. ment.

“As usual, many have surTheis said he believes there Frank Theis / Courtesy photo vived the off-season on a subare many wealthy retirees in Frank Theis has lived in Estes Park for two decades. sistence income, and they the Estes Park community were just looking forward to who could choose to donate to seeing their incomes start to “Many (hourly workers) live off of savings in a separate fund. rise,” Theis commented in an could put the money the off-season, and run short this time of year. in “They email proposing his idea. a grandchild’s college fund “Many live off of savings in the A $1,200 check will only cover a month’s rent or pay one month’s mortgage, off-season, and run short this or they could contribute their or food, not both. If this shutdown lasts time of year. A $1,200 check stimulus checks to a fund that several months, as expected, many hourly will only cover a month’s rent will secure the sound economor food, not both. If this shutic future of the town,” Theis workers may be forced to leave Estes.” down lasts several months, as commented.

Frank Theis, Estes Park resident expected, many hourly workThe busiest tourist months ers may be forced to leave in Estes Park are July, August Estes.” and September. If Rocky explained. “We could make but he said he believes a fund Theis said this will impact Mountain National Park that is not administered by the payments to those individuals everyone who lives in the reopens soon and the lodging government could be useful in over the next several months, town. industry is able to book as needed.” the months to come.

“These are essential memEmployers will need employ- guests, “I suspect Estes will He proposes receiving conbers of our community,” Theis tributions from people who are ees as businesses reopen. not be devastated,” Theis said. stressed. “If we want our own “People who normally go to Theis said everyone in Estes will to donate their governlocal economic stabilization, Disneyland or travel overseas ment payments and building a Park will need the services of we need to figure out how to might decide to come see the workers who provide assisstructure to review requests keep them. When they run out for additional financial support tance in areas from maintenational park instead.” of money, they will leave.

Theis invites comments and nance to home health care. from the unemployed.

When they leave, it will be Other related efforts to pro- thoughts on his stimulus “Then we should identify hard to get them to come vide short-term financial relief check fund proposal. He can individual needs for basics, back.” to businesses are already such as food and rent, until be reached at underway. their jobs come back,” Theis Theis’ plan is in its infancy, ftheis3@gmail.com.

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14 • COVID-19 WELLNESS WARRIORS

EPNRC creates a EPH Foundation’s Emergency Response Nonprofit Relief Fund Fund up and running

By Karen McPherson, Estes Park Nonprofit Resource Center For the Trail-Gazette

By Kevin Mullin, Estes Park Health Foundation For the Trail-Gazette

I

O

n March 19, the Estes Park Health Foundation Board of Directors created the Estes Park Coronavirus and Subsequent Emergency Response Fund with the goal of raising $150,000 to support Estes Park Health in its response to keeping the community safe during the COVID-19 pandemic.

So far the Foundation has raised $88k, securing funding for a $45,500 ask to convert four rooms at Estes Park Health to negative pressure See FOUNDATION, pg. 26

butions have ensured Estes Valley Crisis Advocates (EVCA) employees can work remotely. EVCA provides essential advocacy services n times of crisis, nonprof- to survivors of crime and trauma and offers safe housits become the safety nets of a community. The ing for domestic violence Estes Park Nonprofit Center survivors, counseling, and referrals for services. $2000 (EPNRC) has established a will purchase laptops; this Nonprofit Relief Fund to allows their employees to assure basic needs are met extend counseling services and essential services beyond open office hours. remain consistent now and Nonprofits have requested beyond this crisis. The Nonsupport for utilities and proprofit Relief Fund is disgram materials. Some are bursed within Estes Park only. This fund supports any asking for operational support to boost programs that operational need that conprovide income opportunitributes to the execution of ties. Allow us to be able to an essential service and/or SAY YES when our nonprofit basic need in our communistakeholders, holding ever ty.

Already, community contriSee EPNRC, pg. 27

Estes Park Health Foundation Courtesy photo

Negative pressure rooms prevent the air from infected patients’ rooms from escaping to other areas of the hospital.

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COVID-19 WELLNESS WARRIORS • 15

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www.stanleyhotel.com/pavilion 16 • COVID-19 WELLNESS WARRIORS

COVID-19 WELLNESS WARRIORS • 17

EVPRD offers virtual fitness

By Wendy Rigby Trail-Gazette

E

ven while the Rec Center was closed due to COVID-19 mandates, the fitness partners at the EVRPD found a way to connect with the community.

Vicki Jennings, Jackie Nel-

son, and Patricia Gaultier-Owen each created Facebook groups.

From these groups, exercisers could access their favorite class in a remote setting.

There were also links to the California Strength and Les Mills Virtual programs in place.

Courtesy photo

While the Community Center is closed, EVRPD offered virtual exercise classes.

Teacher creates ‘Keep Moving Experiment’

By Wendy Rigby Trail-Gazette

T

ony Stafford loves his job.

As a physical education teacher and assistant coach of the cross country team, when times are normal, he has a chance to influence the fitness choices of a young generation.

Times are not normal, though. School is closed for now due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Stafford is far away from his students. Somehow, though, he has still found a way to teach something he is passionate about.

“Not only does PE stand for physical education,” Stafford said. “In these times, it stands for positive enforcement.”

Stafford created what he calls the Keep Moving Experiment.

He has assigned his students to travel “by foot ONLY (i.e. brisk walking, hiking, jogging, etc.), to the furthest house you can in one outing on 10 different occasions until the end of the school year; a minimum of 15 minutes out and 15 minutes back. You will place a pre-written letter on the furthest house’s doorstep.”

The letter is a call is action to everyone in the Estes Park community to stay active even during this time of required social distancing.

Tony Stafford / Courtesy photo

Tony Stafford and his children still enjoy the great outdoors.

“Movement, in my opinion, is the key to keeping oneself sane not only during these unpredictable times but for a lifetime,” Stafford explained. “Now that we are all on a ‘stay at home’ order, there is only so much time you can spend in front of the computer, TV or any other piece of technology. I’m just listening to the Governor speak now and he is advocating for people to get outside (obviously with social distancing in mind) and move.”

The template letter Stafford wrote for his students to deliver reads as follows: Dear Neighbor: I am an Estes Park High School student who has traveled far by foot to spread resilience in these uncertain times. Exercise is part of what is keeping me

18 • COVID-19 WELLNESS WARRIORS

healthy, strong and active. If you could please acknowledge that you have received this letter by sending my teacher (tony_stafford@psdr3.k12.co.us) and myself (youremail@youremail) a quick email back that would be great. Not only is it for my grade but also supports staying active.

Also, join me and my classmates in this physical experiment and do the same; a ‘pay-it-forward’ idea. Travel, by foot ONLY (i.e. brisk walking, hiking, jogging, etc.), to the furthest house you can in one outing on several different occasions; a minimum of 15 minutes our and 15 minutes back. Also, have the delivery of your letter respond back, via email, to all of us (you, myself, and Mr. Stafford).

Let’s see how many people we

can get moving in our Estes Valley Community during these challenging times and how far our message can spread. Keep our community, state, country and world strong. Enjoy and stay well!

The response so far has been overwhelmingly positive.

“I just want to let you know that a student walked to my house today and left a note about the exercise project.

Great idea,” one recipient of the letter wrote. “Personally, I’ve been hiking every day at least 30 minutes since we have to stay at home from work.”

Another person who got a letter delivered to their doorstop by a student wrote, “I did receive your letter, and I will also follow your example and do more walking (keeping social distance). I agree with you that during these troubling times that we have to not only take care of our mental health but also our physical health. Actually, I believe as you do that by staying fit and doing physical activities each day that we are helping both our physical health and our mental health.”

As a PE teacher, Stafford said it was a “no-brainer” to come up with an assignment that would keep his students moving. Also, he believes the students are doing something good not only for their own health, but to See TEACHER, pg. 28

By Wendy Rigby Trail-Gazette

Whiskey can wait

T

hose empty shelves where the hand sanitizer used to sit for sale are creating a new opportunity for local distilleries to help with the current health crisis.

Spirit Hound Distillers of Lyons is repurposing its distillery to help fill a void, switching from spirits to sanitizers.

Spirit Hound has produced more than hundreds of gallons of the in-demand product since March 17.

“I never thought I’d be making hand sanitizer,” said Craig Engelhorn, head distiller of Spirit Hound. “Our main goal is to get the product to our local first responders and health workers. They are in the line of fire. These people don’t have a choice to practice social distancing.”

So far, Spirit Hound has provided the germ-killing liquid to Lyons Fire Department, Pinewood Fire Department, Big Elk Fire Department, the Cherry Valley Police Department, the Sheriff’s Department in Lyons, an operations center in Boulder, and the Boulder jail.

While Engelhorn is giving away the hand sanitizer free to emergency and health workers, he does ask for a donation from others who want the product.

When individuals arrive to get their one bottle (all that is allowed), Engelhorn asks for $5 to help cover costs. One customer was so pleased to have the hand sanitizer, he donated $50.

“We’re just trying to cover the costs so we can keep providing the service,” Engelhorn said.

Following an approved recipe provided by the World Health Organization, the distillers combine ethanol, glycerin, hydrogen peroxide and water.

Spirit Hound Distillers / Courtesy photo

Craig Engelhorn is head distiller of Spirit Hound Distillers in Lyons.

“Our main goal is to get the product to our local first responders and health workers.”

Craig Engelhorn, head distiller of Spirit Hound “It’s not as thick and gel-like as store-bought sanitizer,” Engelhorn explained. “It’s almost as thin as alcohol. But it works. And a little bit goes a long way.”

Englehorn cannot ship his hand sanitizer. He said if anyone wants to buy some, they should email sanitizers@spirithounds.com and plan on picking up their bottle.

“We’ve been overwhelmed with requests,” Engelhorn said. “The phone is ringing constantly. Businesses want to stay open and they want to keep people safe.”

“We just want to get the hand sanitizer to the people who need it,” he added.

Wash your hands…

Stay healthy…

Don’t touch your face… Keep fit…

Social distance in public places!

See you back at the gym very soon!

Call or email for an appointment:

970-577-0174

medxofestes@hotmail.com Physical Therapy services resume May 4 We are taking extra precautions to sustain safe and healthy equipment

www.MedXofEstes.com • 158 First Street COVID-19 WELLNESS WARRIORS • 19

Daniel Sewell / Estes Park Trail-Gazette

Canine Hair Design and Pet Sitting owner Donna Elston grooms a dog.

Pets well taken care of during pandemic

By Tim Mosier

might carry the virus,” said World Small Animal and Veterinary Association (WSAVA) President Dr. Shane Ryan. he recent escalation of “There is no evidence that this the COVID-19 pandemic is necessary and we urge our has people taking every members to ensure owners necessary precaution in efforts follow our guidance and keep to keep themselves, their famithemselves and their companlies, and our society safe. ion animals safe.”

This has left many pet ownLocally, the pet supply and ers wondering exactly how grooming industry is experisafe it is to have animals around and what the rules are encing many of the same hardwhen it comes to pets and self- ships as other small businesses. With Public Health Order isolating.

“There is still much we don’t 20-24 being signed by Governor Polis, some things within know about COVID-19 and, the industry had to be adjustwhile the priority is to bring ed. the outbreak of the infection caused to people under control According to that order, a as soon as possible, we are Non-Critical business is concerned for animal welfare required to reduce in-person with reports of animals being work by at least 50 percent and abandoned or killed because follow social distancing their owners fear that they requirements as defined in the Trail-Gazette

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20 • COVID-19 WELLNESS WARRIORS

order. A reduction of in-person work can include telework, staggering work schedules, or other measures to reduce the proximity of workers to each other.

Businesses deemed as Critical are exempt from the order and are not required to reduce in-person work, but must still comply with social distancing requirements. Critical services detailed in the order include “animal shelters, animal rescues, zoological facilities, animal sanctuaries and other petrelated service facilities, such as boarding facilities.”

All other pet services licensed under the Pet Animal Care Facilities Act (PACFA) would be considered non-critical businesses and thus subject to the order. This would include groomers and retail facilities.

“I am the only one in the shop,” Canine Hair Design and Pet Sitting owner, Donna Elston, said.

She was recently in contact with an inspector from the PACFA Program and was informed of precautions that are being taken.

The PACFA Program is a licensing and inspection system dedicated to protecting the health and well-being of animals in facilities throughout Colorado.

“It is curb-side pickup and drop-off,” Elston said. “It’s 20 seconds of washing your hands and 30 minutes washing the dog and then we take them right back out to their owners.”

Owner of Estes Park Pet Supply, William Welborn, says his store saw an initial blitz on See PETS, pg. 26

Local banks, businesses attempt to obtain CARES Act funding

By Tim Mosier Trail-Gazette

and application processes.

By April 16, funding across the country had been depleted. resident of the Estes “There were a few applicaPark branch of the tions that we were unfortuBank of Colorado, nately not able to secure fundChristina Kraft, says she and ing for prior to program her team have been working depletion but are ready to around the clock for the last finalize authorization if a secthree weeks in efforts to get as much funding in the hands ond round of funding is available, which is likely this of local business owners as week,” said Kraft. “Initial possible.

“Bank of Colorado was com- approval and funding is only the beginning of this process. mitted from the onset to We are providing resources to understanding the program and planning for implementa- our borrowers to understand the current guidance for fortion to the best of our ability giveness requirements which under constantly changing will aid both the Bank and government guidance. Our borrower to maximize loan approach of early engageforgiveness when the next ment was to ensure the comstage of the PPP process munities and businesses we begins.” serve would have access to Even though funding is curmuch needed funding and retain community jobs,” Kraft rently depleted, the US Senate approved nearly $500 bilsaid. lion in additional aid on “I’m pleased to share that Tuesday (April 21) and the we received Small Business Administration (SBA) authori- House passed the bill on Thursday. The deal adds $310 zation for over 100 requests billion to the CARES Act’s and are in process of closing Paycheck Protection Program and funding over $15 million (PPP) and $60 billion for the of PPP Loans in the Estes SBA’s Economic Injury DisasPark community. Most borter Loan (EIDL) program. It rowers have received authoalso includes $75 billion for rized funding and we have hospitals and health-care proonly a handful of loans viders, and $25 billion for a remaining to close and fund new testing program. this week,” said Kraft. “Our Congress has now committiming approach is needs ted nearly $3 trillion in emerbased, meaning some businesses are seeking funding as gency funding in total “The program is widely quickly as possible while othanticipated to be replenished, ers prefer to wait until the required funding date as tim- though I would highly encourage everyone to call ing impacts use of funds their representatives in condirective and forgiveness eligress,” President and CEO of gibility.”

Bank of Estes Park, Scott After the CARES Act was Applegate, said. signed into law by President Luckily, for some local Trump on March 27 the prosmall businesses, Bank of cess was opened up to appliEstes Park has been able to cations on April 3, giving quickly and competently take financial institutions roughly applications and disperse a week to prepare programs

P

funding.

“We took almost a week longer to get the program live because we wanted to get it right,” Applegate said.

And it appears they have.

“We were quoting – and will continue to quote, if the program is replenished – three business days from complete application to approval, and another three business days to actual funding,” said Applegate.

While the bank will continue to quote applicant these times, some have experienced even quicker turnaround.

“I filed two loan applications with Bank of Estes Park and got approval in 24 Hours and funding in 48 total hours,”

said local business owner, Charley Dickey. “I was funded this morning – thank god.”

Through a joint venture with Colorado Lending Source, Bank of Estes Park was able to utilize resources of both institutions to get the program up and running quickly and efficiently.

“Preliminarily, I can tell you that our program funded over 130 jobs in the Estes Valley before national funds ran out, with over $640K already disbursed,” Applegate said.

Joel Delia, with Protech Plumbing and Heating in Estes Park what, sadly, had a more common experience for small business owners.

See FUNDING, pg. 26

COVID-19 WELLNESS WARRIORS • 21

Wendy Rigby / Estes Park Trail-Gazette

Estes Park drivers display “Mountain Strong” pride.

Signs of the times

Wendy Rigby / Estes Park Trail-Gazette

Rocky Mountain National Park temporarily closed to visitors on March 27.

Photographic look at how COVID-19 crisis is impacting Estes Park

By Wendy Rigby Trail-Gazette

C

losed. Keep your social distance. The signs started popping up all

over Estes Park in March and April. Some were encouraging.

Others were directional. Some were downright sad. Here’s a look at Estes Park’s signs of the times.

Wendy Rigby / Estes Park Trail-Gazette

Some restaurants around town had to temporarily shut down.

Wendy Rigby / Estes Park Trail-Gazette

Nicky’s Steakhouse reminded its customers picking up Easter meals to practice social distancing.

22 • COVID-19 WELLNESS WARRIORS

Wendy Rigby / Estes Park Trail-Gazette

The Estes Park Sugar Shack at 153 Virginia Drive offer a message of hope on its sign.

Library 3D printers pitching in for face shields and more

By Allison Cavis, IT Specialist, Estes Valley Library For the Trail-Gazette

What’s ahead? While our 3D printers continue contributing essential components to protective equipment, the Library and its partners are planning programs to help us all mentally navigate these unique times.

One example in the works: we’re partnering with author Dayle Spencer to deliver her powerful ‘coping with loss’ workshop series soon through a virtual webinar series.

Estes Valley Library / Courtesy photo Stay tuned for more details.

The Library’s second-floor Makerspace is home to two 3D printers. Together, we’ll continue staying safe, looking out for one their invaluable coordination,, They have excellent advice on another, and sharing kindness the Library—and hundreds of materials required, what help is and culture in ways that conothers—are guided in what to most needed, and how to nect and sustain us. make, how to make it, and what to do next.

A C C E P T I N G N E W PAT I E N T S !

First, our bigger 3D printer went into action: the Lulzbot TAZ6 is creating frames for protective face shields at a rate of one every 2.5 hours. As of this article, 52 frames have been delivered.

From there, the frames are Specializing in sanitized using industry stanCataract Care dards, then assembled with other components into complete Board Certified Surgeon Thousands of successful face shields. The Northern Colprocedures orado Face Shield project, and No-stitch, no-patch now Make4COVID, are delivercataract surgery ing these shields to local and

Advanced surgical regional facilities who continue techniques Dr. Dustin Asay, to request them weekly.

Experts in monofocal & Dr. John D. Kirk, What about our other 3D multi-focal intraocular lens Dr. John Colvin printer? Our little guy, the Lulz...and Other Common Eye Conditions bot Mini, was feeling restless until it too received an assign Dry Eye Glaucoma Specialized contact Diabetic Retinopathy ment. Coordinating with the lens fittings Retinal Disease statewide Make4Covid team, Macular Degeneration the Mini is making face-mask buckles (a.k.a. “ear savers”), On-Site Surgery Center for Great Patient Care which make wearing masks for 3650 East 15th Street long shifts more comfortable Loveland, Colorado for healthcare workers.

669-1107 Wondering how you can help?

We recommend contacting KirkEyeCenter.com • Facebook.com/KECLoveland Make4COVID to find out more.

See all that you can

I

Physical health — and happiness too

Kirk Eye Center

n March, we saw the headlines, Like you, we wondered what we could do.

Healthcare facilities projected they would not have necessary equipment amid the coronavirus surge. Even towns with very few COVID-19 cases nonetheless faced scarcities in their supply chains. This was a real problem that called out for a creative solution.

Many of you reached out to ask, “Could the Library’s 3D printers help create urgentlyneeded healthcare equipment?”

After some research and careful testing, the answer was, “Yes!” And it couldn’t have happened without some innovative collaboration among regional partners.

A bit of background: the Library’s second-floor Makerspace is home to two 3D printers. The space was inspired by you—the many patrons who consistently said they wanted opportunities to learn and share using tools and technology. Not only 3D printing—the Makerspace has sewing machines to repair clothes, tools to fix lamps, materials for arts and crafts—and best of all, it is a place for shared learning.

Before our community’s 3D printers could be put into action to make medical supplies, there were big questions to answer: How would we know what to make? How could we be sure our designs met the requirements? Who would get these supplies to the right medical staff?

Fortunately, those questions were answered by joining forces first with the Northern Colorado Face Shield Project and later Make4COVID.co. With

donate supplies. Visit make4covid.co for fuller details.

Expert Eye Care for the Estes Park Community

COVID-19 WELLNESS WARRIORS • 23

SkyRun keeps employees, expands business model

By Wendy Rigby Trail-Gazette

SkyRun Home Maintenance provides home repairs, maintenance, leaf raking, plumbing and electrical work, just to name a few of the services.

W

hen SkyRun Estes Park owner Greg Rosener and his partner Cydney Springer were facing the COVID-19 order to shut down short-term rentals, they worked hard to figure out a way to keep their 18 employees on the payroll and still serve the community.

“What is so uplifting to me is that our team didn’t wring their hands and say the world is falling apart,” Rosener said. “They said let’s see what we can do to keep everybody working. What can we do to be able to provide services for the community.”

Using their resources, SkyRun Estes Park started SkyRun Home Maintenance, a company that provides home repairs, maintenance, leaf raking, plumbing and electrical work, just to name a few of the services.

This arm of the company will only serve the Estes Valley.

SkyRun Courtesy photo

His crew has plenty of experience with the 107 properties it manages. They maintain 54 hot tubs, repair decks and repair leaky faucets.

“Many of the people in Estes Park have a long ‘honey do” list and they are not always sure who to turn to for repairs,” Rosener remarked.

The demographic of Estes Park is the oldest in the state.

Rosener commented that many seniors cannot get down on their hands and knees or use their own strength to fix a problem.

In the midst of a pandemic when many other local businesses were laying off workers

or furloughing members of their staff, SkyRun actually hired a new employee, a coordinator to get the new home repair service up and running.

“This slow time in the vacation rental business allowed as a tremendous opportunity to start something new,” Rosener said.

YMCA of the Rockies offers daycare

By YMCA of Rockies For the Trail-Gazette

Y

MCA of the Rockies is offering emergency childcare for working parents during the COVID-19 crisis. We’ve opened our doors to serve a critical need for healthcare providers, emergency responders, and other essential service employees as defined by the State of Colorado who have children. This is in partnership with many YMCAs around the country who are filling this gap in childcare for their communities. Our licensed childcare

facility offers programming for kids ages 3 and older, led by certified teachers in a safe, nurturing environment.

A $40 per day fee is charged for materials and staff. In order to serve families who need it most, we have identified ways to cover costs that may be too high for some. This is through a partnership between EVICS and the YMCA scholarship fund. If cost is a barrier for safe, necessary childcare, please reach out to us directly.

We’re doing everything we YMCA of the Rockies / Courtesy photo can to keep our kids, staff, and The YMCA of the Rockies is doing everything it can to keep our community healthy while we kids, staff, and community healthy while we fill this need in the fill this need in the community. community.

24 • COVID-19 WELLNESS WARRIORS

Maintaining drinking water during COVID-19 to test, treat and distribute water.

Back in March, we separated our team into two operational groups that do not share spacBy Town of Estes Park es, to reduce the risk of For the Trail-Gazette spreading the virus. We also have mutual aid agreements he Town of Estes with neighboring communiPark provides safe, ties, to provide assistance in high-quality water the unlikely event that that exceeds all stringent state becomes necessary. and federal drinking-water regAt a time when everyone has ulations,” said Utilities Direcincreased worries of all kinds, tor Reuben Bergsten. “Estes we are here making sure water Park’s water-treatment methis least of anyone’s concerns. ods use filtration and disinfecThere are no water shortages tion processes which remove and we continue to deliver and inactivate viruses.”

Town of Estes Park / Courtesy photo some of the best drinking According to the CDC, the There are no water shortages in Estes Park. water in the state, which also virus that causes COVID-19 plays a critical role in good has not been detected in drinking water. (https:// tinues to collect water samples hygiene practices that slow the enforced by the Colorado spread of coronavirus. Bottled www.cdc.gov/coronavithroughout the Estes Valley, Department of Public Health rus/2019-ncov/php/ and Environment. Those stan- ensuring all standards are met. water is entirely unnecessary.

Our dedicated team of water water.html) The first priority of the dards are strictly upheld by professionals continues to be Drinking water standards, Town’s Water Division is the the Town’s Water Division at on the job 24/7 serving our established by the Safe Drink- all times, including during the health and safety of our staff pandemic. Our laboratory con- — to ensure we can continue ing Water Act in 1974, are community.

Bottled water is unnecessary

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FOUNDATION from page 15 rooms. Negative pressure rooms prevent the air from the rooms of infected patients from escaping to other areas of the hospital and are necessary to protect staff and other patients from exposure. Thank you to Elizabeth Guild, Northern Colorado COVID-19 Emergency Response Fund, Rotary Club of Estes Park, and everyone that donated to this effort. The Foundation also

secured funding for the purchase of additional scrubs for Estes Park Health Staff. This initiative was made possible by an emergency grant from the Village Thrift Store, and the Foundation is so grateful for their quick response. These scrubs are in use by staff now.

While Estes Park Health Foundation has made some headway, more work needs to be done, and we need your

help.

Estes Park Health is a central hub of care in this community, providing services including prenatal, general medicine, rehab, surgical, home health and hospice.

Responding to COVID-19 in the Estes Valley community creates unanticipated demands on every staff member from the medical staff, IT, HR, Dietary, environmental

services, and so on. Elective surgeries and non-urgent appointments have been canceled at the Medical Center since mid-March. The resources needed to provide care and prevention at Estes Park Health continue to grow.

Please consider making a generous at GiveToEPH.org/ COVID19 or calling 970-5774370 today. Lives depend on you.

threatening procedures we consider essential. Things like ear infections are not necessarily life-threatening, but the animal is still suffering significantly, so we would treat that.”

Prescriptions are still available for curb-side pickup and AMC has started curb-side treatments. Those involve care providers to come out to the car to get the animal and take it inside for examination. They communicate with the owner over the phone and when the exam is done the animal is taken back out to the car.

“It has been interesting, but we are getting the hang of it,” Dr. Fish said.

As far as the Coronavirus infecting or being spread by our pets, the numbers seem to be showing the likelihood of that is very small.

“Coronaviruses belong to the family Coronaviridae.

Alpha- and beta-coronaviruses usually infect mammals, while gamma and delta coronaviruses usually infect birds and fish,” a release from WSAVA said. “Canine coronavirus, which can cause mild diarrhea and feline coronavirus, which can cause feline infectious peritonitis (FIP), are both alpha-coronaviruses.

These coronaviruses are not associated with the current coronavirus outbreak.”

Manager for KeyBank, Laura Suter, says her institution does not provide local numbers but up until the funds dried up, KeyBank processed more than 33,000 applications from clients through the SBA, requesting nearly $7.8 billion in funds from the PPP nationally.

“While the PPP is on hold because the initial funds have been exhausted, we are hopeful for the expansion of the program’s support and encourage Congress to act quickly,” Suter said. “We stand ready to inform our clients of updates regarding any additional funding for the program and also help them access other forms of assis-

tance they may qualify for.”

Communications Manager for US Bank, Boua Xiong, said the company is not ready to release any numbers yet.

“Across the country and in Colorado demand for this program was unprecedented and, unfortunately, far exceeded supply,” Xiong said. “While we funded critically important loans for more than 17,500 small businesses many others still need help. As Congress works on providing additional funding, we will continue to aggressively move customers through the process to have them ready for the final SBA steps as soon as the program continues.”

PETS from page 20 products but things have since calmed down and there doesn’t seem to be any fear of shortage in the industry “None of the manufacturers have shut down,” Welborn said. “Our shelves are stocked right now and we’ve got more coming all this week.”

Welborn has enjoyed being able to help not only his regular customers, but also those who usually buy their pet supplies elsewhere. Some of the bigger grocery stores and pet stores have experienced a run on product and are waiting for new shipments to arrive, causing shoppers to look at other places to obtain supplies.

“Right now we don’t have

too many people in the store; it is a come-to-the-front-door kind of thing,” Welborn said in regards to social distancing practices. “We are offering curb-side pickup and delivery absolutely free, just give me a call. We really want that to start getting used more.”

Since 2002, Dr. Jeff Fish has owned and operated the Animal Medical Center (AMC) of Estes Park. He is taking the necessary precautions to be able to keep helping his furry patients.

“We have been putting off non-essential procedures such as dental cleaning and things like that,” Dr. Fish said. “It is not just strictly life-

FUNDING from page 21 “I bank with Wells Fargo for Protech, they kept telling me they would be able to process applications for the PPP loans and after about a week I saw several other banks already processing the applications so I started reaching out to my other banking relationships,” Delia said. “Many of them were only accepting applications from clients that have accounts already opened for that specific entity.”

This was a common occurrence for many trying to tap into the funding that was meant for them.

Some institutions were telling small businesses that they don’t offer the program for non-customers, effectively

using a government relief program to reward clients, while withholding relief from the community they are suppose to serve.

“New Horizon Building Group is a commercial construction owner’s representation company that I’m partners in and we bank with KeyBank in Estes Park,” Delia said. “I reached out via email to my banker there and she called me within five minutes and opened a new account so I was able to apply.

My application was entered with them the same day. Still (as of April 22) haven’t seen anything yet but I’ve been told that I should be good.”

Regional Communications

26 • COVID-19 WELLNESS WARRIORS

EPNRC from page 15 so tightly to that safety net, reach out for help. Our goal is always to connect, support, and inspire community nonprofits.

We are most certainly in uncertain waters together, but it doesn’t look the same for everyone or every service provider. EPNRC’s Nonprofit Relief Fund strives to raise the tide of all boats, be it a rowboat, inflatable raft… or whatever lifeboat is in need of help.

Thanks to Village Thrift Shop and generous local donors, our Relief Fund is growing each day. Our goal is to have $150,000 in nimble funds to meet emerging needs related to this crisis.

EPNRC is proud to guide these funds toward our vision that strong nonprofits make for strong communities.

Many have asked how to help. We understand that this crisis impacts us all and your dedication to giving back in

the way you can is spirit-building. If you find yourself in a position to be able to contribute financially to this Nonprofit Relief Fund, now or in the future, understand this donation will not be retained for EPNRC’s operational use.

Donations are directed into a separate account and dispersed to make the most impact in our community. As always, donations are tax deductible and we are pleased to house this fund locally at the Bank of Colorado.

Donate online: epnonprofit.org Drive-thru Donating: No contact donation via the Bank of CO drive-thru. Make checks to EPNRC and add “Nonprofit Relief Fund” to the memo. Tellers are ready to accept your donation & send back a printed receipt.

Snail Mail a Check: The oldfashioned way still works & we’ll snail mail a receipt back the memo: “Nonprofit Relief to you. Again, always note in Fund”. Checks to EPNRC can

be mailed to PO Box 4221.

Estes Park, CO 80517.

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POLICE from page 7 sons who say ‘there is a group of people gathered in the parking lot,’” Officer Johnson said.

“Everyone I have encountered has been more than polite and friendly and understanding because it’s not a big brother looking down thing … we are all looking out for each other and they understand.”

With many businesses unfortunately being closed in the downtown area, many business owners have expressed a fear of having their properties broken into. EPPD is aware of those concerns and have been monitoring those situations tightly.

“We have been doing a lot

Johnson. “That’s when a law enforcement officer will turn on all the lights of a vehicle so more patrolling in the area we can spotlight an entire around Town,” said EPPD’s block. We can see the doors, Officer Maria Jonoska. “Businesses are closed — have been we can see the windows; we closed for the past month — we can see if they’re shattered.

When we drive by residential have been driving around just areas we turn those off to promaking sure everything is ok, tect individual privacy. We’re no one is trying to break in.” not trying to floodlight everyOfficer Johnson said that body; we’re just trying to make some citizens might seen a patrol vehicle with every single sure that everyone is safe and that we can identify a suspect light on. While his might look or any criminal activity if it is curious, it is a common law enforcement tactic called High occurring.”

Despite all of the changes Visibility Patrolling.

“One thing that we do …and that have come with the spread of the Coronavirus and COVIDsome people may be annoyed by it … but it’s a common tactic 19, it is important to remember in law enforcement called High that the men and women who protect our streets, our homes, Visibility Patrol,” said Officer

and our businesses day in and day out are also just people; people in our community.

“They may see us with a mask on, but we’re still people; we still care about them,” Officer Johnson said. “We all still live here and we are looking out for community. I think everybody who goes through this is a hero, it reality. This is one of the biggest challenges of my generation, Officer Jonoska’s generation. It’s really changing the tide of everything but tides come up and they come down.”

The tide may ebb and the tide may flow, but as long as we are all in the same boat, heading in the same direction, Estes Park is unsinkable.

TEACHER from page 18 bring a smile to someone’s face who may be having a difficult time with social distancing.

Another recipient of the unexpected letter promoting the Keep Moving Experiment said, “I actually found your letter

while I was walking from the Medical Center back to my house, and I’m so glad I did!

What a creative project for this time. As a former physical education teacher and school administrator, I applaud your

ingenuity and drive. I have made it a goal to walk an average of 10 miles a day during this self imposed isolation, because hopefully, I will be hiking in Patagonia in late September and early October and I need to

MENTAL from page 8 are going on at this time,” she said.

Nypaver cautions that for all of us, spending too much time on social media is not a good idea and can spark unwarranted comparisons to other people’s lives. While she admits some people may thrive by spending this enforced time at home taking an online class or learning a new language, oth-

ers may need to simply take the time to rest and breathe.

“Have a flexible routine,” Nypaver recommends.” Sticking to some sort of structure throughout the day is helpful.”

She noted that familiar routines can provide a sense of comfort in uncertain times.

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EPH from page 5 ing rooms negative pressure as well.

A healthcare worker at the hospital is the first Estes Park resident to test positive for COVID-19, the illness caused by the coronavirus pandemic sweeping the globe. Estes Park Health announced on April 17 that the laboratory services worker was sent home to selfquarantine for 10 days in accordance with Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines.

That person’s co-workers have all tested negative for the illness.

After the mandate to suspend elective surgeries, physicians have only been performing emergency and urgent procedures like appendectomies, c-sections, gall bladder removals or repairing broken bones.

With an ample amount of PPE, the hospital has been able to protect its staff from patients and each other.

As in many facilities, the high-

wants to come to the ER. They think of it as a filthy place where they are going to catch COVID19, and that’s simply not true.”

Facilities around the country have seen a drop in patients, even those with common medical issues like heart attacks and strokes.

COVID-19 is still very much on the radar.

“We are planning for every scenario,” Meyer stressed, “like what to do if our ER is overrun, using the clinic for triage, even trading patients with other facilities if we cannot cope with serious cases.”

With rare exceptions for fathers of new babies or family of hospice patients, visitors are not allowed in the hospital for the moment.

“We are working toward potential opening up,” Hall stated. “We’d like to be able to provide elective surgeries and other types of on-site visits, but we have to find the appropriate balance and protection.”

Estes Park Health / Courtesy photo

Members of the EP Health COVID-19 symptomatic healthcare worker, first responder and community member testing team. ly-sought after N95 masks are being used for one shift, left to decontaminate for 72 hours, and then used again.

“We’re in better shape than 98% of the hospitals out there,”

said John Meyer, M.D., chief of staff and emergency department director. “We have seen the overall number of patients drop dramatically, down about 50% in March alone. No one

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COVID-19 from page 4 weather the storm.”

Locally, March 16 was the first day of closures in the Estes Park School District R-3.

The closure originally went for two weeks, one of which was scheduled Spring Break.

By the time students were set to come back to school on March 27, Gov. Polis suspended in-person learning in the State with an executive order that would be in effect until April 17.

On April 6, Estes Park Superintendant, Sheldon Rosenkrance sent out a communication that stated, on recommendations from Larimer County Public Health Director (LCPHD) Tom Gonzales, all three Larimer county schools announced they would close in-person learning until the end of the year.

On March 17, the Larimer County Public Health Director issued an order closing all bars, restaurants, theaters and gymnasiums, and restricting Events to 50 people or less.

On the 18th, the Town of Estes Park held a special Town Board meeting to discuss Ordinance 04-20 amending Estes Park Municipal Code Title 2 regarding emergencies would establish processes for emergency meetings, virtual meetings, disaster and emergency declarations, and disaster and emergency rules, regulations, and orders.

The amendment gave Town Administrator, Travis Machalek, a much more broad range of powers during times classified as Emergency or Disaster situations. If, for whatever reason, the board

did not like or agree with actions taken by Machalek, they could hold a meeting and a vote to take that power back.

On March 19, a local emergency was declared for the Estes Park and the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment issued an order closing Nonessential Personal Service Facilities to the public.

On March 20, Estes Park Mayor Todd Jirsa wrote letter to Secretary of the Interior David Bernhardt requesting the closure of Rocky Mountain National Park (RMNP).

Later that day RMNP closed to all park visitors until further notice.

The next day, on the 21st, the LCPHD Gonzales issued a Public Health Order ceasing the operations and vacating the premises of all short-term lodging in the Estes Valley.

On March 22, the Gov. Polis issued Executive Order D2020-013 ordering non-critical workplaces to reduce their in-person workforce by 50 percent and to implement telework capabilities to the greatest extent possible.

On March 23, the city of Denver issued a stay-at-home order causing people to flock to area liquor stores before it is quickly amended, making them an essential business.

On March 25, Gov. Polis issues a State-wide Stay-athome Order instructing all of Colorado to stay home — unless their movement is absolutely essential – until April 11. Only essential travel will be allowed, but people could still take walks, go to the grocery stores or work at

an essential business. Violators of the order faced up to $1,000 in fines and one year in jail.

On the same day, LCPHD Tom Gonzales issued a Stayat-home Order for all of Larimer County until April 17.

On March 27, President Trump signs the $2.2 trillion Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Stimulus (CARES) Act, the biggest welfare program in history, after swift congressional votes and Colorado’s Ken Buck is among the few to oppose it. The next day, President Trump approves Colorado’s major disaster declaration.

By April 3, Gov. Polis was recommending all Coloradans should wear non-medical masks when they leave the house. Also on the third, Colorado small businesses were able to start tapping into billions in stimulus money for forgivable loans On April 6, Gov Polis and the Executive Director of the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment extended the statewide Stayat-Home Order until April 26.

On April 8, LCPHD Gonzales issued a Stay-at-Home order until April 26. King Soopers, Safeway and others grocers start limiting the number of customers inside stores to support social distancing On April 10, Denver closed Red Rocks Park & Amphitheatre. April 12 saw an Easter Sunday void of church gatherings and egg hunts.

On April 15, as a measuring stick of the economic impact the stay-at-home orders, the City of Aurora furloughed 576

employees indefinitely.

By April 16, nearly $500 billion earmarked for small business relief in the CARES Act was depleted. The Paycheck Protection Program, out of money, left thousands of loan applicants facing uncertain fate. Colorado small businesses terminated 4.4% of employees in March, analysis shows.

Also, Broncos’ star Von Miller tested positive for COVID19.

On April 20, The Senate approved a $484 billion bill that would revived the depleted PPP and provide funds for hospitals and Coronavirus testing.

On April 27, Larimer County and Town of Estes Park issued Orders allowing accommodations to reopen with some restrictions.

According to the Town, the Orders last through May 31 and allow guests occupancy of 50 percent of units within multiple-unit lodging facilities.

Single-unit accommodations, such as Vacation Rental Homes and Bed and Breakfast Inns, must limit occupancy to no more than eight individuals. State and local lodging regulations, when more strict, still had to be followed. It was made clear that the restrictions may be extended or amended in response to the pandemic.

No one is sure what the future holds, or what turns the pandemic could take. All we know is that, for better or worse, we are all in this together and the only way to defeat this invisible enemy is teamwork, communication, and community.

There is not a single warrior on the Estes Park Ambulance team, they all are warriors. It’s important that every crew member does their part every day, every shift together and apart at keeping themselves, their partners and their

patients safe.

The warriors of the Estes Park Ambulance department thank you for your continued support and encourage you to continue your diligence of practicing healthy habits for your safety and theirs.

AMBULANCE from page 6 stricter protocol that begins with the dispatched call and ends with a compete decontamination process which often can take over an hour to complete. The act of simply showing up to save a life or to help a person in distress is

now more of a production that requires extra time, extra gear, extra patience, extra care and extra costs. The Estes Park ambulance crews are doing an excellent job at balancing all of these new, requirements and protocols.

30 • COVID-19 WELLNESS WARRIORS

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