Estes Park News, July 24, 2026

Dinin’,

Pikas are hard at work gathering grasses & flowers for their winter stockpiles.

See Wilderness Whispers on page 17 for more from photographer Brad Manard

Estes Valley Fire Protection District Welcomes Kevin

Nunn As New Fire Chief

The Estes Valley Fire Protection District (EVFPD) Board of Directors is pleased to announce the hiring of Kevin Nunn as the District's new Fire Chief.

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Bringing more than 35 years of fire service, emergency management, and engineering experience, Chief Nunn has a proven history of leading organizations, strengthening capabilities, and building strong, resilient communities. Chief Nunn is joining us from the North Tooele Fire District, where he served as Fire Chief for four years, leading a combination department serving more than 1,700 square miles of suburban, rural, and remote communities. During his time there, he managed career, part-time, and volunteer personnel, developed the District’s Strategic Plan, and administered taxbased budgets and impact fees. Along with strengthening employee engagement, Chief Nunn also secured numerous grants and alternative revenue sources.

Prior to joining North Tooele, Chief Nunn served as an Emergency Management Specialist at the Y-12 National Security Complex in Tennessee, supporting emergency preparedness and response for a critical national security facility. His career also includes 14 years with the City of Pigeon Forge Fire Department, where he served as Lieutenant and led wildfire preparedness initiatives, including the nationally recognized Ready, Set, Go! and Firewise USA programs. He also served 17 years with the Seymour Vol-

unteer Fire Department, including six years as Fire Chief, where he improved the department's ISO rating, expanded staffing, and developed wildland firefighting capabilities.

Nunn's Colorado fire service experience includes Larimer County Emergency Services, where he responded to wildland fires, search and rescue, and swiftwater incidents. This experience gave him a strong understanding of emergency response.

Chief Nunn is a graduate of the Executive Fire Officer (EFO) Program at the National Fire Academy and holds a Master of Science in Emergency Management from Eastern Kentucky University and a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering Technology from Purdue University. His certificat-

ions include Pro Board Fire Officer III, Firefighter II, Advanced Emergency Medical Technician, Hazardous Materials Technician, Fire Instructor I, Smoke Diver, technical rescue disciplines, National Incident Management System (NIMS), and advanced National Wildfire Coordinating Group qualifications.

"On behalf of the Board of Directors, we are excited to welcome Chief Nunn to the Estes Valley Fire Protection District," said Board President Sandra Smith. "Chief Nunn brings an exceptional combination of operational experience, strategic leadership, and a deep understanding of the unique challenges facing mountain communities. We are confident that Chief Nunn’s leadership credentials, collaborative approach, and commitment to firefighter development will guide the District as we continue to strengthen our organization, support our personnel, and serve the Estes Valley community."

Chief Nunn officially started his new role as Fire Chief with the EVFPD on Monday, July 20. The swearing-in and change of command ceremony will take place on Monday, July 27, at 3:30 p.m. at the Dannels Fire Station located at 901 N. St. Vrain Ave.

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 July 12, 2026, the Estes Valley Fire Protection District (EVFPD) responded to 29 calls for service. This included:

•Alarm Activation: 7

•Emergency Medical (assist EPH): 5

•Illegal Burn: 8

•Odor Investigation: 1

•MVA (Motor Vehicle Accident): 4

•Assist: 1

•Water Rescue: 1

•Wildland Fire: 2

estesvalleyfire.org

Community Conversations Seeks Community Feedback On Draft Development Code

The Town of Estes Park Community Development Department is working with Community Conversations to seek feedback from across the community on the 50% draft of the Development Code update. This process is being conducted by Community Conversations, a neutral party assisting the Town through a partnership between The Estes Valley Restorative Justice Partnership and the Estes Valley Library. Community Conversations will convene a panel of 15-20 community members for two 2-hour sessions on the evenings of August 13 and August 27. The deliberations will focus on the chapters pertaining to wildlife protection and movement standards, residential zoning district adjustments, and nonresidential and multifamily design guidelines. Feedback from these ses-

sions will influence the final draft of the Development Code.

Panelists will be a diverse group from across the community, selected through a lottery process conducted independently by the Community Conversations team. No expertise is necessary, but panelists are expected to attend both sessions as well as a short pre-meeting informational session and to read a short booklet of background material. If you would like to participate, please read our invitation letter at bit.ly/DevCodeDelib. The application window ends July 24. For questions, contact Melissa Westover at 970-4819820 or mwestover@estes.org.

For more details on the Development Code update, please visit estes.org/devcodeprocess.

School District Invites Community Members To Guest Teacher Discovery Day

The Estes Park School District is seeking caring, dependable individuals who are interested in making a difference in the lives of students by serving as guest teachers. Community members are invited to attend the District's Guest Teacher Discovery Day on Tuesday, July 28, from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m.

The free informational event is designed for anyone interested in learning more about becoming a guest teacher, whether they are retired educators, college graduates, professionals with flexible schedules, parents, or other community members who enjoy working with children.

The morning will begin with breakfast and coffee alongside school administrators, providing an opportunity for attendees to meet district leaders and learn about the district's mission, schools, and commitment to students. Participants are anticipated to hear from current guest teachers who will share their experiences, offer practical advice, and discuss the rewards of serving in local classrooms.

District administrators will provide an overview of guest teacher responsibilities, including classroom expectations, confidentiality, classroom management, school procedures, technology, emergency protocols, and available support throughout the school day.

A representative from Human Resources will explain qualifications,

substitute authorization options, licensing requirements, fingerprinting and background checks, pay rates, and the application and onboarding process. Guest teacher daily rates range from $130 to $175, depending on the length of the assignment, and guest teachers who work 10 or more days in a pay period are eligible for a $400 bonus during the 2026–2027 school year.

The event will conclude with guided tours of the elementary, middle, and high schools, introductions to office staff, and an opportunity for attendees to ask questions and complete a district application if they choose.

“Our guest teachers play an essential role in supporting student learning and maintaining continuity in our classrooms,” said Superintendent David Grubbs. “We invite anyone who is passionate about helping students and making a positive impact in our schools to join us to learn more about this rewarding opportunity.”

Those interested in attending are encouraged to RSVP to Chris Douglas at Christine_Douglas@estesschools.org.

NoCo Workforce Symposium Returns September 9 With Regional Talent Solutions

By: Estes Chamber of Commerce

The Estes Chamber of Commerce and Economic Development Workforce Council (EDWC) are encouraging local employers to attend the 2026 Northern Colorado Workforce Symposium, set for Sep tember 9 from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the Aims Community College Welcome Center.

Presented annually through a partnership between Larimer County Economic and Work force Development and Employment Serv ices of Weld County, the symposium brings together HR professionals, business leaders, entrepreneurs, workforce partners, educators, and talent pipeline organizations from across the region for a day of discussion and hands-on tools addressing today's workforce challenges. Sessions will cover hiring and retention strategies, workforce culture and employee engagement, talent pipeline development, training and upskilling opportunities, and regional workforce trends. Organizers designed the event to deliver practical strategies for employers, strengthen regional partnerships supporting talent development,

and create opportunities for cross-industry collaboration and innovation.

"This symposium gives our members direct access to the tools and partnerships they need to build stronger, more resilient teams," said Colleen DePasquale, Chamber President. "We're proud to support an event that brings together so many of the region's workforce leaders in one place."

As a benefit of their continued support, the Chamber's and EDWC's most highly involved members — whose sponsorship helps make programming like this possible — will receive complimentary tickets to the symposium. Members interested in learning more about their eligibility are encouraged to contact the Chamber office directly.

General registration is open now through Eventbrite. Space is limited, and early registration is recommended for employers looking to bring their HR and leadership teams.

To register, visit the Eventbrite registration page. For more information on the symposium, visit larimer.gov/ewd/symposium.

On July 12, police stopped a 20-yearold male driver in the area of Mall Road and Highway 36. The suspect was charged with vehicular eluding, driving a vehicle with a revoked license (habitual offender), and displaying/possessing vehicle registration/license plate/validation tab/certificate of title while knowing it is fictitious, stolen, canceled, revoked, suspended, or altered. He was arrested and transported to Larimer County Jail.

On July 15, police stopped a 28-yearold male driver at 501 Big Thompson Avenue. The suspect was arrested for driving a vehicle while under the influence of alcohol, failure to use turn signals, and failure to display lamps

when required. He was booked and released.

On July 15, police were called to 1741 Raven Avenue. On scene they contacted a 26-year-old male and charged him with menacing and intimidation with a gun. He was arrested and transported to Larimer County Jail.

On July 19, police stopped a 27-yearold male driver in the area of 320-323 Virginia Drive. The suspect was arrested for driving a vehicle while impaired by alcohol and speeding. He was booked and released.

The charge(s) are merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

Estes Park Museum Announces Annual Membership Drive

The Estes Park Museum 2026 Membership Drive hopes to expand the community of supporters who help cultivate a passion for Estes Park history. Become one of 35 to grow the Museum membership base to over 250 members. The drive will culminate with the Annual Members Appreciation Social on August 25, 2026.

The Museum Members Program is administered by the Estes Park Museum Friends & Foundation, Inc. (EPMFF); a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that supports the Museum through financial stewardship and advocacy.

Through this pay-what-you-can program, individuals can join by donating as little as $35 to the EPMFF, granting access to exclusive content, events, programs, and more.

Additional benefits include:

• Invitation to the Annual Members Appreciation Social

• Invitation for a staff-led tour of the permanent exhibit, Destination: Estes Park

• Access to Memberonly events, tours, exhibit openings, and programs

• Plus-one invitation for all Member-only events

• Triannual Museum Pieces newsletter connecting Members to the Museum

• 20% off all merchandise and preorder access to select

items in the Museum Shop

• Early sign-up for ticketed public events

• Discounts or free admission to paid public tours and programs

• Access to pre-order select Museum Friends Press publications

Become a member before August 1 to gain early access to purchase tickets for the 2026 Unwinding Historic MacGregor Avenue Tour. This tour has a limited space of 60 participants and will sell out quickly!

Help the Estes Park Museum reach its goal of 250 Members by giving what you can with the following suggestions: $35 Supporter (minimum) - $55 Contributor - $125 Advocate - $300+ Patron.

For more information, or to join the Museum Members Program today, please visit estes.org/museum-friends. You can also join by sending a check with “membership” in the memo to the EPMFF at 200 4th Street, Estes Park, CO 80517.

Volunteer Call For Unwinding Historic MacGregor Avenue Tour

Estes Park Museum Program Assistant Josie Hildreth is currently recruiting volunteers for a new fundraising program: Unwinding Historic MacGregor Avenue. This program will take place on Wednesday, September 2, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and is a historic tour through seven sites. Participants will be able to view and learn about historic homes and businesses. The Museum will sell approximately 60 tickets that will be split between two start times, with 30 tickets for a morning tour and the other 30 tickets for an early afternoon tour. The route for the tour will take place along MacGregor Ave., beginning at St. Bartholomew's Episcopal Church and heading south to Bond Park.

Approximately 35 volunteers are needed to assist with this program. Volunteers will assist with a wide range

of tasks to fit their interest level. These tasks include checking in and registering guests, welcoming guests into homes and business, monitoring guests while inside sites, and working a help desk. All necessary training will be provided by Museum staff well in advance. The volunteer shifts will take place for the full duration of the two tours and lunch will be provided.

Please contact Josie Hildreth at 970577-3765 or at jhildreth@estes.org if you are interested in volunteering for this program. Unwinding Historic MacGregor Avenue will be a rewarding opportunity for volunteers to provide Estes Park residents and guests with direct historical knowledge of the community surrounding them and will serve as a major fundraiser for the Estes Park Museum.

Larimer County Extends Fire Restrictions

On recommendation by the Larimer County Sheriff, the Board of Larimer County Commissioners voted 2- 0 on Tuesday to extend fire restrictions in unincorporated Larimer County. The danger of wildfire, forest, and grass fires remains extremely high due to above-normal temperatures, extended drought, and persistently windy, dry conditions.

Current fire restrictions were adopted on May 6, 2026 for the unincorporated portions of Larimer County. The restrictions will stay in effect until 11:59 p.m., September 8, 2026. This restriction includes limitations on combustible devices and incendiary devices.

The fire restriction is in effect for all climate zones in unincorporated Larimer County. In order to address fire risk while still accounting for different climate areas, Larimer County has implemented a zoned approach. The county is divided into three zones: below 6,000 feet; 6,000–9,000 feet; and above 9,000 feet. View a real-time, interactive map of the area at aegis.larimer.gov.

Banned today:

• Contained Open Fires. This includes open fire in a permanently constructed, stationary masonry or metal fireplaces specifically designed for the purpose of combustion

• Uncontained Open Fires, includ ing outdoor charcoal, pel let, and wood stoves/grills

• Smoking in the open is not allowed, including on trails, parks and open spaces

• Combustible devices

• Operating or using any device with an internal or external combustion engine without a spark arrest device properly installed and in effective order

Allowed:

• Fireplaces or wood stoves located inside a residence

• Gas or liquid fueled fires, including grills and camping stoves

• Open burning (official forest management purposes)

• Execution of authorized burn permits

• “Permissible fireworks” which do not leave the ground, as defined in Colorado State Statute (C.R.S. 24-33.52001(11))

Any person who knowingly violates these regulations can be fined. The full resolution is can be found at the following URL and includes additional definitions and clarifying information: larimer.gov/sites/default/files/cmr-resolution-board-county-commissionersresolution-declaring-restrictions-firesand-combustible.pdf .

New Edition Of Toll’s Book Honors Arapaho History & Stories In Rocky

Rocky Mountain Conservancy recently published the revised edition of Arapaho Names & Trails: A Report of a 1914 Pack Trip by Oliver W. Toll.

The new edition includes the text of the original publication released in 1962, nearly 50 years after the pack trip of Northern Arapaho Elders Sherman Sage and Gun Griswold, interpreter Tom Crispin, and Oliver W. Toll. It also features new cover art by an Arapaho artist and an all-new preface by the descendants of Sherman Sage.

val,” said the family of Sherman Sage. “We are proud to share this book with people who want to learn about our Tribe.”

Toll acknowledges that the phonetic spellings of the Arapaho language used in his book are not true to the language he documented and recorded, and should not be utilized as a dictionary of the Arapaho language by readers.

The Conservancy did not update the Arapaho language in this updated

The historical account of the 1914 expedition through the Arapaho Peoples’ Ancestral homelands is one that plays an important role in the re-telling of Rocky Mountain National Park’s early history. Their mission was to gather and document the Arapaho Peoples’ terminology for the Rocky Mountains—one of the homelands of the Arapaho, Ute, Cheyenne, Shoshone, Comanche, Kiowa, and Lakota/Dakota Peoples. About 50 years earlier, the Northern Arapaho Tribe had been forced off their land and onto the Wind River Reservation in Wyoming, where many people still reside today.

“This book is a rare example of a written account from our relatives who lived and grew up on the land that is now partially encompassed by Rocky Mountain National Park before remo-

edition to preserve the document as it was historically written.

“Rocky Mountain Conservancy is grateful to the descendants of Sherman Sage and Gun Griswold for participating in this revised edition. We are honored that they allowed us to help steward this story for future generations to easily access as a printed book,” said Conservancy Executive Director Estee Rivera Murdock.

This work was made possible with a grant from the National Park Foundation.

Arapaho Names & Trails is now available for purchase at RMConservancy.org/shop and in the Conservancy’s Nature Stores in Rocky Mountain National Park.

UNLOCK the POSSIBILITIES

Senior living options in Estes Park

At Good Samaritan – Estes Park Village, our residents enjoy fulfilling, maintenance-free lifestyles where they can connect with others in a caring community that features:

• Housekeeping and maintenance help

• Nutritious and delicious meals

• Social, wellness and spiritual activities

Once you explore our independent living or assisted living options, you’ll find one that feels like home.

Do you know if now is the right time for senior living?

Scan the QR code and take a free, 4-minute quiz to find out.

Big Thompson Canyon Association Open House In Remembrance Of 50th Anniversary Of 1976 Flood

You’re invited: The Big Thompson Canyon Association (midway through the canyon adjacent to Loveland Firehouse 8) will have an open house to serve as a remembrance event for the 1976 Big Thompson Flood on Saturday, August 1 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. A presentation will take place at 1:30 p.m., which will honor the heroic efforts of citizen volunteers and first responders. As a person who lost their home in the 2013 flood, and now a current land owner, the account given by Shar about the heroism of the citizen volunteers and first responders in the 1976 flood is astounding. The presentation will dispel common circulating local rumors.

• Larimer County 50-Year Commemoration Event on Friday, July 31, 2-4 p.m. at Pulliam Community Building, 545 Cleveland Ave, Loveland, CO 80537. Learn more at larimer.gov/emergency/BigThompsonFlood.

• Loveland Museum Public Opening Reception of Connected By The Canyon Exhibit on Friday, July 31, 5-7 p.m. at 503 N. Lincoln Avenue, Loveland, CO 80537. Learn more at thelovelandmuseum.org/connected-by-the-canyon.

Additionally, events will be held by Larimer County, the Loveland Museum, and Loveland Historic Society at the Museum in July.

Remembrance Events & Dates:

• Big Thompson Canyon Association Open House on Saturday, August 1, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. with 1:30 p.m. presentation: The Less Told Story by local historian Shar Wamsley, at Big Thompson Canyon Association, 1495 W US Hwy 34 (Big Thompson Canyon Rd), Drake Colorado 80537 (Shares same parking lot with Loveland Firestation 8).

Remembering The 50th Anniversary Of The 1976 Big Thompson Flood

Nearly 50 years ago, on July 31, 1976, a stationary thunderstorm over the mouth of the Big Thompson Canyon unleashed over half a foot of rain in about an hour, triggering a major flash flood along the Big Thompson River. Tragically, 144 people lost their lives that day, and numerous homes and businesses were damaged or destroyed. As we approach the 50-year anniversary of that tragic day, the Colorado Climate Center is hosting a symposium to reflect on the science and impacts of the flood. We invite you to join us on Friday, July 31st at the Estes Valley Community Center, starting around 9 a.m. A suite of invited experts will look back on the history, me-

teorology, hydrology, and warning systems that day, and we’ll also discuss progress that has been made in the decades since. You can RSVP for our free event at tinyurl.com/mpyz6afy.

We hope you’ll consider joining us as we reflect on the science and impacts of the 1976 Big Thompson Flood. And if you can’t make our event or are interested in learning more, consider attending other Big Thompson flood-related events on the afternoon of the 31st that are being hosted by Larimer County, the Loveland Museum, and the Big Thompson Canyon Flood Memorial, Inc.

If you have questions about our symposium, please feel free to email me: Allie.Mazurek@colostate.edu.

Each Sunday morning a group of folks from various walks and locations meet to go on a weekly journey— without ever leaving our chairs. Prior to COVID-19 we met in the library at the Presbyterian Community Church of the Rockies, a congregation that generously provides a meeting room for us. Since the pandemic, some people still assemble in that room but we all meet on Zoom. (I had never heard of Zoom prior to COVID-19. Now and probably forevermore, Zoom will be a part of life.)

Atheists, agnostics, Christians, scientists, former Catholics, current Catholics, Methodists, Presbyterians, Unitarians, former religious and non-religious—this group of seekers gets together to explore thoughts and ideas, historic and current events, philosophies and theologies. We agree, disagree, and agree to disagree. We call these sessions “Journeys.”

I bring this up because one of the discussions we had several years ago sticks with me still. We considered the meaning of the word “enough.”

What exactly is enough? The definition we came up with in Journeys is: when everyone has everything they need and no more.

Imagine the health of our planet and all who live on it if we made sure everyone had enough! There would be plenty to go around. No one would be hungry. Each one of us would have a safe place to sleep at night, protected from the elements. If we became injured or infirm, we would get good care and proper medication. Each of us would be educated, and we would all be able to enjoy beautiful music and art, nature and society.

What I dream of is not communism, which is enforced equality. I visualize a place where we would want everyone to have enough. We wouldn’t be required to hand over our excess—we would seek out those who have misfortune and offer to share.

I imagine a situation where, when I have more tomatoes than I can eat, I willingly give my bonus tomatoes to my neighbor, who can’t grow tomatoes for the life of her. Then when my rain barrel springs a leak, she will give me her surplus water so we can both grow beans. Keeping the excess doesn’t do

anyone any good, so why not share?

I know the idea sounds utopian. Naive. Ridiculous. Human nature prevents us from succeeding at the simple concept of sharing. Self-interest drives people to acquire more—always at the expense of those who have less.

Yet I contemplate the imbalance between the haves and the have-nots and I wonder: how much material gain does it take to satisfy the drive to accumulate? Millions? Billions? Trillions! Quadrillions come next. Will we see that in our lifetime? I am truly baffled by greed, especially the excessive greed we witness by those who have in recent times risen to the “top.”

However, I cannot judge, because those less fortunate than me can look at my lifestyle and accuse me of having way more than enough. And they’d be right. The Federal Reserve and Congressional Budget Office tell us the top 10 percent of U.S. households hold roughly two-thirds of the country’s total wealth. I don’t know where I fit in that economic graph, but I know I have way more than I need.

~oOo~

What in the world was I thinking when I started writing tonight? I cannot address the deep and complex topic of global inequality in 700 words. But it’s been on my mind and I need to put it on the page. I yearn to witness and participate in generosity, sharing, the distribution of abundance. You too?

More than two thousand years ago, a wise man told us we should work for and keep as much as necessary just for today. And then again tomorrow, do the same—acquire what is sufficient for the day. If we each did that, every individual on the planet would have all that is needed to live healthy and whole.

The man did not think, “I want more than what my neighbor has,” and nor should we. He prayed and said, “Give us this day our daily bread.”

In a word, that is enough.

You may let The Thunker know what you think at her e-mail address, donoholdt@gmail.com. © 2026 Sarah Donohoe

Come Celebrate America’s 250 Years Citizenship: No Trivial Matter!

American Legion Post 119 presents “Citizenship: No Trivial Matter!” as part of the 250/150 Anniversary Celebration on Sunday, July 26 from 2-4 p.m. at The Legion, located at 850 N St. Vrain Avenue. Come join us and enjoy a great presentation and participate in the healthy discussions that have accompanied these presentations. Presented by Estes Park’s own Citizenship Project, this session is inspired by the game show "Jeop ardy." It should en gage, inform, and educate all of us on citizenship eligibil ity, the process of obtaining citizen ship, civics questions that applicants are required to learn, and some other fun facts related to citizenship. It will be a very entertaining and fun way to learn about the process of becoming a U.S. citizen!

Estes Valley residents become U.S. citizens.

Begun in 2023, the Citizenship Project is a partnership among volunteers and organizations in Estes Park who want to help eligible community members obtain their U.S. citizenship. These partners include American Legion Post 119, Estes Valley Learning Place, EVICS Family Resource Center, Estes Valley Library, League of Women Voters, and Patriots for Peace of Estes Park. Together, with a pro bono immigration attorney and other volunteers, they work to help reduce or eliminate barriers to obtaining citizenship. The free services include citizenship screening, civics classes, English language and practice test coaching, applying for citizenship, and filing fee scholarships. With a 100% success rate, the Project has helped over a dozen

The Citizenship presentation is the fifth in this series that is designed to help us better understand our genesis. Previous programs included “The American Character,” where we discussed the self-sufficient, risktaking nature of our ancestors that is still in our DNA today; “The American Revolution,” reviewing the people and events of Concord and Lexington, seeking answers to the question, “When does a rebel become a patriot?”; “Religion in the Formation of America,” where we looked at the evolution of religious thought through the ages to the point where it shaped our forefathers beliefs, beliefs that were instrumental in the structure and content of the Declaration of Independence and our Constitution; and “What You Never Knew About the U.S. Constitution,” where we learned more about the founders and framers of the Constitution and the process that lead to the final document.

The Legion’s 250/150 sessions support their pillar of Americanism, which is defined in the Legion’s Constitution and Bylaws as “...the gist of the American ideals of freedom, justice, individual rights and unfenced opportunities.” Following “Citizenship: No Trivial Matter!” is “The Separation of Powers” presented, in conjunction with the Estes Valley Library, by Professor Martin Katz, Professor of Law, DU, on August 2.

American Legion Post 119 is open to the public and dedicated to serving Veterans, their families, and the community. Post 119 members enthusiastically participate in and support many community activities. Go to esteslegion.org for more information.

American Legion Post 119 Thanks More Sponsors

Brad Buggs, Cody Walker, and Darling Construction are three more sponsors that made a difference to the American Legion Post 119 through the 250th/150th Anniversary Grand Gala, held on July 2.

While the gala was a celebration of milestone anniversaries, it was also a fundraiser for the American Legion’s charitable Foundation to maintain and preserve the Legion building which is on the Colorado State Register of Historic Properties.

Thanks to the benevolent patrons, generous sponsors and Silent Auction Donors, the gala generated $80,000!

The GRAND part of the gala was the gracious businesses and individuals who donated well over $65,000 in sponsorships, the grand gala guests who gave bountifully, and the silent

auction donors who enhanced exuberance with exciting items.

Brad Buggs, a devoted volunteer, gave a financial gift that goes above and beyond the many volunteer hours he gives every week. Cody Walker donated ten passes to the Mountain Coaster which was a huge hit at the silent auction tables, and Darling  Construction, a generous corporate sponsor, made a contribution that allows the Foundation to pursue the endeavor to maintain and preserve our historic building.

We thank all of our supporters, sponsors, patrons, and friends who shared their resources, time and talents and making our Gala a success. As always, the American Legion is open to the public and we welcome all to enjoy the Legion building for any occasion and all special events.

Join The Community Minded Music Series On Monday, August 3

The Community Minded Music Series is an Estes Park initiative that brings live entertainment to town while raising funds for the Estes Park Education Foundation. All nights in the series will be held at the Estes Park Mountain Shop in the back parking lot. Monday, August 3 is the series' next event, starting at 4 p.m. and going until 8 p.m. Participate in this free community clothing swap featuring sets by local bands and our musically inclined local kids. This month, enjoy tunes from John and the Berries, Kae & the Fault Line, and MoonRok C for a dance set. Jubilations Catering will be

back with a delicious menu!

A suggested donation of $10 for entry will raise funds for the Estes Park Education Foundation earmarking these funds for music specific causes. Bring your best clothes to donate and take some clothing treasures home with you! Clothing not taken will be donated to Good Neighbor Thrift. Carpooling or using the lake path is recommended as parking will be limited.

If you'd like to be involved or help sponsor these events, please contact Alex Wieser at weezrsevents@gmail.com.

Lace Up, Leash Up: Run Like The Wind 5K/2K Hits Allenspark August 29

By: Kathy Sandmeier, The Old Gallery

Lace up your sneakers and leash up your pup – the 14th Annual Run Like The Wind is back, and this year's highaltitude adventure is shaping up to be the best one yet.

On Saturday, August 29, runners, walkers, and dogs of every speed will gather in Allenspark, Colorado, at 8,504 feet, for the Run Like The Wind 5K, the Walk Like The Breeze 2K, and the ever-popular Dog Jog. This isn't just a race — it's a scenic trip along pine-scented roads and mountain views that make the burning legs worth it. Whether you're chasing a personal best or strolling with your favorite four-legged friend, the morning promises fresh air, good company, and views most races can't touch.

table, including Waggiest Tail, Best Stay, Best Rescue Story, Best Trick, Best Look-Alike (with owner), and Fastest Peanut Butter Licker, with prizes awarded to the winner of each. Dogs don’t have to race to enter the dog show – you can register your fourlegged friend at the show, so come on up just for the fun!

Want to look the part? Official Run Like The Wind gear is on sale too: socks for $15, race hats for $10, and tshirts for $15. Every registration, wag-

Come discover comfortable, maintenance-free living at Good Samaritan Estes Park Village, a 55+ community!

Open House Schedule

Wednesday, July 29 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.

u u u u

Saturday, July 25 1 p.m. – 3 p.m.

Located at 2004 Ptarmigan Trail, Estes Park

Tour our beautiful Twinhome featuring: 2 spacious bedrooms j 2 full bathrooms

Office/Den j Convenient laundry room j Attached 2-car garage

Whether you're planning your next move or simply exploring your options, we'd love to welcome you. Stop by, take a tour, and see why Good Samaritan Estes Park Village is a wonderful place to call home. We look forward to meeting you!

Race day check-in opens at 8 a.m. at The Old Gallery in Allenspark, with the 5K starting at 9 a.m. sharp and the 2K following right behind the runners. Early check-in will be available Friday afternoon 3-5 p.m. Here's the part runners can't afford to put off: prices go up August 1. Right now, it's $35 for the 5k and $20 for the 2k. After August 1, those prices jump to $45 and $25. Same race, same course, same mountain views — just less money in your pocket if you wait. Race entries close at 8 a.m. sharp on race day, so procrastinators, consider this your nudge. Once the race wraps, stick around for the post-race Tail-Wagging Dog Show. Entry is $5 but it's waived for any dog that ran or walked the course, so your Dog Jog champion gets in free. Sign up for contest categories at the registration

ging tail, and smiling face supports The Old Gallery's mission to enrich our mountain community, so this one does double duty — good for your legs, good for the neighborhood. Fun prizes for top competitors in each age category and great door prizes make it worth sticking around for the awards ceremony.

Register now and find full details at theoldgallery.org/run-like-the-wind. See you at the starting line — and bring the dog.

Historic Fall River Hydroplant

The Historic Fall River Hydroplant is open for the summer season!

Located at 1754 Fish Hatchery Road in Estes Park, this plant was constructed in 1909 to produce electricity for the Stanley Hotel and surrounding areas.

Operating as an interpretive site since 2002, the Historic Fall River Hydroplant will be open every other Friday throughout the summer, July 24, and August 7 and 21, from

12 – 4 p.m. Guided tours will be given at 12, 1, 2, and 3 p.m., no reservations are required, and admission is free!

Larimer Co. Proposed Amendments To Special Event Permit Requirements

Scheduled For Hearings &

Public

Comment

Proposed amendments to the Larimer County Land Use Code requirements for special events in unincorporated Larimer County are scheduled for a hearing and public comment before the Larimer County Planning Commission, followed by a later hearing before the Board of Larimer County Commissioners.

The proposed changes to special event permit requirements, which would not take effect until January 1, 2027, include:

• When a special event permit is needed.

• Types of events to be held and how standards may vary for different events.

• Code requirements that must be met.

• Limitations on location, hours of operation, types of events, or activities of the event.

• Accountability by event organizers and enforcement of permit conditions.

Proposed amendments to Article 7.0 of the Land Use Code can be viewed at engage.larimer.gov/specialeventscode.

The Larimer County Planning Commission will then hold a public hearing on the updates at 6 p.m., September 16, in the First-Floor Hearing Room of the Larimer County Administrative Services Building, 200 W. Oak St., Fort Collins.

A second hearing with the Board of Larimer County Commissioners will be held at 6:30 p.m., September 28, in the hearing room in the same location. The public is invited to offer comments on the updates at both hearings.

Are We Alone? A Scientific Look At Life Beyond Earth

The Estes Valley Astronomical Society is offering a free public open house and lecture on Saturday, July 25th starting at 7 p.m. at the Estes Park Memorial Observatory. The goal of EVAS is to promote amateur astronomy and education in the Estes Valley.

The Estes Valley Astronomical Society invites the community to a fascinating scientific exploration of this timeless question, guided by the latest discoveries from the James Webb Space Telescope. The presentation will trace the history of the search for life, revisit the famous Drake Equation, and examine promising worlds close to home—including the intriguing moons

of Jupiter and Saturn—as well as newly discovered exoplanets and their potential moons.

We’ll also consider whether life could exist in forms very different from our own, including possibilities beyond carbonbased biology. Join us for an engaging, science-driven look at one of humanity’s greatest mysteries.

Our speaker is Dr. Bing Chen, a professor of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science at the University of Nebraska, specializing in advanced sensor systems, intelligent signal processing, and computational techniques used in modern astronomical research. His interdisciplinary work connects engineering innovation with astrophysical discovery, including technologies that support the search for life

beyond Earth. Dr. Chen is an experienced lecturer and a strong advocate for STEM education, bringing complex scientific ideas to the public in clear and engaging way.

The observatory is just north of the high school at 1600 Manford Ave. Park in the teachers’ parking lot between the high school and the observatory. The doors will open at 7 p.m. and the meet-

ing will start at 7:30. The presentation, including a question-and-answer period, lasts about an hour. After the presentation, weather permitting, we will look through our 16-inch dome telescope at various celestial objects. Information about the meeting can be found on the observatory website at AngelsAbove.Org.

Waldo Hunt Celebration Party On Friday, July 31

Macdonald Book Shop, in partnership with the Estes Park Mountain Shop, invites everyone to a Waldo Hunt Celebration Party on Friday, July 31, 2026, from 4:30–5:30 p.m. There's still time to enter our

prize drawing!

The celebration will begin with light refreshments, followed by the prize drawings. Anyone who collected 20 stamps from participating local businesses is automatically entered for a chance to win.

Prizes include a Deluxe Waldo Prize Pack generously donated by Candlewick Press, an imprint of Penguin Random House. Additional prizes have been donated by Macdonald Book Shop, Inkwell & Brew, and several of our participating local businesses.

Staci, Kevin, and Nicole

want to thank all the Estes Park businesses that participated in this year's Waldo Hunt. Your support helped make the event a wonderful success. Many families enjoyed exploring town together, and it was especially rewarding to see so many children excited to take part in the adventure.

If you collected 20 stamps but are unable to attend the celebration on July 31, you'll still be entered into the prize drawing. Winners who are not present will be contacted using the information provided on their entry forms.

Upcoming Community Workshop: Design The Block, Shape The Future

Whimsadoodle, the Town of Estes Park, the Estes Park Housing Authority, and International Architecture Atelier invite the community to join for a second public workshop about the future of Cleave Street.

This is an opportunity to help guide the conversation and shape the next steps for Cleave Street. Community members are invited to share ideas, hopes, and feedback as we imagine how this area can better support creativity, connection, housing, gathering spaces, and new possibilities.

Design the Block, Shape the Future

Thursday, July 30

11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. or 4:30 - 6:30 p.m.

Estes Valley Community Center, Chiquita Room

You are invited to help us weave creativity, connection, and new life into the heart of our community.

Estes Park’s Buster & the Boomers Boomers

Dance the Night away! Rock, Americana, Dead, Folk, and everything else

July 25, 2026

6:30 PM - 8:30 PM

Elk Meadow Lodge Lodge

Estes Park

1665 County Road 66 (behind The Rock Inn)

Fine Arts Guild Welcomes Asteria Jazz Collective On July 25

The Fine Arts Guild welcomes the Asteria Jazz Collective for its second 2026 summer concert at Performance Park on Saturday, July 25. Asteria Jazz Collective is a Denver-based dynamic jazz ensemble led by the captivating vocalist Stephany Prodromos and masterful bassist and musical director John Sleet Johnson. Blending Stephany’s classical opera training with her deep love for jazz, the group delivers performances that are both rich and soulstirring. Her expressive voice, paired with John’s expert musicianship and finely crafted arrangements, creates a

sound that is sophisticated, versatile, and full of life.

Asteria’s repertoire seamlessly weaves together contemporary jazz, bossa nova, Latin rhythms, and swing, bringing elegance and excitement to the stage. Whether delivering a hauntingly intimate ballad or an electrifying Latin groove, the band ensures an unforgettable experience for jazz lovers of all kinds.

The audience loved this group last summer and the Guild is excited to bring them back. Bring your lawn chairs or blanket, a picnic, and maybe a poncho (so it won’t rain), and enjoy an evening of easy listening. Join us at 7 p.m. at 435 W. Elkhorn Ave. The concert is free. Donations are accepted for the Fine Arts Guild’s scholarship program which offers three scholarships to graduating seniors pursing the arts in post secondary study and tuition assistance for Youth Theater participants.

Estes Recycles Day On August 8 Now Accepting Bikes

Got an old bike cluttering up your garage or basement?

Estes Recycles Day on Saturday, August 8, is your solution. Those that are serviceable – or can be refurbished –will be donated to a good cause, and others recycled.

Open to residents and small businesses, Estes Recycles Day is held at the Events Complex Main Parking from 9 a.m. to noon. Organized and hosted by the League of Women Voters Community Recycling Committee with broad community support, the volunteer-run recycling day has grown to be a much-anticipated event for recycling responsibly and conveniently right here in the Estes Valley.

As usual Rotary will provide onsite shredding of documents ($15 per 30-lb box). One hundred percent of shredding proceeds go to EPHS high school scholarships. The shredded paper is transported and pulped and turned into other paper products, such as paper towels. Already shredded paper cannot be accepted. Documents shredded at home must go in trash to the landfill, so bringing them to Estes Recycles Day for real-time shredding is more ecological and safer.

Estes Park Rotary Clubs (Noon and Sunrise) will accept walkers, crutches and wheelchairs for their Crutches for Africa project. For more information specific to this project, visit

crutches4africa.org or email c4a@crutches4africa.org.

At Electronics, computers and monitors will be accepted for $5; TVs for $10-$20, depending on size; and smoke detectors for $5. Large electronics will be limited to five per vehicle. Smaller electronic items such as phones, cameras, blenders, hair dryers, coffee pots, and similar will be accepted for recycling without charge. No lightbulbs of any type can be accepted.

Recycling at the Scrap Metal station includes microwaves (remove the glass plate), bikes, bike tires, and tubes. Metal items must be 50% metal or more by weight and contain no refrigerants. Large items will be limited to five per vehicle. No major appliances can be accepted.

Generous contributions from Village Thrift Shop, Waste Management, Meritrust Credit Union of Estes Park, and Estes Valley Sunrise Rotary Club, along with a Community Initiative Grant from the Town, offset the significant costs associated with running this event and allow participants to recycle electronics at significantly reduced fees.

Will you volunteer to help? Email Lisa at volunteers4estesrecyclesday@ gmail.com as soon as possible.

More information about the event is at lwv-estespark.org.

By: Brad Manard

Pika are fast, incredibly fast scurrying across the mountain tundra in Rocky Mountain National Park. Over grasses, around flowers, under rocks, and into dens these adorable creatures scurry. So, so fast.

Do you know how many shots I have to take to capture one good, clear, beautiful pika picture? So many… Then, on the computer, I have to go through each and every one to select maybe one out of every hundred pictures that captures my interest. Still, pika are a fun photography challenge.

As I’m on the tundra, my 600 mm lens focuses on the rapid running member of the rabbit family, I hear other photographers talk. “Have you seen any PY-kuh?”

“Yes,” the words come from behind a camera. “There are three pretty active Pee-kuh gathering grass and flowers?”

The person responds, “I just love PYkuh.” From the camera, an eye attached to the viewfinder, the photography responds, “Pee-kuh are sooo cute.”

I was up on top of Trail Ridge Road with a photographer friend, and our conversation was similar. He asked, “Are there any good spots to photograph Pee-kuh?” I answered, “A couple where the PY-kuh are pretty active.” It was an awkward moment, feeling like I’d corrected him, when he asked, “Is it PY-kuh or Pee-Kuh?” Smiling, I an swered, “Actually, it is either one.”

The name of the cute little alpine-dwelling rabbit is pro-

Is Pika Pronounced “PY-kuh” Or “Pee-kuh?”

nounced "PY-kuh" (rhymes with "hikeuh"). However, in other English speaking nations like England and Canada, naturalists also accept the pronunciation "PEE-kuh."

Pika (or Pee-kuh) are remarkably small, compact mammals the size of a large hamster.

Pee-kuh (or PY-kuh) live in cold, highaltitude alpine regions and rocky slopes throughout western North America and Central Asia. They are highly sensitive to heat and rely on these elevations, typically between 8,000 and 13,000 feet, to survive the summer months.

So photographing them on the tundra is great fun. The pika scurry out over the rocks like traversing a maze, pop out on the cold-hardy, low-growing grasses. There they both feed and capture their food for the winter.

With a mouth full of tundra vegetation and wildflowers,

they scurry back to their dens. Pika do not hibernate. To survive the long, snowy Trail Ridge Road winters, pekka spend the summer months gathering wildflowers and grasses. They lay these plants on the rocks to dry in the sun—to prevent mold—and stash them in massive, hidden mounds called "haypiles." During the freezing winter, they stay warm in their dens and rely on these food caches for their survival.

Sadly, because of their sensitivity to heat, global warming threatens the American pikas. Rising temperatures limit their foraging time, reduce the insulating winter snowpack, and increase physiological stress, causing potential extinctions in lower-elevation habitats. Because pika have thick fur and a high resting body temperature, they can overheat and die when exposed to prolonged summer heat. The American pika can experience heat stress at temperatures as low as 78° F. Thus, climate

change is forcing pikas to retreat to high-altitude refuges, shrinking their viable habitat and disconnecting populations.

Studies, including those in Rocky Mountain National Park, show the pika is an indicator species for the potential effects of climate change. Pikas are abundant in Rocky Mountain National Park, but concerns exist that their sensitivity to summer heat and the lack of snowfall for insulation in the winter may result in declining numbers. Although pikas are not currently threatened or endangered, they are being monitored to ascertain changes in their locations in the park (nps.gov/romo/learn/nature/pikas).

A 2025 study at CU Boulder carried a warning regarding the American pika. The study drew on long-running surveys of pikas living south of Rocky Mountain National Park. The researchers discovered that the “recruitment“ of juveniles seemed to have plummeted since the 1980s. In other words, this population was becoming dominated by older adults, with fewer juvenile pikas being born, or migrating in, to take their place, threatening the pika population. (Ray, C., & Vidrio, J. (2025)).

Long-term data suggest a severe decline in recruitment of the American pika on Niwot Ridge, Boulder County, Colorado. Arctic, Antarctic, and Alpine Research, 57(1).

So whether we pronounce pika or pekka as Py-kuh or Pee-kuh, these adorable little rabbit-like creatures are an example of how our natural work may be changing. It’s one of the motivations for capturing thousands of pekka photographs to have a few wonderful ones of the American pika that are currently active in Rocky Mountain National Park.

Estes Park World Cup Brings Community Together One Goal At A Time

By: Cassie Bartlett, EVICS Program Manager

On warm summer evenings, long after many businesses have closed and the mountain air begins to cool, a different kind of energy fills the soccer field in Estes Park. Laughter echoes across the grass. Children chase soccer balls while parents cheer from the sidelines. Friendly competition unfolds between neighbors who, only months ago, may have been strangers. It is more than a game.

Through the EVICS Family Resource Center's Peer Support Program, the Estes Park World Cup 2026 has be-

Every Tuesday and Wednesday evening at 10 p.m., more than 100 community members gather to watch the matches. Spectators bring lawn chairs, children play nearby, and families spend time together under the stars. While goals are scored on the field, something equally meaningful happens off of it—new friendships are formed, conversations begin, and neighbors become familiar faces.

For many longtime Estes Park residents, it is a reminder of the smalltown values that have always defined the community: lending a helping hand, welcoming newcomers, and finding ways to gather together despite

At its heart, the Estes Park World Cup is a mental health and wellness initiative. Through recreation and positive social interaction, the program encourages

come a celebration of community, connection, and belonging—proving that sports can do much more than determine a winner. They can bring people together.

Inspired by the spirit of the FIFA World Cup, the recreational tournament has united families from across the Estes Valley in an event that celebrates both cultural diversity and the shared values that make a community strong. Ten teams, each representing a different country, now compete throughout the summer. Every team includes more than a dozen players, with men, women, and children participating side by side, making the tournament a true family affair.

busy lives.

The tournament is organized by EVICS Family Resource Center and is led by Family Advocate Julieth Parra alongside project coordinators Yeferson Hernández, EVICS Peer Support Specialist and founder of the initiative, and Rodrigo Santana, Community Coordinator and volunteer leader. Together, they envisioned something that extended beyond athletics.

healthy lifestyles while reducing the isolation that many families experience. The soccer field becomes a place where barriers disappear, cultures are celebrated, and people discover they have more in common than they realized.

versity of the Estes Valley while honoring the spirit of community that has always made Estes Park unique. Families from many backgrounds come together not only to compete, but to celebrate one another, demonstrating that inclusion is built through shared experiences.

Organizers hope the Estes Park World

Throughout the tournament, EVICS staff also provide information about peer support services, emotional wellness resources, mental health programs, and other community services. By sharing these resources in a welcoming environment, families are able to connect with support in a way that feels natural and accessible.

The tournament reflects the growing di-

Cup will become an annual tradition— one that continues to unite generations, strengthen neighborhoods, and remind everyone that community is built one relationship at a time.

EVICS Family Resource Center extends its sincere gratitude to every player, volunteer, sponsor, family member, and community partner who has helped make this year's tournament possible. Their generosity and enthusiasm have transformed a soccer tournament into something much larger: a place where belonging grows, friendships flourish, and the people of Estes Park continue writing a story of connection that reaches far beyond the final whistle.

HOURS

Mondays - Thursdays, 10 a.m. - 8 p.m.

Fridays & Saturdays, 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.

Sundays, 1 - 5 p.m.

Limited access to the building & collections due to renovation. Learn more at estesvalleylibrary.org/renovation.

Registration is required for most programs! Visit calendar.estesvalleylibrary.org to secure your spot.

BOOKS & AUTHORS

The Power of Connection: Creating Lasting Friendships In An Increasingly Lonely World with Dr. Marisa Franco

Tuesday, July 28, 12 - 1 p.m., Online

Join the conversation with one of the world’s leading experts in human connection to explore attachment styles & how they impact our relationships from her book Platonic: How the Science of Attachment Can Help You Make - and Keep - Friends.

Connect With the Classics:

The Remains of the Day

Wednesday, July 29, 5:30 - 7 p.m., Wasson Room

Explore this quiet, masterfully constructed novel by Kazuo Ishiguro that follows an aging English butler on a motoring holiday across the countryside, leading him on an unexpected journey through memory, regret, & the life he may have let slip by.

Monthly Writing Group

Monday, August 3, 5:30 - 7 p.m., Presbyterian Community Church of the Rockies

Calling all writers, aspiring writers, & anyone interested in writing! Share your writing, enjoy others’ work, receive & provide feedback. All genres & forms are welcome.

The Legacy of Julia Child’s Kitchen with Smithsonian Curator Paula J. Johnson

Tuesday, August 4, 12 - 1 p.m., Online Delve into the conversation on cooking icon Julia Child with Smithsonian curator, historian, and author Paula J. Johnson, whose book includes interviews with chefs Julia knew well, com-

What’s Happening At The Estes Valley Library

mentary on her favorite culinary tools and kitchen gadgets, and a stunning array of photos.

ALL AGES

Dinos at the Observatory Family Night

Thursday, July 30, 8 - 9 p.m., Estes Park Memorial Observatory

Explore the wonders of space with a short, engaging talk about space, asteroids, & the role they played during the age of dinosaurs as a part of our Unearth A Story Summer Reading Program.

Jurassic Estes Park: Summer Reading Program Community Day

Saturday, August 1, 10 a.m. - 12 p.m., Estes Park Events Center

Everyone is invited to celebrate the end of our Unearth A Story Summer Reading Program in Jurassic style. Enjoy a variety of activities including trivia, hands-on crafts, themed photo booths, & more.

ADULTS

Citizenship: No Trivial Matter

Sunday, July 26, 2 - 4 p.m., American Legion Post 119

from the Estes Park Genealogical Society to help you discover & fill in the missing pieces from your family history.

Separation of Powers in the U.S. Constitution

Sunday, August 2, 2 - 3:30 p.m., American Legion Post 119

In honor of America’s 250th Birthday, join University of Denver Law Professor Marty Katz for a talk on the Constitution’s separation of powers doctrine & how it has held up over the 236 years since its creation.

TEENS & TWEENS

Dinos in the Tar Pit

Sunday, July 26, 5 - 6:30 p.m., Makerspace

Celebrate our Unearth A Story

Think you know what it takes to become a U.S. citizen? Put your knowledge to the test in this fun & educational trivia challenge hosted in collaboration with The Citizenship Project.

Genealogy Basics: Exploring Your American Revolutionary War Roots

Monday, July 27, 1:30 - 2:30 p.m., Estes Valley Community Center

Do you have a Revolutionary War patriot in your family tree? You might be surprised. We’ll show you how to find out in this program presented in partnership with the Estes Park Genealogical Society.

Genealogy Basics: Getting Started With Your Family History Search

Monday, July 27, 3 - 4:30 p.m., Estes Valley Community Center

Have you ever wanted to learn more about your ancestors? Join genealogical researchers Bob Leavitt & Dot Dorman

Summer Reading Program by digging into the past. In this handson program, we’ll explore the science behind tar pits & how they preserved the story of ancient life for thousands of years.

KIDS & FAMILIES

Crafts for Tots: Dinosaur Print Making Friday, July 24, 10 - 11 a.m., Makerspace

You are invited to design a custom muslin bag using dinosaur stamps to print patterns at this Unearth A Story Summer Reading Program event. Saturday Kids Club: Dinosaur Pottery Saturday, July 25, 10 - 11:30 a.m., Creativity Cabin

Paint your very own piece of dinosaur pottery as part of our Unearth A Story Summer Reading Program.

Summer Story Adventures: Bilingual Dinosaur Yoga Wednesday, July 29, 10 - 11 a.m., Centennial Open Space at Knoll-Willows

Come practice kid-friendly yoga to explore mindfulness, breathing, stories, & song in English & Spanish. Bring your own yoga mat or borrow one from us. An Unearth A Story Summer Reading Program event.

Baby Storytime

Thursday, July 30, 10 - 10:30 a.m., Estes Valley Community Center - Cubz Den

Repeated Thursday, August 6, 1010:30 a.m., Estes Valley Community Center - Cubz Den

Join us for rhymes, songs, bounces, wiggles, stretches, & play designed specifically for babies, toddlers, & their caregivers.

Storytime

Thursday, July 30, 10:30 - 11 a.m., Estes Valley Community Center - Cubz Den

Repeated Thursday, August 6, 10:3011 a.m., Estes Valley Community Center - Cubz Den

Join us for songs, movement activities, puppets, & stories that encourage a love of language & books designed specifically for children ages six & younger, along with their caregivers.

MAKERSPACE & TECHNOLOGY

An Introduction to SoulCollage Monday, July 27, 5 - 7 p.m., Makerspace

Unlock your creativity & explore your inner worlds with SoulCollage. Part art project, part intuitive practice, this unique process guides you in creating a personal deck of collaged cards.

Granny Camp: Bookish Craft Edition

Tuesday, July 28, 4 - 6 p.m., St. Bartholomew’s Episcopal Church

Join us for Granny Camp, where we will reclaim vintage crafts, slow living, & good company. We’re celebrating all things literary by making junk journals, bookish tote bags, magnets, bookmarks, earrings, book-page roses, & more.

3D Printer Training Class

Wednesday, July 29, 10 - 11:30 a.m. or 5:30 - 7 p.m., Makerspace

Learn to use our Prusa 3D printer to make just about anything you can imagine from plastic filament. For ages 10 & up (participants under the age of 17 must be accompanied by an adult).

Laser Cutter Training Class

Tuesday, August 4, 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).

Pressed Flower Plaques & Nightlights

Wednesday, August 5, 10 -11 a.m., Makerspace

Capture the beauty of the season & bring nature indoors with this handson crafting session that will teach you to transform delicate pressed flowers into functional keepsakes.

FRIENDS OF THE LIBRARY FOUNDATION

Cliffhanger Used Books

Operated by the Friends of the Library Foundation, offering gently used books, movies, & music at discount prices. Open daily from 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.

The Estes Park Artist Studio Tour invites the creatively curious to celebrate ten years of the Tour. Enthusiastic shoppers and lifelong learners are invited into the inspiring workspaces of professional local artists on August 15 - 16, 2026, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Participating artists work in a variety of media including woodturning, jewelry, ceramics, oil painting, mixed media, and more. They welcome locals and visitors alike into their home studios for live demonstrations and a sneak peek behind the scenes.

Estes Park Artist Studio Tour Celebrates Ten Years!

Meet Studio Tour Artists At Studios #1-3

home.

Explore at your own pace—visit one studio or all 13, pick and choose the order. Some are nestled just off the highway, while others are tucked away on scenic dirt roads. An interactive map and artist directory are available at EstesParkArtTour.com, or printed guides are available at various hotels and businesses around Estes Park.

Whether you're an art lover, collector, or simply looking for a creative weekend adventure, this free self-guided tour has something for everyone.

Matt Bezark - Studio #1

3225 Hillcrest Lane

Matt Bezark creates decorative glass for the home, shaped by light, color, and the drama of working hot. His deep appreciation for the use of glass in architecture was influenced, in part, by visits to homes designed by Frank Lloyd Wright. A move to the foothills of Colorado added nature to the forces that inspire his work, and building the Mountain Glassworks studio in Estes Park gave that exploration a permanent

The immediacy, movement, and fluidity of hot glass techniques suit Matt, and the desire to “work hot” influences every aspect of his design. While decorative architectural glass is typically stained glass—a technique in which the artist does not actually make the glass—Matt instead hand casts sheets of poured glass. Because the color and surface texture work are done while the glass is still hot, each casting is dynamic and entirely one of a kind.

Laura Davis - Studio #2 2781 Devils Gulch Road

For Laura Davis, beauty is hidden in plain sight. Her photographic compositions are a joyful interpretation of the divine details that surround us—reflections in dewdrops, peeling paint, beetle paths, wood grain, and the patterns found in natural and human-made structures, all captured and highlighted by her lens. Laura finds abstraction everywhere: fractal patterns, spirals, flower petals following the Fibonacci sequence, Sacred Geometry, and the Golden Ratio. In her hands, mirrored photographs become mandalas, and simple acts of framing become openings, portals, gates, and doorways. Laura looks forward to sharing her studio and her process with visitors, with work available to take home in a

broad range of media and price ranges—from 2-D wall art born of her digital collage and photography to note cards, fabric items, wearables, and yoga mats. Requests for commissions in custom sizes and media are welcomed. Her studio, a second-story walk-up with plenty of parking, is easily accessed off the intersection of H Bar G and Devils Gulch Rd.

Deedee Hampton - Studio #3 1231 Chasm Drive

Deedee Hampton draws the inspiration for her “Spirit Animal” painting series from observing—and sometimes interacting with—the animals in her life: hand-feeding the “king” of a flock of flamingos, locking eyes with a Giant Darner Dragonfly, thrilling to the bugle of a bull elk, or watching tiny pikas gather hay for the long mountain winter. This year, she discovered the tactile, therapeutic joy of clay, creating “Wise Women Garden Pot Head Sculptures”—complete with smiles and plenty of laugh lines—along with garden totems and interactive “Biophilic Treasure Troves” made to hold feathers, heartshaped rocks, and seashells.

A lover of bright colors and the joy and beauty of Mother Nature, Deedee

will offer paintings and prints, tea towels featuring her animals, clay pieces, hand-embroidered journal covers, and mosaic work. Visitors can also enjoy her garden and folk art collection—and a great photo op with her BIG painted angel wings. She'll be joined this year by guest artist Joe Arnold.

Joe Arnold - Guest Artist at Studio #3 1231 Chasm Drive

Joe Arnold’s prayer wheels and shrines are inspired by his travels to the sacred places of the world: the temples and shrines of India, Nepal, Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, and Indonesia, and the cathedrals of Europe and Mexico. “Whether the glorious spires of Chartres Cathedral in France or a simple prayer wheel along a trail in Nepal, I believe our quest to know the Absolute is universal,” Joe explains. “My art is an attempt to create personal sacred spaces that facilitate this quest to find our place in the cosmos.” His large-scale art installations have been funded by the annual Burning Man festival in Nevada, and his current work is on display in his Sacred Art Garden at his home in Estes Park.

The Estes Park Artist Studio Tour is founded and funded by working artists in our community. Generous local sponsors elevate and amplify this event. Heartfelt thanks go to our Gold sponsors, Bird & Jim Restaurant and Jerry's Artarama Fort Collins; our Silver sponsors, Community Hearing Center, Richardson Realty, Signature Home, and TW Beck Architects; and our Copper sponsors, Kind Coffee, Susan Fereday State Farm, Allnutt Funeral Service, Burgers & Gyros on Moraine, and Christian Hill, CPA. We are also grateful to the Estes Park News, the Estes Arts District, and Visit Estes Park for their in-kind support. These local leaders value creative culture in the Estes Valley; please join us in thanking them by visiting their businesses and using their services.

Visit EstesParkArtTour.com for artist information and maps. Looking forward to seeing you!

The Qi Lounge Wellness Spa Introduces New Contrast Recovery Circuit To Estes Park

A restorative combination using our Infrared Sauna, Cold Plunge Tubs, Normetec Compression Boots, and Zero Gravity Massage Chairs, designed to help locals and visitors relax, recharge, and recover After a long hike in Rocky Mountain National Park, a demanding day at work, or simply a busy week, a little intentional recovery can make a meaningful difference. The Qi Lounge Wellness Spa (Qi is pronounced “chee”) is excited to introduce its new Contrast Recovery Circuit, a self-guided wellness experience that alternates therapeutic heat, and invigorating cold to help guests feel refreshed, restored, and ready for whatever comes next.

“We wanted to create something that feels both effective and approachable,” said Brooke Claassen, Co-Owner of The Qi Lounge. “Estes Park is full of people who love to move—hikers, runners, climbers, cyclists, skiers, active families, and hardworking community members. The Contrast Recovery Circuit gives people a dedicated space to slow down, care for their bodies, and leave feeling renewed, while enjoying the gorgeous views of the lake and Longs Peak from our protected spa patio.”

submersion is recommended, but can be worked up to ten minutes.

For those looking for an even more complete experience, The Qi Lounge Wellness Spa recommends its Full Recovery Circuit, which adds 30-minutes in the Normatec compression boots along with 15-30 minutes of zero-gravity chair massage. Normatec boots use gentle, sequential air compression around the legs to support circulation and recovery while creating a relaxing, massage-like sensation. They can feel especially welcome after hiking, running, cycling, skiing, traveling, or spending a long day on one’s feet.

The zerogravity massage experience allows guests to recline in a position designed to reduce pressure on the body while enjoying 1530 minutes of relaxation. Together, the heat, cold, compression, and massage create a head-to-toe recovery experience that supports both physical restoration and mental renewal.

Heat helps the body warm up, encourages relaxation, and may ease feelings of muscular tension and stiffness. The warmth also creates an opportunity to pause, breathe deeply, and transition out of the stress of the day. A state-of-the-art Infrared Sauna has been added to the Qi Lounge’s lake-view patio for a deeply warming heat option. Ten to fifteen minutes in the sauna is recommended before moving to the cold plunge step.

Cold provides a refreshing physical and mental reset. Cold exposure may help reduce temporary post-exercise soreness and leave participants feeling energized and alert. Guests can ease into the experience at a level that feels appropriate and comfortable for them.

There are two cold plunge tubs available — one a temperate-cool, and the other deeply chilling — choose your level of comfort! For beginners, one to three minutes of cold

The Recovery Circuit is wonderful on its own, but it also pairs naturally with a traditional massage, body treatment, acupuncture session, or facial. Guests can build a restorative visit around their individual needs, whether they are recovering from an outdoor adventure, preparing for their next one, or simply making time to feel better.

“This isn’t about pushing yourself to an extreme,” Melissa Roberts, CoOwner, said. “It’s about listening to your body. Some guests come in because they are training for their next adventure, while others simply want a quiet, restorative break from everyday life. Both are wonderful reasons to be here.”

Participants do not need to be elite athletes or experienced with contrast therapy. The circuit can be adjusted to each person’s comfort level, and the The Qi Lounge team is available to guide first-time guests through every step.

The Contrast Circuit is now available at The Qi Lounge Wellness Spa, located at The Estes Park Resort (1700 Colorado Peaks Dr.) in Estes Park. To learn more or reserve a session, visit TheQiLounge.com, call 970-235-0056, or follow @QiLoungeSpa on Instagram & Facebook.

Cowboy Troubadour Vic Anderson To Perform

On Tuesday July 28 At High Noon

Mark your calendars for an afternoon of great Western entertainment, featuring music, poetry, and yodeling! Join us on Tuesday, July 28, at 12 p.m. for a free concert featuring Vic Anderson at the Estes Park Senior Cit izens Center (EPSCC), 1760 Olympian Lane. Bring your lunch, enjoy re freshments, or order a meal in advance (de tails below), and settle in for an entertaining hourand-a-half of music, stories, and good company. We hope you’ll join us!

Vic Anderson has been a professional performer for seven decades. His musical journey began in White Sulphur Springs, Montana, when he was just 12 years old. A musician known as “Homer L.” invited Vic to sing a song with him at the Mint Bar, and before long, Vic was sitting in a couple of times a month—earning $5 and all the soda he could drink each night. And so began a remarkable lifetime of performing.

in a movie and several television productions, and he has performed on radio and stages throughout the Western United States, Canada, and Germany.

Over the years, Vic has entertained audiences at cowboy gatherings, senior communities, weddings, dances, and a wide variety of public and private events. From barns and cornfields to concert halls, he brings wholesome, family-friendly entertainment wherever he performs. More information about Vic can be found on Facebook. To inquire about booking him for a public or private event, contact Vic at 970-214-5020 or mtyodeler@hotmail.com.

July 27 – July 31

Monday, July 27 Breakfast Croissant (scrambled eggs w/ cheese topped w/ sausage patty), Hashbrowns & fruit

Tuesday, July 28 Country Fried Steak w/ Mashed Potatoes, gravy & vegetables

Wednesday, July 29 Chicken Salad Croissant w/ Tomato Salad

Thursday, July 30 Pork Carnitas Tacos w/ Flour Tortillas (3) (w/ black beans, rice, sour cream, tomatoes, shredded lettuce, cheese & guacamole)

Friday, July 31 Salmon (6 oz) w/ Baked Potato & soup of the day

August 3 – 7

Monday, August 3 Denver Omelette (ham, mushrooms, onions & green peppers), Hashbrowns & fruit

Tuesday, August 4 BBQ Pork Ribs (4) w/ Baked Beans & coleslaw

Wednesday, August 5 Avocado Bacon Burger w/ Pasta Salad

Thursday, August 6 Chicken Parmesan w/ Pasta, garlic bread & side salad

Friday, August 7 Shrimp Basket (8 fried) w/ Homemade Chips & soup of the day

Starting March 1, Individual Meals are $12 for current 2026 EP Senior Citizens Center members and are by reservation only. (Non-members $14; reservation only). 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, July 27th, you need to call before 1:00 PM on Friday, July 24th. 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.

TriFit M-W-F 10:30-11:15 AM Circuit Balance 2nd & 4th Monday 1-1:45 PM Mahjong Tuesday 10 – 2 Tai Ji Class Tuesday 10:15 – 11:15 AM

Fluid Movement & Balance 2nd & 4th Thursday (on hiatus)

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

Vic is a singer, songwriter, three-time international yodeling champion, world-class melodic whistler, author, columnist, former ranch and rodeo cowboy, and six-year member of the Lazy B Chuckwagon, both in its original and second iteration. He performs his own compositions along with familiar songs heard in Western movies, around campfires, and on radio and television. His music has been featured

If you would like to order lunch for the concert, Tuesday’s meal will be country-fried steak with mashed potatoes, gravy, and vegetables. The cost is $12 for EPSCC members and $14 for non-members, and meals must be ordered by 1 p.m. on Monday, July 27. Annual EPSCC membership is just $35 and includes lunch discounts along with access to the many activities and programs offered at the Center. To order a meal or learn more about the EPSCC, call the Senior Center at 970581-2195.

Estes Park P.E.O. Hosts Summer Social On July 24

The Estes Park P.E.O. Group will meet on Friday, July 24, 2026, for their summer social. It will be from 11 a.m.1:30 p.m. at the Allenspark Community Church, 16 Washington Street, Allenspark. BIL's are invited to join us too. Please RSVP to Linda at 970-7076902. Please bring a salad, bread, or dessert to share. The entree will be

provided. Hope to see and meet you there!

The next breakfast will be on August 14, 2026. We meet at 9 a.m. on the second Friday of the month. The Estes Park P.E.O. Group invites all visiting P.E.O.s to join us for breakfast at the Ember Restaurant at the Estes Park Resort on Lake Estes.

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

Wellness Fair Seeks Health & Wellness Vendors

Are you part of the health and wellness community in Estes Park? Here's an opportunity to showcase your organization, services, and products at the annual Wellness Fair.

The Wellness Fair will be held on Saturday, November 7, from 9 a.m. to noon at the Estes Park Community

of Move With Me Books, shared her enthusiasm for the event: “I'm honored to be part of the Estes Park Wellness Fair, where I look forward to learning from the community and sharing the joy of movement, mindfulness, and literacy—one book, one breath at a time."

The Larimer County Department of

Center. The event brings together local organizations and businesses dedicated to helping residents live healthier lives.

Current vendors include the Larimer County Department of Health & Environment, Move With Me Books, Community Hearing Center, Home Instead, Good Samaritan Village, Jazzercise Estes Park, Estes Park Yoga, Primerica, and Northwest Health Partners.

Rachel Glowacki, author of All Through the CROWN and co-founder

Health & Environment also looks forward to participating: "Events like this provide an opportunity to share trusted health information, build relationships, and help individuals and families learn more about the resources and services available to support their health and well-being."

A limited number of vendor spaces are still available at $55 each.

To reserve a booth or learn more, contact Julie Bunton at 970-480-1331.

Learn About Chainsaw Maggie

In Allenspark On July 26

You've heard that there was a wild woman in Allenspark named "Chainsaw Maggie." But what do you really know about her?

Come and find out on Sunday, July 26, at 2 p.m. at Tree Huggers Trading Co. in Allenspark when the truth about this real life character will be revealed.

Local historian Edie DeWeese will tell the tale.

"Bring your own chair and a blanket," said Jen Bell, Tree Huggers owner. The free event will likely draw a crowd and, weather permitting, will be held outside.

The story of Chainsaw Maggie began in the late 1970s when promoters of the Stanley Vacation Club, Inc. opened a sales office in the Old Gallery building off Highway 7 and erected a large promotional sign that closely resembled official Colorado Department of Transportation signage. Residents disliked the billboard and the time-share scheme it promoted.

Margaret Walter, 56, took matters into her own hands and cut down the billboard. It was rebuilt and cut down again. In 1979, Walter was taken to court and charged with criminal mischief. But upon closer examination, it turned out that the billboard had been erected without the proper permits and violated zoning regulations. Finally, the sign was taken down and the sales office closed.

"Thus, our Chainsaw Maggie became arguably the best known outlaw in Allenspark's folklore," said DeWeese. "And a testament to the power of one person's conviction."

Hilltop Guild’s Annual Bazaar Takes Place Saturday, August 1

The Hilltop Guild’s annual Bazaar takes place Saturday, August 1, in Allenspark. The event is free and parking is free.

The Kelley House, home of the Guild and the location of the festival, is found at 18720 Highway 7, just four miles south of Allenspark. Flags mark the location just off the highway.

The day will begin at 9 a.m. with an assortment of homemade and handmade things for sale from jellies to woven rugs, from books to glassware and china, from baked goods to costume jewelry.

More than 20 booths will offer jewelry, honey, coffee, haircuts, loaves of bread, tarot readings, flavored syrups and leather goods.

“ruanas” or shawls.

The ladies of the Guild will offer a selection of baked goods and peanut brittle in the Country Kitchen while the White Elephant has a selection of household collectibles, china, glassware, and kitchen items. The Boutique offers scrubbies, playing card holders, baby clothes, knitted hats and embroidered tea towels. More than ten quilts – modern and vintage – also will be for sale on August 1.

The popular Loom Room has handwoven items including shoelaces, small rugs, woven bags, place mats, table runners, dog leashes and exquisite

The popular costume jewelry table also will return this year and the Book Nook is filled with paperbacks and hardbacks.

You won’t go hungry at the Bazaar as bratwurst lunches will be available as well as vegan hot dogs. Live music will take place all day until 2 p.m. featuring Three Moose Morning and Restless Spirit playing Celtic and Old Time Appalachian music.

Earlier this year, the Guild was able to provide eight scholarships to students in Lyons and Estes Park amounting to $13,000.

As Guild members like to say, the money raised at the Bazaar stays in the community, helping local students and charities.

And the Bunce School and Museum, located only a short walk from the Kelley House, also will be open on August 1.

Nearly 100 Exchange Students Enjoy The Mustang Mountain Coaster

Wednesday evening, July 15th, was a celebration of friendship, hospitality, and international community as the Mustang Mountain Coaster, Brownfield’s, Global Friends Estes Park, and the Christian Church of Estes Park came together to host an International Night for J-1 Exchange Visitors.

Nearly 100 J-1 students from around the world attended the event, enjoying an evening filled with excitement, laughter, and new friendships.

Throughout the evening, J-1’s experienced the Mustang Mountain Coaster while connecting with one another and with local volunteers from the Estes Park community.

"It was incredible to see so many smiles, hear laughter echoing through the coaster, and listen to conversations in languages from all over the world," organizers shared. "It was a beautiful reminder that hospitality has the power to bring people together and create cherished memories."

The event was made possible through the extraordinary generosity of the Walker family and the Mustang Mountain Coaster, whose partnership created a memorable experience for every participant.

Special recognition also goes to the Global Friends Estes Park interns, who did an outstanding job organizing the evening and coordinating rides for almost 100 international students. They have spent the summer building rela-

tionships, serving, and welcoming the J-1 Exchange Visitors to Estes Park.

The organizers would also like to thank the many volunteers from Brownfield's, the Cheley Camp, and the Christian Church of Estes Park who gave their time to transport the students. Appreciation is also extended to North Peak Media Co. and Simply Christmas for capturing photos and

video that will help preserve the memories of this special night.

For many of the J-1 Exchange Visitors spending the summer working in Estes Park, the evening was more than just a fun outing—it was an opportunity to experience the warmth and kindness of

our local community. We hope this event will continue to strengthen relationships between the Estes Park community and the international students who contribute so much to the town each summer. They are a very important part of Estes Park.

VEP Celebrates Accessibility Milestone At Accessible Travel Showcase

Thank you to everyone who attended the Accessible Travel Showcase on Wednesday, July 8, at YMCA of the Rockies. Hosted in partnership with the Colorado Tourism Office and Wheel the World, the event brought together tourism professionals, community partners, businesses, nonprofit organizations, and accessibility advocates to celebrate a major milestone in Estes Park's accessibility journey and explore how accessible travel benefits visitors, businesses, and the community.

A special thanks to our speakers, participating businesses, volunteers, and community partners for helping move accessibility forward. Together, we're building a destination where everyone can confidently experience Estes Park's natural beauty, arts and culture, hospitality, and outdoor adventures.

Accessible Travel Showcase

The showcase opened with remarks from Mayor Gary Hall and VEP’s CEO Sarah Leonard and emcee Sr. Destination Stewardship Manager Dana Paiement, who set the tone with a simple message: accessibility is about more than compliance — it's about creating a destination where everyone feels wel-

abilities.

Their discussion touched on inclusive customer service and the importance of accurate accessibility information, and reinforced a key point: accessibility doesn't just benefit travelers with disabilities — it improves the experience for older adults, families with young children, and anyone facing temporary mobility challenges.

Celebrating a Major Milestone

The showcase also marked the com-

come.

Their remarks led into a bigger conversation about why accessibility has become one of tourism's fastest-growing opportunities.

From there, a panel discussion dug into adaptive recreation, accessibility gains in Rocky Mountain National Park, and what it really takes to make a destination welcoming. Showcase Panelists included:

• Quinn Brett, Dovetail Trail Consulting and Unite 2 Fight Paralysis

• Quayla Allen-Comella, Inclusive Placemaking Consultant

• Zach Zehr, Estes Park Mountain Shop

• Kaci Yoh, Rocky Mountain Conservancy

• Brian Kaepplinger, Kep Expeditions Programs

Panelists shared personal stories and professional expertise on expanding access to outdoor recreation, improving visitor experiences, and building destinations that welcome people of all

achieved:

• 36 Accessibility Verified businesses and experiences (including lodging, dining, attractions, and outdoor recreation)

• 28 hospitality professionals enrolled in Wheel the World Academy training

• 113,500+ search impressions for Estes Park on WheeltheWorld.com

• 651 clicks directing travelers to verified local businesses and guides

One of the day's most meaningful

founder Álvaro Silberstein completed Patagonia's challenging W Trek in an adaptive wheelchair and realized that the greatest barrier to travel wasn't disability, it was the lack of reliable accessibility information. That same philosophy is now helping transform destinations like Estes Park.

Guidance for welcoming guests with different accessibility needs: Focus on the person rather than the disability.

pletion of Colorado's Accessible Travel Program in Estes Park, hosted in partnership with the Colorado Tourism Office and Wheel the World.

This work has resulted in 36 Accessibility Verified businesses, attractions, restaurants, and experiences throughout the destination — giving travelers detailed, reliable information to plan their trips with confidence, while helping local businesses better serve guests of all abilities.

Wheel the World shared that 74% of travelers with disabilities encounter obstacles because accessibility information is missing or unreliable, costing an estimated $19 billion in lost U.S. travel spending every year. At the same time, travelers with disabilities spend an estimated $25 billion annually, and that number continues to grow alongside an aging population increasingly turning to AI-powered search tools for trustworthy accessibility information.

Since launching the partnership with Wheel the World, the community has

moments recognized the 36 businesses and organizations that completed the Accessibility Verified process — documenting everything from entrance widths and parking to room layouts and amenities so travelers know exactly what to expect before they arrive.

As Wheel the World put it during the showcase: "The ADA is the floor, not the ceiling."

Practical Hospitality Training

The event wrapped up with an Inclusive Hospitality Training led by Malachy Sundstrom, Partner Care Manager with Wheel the World, focused on practical steps businesses can start using right away.

He recommended using simple phrases that foster inclusion, such as asking, "How can I make your visit more comfortable?" or "Would you like me to describe the space for you?" instead of making assumptions or taking over without permission.

As Wheel the World's story illustrates, the organization was founded after co-

Ask, don't assume: "How can I help?" beats guessing.

Mobility: Ask before assisting, never move a wheelchair without permission, keep accessible pathways clear, proactively offer accessible seating and routes.

Visual Disabilities: Introduce yourself, describe the surrounding environment, offer an arm rather than grabbing a hand.

Deaf/Hard of Hearing: Speak clearly, keep eye contact, use written communication when helpful, never speak to the companion only.

Cognitive Disabilities: Use simple language, share information one step at a time, and allow extra response time.

Always welcome service animals without extra questions or distraction. The training reinforced that inclusive service means giving every guest the same standard of hospitality, recognizing that many disabilities aren't visible, and letting each guest's preferences lead the way.

Businesses were encouraged to continue building these skills through the free Wheel the World Academy, with properties that train five or more team members eligible for official Wheel the World Accreditation.

Attendees closed the day with an interactive discussion, helping shape accessibility priorities for VEP's Destination Stewardship Master Plan — a reminder that accessibility is not simply a project, it is an ongoing commitment that strengthens the visitor experience, supports local businesses, and reinforces Estes Park's reputation as a welcoming mountain destination.

Newcee & Newbie Need Loving, Forever Families

Hello! I’m Newcee. I’m a one-and-a-half-yearold neutered male cat with such a beautiful marmalade coloring!

Check out the adorable speckling on my nose. I was found under a porch so I have been working hard with my rescuers, learning to trust more each day. And I’m making really great progress!

I have the most beautiful eyes and would love to be part of your home.

Hi! I’m Newbie. I am a one-year-old spayed female cat. I’m also practicing my social skills around humans and am coming around quickly!

I’m a very, very petite sweetheart who would love to keep learning and growing with you How beautiful is my pewtercolored coat?!

Adoptable pets are offered through the Pet Association of Estes Park, a

nonprofit organization that is the Estes Valley’s only humane society.

To donate or learn more, visit their website at petassociationestespark.com, or you can make a tax-deductible donation to the Pet Association by sending your check to PO Box 4342, Estes Park, CO 80517.

Could you be Newcee or Newbie’s forever people? Both cats are ready to go home and live wonderful lives. Reach out to the Pet Association today to meet these sweet kitties. Newbie

• Warm Mountain Feel • Walk to Town/ Lake Estes Trail • Longs Peak View Offered at $769,000

Call Trisha to view today!

Quaint cabin tucked away on 1.7 Acreslarge deck with beautiful views. Detached 750 sq. ft building for workshop, home gym, numerous possibilities.

Offered at $725,000 Call Trisha to view today!

Riverfront Retreat – For Sale by

Owner**

Escape to your dream home just 3 miles from town, nestled along 150 feet of serene river frontage. This 1,200 sq. ft. gem boasts a spacious living room with a skylight showcasing stunning views, a cozy front den, and two bedrooms. Enjoy modern comforts with energy-efficient thermopane windows, an all-electric setup (no propane), and a cutting-edge Steffe’s thermal brick heater for low-cost warmth. Cook with ease on the induction range.

The property includes a large insulated garage with an RV/EV charger, perfect for adventurers or electric vehicle owners. Spread across two lots with level access, this home offers ample space and privacy. Lovingly maintained for 41 years by the current owner, it’s ready for you to make it your own. Priced

and

Former Local Author Book Signing & Talk On July 24

The Maude Jellison Library at Estes Park Center YMCA will host awardwinning author Robert N. Ruesch to discuss his book, "In the Warmth of the Shadow." The event is scheduled for

July 24th at 3 p.m.

Robert was raised at the YMCA of the Rockies, Estes Park Center, where he could interact with summer college staff at an early age. Growing up in a resort setting afforded the opportunity to learn life lessons uniquely. Robert’s book, which is about growing up in a summer resort setting, is a way to observe and learn about life. From the beginning of the 1950s through partial college years, Robert would interact with summer staff and guests. His stories are life lessons, the triumphs, and tragedies. Along with observations afforded, a young boy becoming molded by living a life close to paradise in the Colorado Rockies.

At one time, the only stoplight in Estes Park was covered with burlap in the winter. Come to the book signing

Theater For The Thirsty To Perform At YMCA Of The Rockies

On Sunday, July 26, Theater for the Thirsty will be the guest performers in Hyde Chapel. Their performance on Sunday evening begins at 7 p.m. in Hyde Chapel. This performance is free and open to the public.

Theater for the Thirsty is a twoperson theater company specializing in entertaining, music-infused, funny, thought-provoking, redemptive, soul stirring and imaginative theater.

Jeremiah and Vanessa Gamble have been involved in professional theater in the Twin Cities, both on camera and on stage, for over 15 years. Their passion is creating and performing original works together through their theater company, Theater for the Thirsty. They portray over 100 different characters in their ten original shows–ranging from tone-deaf angels to cud-chewing cows.

feature Jeremiah in their show titled “A Misfit Christmas.” The YMCA of the Rockies celebrates Christmas in July every year—you don’t want to miss this opportunity.

Theater for the Thirsty creates and performs redemptive theater that is entertaining and imaginative. Their recipe is simple: incorporate wellcrafted stories, a heavy dose of quality comedy, dynamic music, memorable characters and simple props. Jeremiah and Vanessa believe that people are hungry and thirsty for more than what much of this life offers.

The Sunday evening performance will

To learn more about Theater for the Thirsty and their ministry, visit theaterforthethirsty.com.

This Sunday night concert is a part of the Chapel Ministry’s 2026 Summer Worship program. Learn more about the YMCA Chapel Ministry and 2026 Summer Worship activities at ymcarockies.org/Activities, and follow the link to the latest Activity Schedule.

Wildfire Awareness Day At Meeker Park Sort Yard This Saturday, July 25

Join Wildfire Partners and Boulder County, along with other community organizations and agencies, for Wildfire Awareness Day at the Meeker Park Community Forestry Sort Yard this Saturday, July 25 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Enjoy free food, fire trucks, and educational booths, all in the name of community preparedness for wildfire. Bring your family, friends, and neighbors! All are welcome.

Learn more about Wildfire Partners by visiting wildfirepartners.org.

It’s All About Connection, Community, Giving Hope, & Being On This Journey Together

Welcome to my new column... “Hope for the Journey.” By way of introduction, my name is Debbie Unruh, and I am the new Executive Director of Estes Dementia Day Center (EDDC). We opened in May and are currently renting space in the lower level of St. Bart’s Episcopal Church. We are a social day program for individuals experiencing dementia. We are open Monday – Thursday, 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. I know you have heard about us as the EDDC Board of Directors has worked tirelessly these past two years to get this off and running, raising over $500k to get started. YOU did this, Estes Park community – YOU brought this muchneeded program to life! Thank you. My intent with this column is to 1) educate, inform, and inspire the Estes community about the topic and “journey” of dementia – to help us all understand the stigma, the signs, the incredible need for socialization, enrichment, and cognitive stimulation, and 2) to be informed how we as a Center are bringing hope and joy to families that are on this journey, and in doing so, provide support and community so no one walks this walk alone. Some weeks I will write a short story describing what goes on here. Some weeks I will select a topic and provide helpful information. Some weeks I will interview a board member or volunteer or caregiver. This week, I chose to tell a story about our morning time around the kitchen table...

This week, we played a game called “Finish the Phrase.” One of the phrases was, “If you can’t take the heat... (get out of the kitchen).” One of our guests finished the phrase and then another one started talking about their family growing up – about being in the kitchen and how it sparked a memory of Mom cooking. It brought about a nostalgic feeling. Sometimes the facts cannot be retrieved, but the feelings are there. This is so important. I was deeply touched as I listened to their distant memory, their story, their feelings.

One of the best parts of the day at EDDC is the morning time around the kitchen table. We enjoy coffee, tea, and snacks. It is where we welcome one another, participants, staff, and volunteers alike. We get to know one another and talk about our families, or our gardens, or the birds, or the weather, or our travels. We laugh and joke with one another. We reminisce about the past or tell stories. Sometimes we learn where someone grew up or what their work and profession was. Stories and memories from the distant past are important. Sometimes the past 15 minutes becomes a blur but that doesn’t matter. We love to share in this way because we are a community. We are connected, and the connection piece is so important for those who are experiencing dementia.

I walked back to my office after 45 minutes around the table. I felt proud of the “sacred” space we had created (even though we are not religious) and the volunteers that said “yes” to this loving work of “being present.” Volunteers who are willing to invest in a segment of society here in our little mountain town who need to be noticed, engaged, and affirmed. For certain, their families do that, but for the caregivers, the days get long, the patience runs out, and we are here to provide that extra amount of love, care, and joy. It is all about connection, community, giving hope to families, and being on this journey together. EDDC is open Monday through Thursday, 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Caregivers can register their loved one and interview for admission to the program by calling the office at 970-447-3550, or reach out to Debbie Unruh at debbie@estesdementiadaycenter.org. Individuals with a dementia diagnosis are welcome. Private pay hourly fee for service; scholarships/sliding scale funds available.

Learn more about EDDC at estesdementiadaycenter.org.

Let’s Turn Hardships Into Hope

By: Brian Schaffer

We’ve all heard the famous saying: “Life is like a box of chocolates—you never know what you’re gonna get.” Sometimes life leaves a sweet taste in your mouth, but other times, a bitter bite catches you completely off guard. Unlike actual candy, life doesn't come with a pictorial map guiding our every choice. We can do our best to choose wisely, but we all face seasons where things simply go wrong. The great news is that a difficult season doesn't have to define our future direction; often, the hardest lessons provide the inspiration to begin something new.

At Crossroads, we walk alongside neighbors navigating these rough waters. While there isn't always an easy solution, the path forward becomes clearer when we surround people with consistent love and care. Right now, we have a vital opportunity to show real neighborly love to two families facing tough transitions:

• A Lifeline for a New Chapter: Last week, our staff met with a young mother and her wonderful children. In spite of extensive counseling, she has made the painful but necessary decision to permanently separate from her husband. As she transitions into a

completely new way of living and takes on the sole financial burden, we want to step in and help. We are raising a financial love offering to give her a vital boost during this critical transition. These funds will go towards several areas of support for her that we will be helping her with.

• Reliable Transportation for a Working Senior: On another front, we are assisting a single lady whom we've helped with minor car repairs over the years. Unfortunately, she is now facing an insurmountable list of mechanical failures. She loves her car, but it is no longer safe or viable to fix, and replacing it is impossible on her fixed income. Because she still works parttime to make ends meet, she desperately needs stable transportation. We are seeking a donor willing to bless her with a newer, reliable vehicle, or sufficient donations to help her purchase a reasonably priced vehicle. If you choose to invest in this mother and her children, or if you are able to help with a vehicle donation, please make a note in the memo line of your check or via our online donation portal. Let’s come together to turn these hardships into stories of hope and community restoration.

We All Deserve To Reach Our Potential

Our mission is to empower youth and community members to achieve their full potential through mentoring, prevention education, and strategic partnership.

Be a Mentor! We are always in need of positive adult role models to volunteer as mentors. Our kids are ages 7 to 17 years old with diverse interests and needs. We create partnerships based on shared interests, common values, and logistical preferences. Partners provides volunteers with training and sup-

port, as well as inclusion in a caring and active community. These are the roles we have available: CommunityBased Mentors, School-Based Mentors, and Activity Volunteers. For more information, please visit our website at poweredbypartners.org/mentoring/#be amentor. You can also inquire online at poweredbypartners.org/getinvolved/#volunteer.

Mentors are needed in Estes Park, Greeley, Fort Collins and Loveland, CO.

Estes Park Women’s Golf Association Results For July 21, 2026

Estes Park Women’s Golf Association (EPWGA) began our Club Championship tournament on Tuesday, July 21. Competition will continue for the next two Tuesdays. Players are competing in two flights, with a gross and net winner in each flight. Here are the standings after round one:

Flight 1, Red - Low Gross - Marianne Casey

Low Net - Kay Boyle

Flight 2, Red/Yellow - Stacey Harding

Low Net - Twyla Moraczewski

Those not competing in the Club

Estes

Championship played a Follow the Field game of “Odd & Even.” Here are the results for Follow the Field:

1st Place - Lori Lynn

2nd Place - Brenda Perez

3rd Place - Ingrid Drouin

Tie for 4th Place - Calle Russell, Judi Cunningham, and Chelsea Specht

Congrats to the winners and best of luck to the Club Championship competitors! Email us at estesparkwomensgolf@gmail.com, follow us on Facebook and Instagram at EPWGAWomen’s Golf League.

Park Men's Golf Association

Results For July 20, 2026

This was one hot day! Congrats to all for keeping hydrated. Brian Kelly's Net 67 earned him first place this week. He's been stalking the top of the leaderboard for several weeks now. One stroke back was Robert Wilczek. Great playing, gentlemen. This was day one of the annual two day President’s Cup competition. The finals will be played on Monday, July 27. Good luck to all.

Nan Ryan Invitational Takes Place This

Great competition and good golfing fun are on the schedule for the 23rd annual Nan Ryan Invitational this Saturday, July 25, at the Lake Estes Golf Course.

A record 43 teams (172 golfers) have signed up for this event, with tee times running from 7:20-2:20.

Highlighting the competition will be the Longmont Women’s team of Lynette Gormley, Deb Schier, Sheryl Szymanski, and Marie Beatty, returning to try to retain their Women’s Team title from last year. And they will have tough competition from teams from Kansas City and Estes Park.

The Men’s Team of Brian, Don and Ben James, and Mike Manson, will be on hand to regain their 2024 title of Men’s team winners, as will the Mixed Team of Judi and Mike Cunningham and Drew and Carla Spreng Webb. All proceeds from the tournament go to the Estes Park Junior Golf Program. This year the tour-

Saturday

nament goal is to go over the $100,000 mark in proceeds for the 23 years of the event.

This year the Junior Program had 115 entries, gave 23 sets of golf clubs to participants, purchased snacks and gear, tournament fees and golf access. The Program annually gives a $5,000 scholarship to a high school senior, and helped purchase and maintain the very popular golf simulator at the Rec Center.

Almost Didn’t Go

By: Becky Finger

About 30 years ago, I was invited to lunch at a popular teahouse in Dallas. It was one of those incredibly busy seasons of life, and I almost didn’t go because my to-do list seemed much too important.

I’m so glad I did.

That afternoon I met several delightful ladies, including one who has become one of my dearest lifelong friends.

But that’s not all I remember.

They served the most amazing chicken salad I’ve ever tasted on the flakiest, most delicious croissant imaginable, with an interesting side. The charming old building was filled with warmth, laughter, and conversation. Somewhere between the first bite and the last cup of tea, my worries quietly disappeared.

I hadn’t realized how badly I needed an afternoon like that. When it was over, I couldn’t believe how quickly the time had passed.

What if one simple afternoon could become one of your favorite memories years from now?

We’ll even be serving that memorable chicken salad on a fresh croissant!

Even more special, my lifelong friend from Dallas is flying to Colorado just to relive that wonderful afternoon with me. If you come, you’ll get to meet her!

“Christmas

We’ll enjoy delicious food, warm conversation, a brief, encouraging message about hope and joy, and a few fun surprises generously provided by several wonderful local businesses.

After all, who couldn’t use a little more hope and joy these days?

Women’s Summer Luncheon

Saturday, August 1

11:30 a.m.–1:30 p.m.

The Bristlecone Inn

By the way… have you ever wondered what a bristlecone is?

The bristlecone pine is one of the most remarkable trees in the world. It grows slowly in the harsh conditions of the Rocky Mountains, yet some have stood strong for more than 4,500 years, making them among the oldest living trees on earth. Their quiet strength and endurance make them a fitting symbol of hope.

Reservations are required by July 26, or until all seats are filled.

Please note: There is no on-site parking, but convenient shuttle parking is available. Call for parking details when you reserve your seat.

To reserve your seat, call Becky at 970-430-1066.

Perhaps years from now, you’ll be telling someone about the afternoon women’s luncheon you almost didn’t go to… and were so thankful you did.

In July” Is Coming To Allenspark Community Church

Ready for some holiday spirit? Head to Allenspark Community Church for a special “Christmas in July” service on Sunday, July 26 at 10 a.m.. Enjoy a Christmas-themed service, Christmas carols, cookies, and yes... a visit from Santa and Mrs. Claus, too! Bring the

whole family and enjoy some festive fun.

Allenspark Community Church is located at 16 Washington Street, Allenspark, CO, under the shadow of Mt. Meeker. Visit allensparkcommunitychurch.org to learn more.

By: Tom Rogers

Swim Fins On The Cuff

The small, mostly middle-class, Midwestern town I grew up in is now a wealthy city in excess of 100,000 persons with over 150 roundabouts to cut down on the glut of traffic flow while still allowing everyone, all at the same time, to drive to some of the hundreds of local retailers, parks, entertainment venues, and restaurants. It wasn’t always so. Growing up, the town had a much smaller population than Estes Park does today. My hometown had one cop, one stop light, one movie theatre, one drug store with a soda fountain, one barber shop, one meat market, one bank, one carhop staffed drive-in with burgers and incredible onion rings, one hardware store and two filling stations, only one of which that actually patched tires and changed oil.

There were no tourists since there were only corn fields and flat land to gaze upon, and the only wildlife thereabouts were the occasional squirrels which paradoxically never caused traffic to stop dead in its tracks for a photo op. It also had a dime store where kids could get the essentials of candy, bubble gum baseball cards, and exotic toys coming all the way from Japan.

That dime store on Main Street was a kid mecca since it was one of the few local places where pre-teens could leave the grown-ups behind, park a bike on the sidewalk, and buy the vital things that a small allowance, a couple of birthday dollars from Grandma, and pop-bottle deposits could buy.

To provide a little background, I was a pool rat. The local pool in the country outside of town had been built in the 1920s and was a huge elongated Ushaped concrete paradise that included a low dive and a high dive platform above ten feet of water, a long slide, a short slide at the knee-high baby pool end, a snack bar stocked with ice cream and Nehi root beer, a bath house for changing, and lots of cement decking for summer tans and hormonecharged teens.

I never took swimming lessons but at the tender age of four, a “big” kid shoved me in over my head and I easily managed to swim to the side of the pool as if it was an involuntary reflex such as dogs possess. Subsequently, as I gained aquatic speed, I was racing much older kids. But my real desire was to become SCUBA diver Mike Nelson’s (played by Lloyd Bridges, father of Beau and Jeff) partner in TV’s black-and-white drama, “Sea Hunt”. I spent a lot of time underwater and could easily swim considerable distances undetected and without taking a breath. Of course, my eyes were always red at suppertime from opening them under water all afternoon so my parents fearing, I guess, chlorine water blindness got me a swim mask to save my baby blues. But I still lacked the

rubber appendages to make my skin diving more Nelson-like, faster, and efficient…swim fins.

My folks thought I could swim well enough, thank you, and being Depression-era frugal and concentrating on life’s real necessities, would not spring for my coveted rubber-ducky flippers. So, I dumped out my piggy bank and rode off downtown on my trusty Huffy to see what was available.

In the dime store, there on a high shelf gathering dust, was a pair of green rubber kid-sized swim fins probably, I daydreamed, left over from Korean War Underwater Demolition Teams (UDTs). They had been marked down a couple of times but were still listed at a totally unattainable price; well above my meager life savings. I stood there, dejectedly, with my goal out of reach for the summer. Since I was a kid and I had cash to spend, I gave up my dream and re-directed my attention to the cheap toy area to sooth my childish urges with my piggy bank money burning a hole in my pocket.

The store clerk, a kind, grandmotherly woman who apparently understood that kids my age didn’t abide by delayed gratification, had been watching from behind the counter. She walked over to where I was now staring at paddleball games, Silly Putty, and green plastic army men and asked me how much I had to spend. I dug through my pockets and showed her the worn dollar bills and coins. She sighed, shook her head, and thought for a moment. Then she made me a deal.

She said I could have the swim fins, then and there, with my piggy bank savings put down on a kind of an installment plan, whatever that was. I then had to bring her a quarter every week out of my allowance till the debt was paid off. Eagerly, since I had stopped listening right after she said that I could have the fins immediately, I accepted and without signing my life away, as I would later do many times in the future with houses and cars, took home my prized flippers. But later, as my parents painstakingly explained to me what buying on credit really entailed, I dutifully, if not enthusiastically, rode my bike to the store each week to hand over a big chunk of my allowance income till the swim fin mortgage was fully paid.

In the pool during that and the next couple of summers, I was now the fastest kid under the water until time and chlorine water wore out my fins. But my first experience with credit buying taught me that going into debt should be reserved for things of necessity or very deep desire since the urge to buy now and pay later is oftentimes overcome by the seemingly endless tyranny of the amortization table. Lesson learned.

JOIN OUR TEAM!

Full details on employment opportunities and the application can be found at estes.org/jobs.

Regular /Full-time

• Civil Engineer I/II (Stormwater)

• Emergency Services Dispatcher I/II/III

• Events Maintenance Worker I

• Executive and Legal Assistant

• Police Officer I/II/III

• Street Equipment Specialist I/II/III

The status of applications will be communicated via e-mail. By choice, the Town of Estes Park is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer.

Kingswood Homes and Kingswood Home Services seeking Residential Project Manager for remodels, decks, or new homes. From initial meet to job completion. Solid carpentry background preferred.

Duties include ….

 estimating

 scheduling of trades and materials.

 manage site activities

 contract management

 people skills w/both vendors and client

 cost management Send resume to mike@homesbykingswood.com.

Rental Attendant- Part-Time

Assist with set up and tear down of event rentals at the Community Center and outside picnic shelters at Stanely Park and around Lake Estes. Most shifts will be nights and weekends. To review the complete job description and apply online visit our website: evrpd.com.

Estes Valley Recreation and Park District is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Dental Hygienist

needed for our office starting July 6, 2026. We are a small practice with an exceptional team and wonderful patients. We offer competitive pay, paid holidays, PTO, 401k match, paid continuing education and uniform allowance. Sign on bonus is being offered. Come and work with us in beautiful Estes Park. Please email or fax your resume to frontdesk@estesparkdental.com or 970-577-0045.

AA & Al-Anon Meetings

AA of Glen Haven

Mondays at 6:30 p.m. at the Town Hall

Early Worms

Monday through Saturday at 7 a.m. (hybrid meetings with Zoom #796 839 839 PW:Worms20) at St. Bartholomew Church, 880 MacGregor Ave.

Mixed Nuts Al-Anon Group

Fridays from 6:30-7:30 p.m. (hybrid meetings with Zoom #285 426 3644 PW:serenity) at St. Bartholomew Church

One Day At A Time AA Meetings

Tuesdays at noon: Open discussion Thursdays at 6:30 p.m.: Open discussion

Saturdays at 5:30 p.m.

Location: Presbyterian Community Church of the Rockies, 1700 Brodie Ave. Meetings are in the lounge on the main floor by the front entrance to the church. Park upstairs by the main entrance of the church.

Please note: There will not be a meeting on Saturday, July 25 at the Presbyterian Church. Instead, the area’s second annual AA/Al-Anon BBQ will take place at the Osprey Shelter from 4-8 p.m. All members are welcome to attend.

Alcoholics Anonymous Fall River Group

Current Schedule as of 6/17/2025

Zoom ID 999 829166 for AA Meetings

Mondays at 12 p.m., in person and Zoom — O, D Mondays at 7 p.m., in person and Zoom — O, BB

Women’s Meeting, Tuesdays at 12 p.m. — O, D

Customer Service Manager

40 Hours / Exempt

Pay range: $68k - $105k

Summary: Seeking an experienced customer service leader to take the Library's Patron Experience team to the next level.

Closing Date: 5 PM, Monday, August 31, 2026

PROCEDURE FOR APPLICATION:

Review full job description and apply at estesvalleylibrary.org/jobs

Only complete applications with cover letter and resume will be considered.

Immediate openings Part-time to Full-time. Clean driving record. Drug free employment. $21-$24 an hour

Apply within at 551 South Saint Vrain Ave 970-586-5151

Wednesdays at 12 p.m., in person and Zoom — O, D

Wednesdays at 7 p.m., in person and Zoom — O, D

Thursdays at 12 p.m., in person and Zoom — O, D

Fridays at 12 p.m., in person and Zoom — O, D

Saturdays at 12 p.m., in person and Zoom — O, D

Sundays at 12 p.m., in person and Zoom — O, ABSI

Last Monday of each month is birthday night; potluck at 6 p.m., speaker at 7 p.m.

Location: 453 West Elkhorn Ave.

***Contribute via Venmo, @FallRiverGroupAA

Other 12 Step Meetings Held at Fall River Group

Narcotics Anonymous “New Horizons” Group, Thursdays at 7 p.m., in person and Zoom (705 555 930) — O, D

**O=Open to all

D=Discussion

BB=Big Book

Zoom Meetings

Every day at noon, Zoom #999 829 166 (no password needed)

Zoom Big Book Study, Mondays at 7 p.m. #654 598 884 (no password needed).

Wednesdays at 7 p.m., Zoom #999 829

166

Online AA and NA Meetings at intherooms.com.

There are 70 AA meetings and 30 NA meetings a week.

You've discovered the perfect fit! Thriving family adventure

Outdoor World and Rocky Mountain Connection year-round retail stores for clothing and gear are hiring. $18/hour. Stocking shelves, engaging customers. Bring your upbeat vibe and people skills. Flexible shifts on your terms. Ages 15 to 80 welcome. Reach Ernie anytime, day or night, every day of the week. 970 232 8290.

Long established salon. Great location! 60% commission or booth rental. Each station has its own shampoo bowl! 970-231-3997

Homes

2-3 BEDROOM RENTALS

– In Estes Park. 3BR/2BA condo, 2-car garage, minutes from downtown, $2295/mo. 3BR/3BA house, 2-car garage, fenced yard, 7 min to downtown, $3,000/mo. Tenant pays utilities. 12-mo lease. Credit/background check required. 970-586-6500

Apartments

ROOMS & APARTMENTS FOR RENT

– In Estes Park. Single bedrooms $800/mo, ALL utilities included (heat, water, sewer, trash, internet). 2BR apartments $1900/mo, water/sewer/trash/heat included. Available now — ready to move in. 12-mo lease.

970-586-6500

Commercial Rentals

Office Space for Rent, 1,021 sq. ft., $1,700/mo., Suite 204, upper level 255 Park Lane. The office space is available 01/01/26. Electrical, natural gas, water, trash removal included. Telephone and communication service shall be at expense of Lessee. space is available starting 2/1/26. Inquiries, please contact Michael Grigsby Bank of Estes Park, 970-577-1234.

Great 900 square foot commercial/office space that has been completely remodeled.

Good parking and convenient location. 154 South Saint Vrain in Village Square. Flexible lease starting at $1,000 per month. Call InTempus Realty and ask for Eric at 970-215-2625 or Abbey at 970-599-0688.

Commercial Rentals

Charming Private Office in Historic Downtown Estes Park

166 Virginia, Suite 7,

Looking for a professional office in the heart of Estes Park? This beautifully renovated one person office is located in a historic building right downtown, just steps from Bond Park, local banks, and the business district.

Features & Amenities:

• Prime downtown location with signage on Virginia Drive

• All utilities included (except internet)

• Wired for Fiber Optics & High-Speed Internet via Trailblazer

• Access to a separate conference room with a large TV for Zoom meetings

• Shared kitchen with coffee setup

• Copy machine available for your business needs

Ideal for remote professionals, entrepreneurs, or anyone seeking a quiet, professional workspace in a vibrant setting. $600 per month Call Thom at 970-586-2448 to schedule a tour!

Storage Units

Manford Plaza storage unit for rent. 970-586-3828

Sewing/Alterations

Remixed Custom Sewing Services. Outdoor and RV Cushions, Small Furniture, Restoration, and Commercial Upholstery. Call for appointment 970-492-5446

Piano Tuning

Susan Novy Local Piano Tuner. Call for appointment. 970-577-1755

Business

For Rent

Estes Park Masonic Center Available for Birthday Parties, Class Reunions Wedding Receptions and Weddings -all occasions Call 970-213-4185 for availability

REAL ESTATE

Homes

HORSE Property close to town & RMNP 2.7 acres. Private. Views! Arena. Barn. 1300 sq.ft older home/knotty pine interior. 2010 Marys Lake Rd. $769,500. 970-577-0509

Commercial SALES

Garage Sales

Commercial Spaces for sale and lease. Call Eric. INTEMPUS Realty, 970-586-2950

Estate Sales

ESTATE/MOVING SALE

Need to have one, but seems overwhelming. We do the work, you make the $. Local, Affordable, References. CALL JUDI 970-215-5548

July 25th - Masonic Center Summer Yard Sale & Biscuit/Gravy Sausage Breakfast! Vendor setup starts at 7:00 a.m.; open to the public at 8:00 a.m. till noon. Location: 1820 S. St. Vrain Ave (CO Highway 7). Rent a spot for $20. Enjoy a fresh breakfast & coffee while you browse and sell! For details, call: 970-217-7510

GARAGE SALE

July 24 & 25, 8:00 - ? at Allenspark Garage Tools, Antiques & More Hwy 7 Bus Loop, Allenspark

PROFESSIONAL BUSINESS BUILDER

PROFESSIONAL BUSINESS BUILDER