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ESTES PARK TRAIL-GAZETTE • FRIDAY, APRIL 16, 2021 • SECTION B

COVID-19 By Wendy Rigby Trail-Gazette

globe, including the U.S. Estes Park felt like a safe have at first. Then the first cases started 2020 was a year that started cropping up in April. with great promise. The news Looking back on this tremenof a novel new disease raging in dously challenging year, it is China seemed like a far away easy to possess a sense of loss. threat. Then, everything Restaurants were shuttered. changed. COVID-19 began rag- Worshipers left the pews. ing in countries across the Rocky Mountain National Park

ONE YEAR LATER

was closed for two months. Popular public events were canceled. In the midst of the chaos and sickness and death, the resiliency of the human spirit became apparent. Neighbors helped neighbors. People who would have otherwise gone hungry were fed. Those who

lost their jobs were boosted by donations from others who were more fortunate. In these pages, the Trail-Gazette is taking a retrospective look at the year that was. We hope you find this historic look back educational. We hope it brings you a sense of what we have all overcome.

Estes Park Trail-Gazette / File photo

This is a 3D rendered model of the Coronavirus entering a cell.

Juggling economic, physical health By Tim Mosier Trail-Gazette

Tim Mosier / Estes Park Trail-Gazette

A group of patrons crowd the streets of Elkhorn Avenue in 2020, some with masks and some without.

in April/May of 2020, The Town of Estes Park, with its partners on the Estes Valley Resiliency Throughout the pandemic, Collaborative, helped 25 busievery state, county, town, city, nesses winterize their outdoor and village in America has been spaces with funding from performing a series of juggling CDOT’s Revitalizing Main Street acts while walking across a tight program. There was $50,000 in rope above a shark tank. And the equipment and/or materials dissharks have lasers attached to tributed to encourage continued their heads. and expanded use of outdoor Trying to balance public health spaces during pandemic restricand safety with economic health tions. and responsibility has been In January of 2021, the Town tougher for some than others, Board approved an Intergovernbut there are few places where mental Agreement with Larimer tourism matters so much to the County regarding administration local economy as it does in Estes of the Colorado Department of Park, making those aforemenLocal Affairs (DOLA) Small Busitioned sharks Megalodons. ness Relief Program. Oh, and don’t forget the state’s Senate Bill 20B-001 was enacttwo largest wildfires in history ed on Dec. 7, 2020 and appropriburning in the backyard for over ated State funding to provide a month. So, the tightrope is on relief to small businesses in tarfire, also. geted industries (restaurants, “2020 has proven to be one of bars, breweries, wineries, distillthe most challenging years in eries, caterers, movie theatres, recent history, creating the need fitness and recreational sports to call upon our community’s centers) impacted by severe most notable strength: resiliencapacity restrictions due to the cy,” said President of the Estes pandemic. Park Economic Development The grant totals $2,203,110 Corporation, Adam Shake. “Our and, per the agreement, the community has not only endured Town expects to be reimbursed business closures, health risks for the total amount disbursed to and social restrictions due to local businesses. COVID-19, but we have survived While the virus is still a part of two of the largest wildfires in our everyday lives, the efficacy Colorado recorded history.” of multiple vaccines gives us Here in town, our businesses hope for a return to normalcy in have complied with and adapted the coming year. The return of to State and County restrictions safe travel and the lowering of placed upon them in efforts to the unemployment rate across slow the spread of the virus. the country should provide a Many have had an extremely more robust tourist season in the rough time but there have been coming months. some great local programs to Sales tax collection revenue for help them survive the slowest the entire state has taken a hit time of the year in Estes. during the pandemic, but not as After providing $300,000 in big of a hit as originally anticipatdirect relief to small businesses See JUGGLING, pg. 6B

Estes Park Health steps up during COVID Financial difficulties impact services

er Dr., providing both locals and visitors to an alternative to the emergency room. During the pandemic, EPH also brought its surgicalist and hospitalist programs in house, instead By Wendy Rigby of using outside physicians. Trail-Gazette While all of this was going on, staff took pay cuts, pay freezes When the pandemic broke out, and paid time off freezes as some Estes Park Health began to feel layoffs occurred. the impact immediately. Surgeries In the meantime, the EPH were canceled. Ambulance workFoundation raised money to help ers had to take precautions. Sevthe hospital fund negative preseral workers caught the virus earsure rooms to treat COVID ly. patients and provide vaccines. The downturn in revenue creatIn January of this year, Estes ed a scenario that was the death Park Health’s first full-scale Comknell for the already-struggling munity Vaccination Clinic served Estes Park Living Center. After several hundred of the valley’s months of debate and attempts to most vulnerable residents. About find alternatives for some other 350 people, age 70 and older, got entity to run the nursing home, it the first dose of the COVID vacclosed for good in March 2021. Wendy Rigby / Estes Park Trail-Gazette cine at the Estes Park Events In the meantime, a new Urgent About 50 hospital employees and community volunteers were involved in pulling off the first major vaccination Complex. Care facility opened at 420 SteamSee EPH, pg. 6B clinic in Estes Park on Jan. 31, 2021.

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PAGE 2B • FRIDAY, APRIL 16, 2021 • ESTES PARK TRAIL-GAZETTE

RMNP treks through COVID By Tim Mosier Trail-Gazette

Estes Park recorded its first coronavirus case, then-Mayor Todd Jirsa wrote a letter to Interior The past year has been a Secretary David Bernhardt ask‘rocky’ one all National Parks and ing him to close the park. public lands across the country. “A continued influx of visitors Trying to balance visitor access at this critical time presents a with safety guidelines since the grave public health concern to onset of the Coronavirus has Estes Park and our surrounding proven to be quite a delicate communities,” said Jirsa. Furdance. thermore, adequate social disFor the slice of paradise that tancing is not possible in many of sits in our own backyard, known the crowded areas of Rocky around the globe as Rocky Mountain National Park this time Mountain National Park of year. For the sake of prospec(RMNP), a timed-entry reserva- tive visitors and our residents, tion system was implemented for including the national park staff the summer and early fall of who are our friends and neigh2020. bors, we urgently request that On March 20, the day after you consider the temporary clo-

sure of the park.” A closure was already in the works, though, and the park closed that night. After the park closed for roughly a month, guests were allowed back on May 27. Shortly after, on June 4, the reservation system was put in place. The system was designed to limit vehicle entry to 60 percent of the park’s maximum parking capacity. “It has gone relatively smoothly,” RMNP Public Affairs Officer Kyle Patterson said after the first week of reservations. “Approximately 70 percent of park visitors Tim Mosier / Estes Park Trail-Gazette have had their reservations prior See RMNP, pg. 8B A Rocky Mountain National Park visitor wears a mask while on the trails.

Restaurants, nonprofits step up during COVID By Wendy Rigby Trail-Gazette

During the pandemic, local restaurants and nonprofits have stepped up to help feed people in need.

Antonio’s Pizza

Notchtop Bakery and Café / Estes Park Trail-Gazette

A Facebook post shared by Notchtop Bakery and Cafe in Estes Park showed happy employees.

COVID Bandit helped spread the wealth By Tim Mosier and Amanda Hoskins Trail-Gazette

Estes Park’s “COVID Bandit” perform random acts of kindness over the winter.

Notchtop Bakery and Café

As many of us have experienced firsthand during the pandemic, the smallest acts of kindness and compassion can go a long way to making someone’s day just a little bit better. But so can $200. On Wednesday (Jan. 20) employees at Notchtop Bakery and Café received just that, a $1400 tip left on a $20 bill, to be divided equally among the seven employees. “We just feel really thankful for such a kind tip,” said Notchtop owner, Nailya Khametvalieva. “We do know his last name but I haven’t shared it because I do not know if he would like that,” said Khametvalieva. “This is the second time he has given a big tip. He came in about two months ago and left a big tip before they closed us for Thanksgiving.” Khametvalieva said he left his server $150 back in November and it was just as touching and appreciated then as it is now. According to Khametvalieva, the COVID Bandit had his sight set on helping more than just one server when he came in on that Wednesday morning. “He asked my server how

Smokin’ Dave’s / Courtesy photo

The COVID Bandit left an incredibly large tip at Smokin’ Dave’s BBQ and Brew in Estes Park

many employees were working today, so she counted and told him that we had seven employees and he left her $1400 and it just brought a tear to our eyes,” said Khametvalieva. “We are very happy. It is such a hard time so we are very thankful for such a generous gift.” The crew wanted to share this man’s generosity and what it meant to them with the community so they posted a photo of the bill that showed a message of “COVID sucks! $200 for each employee today!” He drew a smiley face in the margin. “I want to say thanks to all See BANDIT, pg. 8B

“It’s not about community. It’s about doing what a human is supposed to do.” Those words by Antonio DeSousa, owner of Antonio’s Real New York Pizza in Estes Park, speak volumes about his character. March 17, 2020, DeSousa started doing something amazing in response to the COVID-19 crisis. He began leaving fresh baked bread and flour on a table in front of his restaurant and inviting people who need food to come get it. While he asked for a donation, he did not require one. “I just want to make sure people who need food are able to get it at this time,” DeSousa said. “I realized that people in the working class who are having their hours cut or are being laid off would not have the means to buy food.” DeSousa’s restaurant baked Antonio’s / Courtesy photo and served up about 300 loaves Antonio DeSousa owns Antonio’s Real New York Pizza in Estes Park. of fresh bread in the first two weeks of the coronavirus crisis. He commented that he is most impressed by the comments and reactions from people in the community who are not in need, who are working quietly in the background to help. Some residents have contacted him to give him money to keep his efforts going. When asked how long he will keep up bread making, he said, “Until this is over.” DeSousa is also bought milk from his supplier and sold it to people who needed the staple at cost. “In addition to the bread, flour Notchtop Bakery and Café / Courtesy photo and milk, in the last week we fed Notchtop is located at 459 E. Wonderview Ave. in Estes Park. the entire Estes Park Medical Center staff, Safeway’s staff, Country Supermarket’s staff and a few other places,” DeSousa explained. “All for free. Those who are dealing directly with the impact of coronavirus need to be recognized and supported. Everyone needs to eat!” DeSousa said he moved to Colorado from New York “for the beauty.” He quickly realized there was a need for good pizza in Estes Park. First, he served the Italian favorite out of a coffee shop he owned. Now, he runs a pizza restaurant. Antonio’s Real New York Pizza is located at 1560 Big Thompson Wendy Rigby / Estes Park Trail-Gazette Ave. in Estes Park. Volunteers cooked up free hot meals in the kitchen of the American See FOOD, pg. 7B Legion Post 119.

ESTES PARK TRAIL-GAZETTE • FRIDAY, APRIL 16, 2021 • PAGE 3B

Crossroads Ministry stepped up By Wendy Rigby and Jason Van Tatenhove Trail-Gazette

Among the many services Crossroads has provided to people in Estes Park over the last year, their wonderful holiday meal giveaways made a lasting impact on many clients.

Crossroads provided meals for thankful clients

More than 200 Estes Park families are thankful for Crossroads Ministry before the Thanksgiving holiday in November 2020. On Thursday, Nov. 19, they lined up in cars at Shepherd of the Mountain Lutheran Church to receive a box filled with all of the makings for a traditional Thanksgiving dinner. “Thank God we have an organization like Crossroads to support us,” said Linda Mitchell, one of the recipients of the free meal. “We are here seasonally. We all recently lost our jobs. It’s not cheap up here, I’ll say that much. It’s been a challenge, but we always pull through.” Food insecurity is on the rise in Estes Park. Crossroads Food Pantry Manager Debra Avezzano commented, “Normally, we would give away about 120 family boxes for Thanksgiving. We’re up to more than 255 right now and we’re still getting phone calls.” The money for the meals came from donors and the Larimer County Food Bank. Shamrock donated the turkeys and hams. The boxes are filled with either a turkey or a ham (client’s choice), cranberry, mashed potatoes, stuffing and fresh potatoes, carrots and onions. It also includes ingredients for two side dishes, pumpkin bread and green bean casserole. Dinner rolls are included and clients chose an apple or pumpkin pie. Some clients even took home Starbucks coffee grounds. “We’re super appreciative,” Chris A. said. “We’re very grateful that Crossroads is helping us out. We can a couple of weeks ago as well to get some food and we were just blown away by how generous people here are and we’re thankful.” Mitchell felt confident the food would feed them and some

Wendy Rigby / Estes Park Trail-Gazette

Crossroads Ministry’s holiday meal giveaways made a lasting impact on many clients.

Wendy Rigby / Estes Park Trail-Gazette

Food insecurity is on the rise in Estes Park.

neighbors. “We’re hoping we’ll have leftovers to share,” she noted. The numbers of pounds of food given away by Crossroads Ministry this year paint a stark picture of the number of people in our community struggling with finances, job loss and food insecurity. “At the time COVID hit last March, April and May, we were pushing out 3,000 to 4,000

pounds of food a week at Crossroads,” Avezzano recalled. “The year before at that time, we were putting out maybe 1,700 or 1,800 pounds of food a week. It did slow down a little bit during the summer. More people were able to get some jobs. More recently, we’re back up closer to 3,000 pounds of food a week and maybe more.”

Jason Van Tatenhove / Estes Park Trail-Gazette

See CROSSROADS, pg. 8B Families with children received one Easter basket.

Graduating into a brave new world By Jason Van Tatenhove Trail-Gazette

(Editor’s note: Besides distance learning and rearranged sporting events, students attending school during COVID had to make do with a socially-distanced graduation.) On Saturday, June 27, 2020, the mid-morning sun shone brightly onto the Estes Park Bobcat stadium, reflecting brilliantly off the purple robes and caps of the graduating class of 2020. They sat in the green of the football field, neatly organized into a socially distanced 6’ by 6’ grid. Not all of the 65 graduating seniors were able to attend the ceremony, but those that did helped to demonstrate just how dramatically our world has changed since the beginning of the school year. Other than the physical separation of faculty and the graduating class, and the substituting of the handing out of diplomas with fist bumps, this year’s graduation ceremony tried to retain all the elements of one of our most important rites of

Jason Van Tatenhove / Estes Park Trail-Gazette

The graduation ceremony tried to retain all the elements of one of our most important rites of passage.

passage. Estes Park High School Principal, Chuck Scott, welcomed the small groups of distanced, masked families that sat in the stadium bleachers or in the grass surrounding the graduating class. This year’s speeches were

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predominately what one would expect in any other year, with a marked change not in the dreams and optimism of young adults ready to take on the world, but rather in an open and honest assessment of just how radically the future reality of the world has

changed for these budding young adults. Salutatorian, Sage Shumate, spoke on the struggles our high mountain community of Estes Park has already survived, endured, and thrived through, from floods to fires, and now, global pandemics. Sage looks to

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the future with a determined certainty that the graduates of 2020 will find their place in the irrevocably changed world that they are now inheriting. This year’s keynote speaker was local resident and NASA astronaut, Loren Shriver, who, on his second shuttle mission in April of 1990, commanded the crew that launched the Hubble telescope. Much like our astronauts have done in time past, the graduates of EPHS are now beginning to journey into uncharted territory. The ceremony ended with the recessional of graduating class to the sound of “Good Old Days” by Macklemore and Kesha as the students passed through a shower of bubbles. It may not have been a normal graduation ceremony but it was heartfelt and honest in these challenging days we now find our selves in. The staff of the Estes Park Trail-Gazette would like to congratulate the 2020 graduating class for, not only, enduring such a challenging year but shining with grace, as they did.

PAGE 4B • FRIDAY, APRIL 16, 2021 • ESTES PARK TRAIL-GAZETTE

Looking back in photos

Tim Mosier / Estes Park Trail-Gazette

A masked Ivanka Trump visited Rocky Mountain National Park in July of 2020 to celebrate the passage of the Great American Outdoors Act. An Easter-themed social distance reminder sign was posted outside Nicky’s during the holiday weekend in 2020. Wendy Rigby / Estes Park Trail-Gazette

Wendy Rigby / Estes Park Trail-Gazette

Most of Estes Park’s many visitors complied with the face mask rules.

Estes Park Health / Courtesy photo

Estes Park Health provided curbside COVID testing.

Jan Rigby / Courtesy photo

82-year-old Ken Wills of Estes Park gets his first COVID vaccine at the Estes Park Events Complex on Jan. 31. Easter 2020 was snowy and houses of worship moved their services online.

Wendy Rigby / Estes Park Trail-Gazette

Protective masks became a ubiquitous item sold in local stores.

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Looking back in photos

Members of the Estes Park High School Class of 2020paraded around town to celebrate graduation.

Wendy Rigby / Estes Park Trail-Gazette

A masked elk reminded visitors to mask up at the Fall River Visitors Center outside Rocky Mountain National Park.

Lela Criswell / Courtesy photo

Lela (Lee) Criswell has been sewing hundreds of masks for a local residential drug and alcohol treatment center.

Wendy Rigby / Estes Park Trail-Gazette

The annual holiday Festival of Lights was like a parade in reverse as people drove their cars through the parking lot of the Estes Park Events Complex to listen to music and see the lighted stationary floats.

Wendy Rigby / Estes Park Trail-Gazette

One family came to a drive-through blessing of the animals at Estes Park United Methodist Church in fall 2020 with matching masks for mom, dad and the cat.

Jason Van Tatenhove / Estes Park Trail-Gazette

Safeway’s online grocery service, which began during last year’s lockdown, has been an excellent service to many residents.

PAGE 6B • FRIDAY, APRIL 16, 2021 • ESTES PARK TRAIL-GAZETTE

Lodging industry hit hard By Tim Mosier Trail-Gazette

The lodging industry was one of the hardest hit when COVID19 first hit our shores what seems like 20 years ago. As the virus made its way across the country in February of 2020, many hotels, motels, and vacations rentals were left empty, if not closed down altogether. According to Business Insider, hotels lost 42.3 percent of jobs from February to April 2020. While the number of people taking vacations dropped to zero seemingly overnight, hotels were being used by some people still doing business travel, or those quarantining themselves. Although many states had travel restrictions in place to begin the summer, it did not completely shut down the tourism or travel industries. By midsummer, lodging establishments were already beginning to see a slight uptick in reservations. Near the end of summer, the Estes Park lodging industry had fared better than most others in the region. According to Ken Amundson of BizWest, hotel occupancy across the state started to see a slight bounce-back in July of 2020, but was a long way from matching 2019 numbers. “Estes Park was the outlier in

Wendy Rigby / Estes Park Trail-Gazette

Many Estes Park hotels and motels advertised their comprehensive cleaning protocols.

Northern Colorado with an occupancy rate of 71.1 percent for , which exceeded the 2019 year-todate occupancy of 51.1 percent, said Amundson. “On a year-todate basis for 2020, Estes Park’s 33.9 percent remains below the year prior due to March through June totals. The average daily rate in Estes Park was highest in the region at $236.54.” For comparison, the occupancy

rate for the same month was 43.6 in Longmont, 50.1 in Fort Collins, 54.4 in Loveland, 51.7 in Greely, 51.7 in Boulder, and 44.6 percent along the US36 corridor. The Estes Area Lodging Association (EALA) is a group of lodge owners in the Estes Valley whose goal is to unify and promote the lodging and tourism industry in the area through marketing, services, education,

communication, networking and co-operation with local businesses and to improve the profitability and success of all its members. The President of the EALA, Nikole Stevenson says she is cautiously optimistic about the coming summer and is hoping for the best. “The Estes Area Lodging Association is hopeful for a better year in 2021, as I am sure the whole town can relate. Of course, we cannot predict the future, and the state of affairs seems to change with the wind. But, with the vaccinations, we are already seeing increased comfortability with travelers,” said Stevenson. “We may continue to see more in-state travelers, as opposed to out of state and international, as we did in 2020, but we do not see this as a bad thing. People are getting out into the beautiful outdoors and enjoying their state, and we are happy to help with that!” The Sales Tax Revenue Report for January is the most recent released and the numbers were positive. A total of $718,086 was collected that month, which is up 16.73 percent from the $615,172 collected in Jan. 2020. If you think back to last January, the pandemic had not begun in America, yet, and tourism in Estes was unaffected. To see the

numbers increase from a ‘normal’ January to what we are experiencing now, is a positive sign for the town and the state of tourism. “ the Lodging sector had $21,363 in delinquent collections and an increase of $47,740 in online reservations through AIRBNB and VRBO,” said Town Finance Director Duane Hudson. When looking at the 2021 taxable sales, lodging sales showed a positive increase of 15-16 percent. That sales tax revenue depends heavily on tourism and flows into the Town’s General Fund, as well as the Streets Fund, the Trails Fund, the Community Center Fund, and the Emergency Response Fund. There is a lot of energy and excitement at the Stanley Hotel as business begins picking up. They went through a round of hiring servers, bartenders, housekeepers and more as the hotel and Cascades Restaurant opens to full operating hours serving lunch and dinner. They are doing all they can to help the local community reinvigorate employment in the workforce. “We are looking forward to seeing 2021 become a prosperous, joyful one, and are truly hoping that is what unfolds,” said Stevenson.

Juggling from page 1B

ed. The same has been true in Estes Park. For the calendar year, that tax revenue will be down roughly 10 percent from 2019, but when compared to the amended budget put together by Town Finance Director Duane Hudson and his staff at the beginning of the pandemic, the Town will be roughly $1,000,000 up. The Sales Tax Revenue Report for January is the most recent released and the numbers were positive. A total of $718,086 was collected that month, which is up 16.73 percent from the $615,172 collected in Jan. 2020. That $718,086 is $208,078, or 40.8 percent, higher than the $510,008 budgeted for the month. If you think back to last January, the pandemic had not begun in America, yet, and tourism in Estes was unaffected. To see the numbers increase from a ‘normal’ January to what we are experiencing now, is a positive sign for the town and the state of tourism. That sales tax revenue depends heavily on tourism and flows into the Town’s General Fund, as well as the Streets Fund, the Trails Fund, the Community Center Fund, and the Emergency Response Fund. “With help from the Estes Park EDC, five new businesses, two business pivots, two new product lines and two new non-profits

were created,” said Shake. “They assisted in raising $35 million dollars in Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) funds in Estes Valley businesses.” Late in 2020 the federal government passed a second round of COVID-19 aid after passing the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act last spring. The 2021 Consolidated Appropriations Act (CAA) is a $2.3 trillion bill that combined $900 billion in stimulus relief with $1.4 trillion omnibus spending package. The CAA was signed into law on Dec. 27 and most importantly for small businesses, it allocated $284 billion in additional funding for the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP). Since that time, many of the banks in Estes Park have been working to get that money into the hands of the local business owners that desperately need it. “Looking only at Estes Valley small businesses, we originated approximately 80 in the first round, for a total of $3 million, and 424 jobs saved in our town,” said Senior Vice President and Chief Credit Officer of Bank of Estes Park, Scott Applegate. “In the second round so far, again only counting business actually in Estes Valley, we have originated approximately 50, for a total of $1,750,000, and 265 jobs saved in our town.” The funds are not only helping

business owners stay afloat by covering overhead, but also saving the jobs on workers on every level with the incentives to use the majority of funds on payroll. “The round two PPP loans provided through Bank of Colorado in Estes Park have supported continuation of more than 1,200 local jobs,” said President of the Estes Park branch of the Bank of Colorado, Christina Craft. “It’s an intense process and I’m proud of our team for stepping up. We’re grateful we can assist our community in a time of need and we appreciate our borrowers’ trust

in Bank of Colorado.” On March 10, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the final version of a 1.9 trillion dollar COVID-19 relief bill dubbed the American Rescue Plan which will provide $1.3 million dollars directly to Estes Park. In the plan, there is more than $50 billion to be distributed to small businesses, including $7 billion for the PPP. The bill also provides $25 billion for relief for small and mid-sized restaurants. Nearly all of the Town’s events were either forced to postpone or

did so voluntarily to reduce the spread of the virus. Many of those events look to come back even stronger in 2021. “For a list of 2021 Town Events, please visit our website (www.EstesParkEventsComplex.com),” said Estes Park Events and Visitors Services Administrative Assistant Stephanie Kephart. “Any event changes due to County Guidelines will be posted to each event page. Please feel free to contact the Visitor Center at 970-577-9900 or the Event Center at 970-586-6104 for more information.”

“I do miss being around church on Sunday,” Wills added. Retired high school English teacher Teddie Haines was also pleased to get her appointment. “I’ve been looking forward to it and signing up everywhere I could,” the 78-year-old Estes Park resident said. “I’ve been worried about COVID. Who hasn’t? I have allergies and those of us with underlying conditions have had to be extra careful. I’ve been very cautious about wearing a mask everywhere.”

Haines said she is looking forward to not having to wear her mask someday when there is enough herd immunity for protection. “I’m very hard of hearing and I can’t read lips with the masks,” she said. “Being able to communicate with people again is one of the things I’m looking forward to the most.” Outpatient Case Manager for the Physicians Clinic, Wendy Ash, helped coordinate the mass vaccination clinic. About 50 hospital

employees and community volunteers were involved in pulling off the event. The Estes Valley community is doing its part to win that race. On Sunday, April 11, Estes Park Health (EPH) and the Town of Estes Park put on a second mass vaccination clinic at the Estes Park Events Complex. “The town has done all the setup for us, and we so appreciate that,” Wendy Ash, Population Health Manager for the Physicians Clinic at the hospital added.

“Being able to accommodate so many people in such an efficient manner, we couldn’t have done that without the town and this facility. The teams have really been awesome, the registration staying on the weekends, the nursing staff working extra and a great team of volunteers.” While primary care, physical therapy, urgent care and hospital care are getting back to normal, 2021 will still be a financially challenging year for the health system.

File photo / Estes Park Trail-Gazette

The town worked together to keep the lights on and businesses open over the past year.

EPH from page 1B

Retired Methodist pastor Ken Wills, 82, was one of those who was happy to roll up his sleeve for the first shot. “It’s great,” he said. “I’m glad this can work out for everybody. I know it’s been a long pull but it’s working. I think the governor has done a good job getting this all pulled together. This clinic has been safe and organized.” Wills and his wife both got the vaccine. While they have not been infected with COVID, he noted it has been a concern.

SERVING THOSE WHO SERVED ALL OF US 2020 was a challenging year for the world. In spite of having to close twice, budget cuts and staff layoffs YMCA of the Rockies was able to serve guests and deliver impact in a safe way.

ESTES PARK TRAIL-GAZETTE • FRIDAY, APRIL 16, 2021 • PAGE 7B

Food from page 2B Notchtop Bakery and Café

On Good Friday two days before Easter 2020, the owner of Notchtop Bakery and Café in Estes Park did something extraordinary. Feeling the pain of the people in Town who have lost their jobs and are struggling just to buy groceries, Nailya Khametvalieva packed 150 large grocery sacks full of supplies and gave them away. In the midst of a pandemic that had decreased her business by about 90 percent, Khametvalieva bought milk, rice, flour, sugar, eggs, noodles, cheese and toilet paper and packed the give-away bags to the brim. “It is very important for me to support my community in this difficult time,” she commented.” I really feel for the people in need. I just wanted to give back to the town in some way.” She donated 50 of her grocery stacks full of staples to Crossroads Ministry. She and her staff gave away the other 100 in front of the restaurant in Upper Stanley Village. “They were gone in two hours,” Khametvalieva said. After Colorado Governor Jared Polis had declared a state of emergency in Colorado and stayat-home orders were issued, Notchtop closed to sit-down customers and started providing breakfast and lunch by take-out and delivery only. “It’s been really hard,” Khametvalieva commented at the time. “We have never been a ‘to go’ restaurant. Usually people come into Notchtop with their friends. It’s more of an experience.” With a handful of breakfast places in Estes Park, the Notchtop usually sees its loyal customers about once a week. Fans of the Notchtop are still ordered takeout or delivery to support the café during that difficult time. Notchtop Café opened in 1993. It’s named after the iconic Notchtop Mountain in Rocky Mountain National Park. The scratch bakery features cinnamon rolls, muffins, cookies, fruit bars and coffee cake. The meals are made with mostly organic produce and high quality local chicken and beef. Notchtop is open daily from 7 a.m. – 3 p.m. You can visit their website at thenotchtop.com.

Wendy Rigby / Estes Park Trail-Gazette

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

Antonio’s / Courtesy photo

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

Valley Nonprofit Resource Center (EVNRC) has extended the Food Support Network in Estes Park. “Community members who Hot meal giveaway find themselves out of work, helped feed EP underemployed, or working Shepherd’s pie, vegetables and harder than ever are all welpeach cobbler were on the menu come,” said Laurie Dale Marshall, director of the EVNRC, at one night during a huge drivethe time. through meal give-away at the American Legion Post 119 in With funds from the Town’s Estes Park. Community Relief Fund, the A hot meal meant a lot for peo- American Legion Post was a new ple who are struggling after site for food access for anyone in being laid off or having their need. work hours cut due to the impact One of those in need was 27of the COVID-19 crisis. Acknowl- year-old Matthew Kinnett who edging these struggles, the Estes had recently lost his job as a bar-

Wendy Rigby / Estes Park Trail-Gazette

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

tender at a local restaurant temporarily closed due to the pandemic. Kinnett had filed for unemployment, but the checks had not started arriving yet. While he was relying on some of this donated food, he also donated his time to serve the meals to others. “It did not feel right to take food without helping,” Kinnett said. “It seems like a pretty nice

cause. It’s just nice to be able to contribute.” Dozens of volunteers worked behind the scenes preparing the meals and on the front line serving up the food. All guidelines for safe and no-contact meal pick up were followed. Wendy Rigby, Estes Park TrailGazette The goal was to get food to people who might not have been eligible for to receive it any other

way. Meals were designed to feed two people. The Friday meal included a weekend pack of goodies to last a couple of days. “This is awesome. It’s incredible what they’ve got going on,” Kinnett said. “This town’s has a lot of service people. It’s nice for everybody to have an option. You know, rent was due a couple of days ago. Everybody’s got bills coming up. So it’s nice to be able to help.”

Antonio’s / Courtesy photo

Notchtop Bakery and Café / Courtesy photo

Notchtop packed 150 large grocery sacks full of supplies and gave them away.

Antonio DeSousa began leaving fresh baked bread and flour on a table in front of his restaurant and inviting people who need food to come get it.

Help Crossroads Ministry help our Estes Valley neighbors! Thank you to our helping hands!

Donations can be made securely online: www.crossroadsep.org Or mail checks to Crossroads Ministry of Estes Park at: P.O. Box 3616, Estes Park, Co. 80517

Crossroads assists 1 in 12 Estes Valley Residents with: Food, Housing, Utilities, Medical Co-Pays, Prescription Refills, Transportation, and self-sufficiency education opportunities.

PAGE 8B • FRIDAY, APRIL 16, 2021 • ESTES PARK TRAIL-GAZETTE

Crossroads from page 3B

Jason Van Tatenhove / Estes Park Trail-Gazette

Local families in need received an uncooked dinner that will include a turkey or ham and many different fixings.

For those who are struggling to find employment, these gifts of food came at the right time. “It’s been really tough with all of the fires and everything,” Chris A. stated. “The restaurant that I worked at, it’s not closed, but they cut a lot of people because there’s just not a lot of business right now.”

Crossroads gave away the blessing of an Easter meal

Crossroads Ministry continued their annual Easter Blessing event on Thursday, April 1. This event is held every year along with Thanksgiving and Christmas. Debra Avezeeano, food pantry manager for Crossroads ministries, said about 85 families attended the drive-through food distribution event. During these difficult times, local families in need received an uncooked dinner that will include a turkey or

About 85 families attended the drive-through Easter food distribution event.

ham and many different fixings. When asked about how demand for these holiday events has been during the Pandemic this past year, she said, “Most of our holiday events has been double of what we normally do. It’s has been a year of need, that’s for sure.” This year’s food and basket goodies came from several

donors, including the Larimer County Food Bank and private donations from residents. Shamrock Foods donated turkeys and hams. The Country Supermarket donated many food items that also went into the box. This year the children’s baskets were put together, donated, and even driven up and delivered by a small Facebook group out of

Longmont called Helping Hands. Families with children received one Easter basket. Due to COVID-19 safety measures, this year’s event needed to be a drive-through style. Crossroads has partnered with Shepherd of the Mountains Lutheran Church which has a larger parking lot. The church offered their facilities for these

Jason Van Tatenhove / Estes Park Trail-Gazette

holiday events while social distancing precautions are in place. “Crossroads has many wonderful donors and many, many volunteers 30 volunteers that helped went into putting this together, with collecting donations and packing boxes,” Avezeeano added. “We have such a wonderful support group, and we are so happy we can help out this way.”

Bandit from page 2B

people out there that support small businesses just like ours. It makes me feel that we are not alone and we are very, very happy and thankful to be part of such a great community,” said Khametvalieva Khametvalieva said that it is not just members of the Estes Park community, but the tourist who come in and buy gift cards for family and friends who live in or regularly visit Estes Park. “It’s just a great feeling to know that we are not alone,” said Khametvalieva. The COVID Bandit even made national news when NBC news Amanda Hoskins / Courtesy photo anchor Lester Holt interviewed Local scout Sarah sold more than Notchtop employees for the 200 boxes of Girl Scout Cookies to NBC Nightly News.

Smokin’ Dave’s

The legend of the local man who left a $1,400 tip for seven employees at Notchtop Bakery and Café on Jan. 20 continued to grow as he continued his incredible generosity around Estes Park…this time at Smokin’ Dave’s BBQ and Brew in Estes Park where he left an $1,800 tip

the COVID bandit.

for the nine employees working that night. Similar to the case at Notchtop, this is not the first time this anonymous individual has done something like this at Smokin’ Dave’s. Back on Nov. 17 they left a $1,600 tip with his signature note, “COVID sucks! $200

brings a smile to your face! We feel so thankful and blessed!”

truck.” He said that he is doing it because he wants all of us to be Girl Scout Cookies “COVID Bandits.” He wanted to Local scout Sarah was at inspire people to do a little good Bart’s Liquor selling Girl Scout in the hard time that this world Cookies on Tuesday, Feb. 16, is facing. Any little bit of kindwhen a truck pulled up. She went over to the window to take ness can bring a little joy to this world. Note left with tip by the “COVID his order and he said that he Bandit” Another gentleman walked up wanted to buy all of the cookies and wanted to buy cookies and I that she had. told him that we were out, but She had no idea what to do. for everyone – eight hardworkthe COVID Bandit said he could ing people,” was left on both tips She came walking over to me, pick out any cookies he wanted. at Smokin’ Dave’s and the most let out a little scream and said, “He wants to buy all of my cook- The man said, “Well, I want to recent $1,400 tip left at Notchies!” Neither one of us believed pay for the cookies.” top. I told him that we are donatit at first. I went over to the genThe patron wants to remain ing cookies to the local fire tlemen and he said that he was unknown, and owner of Nothcdepartments this year He said, the COVID Bandit and he asked top, Nailya Khametvalieva says “Okay, use my money as a donaif I had heard of him. After a lithe is a local who lives just outtion.” tle thought, I remembered a side of Estes Park. Within a matter of minutes, wonderful person leaving huge All four of the large tips (two the kindness spread. The Estes at Notchtop and two at Smokin’ tips at Estes Park Restaurants. Park Cadette Troop is so thank“Yes,” I said. Dave’s) totalled $4,950. ful for the COVID Bandit and all “Well,” he said, “I want to buy A Facebook post from of Estes Park. “One reason I like all of your cookies.” I was Smokin’ Dave’s read, “We call selling cookies is to see the joy him ‘The COVID Bandit’ … you shocked because we had just on people’s faces when they buy opened our booth and had more may have heard of him by now them,” said Sarah. But this time, than 200 boxes of cookies in our … you’ll find him spreading car. I told him how many we had it was the COVID Bandit that cheer and support to restauand he said, “load them into the brought joy to a girl scout. rants and cafes. We hope this

“COVID sucks! $200 for everyone – eight hardworking people.”

RMNP from page 2B

to coming to the park’s entrance stations.” The park placed staff members around key entry points to assist those who showed up without a reservation in an attempt to accommodate everyone. “We have found that most visitors are supportive and understand why we are implementing a timed-entry permit system to increase park access while providing the public a reasonable opportunity to comply with COVID-19 public health guidelines,” said Patterson. “The timed-entry permit system is a proactive measure to avoid scenarios where a re-opening visita-

tion surge results in stakeholders inside and outside the park demanding the park to re-close.” Throughout the summer, many local residents took advantage of their proximity to the park and visited prior to 6 a.m. or after 5 p.m. without needing a reservation. The reservation system ended in October 2020 after the peak season had passed. It was in late October that two of Colorado’s biggest wildfires broke out to the south, west, and north of Estes Park, and the ensuing evacuations caused the biggest spike in COVID-19 cases the town has seen to date.

Estes Park 420 Steamer Drive Suite 100, Store #4040 Open Everyday: 11am – 9pm

970-586-4930

www.jimmyjohns.com

While the reservation system will be evaluated as a potential long-term solution to managing the park’s ever-increasing visitor numbers over the past decade, park officials say they are not planning to employ it in 2021. “At this time, we do not plan to implement the same type of timed-entry permit system as was used in 2020, but will continue restrictions when necessary and may implement other pilot visitor management techniques if congestion and crowding warrants,” said Patterson. “We will learn from the temporary timedentry permit system last year and incorporate lessons learned

as we move forward with our visitor use management planning efforts.” Visitation at RMNP was up 28 percent in Nov. 2020 over the same month in 2019. Even more striking, Dec. 2020 was up 38 percent from 2019, which was a record year in terms of attendance. RMNP broke yearly visitation records six of the last eight year, and some form of visitor restrictions have been in place since 2016 due to congestion and safety concerns. “Since 2016, we have put vehicle restrictions in place on the Bear Lake Road, Wild Basin area

and Alpine Visitor Center when congestion and crowding warrants,” said Patterson. “In 2019, these restrictions occurred every day in July, most days in August, in addition to weekends in June and September.” With the current trends of declining cases rates and increased vaccination distribution in Estes Park, it appears the summer of 2021 will look drastically different from the summer of 2020. The safety of guests and staff are of the utmost importance to the National Park Service and safety measures for each park will be determined on a case-by-case basis.