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Estes Park

The Village of Estes Park is surrounded by nationally protected lands and mountain peaks ranging in elevation from 8,500 feet to over 14,000. Visitors from around the world come to look at the majestic snowcapped peaks and experience outdoor activities.

The Community of Estes Park

The Village of Estes Park is bordered by Rocky Mountain National Park. Its mountain peaks range in elevation from 8,500 to over 14,000 feet.  Visitors from around the world come to experience its majestic setting and participate in outdoor activities – walking, hiking, fishing, mountain climbing, ice climbing, snowshoeing.

Estes Park is a year-round community with nearly 6,000 residents.  The downtown offers unique shops, galleries, restaurants and places to explore. The Big Thompson and Fall Rivers meet at Riverside Plaza, an open park connecting to the Riverwalk.  Eight miles of improved hike and bike trails that traverse the valley floor past a bird sanctuary, golf courses and circle Lake Estes.

The village has established an international reputation for the quality and variety of festivals it hosts.  These include the Stanley Film Festival (held on the grounds of the Stanley Hotel where horror-writer Stephen King penned “The Shining,” Scandinavian Midsummer Festival, Rooftop Rodeo, Longs Peak Scottish Irish Highland Festival, Wool Market, Jazz Fest & Art Walk, Elk Fest, Catch the Glow Holiday Parade & Celebration and Estes Park Duck Race.

The climate is dry, both summer and winters, receiving an average of 14 inches of precipitation each year.  On average, the village receives only 34 inches of snow during a winter season.

Community Facts

Population:  6,000 (2012 estimate)
Elevation: 7,522
Climate: Nearly 300 days of sunshine per year with an average of 14” of precipitation
Geography: Estes Park sits at an elevation of 7,522 feet on the front range of the Rocky Mountains at the eastern entrance of the Rocky Mountain National Park
Churches: Approximately 20 churches of varied denominations
Median Family Income: $52,778

Education

There are approximately 1,200 students, in grades pre-kindergarten through 12 attending Estes Park.

Park School District R-3 follows the Colorado Department of Education curriculum standards for the CORE subjects as well as art, music, and physical education.  Special Education, English as a Second Language, gifted education, and foreign language are examples of additional curricular programs offered at Park School District.  In addition, there are numerous sports, clubs, and other activities that are available to students.

Recreation

Rocky Mountain National Park, rated the #1 Outdoor and Adventure Destination in the U.S. by Trip Advisor, is just 4 short miles west of Estes Park.  The park encompasses 415 square miles of mountain peaks with more than 350 miles of hiking, over 700 species of wildflowers, 150 names lakes, and Longs Peak, one of Colorado’s best known “14-ers.” Abundant wildlife can be seen year round, including the elk that frequently roam downtown.

Health Care

The Estes Park Medical Center is a 25-bed critical access, acute care facility with a 24-hour emergency department, 24-hour ambulance service, emergency air transport, medical/surgical services, obstetrics, home health care and hospice.  University of Colorado Health—and its affiliated Poudre Valley Hospital—operate the Timberline Medical Family Practice and Urgent Care. This facility is staffed six days per week with three doctors and a nurse practitioner.

Employment

Tourists are the lifeblood of the region’s economy. Most jobs are in hospitality or supporting industries.  Small business owners are the backbone of the region. Real estate/construction is the second largest job provider. Many residents commute daily to Loveland, Fort Collins and the Boulder area.