News Release
February 12, 2008
Contact: Jacqueline Halburnt
Town Administrator
970-577-3705
Estes Park receives Government Finance
Officers’ Association Certificate of Achievement for
Excellence in Financial Reporting
The
Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial
Reporting has been awarded to the Town of Estes Park by the
Government Finance Officers’ Association (GFOA) of the
United States and Canada for its comprehensive annual
financial report (CAFR). The Certificate of Achievement is
the highest form of recognition in the area of governmental
accounting and financial reporting, and its attainment
represents a significant accomplishment by a government and
its management.
Estes Park’s
Finance Department, headed by Finance Officer Steve
McFarland, is designated as primarily responsible for
preparing the award-winning CAFR. The CAFR has been judged
by an impartial panel to meet the high standards of the
program including demonstrating a constructive “spirit of
full disclosure” to clearly communicate its financial story
and motivate potential users and user groups to read the
CAFR.
McFarland
said, “We’re proud to maintain our high level of competency
in government financial reporting as evidenced by this
award. We have a great staff who works hard every year to
make this happen.”
The CAFR,
which is a complete accounting of a government’s financial
condition, can be read on-line at http://estesnet.com/finance/.
The GFOA is a
nonprofit professional association serving approximately
16,000 government finance professionals with offices in
Chicago, IL and Washington, D.C.
# #
#
Contact: Deni La Rue
Community Information Manager
970-498-7150
Robert Joseph
Community Development Director
970-577-3725
News Release
January 21, 2008
Estes Park Meeting To Address Land
Planning Issues
Larimer County, Colorado – The Board of Larimer County
Commissioners will meet with the Estes Park Town Board and
the Estes Valley Planning Commission on January 29th, from
3:00 to 5:00 at the Estes Park Conference Center, 201 S.
Saint Vrain, to discuss planning issues in the Estes Valley.
The Estes Valley is unique in Colorado in that the Town
and County jointly adopted the
Estes Valley Comprehensive Plan in 1996. This plan
established goals to guide future development and
recommended revisions to zoning and subdivision regulations
to accomplish these goals. Colorado’s norm is for citizens
within a town limits to follow town code and for citizens in
unincorporated areas to follow county code. The unique
opportunity in the Estes Valley to combine land use efforts
was made possible through extensive community-wide input
preceding legislative action.
Following adoption of the Comprehensive Plan, the Town
and County began work to develop joint zoning and
subdivision regulations for the Estes Valley, again with
public input. That effort produced the Estes Valley
Development Code, a unified code establishing both zoning
and subdivision regulations for the
Estes Valley, and jointly adopted by the Commissioners
and Board of Trustees in 1999 and becoming effective in
2000. Revisions to the code are considered and adopted
through a public hearing process that is held before the
respective elected boards, with each acting independently.
The two entities share a joint, appointed, Estes Valley
Planning Commission, for the Town and surrounding
unincorporated area to advise the Town Board and
Commissioners on land use matters.
Recent land use decisions in the valley have shown a
growing concern by residents of the Valley about future
growth and the current land use plan. The Board of County
Commissioners, Town Board and Planning Commission meeting on
January 29th will be an opportunity for the three boards to
discuss these concerns and to develop a framework for future
public involvement and participation to address citizens
concerns.
Although the public is welcome to attend the January 29th
meeting, public comment will not be taken at that time but
at a later date to be set after the three boards share
information and ideas for future public participation on the
29th. Citizens can submit written comments on the 29th and
are also encouraged to forward their ideas and concerns to
the Commissioners and Town Trustees online at:
BOCC@larimer.org and
http://216.17.209.196/TownClerk/MayorTrustees/.
For further information on the Comprehensive Plan and
Code, please visit:
Estes Valley Development Code -
http://www.estesnet.com/ComDev/devcode/
Estes Valley Comprehensive Plan -
http://www.estesnet.com/ComDev/ComprehensivePlan.aspx
# #
#
Contact: Jacquie Halburnt
Deputy Town Administrator
577-3705
jhalburnt@estes.org
News Release
January 14, 2008
Estes
Park names new Deputy Town Administrator
Lowell Richardson has been
selected as Estes Park’s new Deputy Town Administrator.
Richardson has been the Police Chief since 2001 and has over
28 years of municipal government experience.
Town Administrator Jacquie
Halburnt said, “Lowell’s primary role will be to assist me
with the day-to-day operations of the town and he will
eventually supervise some departments. Lowell is a
professional who’s had lots of leadership and management
training and the town is fortunate to have someone of his
caliber in this role.”
Richardson came to Estes Park
from Fruita, where he served as police chief for 3 years.
Prior to Fruita, he spent 19 years with the Brighton Police
Department as an officer, detective and sergeant. He
earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in business management and
a Master of Arts degree in Organizational Management, both
from the University of Phoenix.
Richardson has over 2,000 hours
of professional training including specialized training in
executive management/leadership and as a professional
standards assessor/trainer.
When asked what his thoughts
were about the town and its future direction, Richardson
said, “I am very optimistic about the future outlook of the
town and the entire community. The Town Board has made it a
priority to ensure that the anticipated development and
redevelopment in Estes Park is done well. Estes Park is
changing and I’m excited to be a part of administrative team
as we move forward.”
Richardson is very active in
the community and currently serves at the Sunrise Rotary
President. He serves on the Estes Valley Victim Advocates
board, Larimer Telephone Authority Board (911), Colorado
Association of Chiefs of Police Profession Standards
Committee Chair, Colorado Regional Community Policing Board,
Estes Valley Restorative Justice Board, and the Juvenile
Justice and Delinquency Prevention committee.
Halburnt concluded, “Lowell
brings a nice set of skills to the demands of this position
and I feel comfortable he will apply them to the best
interests of the Town of Estes Park.”
Richardson lives in Estes Park
with his wife Diana. He has four children Josh, David, Tim
and Angela. In his free time he enjoys golfing and
restoring his 1958 Thunderbird.
# #
#
Contact: Jacquie Halburnt
Deputy Town Administrator
577-3705
jhalburnt@estes.org
News Release
January 8, 2008
Fire Service
Charges Outside Town Limits - Public Input sought
As the town continues to contemplate
charging residents outside the town boundaries for fire
services, public input is crucial to the process. The town
will once again seek public input on Tuesday, January 15 in
the town board room beginning at 6 p.m.
The Estes
Park Volunteer Fire Department services an area roughly six
times the size of town limits. The Fire Department budget
comes from the town’s general fund with additional money
raised by the non-profit Estes Park Volunteer Fire
Department, Inc.
Town staff
has researched several methods to offset the cost of
providing fire service to areas outside the town including
an optional flat fee and even trying two separate elections
for form a fire district.
Town
Administrator Jacquie Halburnt said, “If we charge for fire
services outside town limits, 100% of the money collected
will be used toward the fire department budget. The
department’s 2008 budget is $921,027, with just $16,600
projected in grant revenues. This budget is independent of
money raised by the volunteer organization.”
The last
public meeting held by the town yielded much interest in
alternative methods to charge for fire services. The town
is holding this meeting to seek input on those alternative
methods to recoup costs.
# # #
Contact:
Betty Kilsdonk, Director
Town of Estes Park
Museum/Sr. Center Svc,
(970) 577-3760
or (970) 586-6256
FAX (970) 577-3768
bkilsdonk@estes.org
News Release
January 3, 2008
LAST CHANCE TO APPLY FOR 2007 TOWN OF
ESTES PARK CITIZENS INFORMATION ACADEMY
Just a few
spaces remain for the sixth annual Town of Estes Park’s
Citizens Information Academy (CIA). The Academy is a
five-week free program designed to familiarize citizens with
local government. It takes place on Thursday afternoons from
1:00 to 4:00 PM, with one lunch session beginning at noon.
Class will be based at the Town of Estes Park Board Room,
170 MacGregor Avenue. Participants will meet with Town
trustees and staff, visit Town facilities, and expand their
knowledge of overall Town operations. The course receives
rave reviews from participants each year. Those who live
beyond Town limits are eligible; however, priority is given
to in-Town residents. Applicants must be 18 or older. The
one-page application is available at the Town Hall
administrative office, 577-3700, or at
www.estesnet.com. For more information, contact Tracy
Feagans at 577-3700. The application deadline is Friday,
January 11 at 5:00 PM.
# # #
Contact: Jacquie Halburnt
Deputy Town Administrator
577-3705
jhalburnt@estes.org
News Release
January 2, 2008
EP
Town Board to Hear Wapiti Crossing Appeal
On January 8, 2008, the Estes
Park Board of Trustees will hear an appeal of the denial of
the Wapiti Crossing Development Plan at its regular board
meeting beginning at 7 p.m.
The public is allowed to
comment during the appeal and anyone who would like to do so
is encouraged to attend the meeting.
On
November 20, 2007, the Estes Valley Planning Commission
voted 4-1 to deny the development plan for Wapiti Crossing,
located at 1041 S. St. Vrain Avenue based on the significant
impact to wildlife. The proposal is for the development of
one 24-unit building, one duplex, two triplexes, ten
detached units, and the use of the existing cabin as a
community room.
The decision-making authority
for development plans rests with the Estes Valley Planning
Commission; however, the development code allows for an
appeals process of the commission’s decisions. The final
decision-making authority for proposals on appeal located
inside the town limits rests with the Town of Estes Park
Board of Trustees.
On December 6, 2007, the
commission’s decision was appealed by the applicant, Mr. Jim
Loftus.
The Estes Valley Planning
Commission is a joint Town/County commission that reviews
development proposals and subdivision proposals within the
Estes Valley, both inside and outside the Town of Estes
Park.
The commission consists of
seven volunteer appointed members. Four members are
appointed by the Larimer County Board of County
Commissioners; three members are selected by the Town of
Estes Park Board of Trustees.
# # #
Contact:
Jeff Barker
Estes Park Volunteer Fire Department
P.O. Box 1200, Estes Park, CO 80517
Phone (970) 577-0900
News Release
November 14, 2007
Structure Fire
On Tuesday afternoon,
11/13/2007 at 1:50 p.m. the Estes Park Volunteer Fire
Department was dispatched to a structure fire at 1601 Fish
Creek Rd, Estes Park. Upon arrival, the responding units
observed a two-story wooden structure with flames showing
from the garage. The firefighters engaged in a direct
attack on the fire from three sides of the structure
battling fire as well as high winds in the area.
Firefighters were able to bring the fire under control
within 30 minutes. Command then directed firefighters to
start mop-up operations, investigating for fire extension
into the structure. Firefighters utilized a thermal imaging
camera in an attempt to find any hot spots left undetected
by sight or feel.
The investigation determined
most of the damage was limited to the garage. Aggressive
Firefighting operations saved the home. The sheetrock wall
between the garage and the home proved to be an effective
firebreak until Firefighters could arrive. Smoke detectors
in the home worked properly and warned the occupants of the
fire danger. The cause is still under investigation and
remains undetermined.
Responding units included 22
Estes Park, 9 Allenspark, and 6 Glen haven firefighters.
Responding apparatus included Engine 1, Engine 2, Engine 10
and Squad 3. Allenspark responded with three apparatus and
Glen Haven with two. Fish Creek Rd. was closed to traffic
in both directions due to required placement of apparatus,
location of fire hydrants and firefighters’ safety. No
Firefighters or occupants were injured during firefighting
operations.
# # #
Contact:
Sue Pinkham
Estes Park Volunteer Fire Department
P.O. Box 1200, Estes Park, CO 80517
Phone (970) 577-0900 ex. 24
News Release
November 8, 2007
Brush Fire
12 Estes Park Volunteer Fire Department fire fighters
responded to a grass fire in the area of 2330 Larkspur Ave
and 2441 Spruce Ave at 2:35. The fire spread quickly in to
some trees and threatened nearby structures. Allenspark,
Glen Haven and Rocky Mountain National Park fire fighters
assisted Estes Park at the scene.
The fire was caused by foam insulation board with foil,
from construction debris, that was blown into the power
line. The foam insulation ignited and fell to the ground
starting a grass fire. Due to the wind, the fire spread
quickly upslope toward structures on Spruce Ave. The power
line received minor damage and lights flickered but there
was no loss of power to the area.
Six structures were threatened. Police, fire fighters,
and by-standers attempted to evacuate the area. Quick
action by firefighters kept the fire from reaching any
structure although the fire did come within feet of some
structures. There were no hydrants in close proximity on the
north side of the fire. Glen Haven and Allenspark fire
fighters assisted Estes Park by establishing a tanker
shuttle bringing water to the Estes Park’s drop tank. Estes
Park fire fighters then pumped the water from that pond to
protect the structures. Spruce Ave was closed during fire
fighting operations.
Because this was an unusual event in the area,
by-standers who had parked their vehicles near the fire
scene temporarily impeded firefighters and apparatus from
accessing the fire scene.
Due to the lack of fire mitigation to eliminate ladder
fuels in the area, the fire spread from the grass to shrubs
and then into the trees.
# # #
Contact:
Kelly Claypool
Estes Park Volunteer Fire Department
970-577-0900
News Release
November 6, 2007
Heart
to Help - Fire Department Statue Dedication
The Public is invited to join
current, former firefighters, and their families and friends
at the unveiling and dedication of “The Heart to Help” life
size statue created by A. Joseph Kinkel, sculptor, Saturday,
November 17 at 1:00 p.m. with a reception immediately
following in the Dannels Fire Station.
This statue is commissioned to
commemorate the first 100 years of Estes Park Volunteer Fire
Department’s members’ dedicated service to the community
(1907-2007). A. Joseph Kinkel will be on hand to unveil his
statue and comment on his mission of representing America at
work, past and present. The statue will be placed on a
cement foundation surrounded by engraved bricks of current
Estes Park Volunteer Fire Department’s fire fighters located
in front of the flagpoles.
The fire Department is very
fortunate to have two very special pieces of apparatus that
once belonged the Estes Park Volunteer Fire Department back
at the fire station as part of the 100th anniversary
celebration. The 1936 REO Speed Wagon is on loan from a
collector in the Denver area and a Ford Pumper, still in
service at the “Y” of the Rockies, will be on view Saturday.
The Estes Park Volunteer Fire
Department currently has 35 members. The department's
primary coverage area is approximately 100 square miles;
only 6 of those square miles are inside town limits. Over
the 100 years of its existence, the department has responded
to a variety of calls including structure fires, vehicle
accidents, wildfires, airplanes, search and rescues.
The first fire station was
behind the Estes Park Bank, the current locations of Western
1-hour Photo and the Dunraven Downtown Restaurant with Dr.
Homer James as Fire Chief. The Estes Park Volunteer Fire
Department is now housed at the Dannels Fire Station, on N.
St. Vrain (Rt. # 36), which was built in 1996.
Mayor John Baudek stated,
“Estes Park is fortunate to have so many men and women who
volunteer their time to save the lives and properties of
people they’ve never met. This statue is dedicated to
their service and all the men and women before them who’ve
selflessly served our community for the last 100 years”.
Fire Chief Scott Dorman said,
"The Estes Park Volunteer Fire Department has gone through
many changes in the last 100 years, from equipment to
training requirements to the types of emergencies that we
respond to. But there is one thing that has remained a
constant throughout this time, and that is the commitment of
these individuals to help their community and neighbors in a
time of need."
The Public is invited to show
their support of the volunteer firefighters by attending the
unveiling of the statue “The Heart to Help”. The statue can
be seen as a symbol of the dedication by all fire fighters
to help each member of the community, visitors, and
neighbors.
The statue dedication and the
reception is open to the public and is handicapped
accessible. For further information contact Kelly at
970-577-0900.
# # #
Contact: Laura Schmidt
577-3588
News Release
October 15, 2007
NOTICE OF PROPOSED RATE MODIFICATIONS
to the ELECTRIC RATES of the
TOWN OF ESTES PARK, COLORADO
A proposed
modification of the Town of Estes Park's ("the Town")
electric rate schedules, resulting in an increase affecting
all such rates, will be considered by the Town's Board of
Trustees at a public hearing. Any electric customer of the
Town may appear, either personally or through counsel, at
the public hearing to provide testimony or comment regarding
the proposed modifications. This hearing will be held at:
TIME:
7:00 p.m.
DATE: Tuesday, October 23, 2007
PLACE: Town Board Room at Town Hall, 170
MacGregor Ave., Estes Park, Colorado
The rate
modifications are necessary in order to fund the Town of
Estes Park Capital Improvement Plan (CIP). The CIP includes
the Mary’s Lake Substation expansion, which will increase
substation size from 20 MW to 50 MW. The CIP also includes
several distribution system improvements that will increase
efficiency. These improvements to the Mary’s Lake
Substation will ensure electrical system redundancy and
reliability. The proposed rate increases will apply to all
customers of the Town, whether they are located inside or
outside the municipal boundaries of the Town.
The entire
proposed modified rate schedules, existing rate schedules,
and the rate study are available for public inspection at
the offices of the Light and Power Department, Estes Park
Municipal Building, 170 MacGregor Avenue, Estes Park,
Colorado, between the hours of 8 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday
through Friday. The information is also posted on the
Town’s website at: www.estesnet.com/LightPower/lightandpower.aspx.
A summary of the proposed rate modifications is included
with this notice. If you have any questions or would like
further information, please contact the Light and Power
Department at the Estes Park Municipal Building or call
(970) 577-3588 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.
# # #
Contact:
Sue Pinkham
Estes Park Volunteer Fire Department
P.O. Box 1200, Estes Park, CO 80517
Phone (970) 577-0900 ex. 24
News Release
October 15, 2007
Free Slash Collection next 4
Saturdays
Estes Park –
Free!! A slash collection site will be available again this
year at Stanley Park Fairgrounds next to barn “W” beginning
Saturday, Elktober 20th from 9:00 am to noon. Slash can be
dropped off each Saturday: Elktober 20, 27, continuing to
November 3, & 10.
Slash includes tree trimmings,
small trees, tree trunks, shrubs, and all the debris being
created as a defensible space is expanded, maintained or
created. There is no charge for this drop off service. All
residents of the Estes Valley can bring slash to the drop
off site. No tree roots, bags of leaves or bags of pinecones
and needles can be accepted. Volunteer fire fighters will be
inspecting all loads before those loads can be dumped to
make sure only slash is being unloaded.
The Estes
Park Volunteer Fire Department obtained a grant through the
Colorado State Forest Service to have the collected slash
chipped and recycled. The volunteer firefighters appreciate
the voluntary steps homeowners take to create and maintain
defensible spaces around their homes.
The Estes
Valley can experience a wildfire in any season of the year.
Since the area has experienced a moist summer, shrubs and
trees have put on more than usual growth especially grasses.
Now all the vegetation is drying out leaving a greater risk
of having a wildfire this fall.
Rocky
Mountain National Park, Larimer County Parks and Open Lands
and the City of Fort Collins are all conducting prescribed
burns this month to reduce the fuels in the area such as:
downed trees, unwanted shrubs and noxious weeds. An
additional benefit to burning an area is that it becomes a
better habitat for wildlife. Estes Valley residents can
obtain permits to burn slash from Larimer County or Boulder
County but it is much easier and safer to drop off the slash
at the Stanley Park Fairgrounds next to Barn “W” and have it
chipped and recycled. Entrance to the Barn”W” area is from 4th
Street, south of the Senior Center.
What are some
of the things property owners can do to create defensible
spaces?
-
Thin continuous tree and
brush cover around all structures.
-
Clean out gutters and roof
areas where pine needles collect regularly.
-
Clean pine needles and
other debris from under decks and in corners of
structures.
-
Mow grass and weeds around
structures to prevent flames form reaching it.
-
Prune tree branches to a
height of 8-10 feet to eliminate the possibility of fire
reaching the branches (ladder fuels) and burning the
tree and possibly reaching the structure,
-
Remove any small tree or
shrub from under large trees to prevent fire from
reaching the tree branches.
-
Stack firewood at least 30
feet away from any structure.
-
Post house numbers at the
edge of the road so they can be clearly visible at
night.
-
Make sure the driveway is
at least 12 feet wide and all tree branches are cleared
to a height of 14 feet to allow emergency response
vehicles safe access to all structures.
For more
information on creating defensible space and additional
safety measures, contact: Sue Pinkham at:
spinkham@estes.org 577-0900 ex.24.
# # #
Contact:
Greg Sievers
Engineering Department
577-3586
News Release
October 2, 2007
Brodie
Avenue Road Closure
Brodie Avenue will be closed to
ALL traffic on Monday, October 8, 2007, which is also
Columbus Day. The Public Works Department will doing
minor culvert repairs at Fish Creek. The work will take
most of the day to complete.
Access to the Larimer County
offices, and Community Church of the Rockies will remain
open, from the west, by way of Community Drive. Other
traffic will be routed around to either Highway 36 to the
north or Country Club Drive to the south.
The town thanks everyone in
advance for your cooperation and patience during this
construction.
# # #
Contact:
Nancy Matson
Town of Estes Park
Estes Park Senior Center
220 4th St.
Estes Park, Colorado 80517
nmatson@estes.org
970-577-3769
News Release
October 2, 2007
Estes
Park Senior Center: What is SOPA?
Supporters of the Performing
Arts (SOPA) will present a program at the Estes Park Senior
Center, 220 Fourth Street, on Friday, October 12 at 12:45
p.m. If you have seen drawings of the proposed new
Performing Arts Center and have some questions or just want
a general idea of how the building will serve the community,
this is the time to come and learn the kinds of venues that
would utilize the space. In addition to highlights of SOPA
plans, pianist Phyllis Eggers will play a selection of
highlights from the Rodgers and Hammerstein musical,
“Oklahoma” to introduce the program. If you’d like to come
for lunch prior to the program, please call the Senior
Center at 586-2996 to make your reservation; reservations
are NOT needed for the program itself.
# # #
Contact:
Kelly Claypool
Estes Park Volunteer Fire Department
970-577-0900
News Release
October 1, 2007
Please
help the Volunteer Fire Department locate former members
Estes Park Volunteer Fire
Department is searching for previous members. The fire
department would like to honor all current and former fire
fighters at their 100th anniversary celebration in November.
Does anyone have photos, stories, or newspaper clippings of
firefighters, apparatus and/or events that they would be
willing to loan to the administrative office? Do you know
of a former Estes Park Volunteer Fire Fighter or family
member of a past firefighter? Please contact Estes Park
Volunteer Fire Department Administration office at
970-577-0900.
The Town of Estes Park and
surrounding area is fortunate to have a dedicated group of
35 individuals who currently form the Estes Park Volunteer
Fire Department. The department’s primary coverage area is
approximately 100 square miles. Over the 100 years of its
existence, the department has responded to a variety of
calls including structure fires, vehicle accidents,
wildfires, airplanes, search and rescues. The 100th
anniversary celebration will include pictures, stories,
newspaper articles about historical fires and other events
the department has experienced.
Please help the current
firefighters find all previous fire fighters or their
families to really make the 100th anniversary celebration
memorable. Contact the administration office at
970-577-0900.
# # #
Contact:
Tracy Feagans
Town of Estes Park
Administration Department
577-3700
News Release
October 1, 2007
2007
Collector Christmas Ornament
Each year since 1986, Town
employees create a commemorative Christmas ornament that is
available for sale to the public. Proceeds go to the Town’s
Helping Hands Fund, a reserve used to help people in need.
The 2007 design commemorates
the 100th Anniversary of the Estes Park Volunteer Fire
Department and is now available at three locations: Town
Hall located at 170 MacGregor Avenue; Estes Park's Senior
Center & Museum, located at 200 4th Street; and Peak
Hallmark located in Upper Stanley Village).
The cost of each ornament is $8.50 if picked up at the Town
Hall information desk and $10.50 each if the ornament needs
to be mailed. Multiple ornaments may also be ordered by
sending the following amounts:
2 ornaments: $17 + $3.00 (s&h)
= $20.00
3 ornaments: $25.50 + $4.55 (s&h) = $30.05
4 ornaments: $34 + $5.25 (s&h) = $39.25
A limited number of the 2005, 2004, and 2003 are also
available at Town Hall. For each ornament sold, a portion of
the proceeds will be given back to the community through
donations to families needing assistance. Over $35,000 has
been donated to the community over the years.
Purchasing and more information
is available at Town Hall, 170 MacGregor Avenue, Finance and
Administration Departments or go on-line to view
information:
http://www.estesnet.com/LightPower/ChristmasOrnamentsCurrentYear.htm
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