With few exceptions, residents are pleased with the recreation opportunities offered by the Estes Valley Recreation and Park District’s Community Center. The only substantive criticisms residents provided were that they want more classes and programs and “clearer communication” to learn what is offered at the EVRPD.
Those are just a few of the findings of the EVRPD 2025 Community Needs Survey, which was designed to gather feedback on the parks, recreation facilities, amenities, future planning, and communications provided by the special district.
Results from the survey, the first since 2012, were unveiled during the June 17 EVRPD board of directors meeting. RRC Associates, a Boulder-based market research and analysis firm with 40 years of experience in the industry, conducted the statistically valid study this spring.
Eighty-four percent of the 1,044 individuals who responded to the survey indicated they were satisfied or very satisfied with the Community Center facility. EVRPD Executive Director Tom Carosello told members of the Board that meeting the community’s expectations was gratifying.
Twenty-nine percent of respondents said they use the Community Center, which has been in operation for seven years, at least once each week. Over half of those who reported using the facility in the past 12 months said they used the walking track. Fitness equipment, the swimming pools, and the gym are also popular amenities.
Of all the facilities provided by the district, “this building is the highest rated,” Carosello said. “It does make sense. This was voted into existence by the patrons.”
Also highly rated was Stanley Park, with nearly a quarter of respondents indicating that they were satisfied or very satisfied with the park.
Bonds, mill levies, and Community Center fees
In 2015, with a little more than 5,000 voters participating, EVRPD voters approved two ballot measures to construct the Community Center. Ballot measure 4C, which passed with 51.96 percent of the vote, provides up to $200,000 annually for a limited, 10-year duration to augment funding available for the operation and maintenance of the community center. That mill levy is set to expire in 2028.
Ballot measure 4D, which passed with 52.69 percent of the vote, provided almost $20 million for constructing the facility, which at the time was estimated to cost approximately $22 million to build, furnish, and equip. When completed in 2017, the 70,000 square foot facility cost roughly $26.5 million.
Additional funding from ballot measure 1A, which Estes Park Town voters approved in April 2014, was used to offset project construction costs for 10 years and reduce the duration of bond payments.
In 2022, the RVRPD refinanced portions of its 2015 and 2016 general-obligation bond series, resulting in savings to District taxpayers of nearly $838,000.
Many people indicated in the survey that the Community Center fees are too high, especially for seniors and families. Resident rates for the Community Center are $780 annually for a family when paid in full. Daily, weekly, and monthly fees vary for youth, adults, couples, and seniors.
| Annual | Paid in Full | Paid Monthly |
| Youth (3-17 | $300 | $33 |
| Adult (18-54) | $420 | $38 |
| Senior (55+) | $360 | $33 |
| Couple (Any age | $600 | $53 |
| Family (Max. 5) | $780 | $68 |
EVRPD’s communication effectiveness received an average rating of 3.1 out of 5. During Tuesday’s meeting, staff members discussed the need for residents to register for email notices, as 60% of respondents indicated that email was their first or second preferred manner of receiving information about the District offerings. Registration for email notices is available on the District website.
While respondents also cited a desire for more trails, Carosello explained that trail work was primarily outside the purview of EVRPD capabilities due to land availability.
“There’s not a whole lot we can do there. It has to be in conjunction with the Town and the County,” Carosello said.
The EVRPD, encompassing 320 square miles in southwestern Larimer County and northern Boulder County, is a quasi-municipal corporation and political subdivision of the State of Colorado established in 1955. Seventy-four percent of district respondents support extending the existing mill levy, which expires in 2028, to continue the operations subsidy.
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