As a resident and active member of Estes Park, I believe our community is at a critical juncture. The decisions we make now about development, especially regarding workforce housing, will define our town for generations. While I support the need for more housing, I am concerned that the current process is not genuinely incorporating community voices and that fundamental issues are being overlooked.
A community feeling unheard
Many residents feel that our input is being ignored. Recent community meetings about projects like the Fish Hatchery and Coyote Run II housing seem to be simply “checking a box” rather than serving as a true forum for dialogue. Residents have raised serious and valid concerns—from public safety to environmental impact—only to have them go unaddressed.
For example, with the Fish Hatchery housing project, we are being asked to support development in a critical emergency evacuation zone. During the 2020 East Troublesome Fire, traffic on Highway 34 was gridlocked for over three hours. Yet, there is still no viable plan to handle the additional traffic that this new housing would create during a future emergency.
Furthermore, these projects are planned for areas that are natural wildlife corridors, used by elk, deer, and bighorn sheep. Building these sites would either displace or eliminate these animals, disrupting the very ecosystem that makes our town so unique. It’s essential that we fully evaluate the viability of a site before spending taxpayer money on development, not after.
A new approach to workforce housing
The town of Estes Park desperately needs more housing, but we must step back from the current “tunnel vision” that only focuses on year-round housing. Our seasonal workforce is the backbone of our tourism economy, and through their hard work, they generate much of our town’s revenue. Yet, many are left sleeping in their cars or in campgrounds because they cannot find affordable housing.
We need to be more creative. Other mountain towns have successfully addressed seasonal housing needs with solutions like dormitory-style buildings or small homes. We should explore partnering with state and local governments for grants and learn from what has worked elsewhere. The current focus of 6E revenue completely overlooks the needs of these essential employees.
Rebuilding trust and moving forward
The lack of transparency has led to a deep-seated feeling of mistrust. When officials promise to follow up on community concerns but fail to do so, it leaves residents feeling devalued and pushes them away from participating. We need a process that is built on partnership, where our valid concerns are not dismissed simply because they might increase a project’s cost.
I have spoken with Scott Moulton, the executive director of EPHA, some Trustees, and Estes Park Mayor Gary Hall, and I am grateful that they have taken the time to listen to my concerns. I believe they understand that these issues are real. While workforce housing is just one of many challenges our town faces, it is a perfect opportunity to show that we can work together. By listening to the community and addressing these critical issues with purpose, we can ensure Estes Park grows in a managed way that preserves the character we all cherish.
Marty Miranda, Estes Park
I have to take issue with the comments in this letter regarding “natural wildlife corridors.” This comes up every time there is a proposed new development of any kind in town. The elk, and deer can be found all over downtown and in virtually all neighborhoods in town. Bighorn sheep are mostly found along steep mountain areas in the national park and national forest and in the 34 canyon. I have never seen one in a residential neighborhood. Elk and deer are abundant in town and also have a large national park and national forest as their habitat. More affordable housing in town will not be a problem for any of these animals.
There are always excellent reasons to not do something. As an avid advocate for wild places and environmental protections, I could always lean to “no progress” because any progress has a negative environmental impact. (or so it seems)
The paralysis of appeasing everyone through community involvement is an impasse to doing anything. It seems to me that the Town of Estes Park has been open and transparent — and sought community input. Now it’s time to make a decision to try at a solution to a chronic problem.
Maybe it’s time to come together. Let’s try this solution. Nothing is carved in stone. Other solutions to emerging concerns will show up. It may be polarization, self interest and lack of community that are the real enemies of well considered progress.