At its Sept. 10, 2025, meeting, the Estes Park Housing Authority Board of Commissioners unanimously voted to oppose ballot issues 300 and 301 (proposed ordinances 11-25 and 11-26), because these two deeply-flawed initiatives inhibit the community’s ability to deal with an ever-present housing shortage for our low- to middle-income, workforce citizens, and for those seeking to relocate to Estes Park when a new development requiring different zoning criteria is proposed.
Rejecting these types of initiatives is not new to Estes Park residents. In 1998, a similar citizens’ initiative was launched in Estes Park, limiting growth to one percent annually. Voters rejected that initiative by nearly 75 percent.
Since then, our community has continued to strive to meet the needs of our citizens by planning and repurposing existing facilities to make the best use of what exists in terms of land and facilities.
Passage of these dubious initiatives would give out-of-state Estes Park property owners the license to influence where homes can be built in Estes Park, what our zoning looks like, how we solve our housing issues, and what types of developments can be built to meet the unique needs of our community.
Estes Park is in the process of updating its 25-year-old development code to align with the comprehensive plan that was adopted in December 2022. The two documents work to provide developers, planners, town staff, and trustees with guidance on what is appropriate for the community’s best interests as it changes and the community continues to mature to meet the needs of all its citizens.
Throwing in a “wild card” of property owner approval/denial of what can be accomplished and throwing out a significant tool for enhancing the flexibility of design and mixed-use developments makes no sense for the betterment of our community.
Vote NO on ballot issues 300 and 301.
Erik Blackhurst, Ed.D., is a realtor in Estes Park. He is the chair of the Estes Park Housing Authority and served two elected terms as a member of the Estes Park Town Board was appointed to serve the remainder of recalled Mayor Pro Tem Cody Walker’s term, ending in April 2020 on Sept. 10, 2019.
Accountability and Integrity in Public Service
By Christy Jacobs -Resident/Neighbor
Mr. Blackhurst’s recent statement, suggesting that “out-of-state Estes Park property owners” would gain undue influence over local zoning and housing — goes beyond a neutral explanation of the ballot initiatives. It fosters division between resident and non-resident stakeholders and risks framing legitimate community members as outsiders. When such remarks come from a sitting board member, they carry the weight of authority and can easily be perceived as an official stance, particularly if the board member fails to clarify that they are speaking as a private citizen.
The Estes Park Housing Authority, under Mr. Blackhurst’s leadership, appears to have a vested interest in the outcome of these ballot initiatives. His public comments, therefore, raise reasonable concerns about whether he is attempting to influence the vote for organizational or personal reasons. This presents a potential conflict of interest and an ethical issue that undermines the Housing Authority’s duty to remain impartial. Even the appearance of bias from a public official can erode community trust and expose the organization to reputational, and possibly legal, risk. Public officials must hold themselves to the highest standards of fairness, transparency, and accountability, particularly when addressing matters as vital and divisive as housing policy.
As Chair of the Estes Park Housing Authority, Mr. Blackhurst has a fiduciary duty to act in the best interests of all community stakeholders, not just those who share his views or residency status. The Housing Authority’s mission is to promote affordable and equitable housing for the entire Estes Park community. That mission demands neutrality and inclusiveness, not rhetoric that pits neighbors against one another. Suggesting that out-of-state property owners are somehow less entitled to a voice in community matters contradicts the very principles of fairness and representation that public service is meant to uphold.
Additionally, as a licensed Realtor, Mr. Blackhurst is held to a professional code of ethics that emphasizes honesty, impartiality, and respect for all parties in matters affecting real property. Publicly casting suspicion on a subset of property owners may be viewed as inconsistent with those standards, especially when the comments relate directly to housing and land-use issues, areas in which he holds professional expertise and potential financial interest. Holding both positions requires care to ensure that personal or professional interests do not overlap with or influence public responsibilities.
Estes Park deserves leadership that builds bridges, not walls. Our community’s challenge, particularly around housing, are complex and deeply personal, but progress depends on open dialogue, inclusivity, and respect for all perspectives. When public officials blur the line between personal advocacy and official responsibility, they risk undermining that trust.
Our path forward must be rooted in integrity. Accountability is not about silencing opinions; it is about ensuring that those entrusted with public authority use their voices responsibly. Estes Park belongs to everyone who contributes to its spirit and well-being, full-time residents, part-time homeowners, and all who care about its future. The measure of our community’s strength lies in how we treat one another, even when we disagree.