Estes Park is at a crossroads
Two citizen-initiated ballot measures — Questions 300 and 301 — sound simple on the surface: give neighbors more say over rezoning and development. But beneath that appealing idea lies a policy that could paralyze our town’s ability to plan for the future.
Measure 300 would require approval from two-thirds of neighboring property owners within 500 feet before any rezoning or Planned Unit Development could move forward. That means just a handful of nearby residents could effectively veto projects — even those that align with our Town’s Comprehensive Plan and community goals.
Zoning may not be an absolute property right, but stable, predictable zoning is what allows Estes Park homeowners and businesses to make responsible investments. When the rules become arbitrary, uncertainty follows — along with lawsuits and declining property values.
Proponents of 300 and 301also argue that “higher density doesn’t equal more affordability.” It’s true that simply building more units isn’t a silver bullet. But without increasing supply, affordability is mathematically impossible. When we restrict where housing can go, prices rise for everyone. Teachers, nurses, and park employees end up commuting from hours away — or leaving town altogether.
Other Colorado mountain communities — from Frisco to Salida to Leadville — are learning that smart, well-planned density is key to keeping local workers housed while protecting open space and community character. Estes Park can do the same, but not if we tie our own hands. Teachers, park staff, and service workers already struggle to live here, or flat out cannot afford it. 300 & 301 would make that worse.
These measures don’t create fairness or balance. They create a veto power that favors those who live nearby over what’s best for the whole town, not to mention subverting due process. That’s not local professional control — that’s neighbor control.
Neighbor veto = bad precedent. Land-use decisions should follow a fair, town-wide process (which we already have and is proven to work for both sides of this argument) — not depend on who lives within 500 feet. If we want to keep Estes Park vibrant, livable, and welcoming for future generations, we need thoughtful planning — not reactionary ballot measures that stop progress in its tracks.
Vote NO on 300 and 301.
Let’s work together on real housing solutions instead.
Jeff Robbins, Estes Park
Advocate for home care services for those in need
Several of us are encouraging both of our senators to address the need for affordable dementia/memory care services in Estes Park and throughout our country. Our monthly memory café and the development of a Dementia Day Care Center in Estes Park are also efforts currently underway.
Dementia is a broad group of medical symptoms that affect the brain in similar ways. Dementia folks are often better at remembering long-past events than recent ones. One local physician states that 32 percent of her patients suffer cognitive decline. Timberline Medical, now called UC Health Primary Care, report 339 patients with cognitive decline in 2024. Over 7 million Americans are living with this disease. It is likely that if you don’t know someone in your family with dementia, you probably know someone in your circle of friends and neighbors who does.
On a personal note, my wife, Joanne, is facing dementia challenges. We can afford home care services, but many folks in our community cannot. The proposed Dementia Adult Day Care Center will help individuals with dementia, as well as provide respite care for their caregivers. Although existing programs are enjoyable, caregivers like myself are required to attend with our loved ones, so even though it features games, music and snacks, caregivers do not get a break. Caregivers are exhausted from caring for their loved ones around the clock.
Other adult day care centers do exist, but the closest one for us is in Fort Collins. Since home care is no longer available through Estes Health, private pay for assistance is the only option, which can be very costly. I think we would all agree that dementia clients being able to stay in their home is preferable and less expensive than other forms of care.
The Estes Adult Dementia Center will be a community-based adult day program offering a joyful, safe, structured, and secure environment for individuals with dementia and their caregivers. Staff will provide socialization and cognitive stimulation through a variety of activities. I look forward to their opening in 2026. Meanwhile, I am asking each of us to contact Senator Bennet’s office at 303-455-7600 and encourage him and other pubic officials to support home care legislation that assures accessible and affordable care to all those in need.
Rene Moquin, Estes Park