Guided by major development updates presented during its study session on Wednesday, the Town Board has begun reimagining what the town should look like and how much flexibility developers should have in shaping the future of Estes Park.
The Board began the process of updating its Development Code in February. The first study session was held jointly with the Planning Commission in October, during which development regulations and processes were reviewed.
The second study session was held on Wednesday, and Trustees weighed “prescriptive” and “flexible” guidelines for commercial, industrial, and multi-family developments as they relate to topics within the Code update.
Design Workshop, the Town’s partner in the Code update, began the update process with a community-wide survey. In this survey, 83% of respondents supported the implementation of design guidelines that help preserve the character of the Town. Both Trustees and survey respondents agreed that Estes Park’s charm comes from its eclectic mix of buildings and neighborhoods.
Trustee Mark Igel described the Town as “quirky.”
“Nothing is the same, one neighborhood to another,” said Igel.
Guidelines for commercial design, presented by Design Workshop, provide criteria for commercial developments that impact how buildings look, feel, and match the Town’s character. Recommendations include the mass and scale of a building in relation to its neighborhood context, the materials used in design and construction, street-level appearance, the placement of mechanical and service areas, lighting, signage, and parking.
Overall, Trustees were mostly in favor of flexible design guidelines. They said that, depending on location, businesses have different needs and opportunities that prescriptive guidelines may interfere with.
In relation to mass and scale, the scenery and views of Estes Park were a concern that the Trustees agreed needed to be preserved, prompting their desire for more prescriptive guidelines in this area. Other prescriptive guideline areas the Trustees agreed on were lighting and conserving wildlife. Trustees also agreed that, depending on a business’s location, consideration would need to be given to service areas such as trash disposal.
As discussions continued, Trustee Kirby Hazelton stated that she would be in favor of more prescriptive guidelines related to the walking and pedestrian experience. She said the Town has struggled with ADA compliance in the past, and although they are doing better, prescriptive guidelines for pedestrian walkways would help with accessibility.
For parking access, Trustees’ opinions varied between the uniqueness of having parking spaces as they fit into the quirks of the Town and avoiding large lots, to building as much parking as possible.
All of this discussion will serve as guidance in Design Workshop’s process of updating the Development Code. None of it is yet solidified.
Downtown Estes Park Loop traffic study
The Board also heard the results from the Downtown Estes Park Loop traffic study presented by Director of Public Works David Greer. Construction of the highly controversial traffic loop was completed in September 2024. Igel noted that over the two-year construction period, businesses were negatively impacted, and the project was responsible for significant costs incurred by the Town.
While the results ultimately seemed successful, reducing congestion and travel time, and even earning an award from the American Public Works Association of Colorado, Igel questioned the project’s success due to the amount of money spent and the controversy it sparked.
Igel said he continues to hear concerns that the community did not feel listened to, based on discussions from Trustee Talks he attended and the election results. With several high-impact projects underway, he emphasized the need to be “conscientious about the decisions that we make as a Board in reflecting the needs of the community.”
Other Trustees agreed that the Loop was largely successful and, over time, will help community and economic growth. Trustee Hazelton said that this project is only one year into completion, and it will take time to fully understand the impacts of the traffic Loop.
Trustee Cindy Younglund stated that more than just a traffic Loop was accomplished, citing improved stormwater drainage, completed bridge work, and updated infrastructure in the area.
Both discussions underscored a familiar tension in Estes Park about how to adapt and grow without losing the mountain town character that draws residents and visitors. Trustees will continue their conversation in December when their discussion addresses residential housing design in the Development Code update.
Correction, November 15, 2025 1:01 am: The article was updated to clarify that Trustee Mark Igel had commented that businesses were negatively impacted by the Downtown Estes Loop construction project not Public Works Director David Greer.