Spring has indeed sprung. But what a difference this year is! It was stunningly mild through the so-called winter. The tourist traffic was strong through the first quarter. It was a successful shoulder season, but we need substantially more precipitation to keep us safer for summer. I would do rain dances if it would help the cause. In the meantime, fire mitigation on private and public lands is our best bet, with evacuation preparedness so very important. If we can weather the weather, we’ll have a great year.
Hopefully, we’ll get consistent messaging from the Department of the Interior throughout our golden summer season. This was mentioned by me and others to Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum when he recently visited RMNP. He seemed to hear the concern. Consistent messaging to prospective visitors leads to better advance bookings for lodging, events, backpacking trips, fishing expeditions, and everything.
The proposed budget for the National Park Service is concerning. As written, it represents substantial cuts in dollars and staff again. We must encourage our congressional delegation to keep our national parks strong. While I worry for RMNP, with budget cuts, beetle resurgence, drought, moose damage, and more, I have faith in Superintendent Ingram and his experts to keep it in the best shape possible.
Another important sign of summer is the eventual arrival of our 575 exchange visitors (EVs, or you may know them as J-1s). This year, an organization called LifeTRAVELED is building a new process. They create exchange visitor community support groups around the country. We’re very lucky to have them on board. They are authorized by the U.S. Department of State to administer the BridgeUSA Programs. Our CSG was formed with a representation of local businesses and others. While the town of Estes is not formally involved with the group, I’ve been highly supportive of the effort.
I hope that this first year demonstrates the value of this group. They’ll welcome and orient exchange visitors, help EVs with questions about housing and other necessities, and be available as a resource if the EVs run into issues during their stay.
’Tis the season, too, of new board members. Jamie Mieras and Chris Eshelman were elected as trustees to the town board. Incumbents Bill Brown and Kirby Hazelton were re-elected. Of the 1,519 ballots counted on election night, Trustee Hazelton was checked on 1,047, or about 69 percent. That seems like a pretty good endorsement of Kirby’s work in the past four years.
Trustee-elect Mieras scored well, with 931 votes, or 61 percent of the ballots. This validates her efforts to get up to speed on so many topics. She offers many good thoughts on our complex issues.
Chris Eshelman and Bill Brown were checked on about 57 and 56 percent of the ballots, respectively, enough to give them the third and fourth spots. They’re both solid citizens with solid citizen support.
Aidan Rosenau and Randy Welch both ran spirited campaigns. I applaud them for their efforts. It takes courage to run for these positions. Hopefully, both will stay engaged in town affairs and consider another run in the future.
I’ve reached the halfway point of my four-year term. I love doing this for Estes. I meet with many citizens, visitors, non-citizen residents, town staff, government officials at all levels, Larimer special districts, and more. Sometimes all I can do is listen, but I’ve been able to move many issues forward and help solve many problems
I’m pleased to have a civil, engaged populace. Our new board appears to be civil, intelligent, conscientious, and most importantly, they have the desire to serve you. That’s good — we have a lot of work to do.
I’m staying fit and working up to summer. Linda and I get in some tough hikes (South Sheep Mountain most recently, by the Button Rock Reservoir). Linda and I have done all the mountains you can see from Estes, and many more hikes to summits and lakes. Fitness is important to this position. I’m getting older, but I’m very committed to the position and to keeping all the parts in working order, including the brain! I am very glad to continue to serve.
I love summer. I love the freedom of the open trail, with the blue sky above and the warm summer breeze. I love stepping out of my office into the pleasant summer days and traipsing around downtown and all of Estes. I love wandering as far as we can in those wonderful woods that surround us.
With credit to Cole Porter for the Paris version, I’ll say “I love Estes in the springtime.” In the original song, Mr. Porter professes to love Paris in all seasons. We love Estes year-round. Enjoy the season of spring and the re-awakening of all nature. Partake of this time ’tween equinox and solstice as fits you best.