On Wednesday, April 22, I had the honor of standing in the State Capitol Rotunda alongside Gov. Jared Polis as he signed a proclamation declaring April 2026 as Community Banking Month in Colorado. It was a meaningful moment — not just for those of us in banking, but for the communities we serve every day.
Community banks are essential to our economy and to the diverse communities that make up our state. This month is a chance to recognize the critical role community banks play in powering local economies, supporting small businesses, local households, and strengthening the fabric of our towns.
Across the country, community banks fund nearly 60% of all small-business loans. That means we are helping entrepreneurs open their doors, family-owned businesses expand, and local employers create jobs. Beyond lending, we contribute to local tax bases that support schools, infrastructure, and essential public services.
But for me, and for our team at the Bank of Estes Park, this isn’t just about numbers. It’s all about people.
Our story began more than 61 years ago, when a group of local residents came together with a simple goal: to create a bank that would support the growth of Estes Park. In 1965, First National Bank of Estes Park opened its doors on East Elkhorn Avenue. Over the decades, we’ve grown and evolved — expanding to Niwot in 1994 and transitioning to a state charter in 2012 — but our mission has remained the same.
Bank of Estes Park is proud to be the oldest, the only locally owned, and the largest market share bank in Estes Park.
Through economic downturns, the global pandemic, and all of our natural disasters, we’ve been here — literally through fire and rain — working alongside our neighbors to navigate challenges, customize creative solutions, and build a stronger community.
Today, Bank of Estes Park is powered by a dedicated team of 27 employees, including 12 officers. I’m especially proud that a majority of our leadership team are women, several of whom have been recognized and received awards for their leadership and community involvement.
Just as important as the unbeatable service, products, and pricing we offer inside of the bank is the work we do outside of it. Over the past year, our team has contributed more than 2,800 volunteer hours to local organizations, and donated over $85,000 locally.
During the Alexander Mountain Fire, we partnered with the Estes Valley Board of Realtors to raise $50,000 for the Estes Valley Fire Relief Fund, which we helped form, to support fire victims.
We helped launch The Bridge of Estes to support individuals in our community facing cancer. Efforts like Shred of Hope and Plant a Book, Grow a Child are just a few examples of how we quietly give back in meaningful ways. That’s what community banking looks like.
We are owned and operated by locals. Decisions are made here by people who live here. Our customers’ deposits stay here, funding local loans that support our neighbors and local businesses. Even our ownership reflects our roots, with approximately 90% of ownership voting locally.
At the same time, we recognize that modern banking requires modern tools. We strive to be both high-touch and high-tech — offering digital convenience while maintaining the personal relationships that define community banking. Because, in the end, relationships matter most.
Community bankers are deeply engaged in the places they serve. We sit on nonprofit boards, volunteer at events, and invest our time and resources into building stronger communities. We understand local challenges because we experience them alongside you.
That’s why Community Banking Month matters. It’s a reminder that local institutions play a vital role in this rapidly changing world and serve as the financial lifeblood of a community’s small businesses.
I’m also proud to celebrate the Independent Community Bankers of Colorado as it marks 53 years of supporting community banks and raising awareness about the importance of what we do, having been a member for decades, and a Director on its Board for a year and a half.
At Bank of Estes Park, we know local because we are local. And as we look ahead, we remain committed to serving Estes Park with the same dedication and purpose that inspired our founders more than six decades ago. Whether it’s for deposit accounts, savings, CD’s, any kind of business loan, a home mortgage, a HELOC, or the latest technology in internet banking, we make it a point to be unbeatable for our local clients.
If you have time, stop in soon and say hi—we always have coffee ready for you. If you’re a client, and even if you’re not, someone here already knows your name. Come take home one of our new pens, don’t worry, we’re still keeping the traditional ones too, but we think many of you will like the new ones.
And happy Community Banking Month from the only local bank in Estes Park.
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