Visitors strolling along the Riverwalk in downtown Estes Park are likely to notice a new splash of color taking shape on the side of the Misty Mountain Lodge, where Colorado artist Katie Curcio is transforming a two-story wall into a tribute to the mountain town’s most recognizable landmarks.
Working from scaffolding under the bright spring sun, Curcio is painting a mural that blends iconic images of Estes Park, including Longs Peak, elk, the Estes Park Aerial Tramway, and the town’s welcoming sign.
If the weather cooperates, Curcio expects to complete the mural by Thursday.
“It’s all about capturing a sense of place,” Curcio said. “I want people to look at the mural and immediately feel connected to Estes Park.”
The project is one of the latest improvements at Misty Mountain Lodge, a rustic lodging property along the Big Thompson River. The lodge was purchased in 2022 by Sam Jones and Deverick Jordan, who have updated the cabins, suites, and guest rooms since acquiring the property from longtime owners Peter and Ellen Reinertsen.
The mural is designed not only to beautify the building, but also to create a visual landmark that celebrates the community and its relationship with the surrounding landscape. The installation is one of a half dozen murals in Estes.
Curcio, who is based in Manitou Springs, has become known across Colorado for her vibrant, fluid depictions of wildlife and landscapes. Drawing on a background in plein-air painting, she uses bold colors and sweeping movement to capture the energy and atmosphere of the natural world.
Her work is inspired by what she calls “the transformative power of public art.”
“Whether on a wall, canvas, or in the moment, my work celebrates regional wildlife, seasonal landscapes, and the vibrant reflections of the communities I work with,” Curcio says on her website.
Curcio’s paintings often begin with photographs she takes during hiking trips and travels throughout Colorado and beyond. She has painted in locations ranging from the Rocky Mountains to southern France, and her portfolio includes large-scale murals, studio paintings, custom commissions, and live paintings at weddings and special events.
Her goal, she said, is to help viewers notice moments of beauty that are often overlooked.
Curcio has created murals in several Colorado communities, including Centennial and Manitou Springs, and has participated in mural festivals, chalk art events, and plein-air competitions throughout the Centennial State.
She also accepts commissions for landscapes, wildlife, pets, and meaningful places, tailoring each project to the client’s vision, timeline, and budget.
Once the Estes Park mural is completed, Curcio will apply a coating of clear anti-graffiti varnish with ultraviolet protection to preserve the artwork, but she said that outdoor murals exposed to the elements of weather and wind develop patina over time, and that too can be part of their beauty.
Other murals in Estes include Piper Lasota’s postcard mural of Estes Park on the side of The Egg of Estes; Wade Johnson’s tribute to firefighters located in the alleyway between Macdonald Book Shop and Inkwell & Brew; Johnson’s trout and fly fisherman on a wall outside Kirk’s Fly Shop along the Riverwalk; and a vintage street scene of Estes Park on the Napa Auto Parts building, which was painted by a group of artists with the Estes Arts District from a 1920s-era photo. Michael Young, the creative director of the Catch the Glow Parade, has painted several murals in Estes Park, both indoors and out, including one on the wall outside Sugar Shack and another decorating a large utility box in Bond Park.
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