The Estes Chamber of Commerce last week launched two initiatives designed to strengthen community connections and expand civic engagement in the Estes Valley: the Estes Next Gen Network, known as ENGN, and the Latino Alliance.
While the two groups serve different audiences, both share a common goal of building relationships, creating opportunities, and fostering greater participation in the community.
The first ENGN gathering took place May 26 at Performance Park, where young professionals aged 45 and under were invited to an afternoon of guided rock climbing led by Reed Woodford and staff from KMAC Guides.
Not everyone who attended chose to scale the climbing wall, but more than a dozen participants donned helmets and sit harnesses to test their climbing skills while others cheered from below.
Following the climbing session, the group gathered at Bob and Tony’s Pizza for networking and conversation.
The chamber created ENGN to provide opportunities for younger professionals to connect socially and professionally, build community leadership, and develop business relationships.
“It really came from a desire of our membership to have an outlet for members who were a little bit in that age bracket that we kind of explained, like 45 and under, who may not feel as comfortable talking about business with business leaders who potentially might be a little bit more seasoned,” said Kiley Jo Schroeder, director of business development at the Estes Chamber of Commerce.
Not only did it give young professionals a chance to make connections, but Schroeder said the Chamber also made new connections.
“We met a lot of people that we hadn’t met before in town,” said Schroeder.
The next ENGN meet-up will be an excursion on Lake Estes in a pontoon boat on June 30 from 4 to 6 p.m. Right now, the Chamber wants to focus the gatherings on socializing, but in the fall, they plan to introduce some educational events, like a Town Hall meeting with the mayor, the city manager, and a trustee to learn how town government operates.
The chamber’s second initiative, the Latino Alliance, held its inaugural meeting in the Wasson Room at the Estes Valley Library on Wednesday.
According to Chamber president Colleen DePasquale, the alliance aims to bring together Latino residents, business leaders, organizations, and allies to identify economic and educational opportunities, improve support for Latino workers and entrepreneurs, strengthen Latino representation, and develop long-term partnerships that benefit the broader community.
About two dozen community leaders and business owners attended the introductory meeting, including Estes Park Mayor Gary Hall; Town Trustees Kirby Hazelton, Jamie Mieras, and Bill Brown; Shannon Jones, general manager of the YMCA of the Rockies Estes Park Center and a chamber board member; Lars Sage, the gallery manager for the Art Center of Estes Park and chamber board member; Ruth Miller, executive director of EVICS Family Resource Center; local realtor Luis Guadarrama Avila; Estes Park Housing Authority board member Stacy Ciolli; community volunteer Dave Thomas; EVICS board member Duke Gonzales; Melissa Zuniga of the Northern Colorado Latino Chamber of Commerce; Talia Siens, the Arts and Culture Program Director with Visit Estes Park and the Estes Arts District; David Hernandez with North Peak Media; and Jorge Perez Rodriguez and Yadhy Rodriguez with Mountain Limpio.
During the hour-long discussion, participants explored barriers that can create divisions between Latino and non-Latino residents.
Language differences and concerns about interactions with law enforcement emerged as two of the most significant challenges identified by attendees.
Participants also discussed limited access to capital, affordable housing shortages, seasonal employment, and what several described as cultural silos that can make integration difficult. Examples included separate English- and Spanish-speaking church congregations under one roof, as well as social organizations and civic groups that often appeared exclusive and unwelcoming.
Guadarrama Avila, who previously worked as a financial wellness consultant for KeyBank and now works as a realtor, described efforts to help Latino families navigate the financial system.
He has led workshops on topics such as opening bank accounts, building credit, and preparing for homeownership.
Gonzales, who moved to Estes Park from Hawaii last year, said many Latino residents remain largely unseen despite their significant contributions to the local workforce.
“There is a cloak of invisibility in many ways,” Gonzales said. “I decided I really wanted to work and do whatever I can to help increase representation by the population and eventually self-determination.”
Latinos represent an estimated 15 percent or more of the Estes Valley’s year-round population, a figure that does not include seasonal and temporary workers or individuals who work in Estes but live down valley. Statewide, Latinos are among Colorado’s youngest and fastest-growing demographic groups.
The Chamber’s Latino Alliance will meet regularly as leaders and participants work to identify priorities, develop strategies to address community needs, and strengthen connections across cultural and economic lines.
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