Estes Valley Land Trust to host screening of ‘Rooted’
The Estes Valley Land Trust will partner with Trees, Water & People, Montezuma Land Conservancy and the Historic Park Theatre for a screening of “Rooted,” a short documentary by filmmaker Treston Chee on Friday, Aug. 21 at The Historic Park Theatre. The doors open at 5:30 and the event begins at 6 p.m.
The film explores Tribal access to traditional homelands and watershed restoration through the Traditional Harvest Project in southwest Colorado. Members of the Ute Mountain Ute Tribe, private landowners, and project partners share the story of efforts to reconnect Indigenous people with land, spirituality, community, and the natural world.
A panel discussion with Chee, Montezuma Land Conservancy staff, and other project partners will follow the screening.
The event is free and open to the public. RSVPs are requested.
Estes Valley Land Trust educational breakfast Saturday, August 22
The Estes Valley Land Trust will host an educational breakfast highlighting Indigenous-led conservation from 8 to 10 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 22, at the Hermit Park Open Space pavilion.
The event, open to land trust members, will feature three speakers discussing collaborations between Tribal and non-Tribal partners to conserve land. The speakers will share how those partnerships are advancing conservation, stewardship and the protection of natural spaces, including efforts relevant to the Estes Valley.
The RSVP deadline is Wednesday, Aug. 19.
Trustee Talk on Aug. 27
Join Trustees Chris Eshelman and Mark Igel for the next Trustee Talk Thursday, Aug. 27 at 5:30 p.m. in the Town Hall Board Room, 170 MacGregor Ave. This is an opportunity for community members to discuss local issues with members of the board in an informal setting.
Community Initiative Funding
The Town of Estes Park is accepting applications from local organizations seeking 2027 Community Initiative Funding. Funding is available to organizations that serve Estes Valley residents, subject to Town Board priorities and available funds.
Organizations must submit an application and supporting documents by Aug. 31 to Suzanna Simpson. For more information, call 970-577-3700.
The Town Board will prioritize requests during an October budget study session, with final funding subject to approval of the town’s budget in November. Organizations receiving 2027 funding must submit a final project report, written as an educational news article, by May 31, 2028.
Visit Estes Park board opening – apply by Sept. 4
Applications are being accepted for a volunteer position on the Visit Estes Park Board of Directors. VEP is the destination marketing organization for Estes Park designed to promote local tourism, lodging, dining, and outdoor activities.
Board members must have lived within the Visit Estes Park service area for at least one year before their appointment and must continue to live within the service area throughout their term. For full details on this role and the Board’s responsibilities, please review the VEP Board Bylaws. Past meeting agendas, board packets, and access information for upcoming meetings can be found here.
The board meets from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. on the third Thursday of each month. Members may attend meetings in person or virtually. The selected applicant will complete a term that expires Dec. 31, 2030.
Interested applicants must submit a volunteer application, resume, and cover letter by 5 p.m. on Sept. 4.
Anything but a boring board meeting
The Estes Park Sister Cities Association is putting a lively spin on its annual membership meeting this year, trading the usual meeting format for an evening of Latin dancing inspired by its sister city of Monteverde, Costa Rica.
Members of the community are invited to join the fun, learn a few new steps and try the salsa, cha-cha-cha, merengue and bachata — dances popular throughout Costa Rica.
Professional dance instructor Joseph Snowhawk and his partner, Kasia, will lead the evening from 6 to 9 p.m. Friday, Sept. 11, at the Pavilion at The Stanley Hotel.
Snowhawk has taught tens of thousands of people to dance salsa, cha-cha-cha, merengue, bachata, swing and ballroom styles. He has helped establish more than 30 salsa, bachata and swing dance nights in Boulder and Denver.
Among them are the Boulder salsa, rueda, bachata and West Coast Swing Social at the Avalon, which has been running for 20 years, and Salsa Sundays at D Note and La Rumba in Denver, which have been part of the Front Range dance scene for 24 years.
No previous dance experience is required — just a willingness to get out of the chair and onto the dance floor.