Civilian response to active shooter events training – Sept. 3 from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.
The Estes Park Police Department will offer a special two-hour Civilian Response to Active Shooter Events training during its next Coffee & Tea at the PD on Thursday, Sept. 3, from 9 to 11 a.m. in the Town Hall lobby, 170 MacGregor Ave. Coffee, tea, and snacks will be available beginning at 9 a.m.
Estes Park police officers will teach the “Avoid, Deny, Defend” strategy designed to help civilians respond to an active attack. The training will cover recognizing warning signs, reacting quickly under stress and taking steps to protect oneself before law enforcement arrives.
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.
Estes Park schools seek community voices for advisory and accountability committee
The Estes Park School District is seeking community members to serve on its District Advisory and Accountability Committee, which provides stakeholder input on district goals, finances and other issues affecting local schools.
The committee includes teachers, parents, community members and business owners. Members learn about district operations, ask questions, share perspectives and help promote accountability and accessibility.
This year, the committee will play a role in developing the district’s next three-year school calendar. Members will review proposed calendar options and make recommendations to Superintendent David Grubbs and the Board of Education. The board is expected to vote on the calendar during the second semester of the 2026-27 school year.
The committee will consider student learning, family and staff needs, accessibility and the broader community as it evaluates calendar options.
The committee’s mission is to advise the district and hold it accountable to its mission, vision and goals. Its vision calls for the community and district to work together to ensure students graduate with the knowledge, skills and experiences needed to become successful and responsible citizens.
Community members interested in serving on the committee must submit a completed application by noon Wednesday, Sept. 9.
Apply for the District Advisory and Accountability Committee
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 Estes Park 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 which is donating its space for the event.
No previous dance experience is required — just a willingness to get out of the chair and onto the dance floor.
Longs Peak Scottish Irish Highland Fest to mark golden anniversary
The Longs Peak Scottish Irish Highland Festival will celebrate its 50th anniversary Sept. 11-13 at the Estes Park Event Complex, 1209 Manford Ave.
The three-day festival runs from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and features Scottish Highland athletics, Highland dancing, British Isles dog exhibitions, Celtic music, food and drink, cultural demonstrations and more than 100 vendors.
For the first time, the festival will host the U.S. Women’s Pro Highland Games Championships on Saturday, Sept. 12, featuring top professional female athletes competing in traditional Scottish heavy events.
The Estes Park International Tattoo, featuring military music, pipes and drums, dance and pageantry, will take place at 7 p.m. Friday and 5:30 p.m. Saturday. Evening concerts are scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday.
Anniversary festivities begin Thursday, Sept. 10, with Highland Hops Whiskey Trail events at Full Throttle Distillery and Bogey’s Sports Bar and Kilts & Cocktails at The Stanley Hotel.