In an emergency, seconds can make all the difference.
For residents of Estes Park, especially older adults and those who live in homes set back from the road, getting first responders through the front door can sometimes be one of the biggest challenges they face.
That is where Access Granted comes in.
A simple solution when seconds count
The program, offered through the Town of Estes Park Police Department, gives police officers, firefighters, and paramedics a way to access a home when someone inside is unable to answer the door. Residents can provide information such as a garage access code or the location of a key stored outside their home. That information is kept confidential and is only provided by local dispatch to first responders responding to an emergency at the residence.
For Estes Park community member Ian Woolley, the program represents a simple idea with potentially life-saving consequences.
“The great thing about this is not only seconds save lives, but it also saves your door from being kicked in,” Woolley said. “The most important thing being that it saves lives.”
Woolley became involved with Access Granted about a year ago after learning more about the program and its potential benefits to the Estes Park community. He has since worked alongside the police and fire departments to help build awareness of the program and encourage residents to enroll.
The purpose of Access Granted is very specific: to help first responders reach someone experiencing a life-threatening emergency when that person cannot open the door themselves. It is not intended for routine property checks, checking on pets, or other non-emergency situations.
The program brings police, firefighters, and paramedics together around a common goal of getting help to people as quickly and safely as possible.
Woolley credits Estes Park Police Chief Ian Stewart with making significant improvements within the police department and creating a more streamlined and effective relationship between local first responders and the community.
A program with particular value for older residents
For a community with a large population of retired residents, Woolley believes the program becomes increasingly relevant as residents age.
“We all age,” he said, noting that the program can become particularly important for residents 65 and older. “If and when we need the services, they are there.”
Estes Park’s unique demographics also make outreach especially important. Only about 40 percent of residents are year-round, while roughly 60 percent are seasonal or part-time. That means a home may be occupied only part of the year, but it still needs to be accessible to emergency responders even when no one is there.
Seasonal residents can enroll in Access Granted even if they do not live in Estes Park year-round.
One of the biggest challenges, however, is simply making sure people know the program exists.
Woolley said outreach and awareness have been ongoing challenges. Finding the right information and knowing whom to contact can sometimes be difficult, he said, particularly for older residents who may be less comfortable with navigating technology.
That is why Megan Hodde with the Estes Park Police Department has been working to get the program directly into the community. She can help residents enroll, sending them the necessary information to connect them with the service. The enrollment process takes only about five minutes.
The department hopes to hold informational talks and enrollment sessions for senior citizens and others who may benefit from additional assistance. QR codes and other simple tools can also make signing up easier.
Preparing before an emergency happens
For Woolley, increasing enrollment is about more than filling out a form. It is about removing barriers before an emergency happens.
Another seemingly small detail can make a major difference: making sure emergency responders can actually find the home.
Estes Park has many properties that sit far back from the road, and finding an address can become especially difficult during a wildfire, heavy smoke, a storm, or other low-visibility conditions. Woolley recommends that homeowners make sure their address numbers are clearly visible and consider installing reflective address signage near the roadside.
Reflective signs are available at local hardware stores, including ACE Hardware, as well as online.
The goal is simple: give first responders the information and visibility they need before they arrive at a crisis.
For Woolley, Access Granted is ultimately about preparing for a situation no one wants to imagine.
A resident may never need the program. But if the day comes when someone is inside their home, unable to reach the door, those few minutes saved by having a way inside could be critical.
And in an emergency, those minutes may be the difference between waiting outside and starting lifesaving care.
Taking five minutes now
Residents interested in Access Granted can contact Megan Hodde with the Estes Park Police Department at mhodde@estes.org to receive enrollment information or get connected with the program. Enrollment takes approximately five minutes, and access information is kept confidential by the Town of Estes Park.
A direct link to sign up for Access Granted can be found here.
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