w w w . n c e d c . c o m 67
Estes Park
ReSouRceS
convention & visitor’s Bureau
www.EstesParkCVB.com
northern colorado economic Development corp.
www.ncedc.com
town of estes park
www.estesnet.com
eSteS paRK pRoFIle
Square miles
5.9
population 2000
5,413
population est. 2006
6,006
labor force
2,877
Employment
2,789
per capita income
$30,499
median household income
$43,262
Households
2,499
source: u.s. census bureau
34
36
36
34
7
7
66
43
FALL RIVER RD.
WONDER VIEW AVE.
ELKHORN AVE.
BIG
THO
MPS
ON A
VE.
MOR
AINE
AVE
.
ST. VRAIN AVE.
Estes Park remains one of Larimer
County’s thriving business communities.
With hundreds of businesses, restaurants,
construction and real estate companies, the
mountain town plays an important role in
the Northern Colorado economy.
Even though it is viewed primarily as a
tourist community, Estes Park has approxi-
mately 6,000 year-round residents and is
home to the headquarters for Rocky Moun-
tain National Park.
Named after Joel Estes of Missouri, who
moved to the area in 1859 to raise cattle, the
area soon drew tourists and visitors. Ranch-
ing and tourism were the early mainstays of
Estes Park. By 1909, F.O. Stanley had opened
his famous hotel in the town.
The roads that lead to Estes Park con-
nect it to the Longmont/Boulder area, Lyons
and Loveland. They include U.S. Highway 34,
U.S. Highway 36 and Colorado Highway 7.
While Estes Park seemingly attracts visitors
like a magnet, community leaders constantly
work to keep the business climate healthy.
Recently, an effort was undertaken via a
petition drive to request a November 2008
election that would determine whether
residents favor establishment of a marketing
district in Estes Park. The district would be
funded by a lodging tax that would be used
to advertise and otherwise market Estes
Park for tourism. Currently, marketing money
comes from the town’s general fund.
And, in an effort to promote clean
energy, Estes Park’s Light