It was busy even so we chose to carry out! A link has been posted to your Facebook feed. 'I lost everything': Cameron Peak firefighter loses his home while saving another's. Monday through Friday - Gym and Fitness Hours: 7 a.m.—7 p.m, Lap Pool Hours: 6 a.m.—1 p.m., Leisure Pool Hours: 8 a.m.—12 p.m. This one is from Boyd Lake State Park looking west. That’s why so many families turn to... Have you seen Ute Creek? Accessing Estes Park proves easy, no matter the season. This is a good place to start any visit to Estes Park. Find Estes Park restaurants. ESTES PARK, Colo. (KDVR) — Business owners and community leaders in Estes Park are gearing up for the phased reopening of Rocky Mountain National Park on … When the COVID-19 pandemic first hit Colorado substantially, Estes Park took action ahead of State and County officials and enacted a downtown mask ordinance among other things. Scenes of the Cameron Peak Fire. "Right now, the slowly melting snow is doing the work for us as we prepare to take whatever action is needed to eliminate the threat to the town (Estes Park) and the values at risk,'' Rob Allen, fire incident commander, said at the Thursday evening virtual update meeting. Rocky Mountain National Park remains closed, as is much of the Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forest in the area. ESTES PARK, Colo. — As Estes Park begins to recover from massive wildfires, the town is back open and welcoming visitors. The view of the sky from former Estes Park town administrator Frank Lancaster's home at about 2:15 p.m. Thursday. Just when sales tax numbers were beginning to bounce back, just as store owners were starting to recoup lost sales over the summer, the Cameron Peak and East Troublesome fires forced a complete evacuation of the Town. Contact him at milesblumhardt@coloradoan.com or on Twitter @MilesBlumhardt. I’m a Scientist and I plan on Taking a COVID Vaccine: Here’s Why. Larimer County COVID-19 Data Dashboard. Downtown Estes Loop. Visit Estes Park and the Chamber are currently working on promotion efforts that would draw a sizable crowd of holiday shoppers to town, just in time for the winter season. A small tree that survived the Cameron Peak Fire stands among trees that did not survive. Flame flank the road as Larimer County Sheriff's Office firefighters in a type 6 engine respond to protect a private inholding structure in Moraine Park, Rocky Mountain National Park during the East Troublesome Fire, October 24, 2020. New Rocky Mountain National Park time entry system takes three minutes or less When you lose a loved one, you need to make some important decisions. Wildlife sit on Cameron Peak Fire burn areas at Bobcat Ridge Natural Area. Estes Park has been declared safe enough for residents to return, and therefore safe enough for visitors to return.”. Estes Park Tourism Estes Park Hotels Estes Park Bed and Breakfast ... 4,489 reviews Open Now. Estes Park. Support the Coloradoan's efforts to keep Northern Colorado informed by subscribing via the link atop this story. The East Troublesome Fire burns north of Moraine Park in Rocky Mountain National Park, October 24, 2020. The town of 6,000 relies heavily on the park, which drew a … All rights reserved. Cameron Peak & East Troublesome fire information. From cities east of the Rockies-Loveland, Fort Collins, Greeley, Longmont, Boulder and Denver, there are no mountain passes to cross, and the state and U.S. highways serving the area are well-maintained. 660 Community Drive • 970-586-8191 OPEN ON A RESERVATION-ONLY BASIS. And that is what we are doing. See all 4 Downtown Estes Park tours on Tripadvisor Getting Here. Estes Park is open for business, welcomes travelers! Our restaurants are ready to feed you,” Carlson said. Wildfire-related information from the Town. COVID-19 updates from the Town. Official travel and visitor information for Estes Park, CO, the base camp for Rocky Mountain National Park. Estes Park is located 7,522 feet above sea level, nestled in the heart of the Colorado Rocky Mountains. Estes Park is close to neighboring Front Range communities and Denver. Welcome to the Estes Valley Community Center "The Rec"! In an arid climate where water really matters, xeriscaping saves resources—and reduces your monthly water bill. The Cameron Peak Fire as seen from the YMCA of the Rockies. While the pandemic is by no means something to be taken lightly, for Estes Park residents, it did get pushed to the back of our minds for a short time as fires raged just miles from our Town limits. Check out listings to find all the things going on this Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Trees make for a dark landscape in the Cameron Peak Fire burn area. Hotels near Estes Park Museum: (0.28 mi) The Ridgeline Hotel Estes Park®, Ascend Hotel Collection (0.55 mi) Blue Door Inn (0.66 mi) Murphy's Resort at Estes Park With everything from rock shops that will delight your inner geologist, one-of-kind fine jewelers that dazzle, unique home decor to bring a touch of the mountains back with you, to fun clothing boutiques & t-shirt shops – you won’t go home empty handed! Have a story idea? A helicopter works the Cameron Peak Fire. For more than 150 years, visitors have come for a fun-filled vacation, a romantic weekend escape, a magical mountain wedding, or a family reunion. Hermit Park Open Space, Estes Park: Address, Phone Number, Hermit Park Open Space Reviews: 4.5/5 The Cameron Peak Fire burns near Storm Mountain in mid-October. Scenes from the East Troublesome and Cameron Peak fires, Read or Share this story: https://www.coloradoan.com/story/news/2020/10/30/what-we-know-friday-estes-park-open-but-rmnp-forest-still-closed/6084023002/. Larimer County Sheriff's Office firefighters burn out fuels adjacent to structures to protect them from the East Troublesome Fire in Rocky Mountain National Park, October 24, 2020. Precautions are being taken to … The entire East Troublesome Fire showed a little more than 1,000 acres of increase with a total now of 193,774 acres. Make a payment. The Estes Park Visitor Center is closed to in-person visitation, but the staff is available by phone (970-577-9900) and email to answer your questions from 9am to 5pm Monday-Saturday and 10am to 4pm Sunday. And we guarantee you can satisfy at least 80 percent of your Christmas shopping here.”. Some crews will try to take the fight to the fire's edge where possible. The East Troublesome Fire prompted voluntary and mandatory evacuations in Estes Park Thursday. However, aerial observations have indicated smoke continues to be visible in the Thompson Zone of the fire west of Estes Park, the North Fork Trail area above Glen Haven, the Comanche Reservoir area just west of the Colorado State University Mountain Campus and in the Buckhorn Road area. Estes Park is Colorado’s original playground, just 70 miles from Denver. 342 E Elkhorn Ave, Estes Park, CO 80517. “Estes Park is open for business. The truth is, we have a great deal of confidence in our fire officials to make decisions that are safe for all of us,” said Carlson. US 36 between Estes… “We realize that many of our residents are fearful about the threat of forest fires and the threat of a pandemic. ALL ROUTES INTO ESTES PARK ARE CLOSING FOR ENTRANCE INTO ESTES PARK; OUTBOUND REMAINS OPEN FOR EXITING ESTES PARK US 34 from Loveland to Estes Park is open. Learn more about these closures. From COVID, to fires, to evacuations, the … The public restrooms at Town Hall and the Estes Park Visitor Center remain open. Find lodging, restaurants, events and things to do in Colorado. Exceptional outdoor adventures await both families and enthusiasts. Listen to Estes 1470 AM information radio Joe Shellhammer, captain with the Larimer County Sheriff's Office, said he doesn't expect any evacuation changes to occur anywhere around the fire through the weekend. “When the evacuation was first lifted last week, many in our community said, ‘give me a minute.’ We still needed to get back into our homes and get our employees back into our businesses,” said Estes Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Donna Carlson. An unknown part of the Cameron Peak Fire burn area is pictured. The Park is open all year but Trail Ridge Road over the continental divide closes for winter. Estes Park joins a growing list of communities heavily reliant on tourism that have closed major industries, attractions and accommodations in a bid to slow the spread of the new coronavirus. Estes Park is open but with limited services, with medical care, lodging and food service available. Larimer County Sheriff's Office firefighter Quinn de la Haye uses a drip torch to ignite unburned fuel to protect structures from the East Troublesome Fire in Rocky Mountain National Park, October 24, 2020. Evacuation status has been lifted for Estes Park due to increased containment on the East Troublesome – Thompson Zone Fire and Cameron Peak Fire. Carlson said that it is understandable that some residents would want to partake in isolationism during a pandemic, but just like the rest of the country and the rest of the world; Estes Park has to balance a reopening of our economy with detailed safety measures. The Grand Lake side of the Park gets more snowfall than Estes Park, and Grand Lake is known for its snowmobiling and cross-country skiing. The snow has helped calm the fire but also made assessing and accessing the fire more difficult. Best Late Night Restaurants in Estes Park, Colorado: Find Tripadvisor traveler reviews of THE BEST Estes Park Late Night Restaurants and search by price, location, and more. Estes was diligent in keeping cases down and as a reward for that diligence the Town was able to remain open to guests throughout the summer. "We're looking for the individual(s) who did this, because we'd like to remind them that tampering with private property and … A river runs next to it and there is plenty of parking but it can get crowded because they offer nice clean bathrooms and plenty of brochures & visitor magazines. Businesses in Estes Park, a gateway town for Rocky Mountain National Park, are watching virus developments warily. The building looks new and it's one of the nicest visitor centers I've been in especially for a small town like Estes Park. The Estes Park Police Department issued this statement, "Last weekend a very unkind, mass-produced note was placed on numerous vehicles with out-of-state plates in the Estes Valley," said the police statement suggesting the behavior is not welcome in the town. The Thompson Zone of the East Troublesome Fire remained at 4,346 acres with no containment. Fire officials continue to caution that although the snow dampened the fire, it will not completely put out the fire. The evacuation orders that were implemented in … This view is looking south back toward the Upper Buckhorn community. If you book with Tripadvisor, you can cancel up to 24 hours before your tour starts for a full refund. Drones and aircraft will be used today to continue to help gain a clearer picture of where the smoke is coming from. Sign up for emergency alerts. all routes into estes park are closing for entrance into estes park; outbound remains open for exiting estes park US 34 from Loveland to Estes Park is open. Containment increased to 32%. Many evacuations were lifted or downgraded in the Estes Park area earlier this week after fire officials determined the more than a foot of snow that blanketed the Cameron Peak Fire has calmed the threat to residents and visitors. Read the latest reviews, view restaurant photos, see menus, and make online restaurant bookings in Estes Park. “Estes Park is open for business. Need someone to talk to? Be it news, outdoors, sports — you name it, he wants to report it. Now, with residents and business owners back in Estes Park for the last week, the Town is ready to open its arms to visitors and the much needed money they spend. A smoke column from the Cameron Peak Fire behind the CSU Mountain Campus. Support his work and that of other Coloradoan journalists by purchasing a digital subscription today. Park Rangers are available to assist park visitors at the Beaver Meadows Visitor Center and Wilderness Office. Unfortunately, some residents are still spreading a message of ‘Keep out’ to our potential visitors and jeopardizing the livelihood of some residents and the overall sustainability of our community. Also, crews will start repairing the damage created when fire lines were built by bulldozers and hand crews to contain the fire. Estes Park Mountain Shop. A link has been sent to your friend's email address. Rocky Mountain National Park remains closed, as is … As of Friday morning, the Cameron Peak Fire had not increased and remained the largest wildfire in Colorado history at 208,663 acres with 64% containment. ESTES PARK, Colo (KDVR) — If you wrote a book about Estes Park, the year 2020 would need its own chapter. Support his work and that of other Coloradoan journalists by purchasing a digital subscription today. Rocky Mountain Conservancy Nature Stores are open … Larimer County Sheriff's Office firefighter Quinn de la Haye cools down a burning tree near a structure north of Moraine Park in Rocky Mountain National Park, October 24, 2020 as the East Troublesome Fire burns in the park. “Our hotels and our stores are open. Trees are burned by the Cameron Peak Fire. “Cute shop, friendly staff & delicious taffy!” “Another fun shop, to … Estes Park and Rocky Mountain National Park (RMNP) are open and have issued clear safety protocols to put travelers at ease. Heavy equipment works the Cameron Peak Fire as flames climb trees beside it. GET BREAKING NEWS IN YOUR BROWSER. The store that fulfills all your outdoor adventure aspirations. Presumably, these are members of the same group that posted nasty notes on vehicles at the Visitor’s Center over the summer. Fort Collins Coloradoan. CLICK HERE TO TURN ON NOTIFICATIONS. Estes Park Museum is open: Sun - Sun 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM; Tue - Sat 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM; What hotels are near Estes Park Museum? Estes Park is home to hundreds of unique shops and boutiques where you can find the perfect reminder of your Rocky Mountain vacation. No matter what time of year you're visiting, there's always something fun to do in Estes Park. Purple Mountain Taffy Company. Fear and anxiety can be overwhelming and cause strong emotions in adults and children. Evacuee misery: Cameron Peak Fire evacuees away from home for weeks. Those fires are now nearly contained (Cameron Peak fire at 92 percent and the East Troublesome Thompson Zone at 48 percent ), and the Town of Estes Park is completely safe. In their own words: Cameron Peak firefighters' emotional stories. © 2020 coloradoan.com. There are a variety of resources available in the public restroom area, which is open for use during the hours listed above. Watch the 2020 Estes Park Tree Lighting Ceremony. Frozen pipes can be a big problem! call Jones... Just like us humans, senior pets get their share of aches and pains. The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic is stressful for people. While Roosevelt National Forest remains closed, some areas of Rocky Mountain National Park will reopen on Friday, November 6. The Cameron Peak Fire burns Oct. 17 near County Road 32C and County Road 27 in Masonville. Editor's note: This story is being provided free to all readers in the interest of public safety. Safeway workers save customer from gift card scam, Fort Collins once again lands on best-of lists, High-profile Windsor site under construction, 'Balloon Boy' parents get pardoned by governor, Public comment open for District 4 seat candidates, Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. Reporter Miles Blumhardt looks for stories that impact your life. Estes Park is the comfortable base camp that welcomes you home every night. 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