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CLICK HERE TO TURN ON NOTIFICATIONS. Listen to Estes 1470 AM information radio The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic is stressful for people. 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. Watch the 2020 Estes Park Tree Lighting Ceremony. Trailblazer Broadband. A small tree that survived the Cameron Peak Fire stands among trees that did not survive. 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. Melting snow has been calmed the fire but has made accessing and assessing the fire directly difficult to impossible. The evacuation orders that were implemented in … Also, crews will start repairing the damage created when fire lines were built by bulldozers and hand crews to contain the fire. Trees are burned by the Cameron Peak Fire. The East Troublesome Fire prompted voluntary and mandatory evacuations in Estes Park Thursday. Official travel and visitor information for Estes Park, CO, the base camp for Rocky Mountain National Park. 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. Frozen pipes can be a big problem! In their own words: Cameron Peak firefighters' emotional stories. A link has been posted to your Facebook feed. Make a payment. 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! Welcome to the Estes Valley Community Center "The Rec"! Presumably, these are members of the same group that posted nasty notes on vehicles at the Visitor’s Center over the summer. 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. Have a story idea? While Roosevelt National Forest remains closed, some areas of Rocky Mountain National Park will reopen on Friday, November 6. Editor's note: This story is being provided free to all readers in the interest of public safety. Drones and aircraft will be used today to continue to help gain a clearer picture of where the smoke is coming from. When you lose a loved one, you need to make some important decisions. “We realize that many of our residents are fearful about the threat of forest fires and the threat of a pandemic. 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. Estes Park Tourism Estes Park Hotels Estes Park Bed and Breakfast ... 4,489 reviews Open Now. There are a variety of resources available in the public restroom area, which is open for use during the hours listed above. The town of 6,000 relies heavily on the park, which drew a … No matter what time of year you're visiting, there's always something fun to do in Estes Park. Evacuee misery: Cameron Peak Fire evacuees away from home for weeks. 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. Shops, galleries and boutiques line the main street, which has a quaint, small-town ambiance. The store that fulfills all your outdoor adventure aspirations. Estes Park is open but with limited services, with medical care, lodging and food service available. Read the latest reviews, view restaurant photos, see menus, and make online restaurant bookings in Estes Park. Estes Park has been declared safe enough for residents to return, and therefore safe enough for visitors to return.”. Hermit Park Open Space, Estes Park: Address, Phone Number, Hermit Park Open Space Reviews: 4.5/5 Estes Park and Rocky Mountain National Park (RMNP) are open and have issued clear safety protocols to put travelers at ease. Support his work and that of other Coloradoan journalists by purchasing a digital subscription today. Fear and anxiety can be overwhelming and cause strong emotions in adults and children. I’m a Scientist and I plan on Taking a COVID Vaccine: Here’s Why. Let friends in your social network know what you are reading about. That’s why so many families turn to... Have you seen Ute Creek? Exceptional outdoor adventures await both families and enthusiasts. Wildlife sit on Cameron Peak Fire burn areas at Bobcat Ridge Natural Area. The Cameron Peak Fire burns near Storm Mountain in mid-October. Rocky Mountain National Park remains closed, as is much of the Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forest in the area. 660 Community Drive • 970-586-8191 OPEN ON A RESERVATION-ONLY BASIS. If you experience frozen water pipes this winter (we hope not!) The public restrooms at Town Hall and the Estes Park Visitor Center remain open. © 2020 coloradoan.com. If you plan your... Estes is open, safe, and welcoming visitors, Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Inside Arts: Local author James Kaiser combines writing and photography. The East Troublesome Fire burns north of Moraine Park in Rocky Mountain National Park, October 24, 2020. Larimer County COVID-19 Data Dashboard. New Rocky Mountain National Park time entry system takes three minutes or less This view is looking south back toward the Upper Buckhorn community. However, they cautioned there is the possibility of an increase in fire behavior over the next week as warmer weather, low relative humidity and some wind returns. 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. Fire officials continue to caution that although the snow dampened the fire, it will not completely put out the fire. The entire East Troublesome Fire showed a little more than 1,000 acres of increase with a total now of 193,774 acres. 342 E Elkhorn Ave, Estes Park, CO 80517. The Cameron Peak Fire burns Oct. 17 near County Road 32C and County Road 27 in Masonville. 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. Some crews will try to take the fight to the fire's edge where possible. A smoke column from the Cameron Peak Fire behind the CSU Mountain Campus. Rocky Mountain Conservancy Nature Stores are open … 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 … Cameron Peak & East Troublesome fire information. 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. 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. Estes Park is located 7,522 feet above sea level, nestled in the heart of the Colorado Rocky Mountains. 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/. US 36 between Estes… 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. This is a good place to start any visit to Estes Park. 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. Purple Mountain Taffy Company. Lifting and downgrading the evacuations around Estes Park was done only after fire officials determined the threat of fire spread is low, at least for some period of time due to the snow. Find lodging, restaurants, events and things to do in Colorado. Heavy equipment works the Cameron Peak Fire as flames climb trees beside it. The Cameron Peak Fire as seen from the YMCA of the Rockies. The Thompson Zone of the East Troublesome Fire remained at 4,346 acres with no containment. This one is from Boyd Lake State Park looking west. From COVID, to fires, to evacuations, the … 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. Estes Park is close to neighboring Front Range communities and Denver. 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. In order to protect park resources, certain areas of the park may close throughout the year. Support the Coloradoan's efforts to keep Northern Colorado informed by subscribing via the link atop this story. 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 PARK, Colo (KDVR) — If you wrote a book about Estes Park, the year 2020 would need its own chapter. 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. "We're looking for the individual(s) who did this, because we'd like to remind them that tampering with private property and … 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? Check out the bargain basement, their insider tips, their gear rentals and so on. "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. Estes Park is currently open and ready to welcome visitors once again. At a time when it is off season and pandemic lurking, we were thankful this restaurant was open. “Our hotels and our stores are open. 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. Estes Park is open for business, welcomes travelers! The Park is open all year but Trail Ridge Road over the continental divide closes for winter. 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. A link has been sent to your friend's email address. Precautions are being taken to … We recommend booking Downtown Estes Park tours ahead of time to secure your spot. Evacuations were lifted or downgraded in the Estes Park area after fire officials determined the more than a foot of snow calmed the threat. The snow has helped calm the fire but also made assessing and accessing the fire more difficult. 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. And we guarantee you can satisfy at least 80 percent of your Christmas shopping here.” While the pandemic is by … 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. Cameron Peak Fire officials said visitors wishing to head up to Estes Park and Rocky Mountain National Park should know two things: Estes Park is open but with limited services, with medical care, lodging and food service available. A helicopter works the Cameron Peak Fire. An unknown part of the Cameron Peak Fire burn area is pictured. Trees make for a dark landscape in the Cameron Peak Fire burn area. See all 4 Downtown Estes Park tours on Tripadvisor Estes Park Events this Weekend. 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. No fire movement is expected in those areas for several days to a week as the snowmelt is adding moisture to ground fuels, including grasses and pine needles, inhibiting the fire from moving. Aircraft stage for work on the Cameron Peak FIre. PLEASE SEE THE FITNESS AND GYM CALENDARS TO RESERVE A TIME SLOT. Scenes of the Cameron Peak Fire. GET BREAKING NEWS IN YOUR BROWSER. 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. Businesses in Estes Park, a gateway town for Rocky Mountain National Park, are watching virus developments warily. Need someone to talk to? Park Rangers are available to assist park visitors at the Beaver Meadows Visitor Center and Wilderness Office. And that is what we are doing. 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. It was busy even so we chose to carry out! “Cute shop, friendly staff & delicious taffy!” “Another fun shop, to … call Jones... Just like us humans, senior pets get their share of aches and pains. COVID-19 updates from the Town. “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. 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. Accessing Estes Park proves easy, no matter the season. Wildfire-related information from the Town. 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 Find Estes Park restaurants. 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. Estes Park Mountain Shop. ESTES PARK, Colo. — As Estes Park begins to recover from massive wildfires, the town is back open and welcoming visitors. Evacuation status has been lifted for Estes Park due to increased containment on the East Troublesome – Thompson Zone Fire and Cameron Peak Fire. Check out listings to find all the things going on this Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Downtown Estes Loop. All rights reserved. Containment increased to 32%. 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. 'I lost everything': Cameron Peak firefighter loses his home while saving another's. Rocky Mountain National Park remains closed, as is … 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. Be it news, outdoors, sports — you name it, he wants to report it. In an arid climate where water really matters, xeriscaping saves resources—and reduces your monthly water bill. Learn more about these closures. “We’ve had a minute. 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. “Estes Park is open for business. Fort Collins Coloradoan. If you book with Tripadvisor, you can cancel up to 24 hours before your tour starts for a full refund. Sign up for emergency alerts. 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. Support his work and that of other Coloradoan journalists by purchasing a digital subscription today. 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. And we guarantee you can satisfy at least 80 percent of your Christmas shopping here.”. Our restaurants are ready to feed you,” Carlson said. Estes Park is Colorado’s original playground, just 70 miles from Denver. The view of the sky from former Estes Park town administrator Frank Lancaster's home at about 2:15 p.m. Thursday. Contact him at milesblumhardt@coloradoan.com or on Twitter @MilesBlumhardt. Getting Here. Estes Park is the comfortable base camp that welcomes you home every night. Estes Park is home to hundreds of unique shops and boutiques where you can find the perfect reminder of your Rocky Mountain vacation. “Estes Park is open for business. Reporter Miles Blumhardt looks for stories that impact your life. 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. This is a good place to start any visit to Estes Park ahead! Sports — you name it, he wants to report it ready to feed you, ” Carlson said accessing. 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