Our History

In the spring of 2012 the leadership of Estes Valley Partners for Commerce, concerned about the present vitality and future viability of the economy of the Estes Valley, appointed an Economic Development Task Force. Its task was to suggest ways of broadening and strengthening our current economy in ways that complement and sustain the current vision statement of the Town of Estes Park and its Board of Trustees to enhance our position as a premier mountain community.

The Task Force held its initial meeting in May 2012. It then met on a regular basis throughout the summer and fall. Minutes were taken. The Task Force first made use of documents produced by the “Vision 21” initiative organized by Estes Park Mayor William Pinkham in 2005, and the ideas and recommendations found in its two public documents: 2017 Facing the Future: An Economic Vision for a Sustainable Community, a 52-page power point presentation, and 2017 Vision Committee, Final Recommendations. The Task force then conducted in-depth phone and in-person interviews with twelve individuals who are either leading or directly involved with economic development efforts on behalf of communities across Colorado. It also reviewed studies and current literature on economic development and studied past Town reports. The official Estes Park Economic Development Corporation was founded in 2013.

Below, is the Estes Park EDC's inaugural document "The Path Forward."