Strangled by the Loop: The Battle for Survival Among Estes Park’s Local Businesses
How Ongoing Construction and Governmental Neglect are Threatening the Dreams of Small Business Owners.
A few years ago, I created a political satire art piece driven by my frustration when a favorite local haunt, a tiki bar on the river’s edge, was set to be demolished due to the Estes Park Loop project. This beloved venue, where my late wife and I spent countless evenings, was soon replaced by what I depicted as a ravenous giant monster robot bent on destruction in the name of progress.
Today, the Loop project continues to be a significant source of frustration among Estes Park’s residents, business owners, and visitors. Its construction has tangled traffic and made accessing local businesses extremely challenging, especially for those with mobility impairments like myself. The comment sections of local articles are aflame with discontent, and many business owners fear they will not survive the project's duration, despite its promise to improve accessibility to Rocky Mountain National Park.
Sales tax revenue, a vital lifeline for our high mountain hamlet, has shown signs of strain, with a noticeable decrease from $1,015,836 last February to just $928,657 this past February. This downturn raises fears that the financial losses during the crucial summer months, when sales tax revenue typically reaches $2.5 to $3 million, could be catastrophic.
The Loop project, a joint initiative by the Town of Estes Park, the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT), and the Federal Highway Administration, aims to alleviate traffic congestion through a one-way loop including Elkhorn Avenue, Moraine Avenue, and Riverside Drive. Scheduled for completion in January 2025, the project's off-peak construction schedule has done little to ease the immediate hardships faced by local businesses.
This Wednesday, I navigated the chaotic streets of downtown, speaking to numerous business owners. While a few were willing to share their struggles on record, many others spoke only under the condition of anonymity, citing fears of reprisal or reluctance to 'rock the boat.' Despite a few positive interactions with town officials, the overwhelming sentiment was a need for more support and viable short-term solutions.
Today’s narrative centers on Taylor Campbell, whose entrepreneurial dreams took form with the launch of the gift shop "Three Blessed Gems." Her venture into Estes Park's business scene, once filled with optimism, now contends with the harsh realities of the Loop’s construction. "It's been one ordeal after another," Taylor explained, her tone a mix of resolve and exhaustion. "Just last week, a large excavator blocked the street entirely, cutting off access to my shop. It's incredibly frustrating," said the young business owner and mother, who now faces the daunting commute from Greeley when few customers can reach her shop. At the time of our interview, she had made only one small sale all week.
"Since the construction started, it's been one thing after another," Taylor shared, recounting the daily challenges she faces due to the ongoing Loop project. "We’ve dealt with it, taken it in strides. But then last week, cones were placed where people couldn't access our street. As a business owner, that's frustrating."
Her frustrations are compounded by interactions with local authorities, particularly a disheartening exchange with the outgoing mayor, Koenig, who seemed to dismiss Taylor’s concerns. "I told her our revenues had plummeted by 64%, and she said closing for two days was our decision—as if we had any real choice," Taylor recounted. This exchange underscores a broader narrative of neglect and dismissal by those in power, a sentiment that resonates deeply within the Estes Park business community. The mayor's response, "Well, I'm done in 10 days. You can talk to the next mayor," only added to the frustration.
When asked what she would tell the town government about her experience if she could, Taylor said, "This is my family's business. This is their lifeline. We love Estes, but we're unsure what it's becoming. Since you benefit from our sales tax, we feel integral to the town as a business, yet it seems you don't care about the human impact on us. We're not taking paychecks right now, and we have young families. We're strong, we're resilient, but this is tough."
This article is the first in a series that will delve into the personal stories of local business owners affected by the Loop construction, featured in both the Estes Park Trail-Gazette and The Colorado Switchblade, with expanded coverage through podcast interviews and videos.
As we continue, we'll uncover more stories like Taylor's, highlighting the personal and economic impacts of the Loop project on Estes Park's vibrant community. Future installments will seek insights from local officials, including Public Works Director Greg Muhonen and newly elected Mayor Gary Hall, to understand their positions and planned interventions.
Once the Loop is completed, it could indeed be a fantastic addition to our community. But the pressing question remains: How many local businesses will make it to the finish line? With ongoing discussions, investigative reporting, and community engagement, we aim to ensure that the voices of those most affected are heard and considered in shaping our town’s future.
~JVT
I have also written more of a straight news piece on this topic that will be published in the Estes Park Trail-Gazette.