Ensuring a thriving Estes Park for everyone!
About
Estes Valley United Neighbors
Estes Valley United Neighbors is a coalition of local businesses, community organizations, and residents united by a common purpose: to keep Estes Park thriving. Our mission is to share the facts and ensure that every voter has the information needed to make informed choices on ballot issues that directly shape our community. Estes Park deserves thoughtful, balanced solutions—not reactionary measures that create confusion and division. Together, we can protect a vibrant future where businesses flourish, residents find homes, and decisions are made with fairness and transparency. We urge you to study the measures, consider the long-term consequences, and join us in voting NO this November.
Ballot Issues
Ballot Issue #300:
A Risk to Fair Process
What it proposes:
Requires written approval from property owners and two-thirds of neighbors within 500 feet for any rezoning or Planned Unit Development (PUD).
Why it’s a problem:
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Invites confusion and conflict – Neighbors should be neighbors, not zoning officials. This measure risks pitting property owners against one another.
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Unclear and burdensome – Who notifies neighbors? What counts as “written approval”? How long do people have to respond? No clear answers.
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Inefficient and costly – Adds significant new administrative costs to what is currently a straightforward process.
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Undermines professional oversight – The Town’s Planning and Zoning Division already ensures transparency and fairness. This ordinance bypasses that system.
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Risk of legal disputes – Vague requirements could lead to lawsuits and inconsistent application.
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Prevents progress – Could make it nearly impossible for Estes Park to pursue beneficial improvements in the future.
Ballot Issue #301:
Undermining Housing Solutions
What it proposes:
Repeals Section 11.4 of the Estes Park Development Code, eliminating density bonuses and height allowances for attainable and workforce housing.
Why it’s a problem:
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Worsens the housing shortage – Reduces incentives for developers to create housing for workers and families.
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Hurts local businesses and services – Teachers, first responders, hospitality staff, and other essential workers will have fewer housing options.
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Potential legal issues – Could conflict with federal Fair Housing Act protections.
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Undermines community planning – Repeal runs counter to the Estes Forward Comprehensive Plan, which prioritizes attainable housing.
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Wrong message at the wrong time – At a time of great need, this would make housing more scarce, not less.
Hear From Your Neighbors
"Does our community really want to pass an ordinance that is likely to be legally challenged if passed, and which is subject to binding legal precedent from the U.S. Supreme Court, which held that such an ordinance violated the due process clause of the U.S. Constitution? Even if such an ordinance is ultimately held to be invalid (as is almost certainly the case), the litigation alone would damage the town by stalling all development during the litigation because of the uncertainty generated by the litigation."
Bill Brown
Town Trustee
"Board of Directors of the Chamber of Commerce received overwhelming response from the members against each initiative. The Board of Directors voted to move forward with opposing these ballot items and to actively participate with other business community members and organizations, taking action against the measures."
Board of Directors
Chamber of Commerce
"As Drafted, the Initiatives are Illegal. Each initiative contains features that make them illegal under Colorado law, leaving Estes Park in an uncertain state if they are passed. The initiative violates state law, and circumvents the work of your Planning staff
and Board to provide for local needs."
Jack Farrell, Esq.
YIMBY Law
Get in Touch
Interested in more information, have questions or would like to see how you can help your community? Fill out this form and one of our members will reach out.
We encourage all voters to study the measures carefully, consider the long-term consequences, and join us in voting NO this November.
