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🌱 How you can weigh in on Estes Park’s 2027 town budget

Estes Park, Colorado Patch AM: a 5 min read

Morning Estes Park! We've got the scoop on the latest happenings in town. Read on to get looped in. ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

  • How you can weigh in on Estes Park’s 2027 town budget
  • Are you standing too close to Estes Park’s rutting elk?
  • Why this notorious bull elk keeps slamming cars in Estes Park

Also on today's calendar: Listening at the Legion Presents The Blue Fiddles and 7 more events.

Today's riddle: What has a cap but no head? 🤔 (Answer below!)

From our Partner
Today's Estes Park Patch AM is brought to you in part by T-Mobile - America's Best Mobile Network, according to Ookla Speedtest. Based on analysis by Ookla® of Speedtest Intelligence® data 1H 2026. We thank T-Mobile for their support in helping to keep communities like ours connected and for making today's Estes Park Patch AM possible.
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Weather forecast:

  • Saturday: Sunny, nice and warm, with a high of 75 and low of 39 degrees.
  • Sunday: An afternoon shower in spots, temps: high: 74, low: 46.
  • Monday: Partly sunny and warm, with a high of 76 and low of 47 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Estes Park to review proposed 2027 budget at Oct. 16, Oct. 23 study sessions (eptrail.com) — Estes Park’s Board of Trustees will dig into the proposed 2027 town budget at public study sessions on Oct. 16 and 23, followed by formal hearings on Nov. 10 and 24. All meetings are at Town Hall on MacGregor Avenue, where residents can review materials online and share input on how sales tax revenues should support streets, parks, police, and other core services.
   

2. Rutting Bull Elk Crashes Morning Coffee Break In Estes Park, Colorado (unofficialnetworks.com) — A close elk encounter near Estes Park during the fall rut is a fresh reminder that these animals can turn aggressive without warning, even when they seem calm. With large herds gathering around town through October, residents and visitors are urged to stay at least 75 feet away, watch for warning signs like pinned ears or stomping, and move calmly toward shelter if an elk approaches.
   

3. Massive Estes Park Bull Elk Nicknamed 'Smash' Fights Cars And Chases Golf Carts (cowboystatedaily.com) — An especially aggressive bull elk nicknamed Smash has been ramming cars and chasing golf carts around Estes Park during the fall rut, including a recent hit on a visiting reporter’s vehicle. Wildlife officials say his behavior is typical for mating season, underscoring how important it is for residents and visitors to keep their distance from elk gathering in town neighborhoods and on the golf course.
   

4. As a coal mine closes, solar comes on (eptrail.com) — Electric customers in Estes Park will soon receive power from Black Hollow Sun, a major new 257-megawatt solar project built to serve Platte River Power Authority’s four member cities. The article explains how this and other projects are speeding Colorado’s shift from coal to renewables, what new battery storage and gas backup mean for reliability, and how different communities are affected economically.
   

5. Colorado Attorney General candidate Q&A (denverpost.com) — A Colorado attorney general voter guide profiles two statewide candidates, including one who graduated from Estes Park High School and now serves as secretary of state. Each outlines priorities on crime, democracy, Trump-era federal conflicts, police oversight, and consumer protection, giving Estes Park voters context on how their next AG might shape rights, affordability, and public safety.
   

📸 Around Estes Park

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🗓 Upcoming Events in Estes Park

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★ Featured events ★

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Other local events

📣 Estes Park Shout Outs!

Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM! It's free!

🗓 Events Nearby

    Saturday October 3
  • Cross Country hosting Mead Stampede
    Mead High School, 12750 Co Rd 7, Longmont
    8:30 am
    • Tuesday October 6
  • Varsity Softball vs Monarch
    Firestone Regional Sports Complex, 6850 Tilbury Ave, Longmont
    4:00 pm
  • Boys JV/Varsity Soccer @ Niwot
    Mead High School Lyons, CO 80540
    4:00 pm

Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.

Want to see your business here? Click here to connect with local customers.

💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • Victor Vas brings his unique studio sound to life as a one man band, looping his original songs with guitar, bass, keys, and fiddle in a live song-building format that matches the sound of a 5 piece band – a style that makes every show a unique
    experience, and brings audiences a spectacle of musicianship unmatched anywhere else. Tickets at: https://legionlisten.com/event/the-blue-fiddles/… (Nextdoor McGraw Ranch Road)
  • Looking for general cleaning for your home?
    Contact me. I'm an independent contractor in Estes Park, Colorado. I have flexible hours. Get to know me. 970 447 9563 Leticia Gomez (Nextdoor Marys Lake)
  • Town of Estes Park Colorado posted a job opening for Police Officer I - III in Estes Park. Apply here.
  • Sage Hospitality Group, LLC posted a job opening for Parking Attendant - PT - Stanley Hotel in Estes Park. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Estes Park here.

Ok Estes Park! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: "What has a cap but no head?" — A bottle (Thank you Glo M. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!

👉 Help make Patch AM better

We use a combination of real people and machines to tell you what’s happening around town. Learn more about Patch AM.

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Stay in the loop with what's happening in Estes Park

Never miss out on local news and events that matter to you.

Stay in the loop with what's happening in Estes Park

Never miss out on local news and events that matter to you.