Kirby Nelson-Hazelton, Town of Estes Park Trustee

05/28/2026

I was honored to fill in for Mayor Hall today by welcoming the Colorado Workforce Development Council to Estes Park! They are in town for a few days, staying at the Y and touring around Estes, and hearing from the Chamber/EDWC, Visit Estes Park, RMNP, local business owners, and more. Pictured is Christina Kraft, EDWC Board Chair, sharing a bit of our economic development history and current status with the group.

Also, how amazing is the Pavilion at the Stanley? Incredible backdrop to have the door open and the waterfall flowing!

05/26/2026

We're back for another Town Board Tuesday!

Study session starts at 4:30:
- CIRSA presentation about liability and risk for elected officials (done after every election)
- Development Code neighborhood meeting criteria
- Rezoning criteria (including "change in condition")

Regular meeting agenda:
- Consent agenda
- EVICS presentation about 2025 Base Funding
- Liquor license item: Snowy Peaks Winery shifting to a Vintners Restaurant license
- Two ordinances related to Northern Colorado Water Conservancy (we continued these items from the May 12 meeting, this is part of a larger administrative and legal process)
- Adoption of 2027 provisional strategic plan
- Executive session for the purpose of receiving legal advice on specific legal questions: Considerations for development of housing on Town properties (Section 24-6-402(4)(b), C.R.S.)

Reach out with any questions, comments, concerns, and remember you can always stream meetings live or watch the recordings at youtube.com/!

05/25/2026

Hope you all are having an enjoyable Memorial Day weekend! I am spending some time today reflecting about, and being so grateful for, those who have given their lives for our freedoms.

If you're interested in spending some low key, casual time with your elected officials, please join us for this month's Trustee Talk this coming Thursday, May 28, at 10a in the Town Hall Board Room. Trustee Mieras and I will be hosting -- come to share your thoughts, ask questions, and/or listen in to what your fellow residents have to say. No agendas, just time together as a community.

05/01/2026

Hope to see you there!

Join us on May 7th, 9am-10am for a presentation from Chief Stewart on Emergency Evacuations. We'll provide the coffee & tea. We hope to see you there !!!

04/28/2026

Thank you to Visit Estes Park, Sundance, Visit Boulder, and the Colorado Office of Film for this morning's panel about the Sundance Film Festival coming to CO starting in 2027! It was an excellent conversation about how the state, region, and institute are approaching this shift, and how our community can engage in and support their efforts.

There's lots to consider, including business participation, volunteer opportunities, general ethos building, and yep, attending the festival! I am excited to see what comes from this move and the partnerships ahead.

Did you know that the Sundance Directors Lab takes place in Estes in June? This will be the Stanley's second year hosting, and it's a huge tie-in to how film (and arts and culture) development are -- and can be -- part of the Estes Valley. Very cool stuff!

04/27/2026

This week's Town Board meeting structure is a little different than normal. We will not have a study session, and the regular meeting (which begins at 7p) will be "split" into two sections. First, the outgoing board will cover:
- Consent agenda
- Five liquor items, all of which are transfers (two lodging-related, one for the golf course, and two related to the Park Theatre/Slab)
- An agreement for stormwater pipe CCTV services (for inspection and protrusion removal)
- An ordinance authorizing issuance of a USDA Water Revenue Bond related to financing for the former Prospect Mountain Water Company system

We'll then honor Mayor Pro Tem Cenac and her eight (!) years of service on the Board before taking a brief recess to enjoy a reception in the lobby. We'll reconvene after 15 minutes for:
- Swearing in of newly elected trustees: Chris Eshelman, Jamie Mieras, and myself for four-year terms, and Bill Brown for a two-year term
- Appointing a Mayor Pro Tem
- Policy 101, which is assigning our board liaison/committee roles
- Appointments of staff as required by our Municipal Code and State Statute: Town Clerk, Town Treasurer/Town Clerk Pro Tem, Town Attorney, Municipal Judge, Assistant Municipal Judge, Town Administrator
- Approval of contracts for Municipal Judge and Assistant Municipal Judge
Note that these are all items the new Town Board must complete after each municipal election.

As always, let me know if you have questions or comments. Thanks for tuning in!

04/14/2026

Howdy, and happy Town Board Tuesday!

​Tonight's study session begins at 5:15:
- Murals and sign code, specifically discussing commercial messaging in murals
- Autocycle Operations in the Commercial Downtown district, a request from a business that doesn't fit into sightseeing tours or "typical" car rentals

For our regular meeting at 7:
- Arbor Day proclamation
- Seven consent agenda items
- BASE funding report from the Estes Arts District
- Two liquor items, including a transfer of Sweet Basilico's license and consideration of a new license for 165 Virginia (this location has previously held a license)
- First budget amendment for 2026
- Policy 842, parking permits (specifically overnight commercial loading in the Davis lot)
- Policy 109, public comment (some clean-up in the guidelines for how and when comments reach the Town Board)
- Resolution 41-26, additional professional services for the improved Water Division's Mall Road Capital Improvement Project
- Museum's annual report
- Discussion of Salud Clinic's funding situation

As always, holler with any questions, comments, input, etc.! Thanks for staying engaged with your local government!

04/08/2026

Thank you, thank you. Hardest & best job, so very excited to do it for another term.

I'm grateful for your trust, for the support of my family & friends, for the selfless acts of my fellow candidates in running for office.

Can't wait for these next four years! More soon! 💜

estes.org/elections

04/06/2026

Good morning and happy election week! Word on the street is that a remarkably low number of ballots have been returned so far... We're talking in the 800s as of Friday, which is about 1,000 fewer than our total vote count in 2024! Not good! Please talk to your friends and neighbors who live in town limits, ask them if they've voted yet, and encourage them to make their voices heard!

Four seats are up, which is a majority of the board. The trustees elected will have a direct say in how tax dollars are spent, where staff time is prioritized, what strategic projects are completed, and how your municipal government can best serve you. This is a BIG deal, please make sure to VOTE!

(Photo of a lovely pasqueflower bouquet from the Lumpy Ridge trail for attention, and encouragement. :))

03/16/2026

Ballots are out! Check your mailbox and make sure to vote by April 7.

Still deciding on your choices for trustee? Send me a message and/or let's get coffee. I would love to hear your questions, comments, concerns, and input.