ESTES PARK – The Town of Estes Park, the Colorado Department of Transportation and the federal government have proposed a one-way traffic loop using the three main roads through town.
While local leaders call it a necessary improvement, business owners say it could be detrimental to their livelihood. The goal is to relieve congestion and accommodate the more than 3 million visitors who come to Estes Park each year.
"People don't come here just for the national park," local business owner Holly Moore said. "They come here to shop. They come here to enjoy our beautiful town."
The proposed loop would connect Elkhorn Avenue, Moraine Avenue (U.S. 36) and Riverside Drive. Some are concerned that it could drive customers away from downtown Estes Park's many shops.
"It will kill our downtown business," Moore said.
Despite these concerns, Town Administrator Frank Lancaster says Estes Park has to change with the times.
"What we're dealing with is a town that was laid out in the 19th century, and we're trying to deal with 21st century traffic," he said. "We're not worried about what happens next summer; we're preparing for transportation needs over the next 20 years."
Lancaster said he plans to work with business owners, but that the town's only choice is to do something with the loop, or nothing at all.
"I don't want to be sitting here 20 years from now and have people complain that we didn't address the traffic problems when he had the chance," he said.
The Town of Estes Park will hold a special meeting for the board to discuss the project on April 15 at 6 p.m. at the Event Center.
The board will take public comment, and will also be reviewing any public comments submitted before April 8.
For more information on the loop, go to http://downtownestesloop.com/.
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