Development Code Updates 2025-2026

The Town of Estes Park, with extensive community involvement, is conducting an in-depth analysis of the existing Estes Park Development Code in 2025-2026. The end goal of this process is to adopt amendments to the Code that reflect the current and future needs of the community, through an over-arching look at the Code by the community and its elected and appointed boards.

The Code

The Estes Park Development Code is a unified code establishing both zoning and subdivision regulations for  Estes Park, within Town boundaries. The code became effective April 1, 2020 after a 20-year-old shared code with Larimer County expired. Updates to the Code since 2020 have addressed specific, time-sensitive community needs. The 2025-2026 update process, on the other hand, is an over-arching look at the Code that will produce a broad set of recommended amendments to the Code. 

Proposed amendments are considered and adopted through a public hearing process. Code amendments are first heard by the Estes Park Planning Commission. The Planning Commission forwards a recommendation of approval, denial, or approval with conditions to the Town Board. If the revisions are approved by the Town Board, they are adopted into the Estes Park Development Code.

The Foundation 

The Development Code updates are intended to follow the guidance of The Estes Forward Comprehensive Plan, a community-guided "master plan" adopted in late 2022. The goals and policies laid out in the Plan establish critical paths toward community resiliency themes including: the natural environment, built environment, economy, housing, health and social, transportation and infrastructure. The plan also establishes future land use policies for the Estes Valley, with development guidelines for 10 distinct planning areas.