Visitor Center Parking Lot
Shaping the future of the Visitor Center Parking Lot
The public was asked to provide feedback through an online survey regarding a preferred option for the design of the Visitor's Center Parking Lot. Two options were presented to the public, and the survey results indicate that Alternative A was the most desired option over Alternative B. This layout will construct a separate bus lane along US 34 to separate the transit operations from the internal parking lot, reducing conflicts with vehicles and pedestrians.
Both design alternatives and the Public Survey Results were presented to the Board of Trustees on October 28, 2025, and the consensus from the Board was in alignment with the public survey results indicating Alternative A as the preferred option. The Town's design consultant, Kimley Horn, will move forward with the full design of Alternative A. Design is expected to be complete in early 2026, and a construction timeline has not been established yet.
For more information on this project, contact Trevor Wittwer, Town Engineer, at twittwer@estes.org or 970-577-3724.
About the Project
In September 2020, Public Works received notification of a $1,029,504 grant award through the SB 267 program to redesign the Visitor Center parking lot. CDOT indicated that this project had been selected due to the lot’s proximity to US 34, US 36, Hwy 7, and the Town’s parking structure, which means the lot naturally serves as a transit hub for the Town, Rocky Mountain National Park, and Bustang.
The proposed improvements for this project include a newly designed layout for the Visitor Center parking lot, which would identify preferred locations for vehicle parking and bus layover; bus loading/unloading zones (for the Town’s free shuttles, Rocky Mountain National Park Hiker Shuttle and Bustang to Estes); shuttle stops; ride-share drop-off/pick-up locations; pedestrian circulation; electric vehicle infrastructure; bicycle circulation and parking; and visitor-serving amenities including landscaping, placemaking features, lighting, wayfinding, and informational signage.
Project Updates
October 2025 | Community Input Survey
On October 15, residents and visitors were invited to participate in a public survey to help identify a preferred design layout for the future of the Visitor Center Parking Lot. Two design options were presented—each offering unique advantages and considerations. The feedback provides essential input to ensure the final design reflects the needs and priorities of everyone who lives, works, and plays in Estes Park.