The Town utilizes a variety of funding sources to address workforce and childcare in the Estes Valley, including revenues from the Lodging Tax Extension (local ballot measure 6E passed in November 2022). In addition to the Lodging Tax Extension revenue, revenues from the Impact Fee associated with Short Term Rentals, the Town's Workforce Housing reserve fund, and various grants and other financial awards from the State and Federal governments are used to address workforce and attainable housing.
The Town of Estes Park Board of Trustees voted to approve updates to the funding guidelines for both Workforce Housing and Childcare on February 28, 2023:
Policy 225: Childcare Funding Guidelines and Application (Pautas Para La Financiación Del Cuidado Infantil)
Policy 227: Workforce and Attainable Housing Guidelines (Directrices Para La Construccion de Viviendas Asequibles y para Trabajadores)
For more information about Housing and Childcare, please contact the Housing and Childcare Manager, Carlie Bangs at 970-577-3894 or cbangs@estes.org
- 2024 Childcare Needs Assessment and Strategic Plan
The Town of Estes Park has begun working with the consulting company, Groundswell for Good, to gather data to report on the current childcare needs in the Estes Valley. Data received through focus groups, one-on-one conversations, and interviews, as well as an online survey, will direct a strategic plan that will be presented to the Town Board and local community in Summer 2024.
Preliminary Childcare Needs Assessment Data Presentation
Questions? Contact the Housing and Childcare Manager at cbangs@estes.org or Sarah Hughes at sarah@groundswellforgood.com
- Workforce Housing and Childcare 6E Lodging Tax
In November 2022, the Town of Estes Park citizens voted to approve Ballot Issue 6E to increase the Lodging Taxes throughout the Estes Valley by 3.5%. The funds received by Visit Estes Park are transferred to the Town of Estes Park to address workforce housing and childcare issues. A Memorandum of Understanding was signed in July 2023 by the Estes Park Housing Authority to oversee the distribution of 6E revenue for workforce housing.
Annually, the Estes Park Town Board, Larimer County Board of County Commissioners, and Visit Estes Park approve the funding plan that outlines the priorities and use of tax dollars to address childcare and workforce housing issues.
2024 Annual Workforce and Childcare Funding Plan for Lodging Tax (6E) Funds
- Workforce Housing and Childcare Task Force (2019)
The Town Board created the Ad-Hoc Task Force on Workforce Housing and Childcare on November 13, 2018 and completed its work June 11, 2019. The Task Force's responsibility was to evaluate the Town's role in workforce housing and childcare and develop recommendations for consideration by the Town Board. The Task Force was composed of Trustee Carlie Bangs, Trustee Ron Norris, and Assistant Town Administrator Travis Machalek.
- Resource and Document Archive
Estes Valley Housing needs Assessment and Strategic Plan (2023)
Childcare Needs Assessment (2018)
Family Advisory Board recommendations to Town Board (2018)
Housing Needs Assessment (2016)
Estes Park's Annual National Community Survey
Avalanche Economic Development Strategy Executive Summary (2015)unity Survey
- Local Funding Opportunities for Childcare Providers
The Town of Estes Park offers a variety of funding opportunities to support childcare providers and early childhood professionals in the Estes Valley.
Childcare Funding Grant
Licensed, or working to be licensed, home and center-based childcare providers may apply for grant funding for both capital and non-capital projects.
Childcare Funding Guidelines and Application (Pautas Para La Financiación Del Cuidado Infantil)
- Please expect up to two months for review and approval of your request.
- Childcare Funding Reporting Template Please download the report template and include the attachment in your final funding report as outlined in the Funding Agreement, or upon request by the Town.
Annual Workforce Subsidy
The 2024 Childcare Workforce Subsidy is now OPEN until May 30, 2024. This subsidy is available for licensed home and center-based childcare providers in the Park R-3 School District and is based on the size and quality rating of the center.
2024 Childcare Workforce Subsidy Application
- Included in the 2024 Childcare Workforce Subsidy is an Infant and Toddler Caregiver Bonus. Home and center-based childcare providers are eligible. To assist center-based childcare providers in calculating the bonus, you can use this template to fill in data based on the care you provided in 2023. Records may be requested to verify eligibility for the bonus.
- Funds Reporting Template (Due May 31, 2024 and December 29, 2024)
For inquiries regarding eligibility, application support, and availability of funds, please contact Carlie Speedlin Bangs, Housing and Childcare Manager, at cbangs@estes.org to inquire about funding availability or with any questions you may have regarding the childcare funding program.
- Workforce Housing Programs
The Town of Estes Park entered into an MOU in July 2023 to outline the transfer of funds from the Town of Estes Park to the Estes Park Housing Authority to use 6E Lodging Tax funds to address workforce housing issues in the valley.
Estes Park Housing Authority offers many programs for community members of low to moderate incomes in the Estes Valley.
More information can be found here.
To view what the Estes Park Housing Authority plans on using 6E funds for, please review the Annual Housing Supply Plan.
The Workforce Rental Assistance is funded with 6E revenue. The application will open in mid-April 2024.
Estes Park Housing Authority is located at:
363 East Elkhorn Avenue, Suite 101
Estes Park, CO 80517PO Box 1200
Estes Park, CO 80517(970) 591-2535