Entrance sign for Estes Park
Estes Park is a popular summer resort town and headquarters for Rocky Mountain National Park. Located in Larimer County, Colorado, United States, along the Big Thompson River, Estes Park had a population of 5,413 at the 2000 census, and 6,006 (estimated) by 2006.[4] The town is named after Missouri native Joel Estes, who founded Estes Park in 1859.
The town's outskirts include The Stanley Hotel. Once a fine example of Edwardian opulence, the 1909 building had Stephen King as a guest, inspiring him to change the locale for his novel The Shining from an amusement park to the Stanley's fictional stand-in, the Overlook Hotel. Estes Park was also the site of the organization of the Credit Union National Association, an important milestone in the history of American credit unions.[5] Trail Ridge Road, the highest continuous highway in the United States, runs from Estes Park westward through Rocky Mountain National Park, reaching Grand Lake over the continental divide.{{[6]}} The town suffered severe damage in July 1982 from flooding caused by the failure of Lawn Lake Dam.[citation needed]
Geography
Estes Park sits at an elevation of 7,522 feet on the front range of the Rocky Mountains at the eastern entrance of the Rocky Mountain National Park. Its location is 40°22′22″N 105°31′09″W / 40.372856°N 105.519136°W / 40.372856; -105.519136.[7] Its north, south and east extremities border the Roosevelt National Forest. Lumpy Ridge lies immediately north of Estes Park.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 5.9 square miles (15.2 km²), of which, 5.8 square miles (15.1 km²) of it is land and 0.1 square miles (0.1 km²) of it (0.85%) is water.
Demographics
As of the census[8] of 2000, there were 5,413 people, 2,541 households, and 1,565 families residing in the town. The population density was 929.5 people per square mile (359.1/km²). There were 3,323 housing units at an average density of 570.6/sq mi (220.4/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 95.14% White, 0.31% African American, 0.48% Native American, 0.78% Asian, 0.06% Pacific Islander, 2.07% from other races, and 1.16% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 5.56% of the population.
There were 2,541 households out of which 20.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.3% were married couples living together, 6.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 38.4% were non-families. 31.0% of all households were made up of individuals and 9.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.11 and the average family size was 2.61.[citation needed]
In the town the population was spread out with 17.6% under the age of 18, 5.8% from 18 to 24, 26.6% from 25 to 44, 29.4% from 45 to 64, and 20.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 45 years. For every 100 females there were 92.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.7 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $43,262, and the median income for a family was $55,667. Males had a median income of $31,573 versus $20,767 for females. The per capita income for the town was $30,499. About 3.2% of families and 4.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 4.6% of those under age 18 and 0.8% of those age 65 or over.[citation needed]
Historic ski areas
Estes Park was home to a number of now defunct ski areas:[9]
Estes Park vicinity was also the home of other resorts and tourist attractions.[9]
Transportation
The main airport serving Estes Park is Denver International Airport, located 75 miles southeast. Fort Collins-Loveland Municipal Airport is only 38 miles away, but currently[when?] only one carrier serves that airport with service to only one destination.[citation needed]
Highways
US 34 is an east-west highway that runs from Granby, Colorado to Berwyn, Illinois. In Colorado, it connects Estes Park to Loveland, Interstate 25, Greeley and Interstate 76.
US 36 begins at the nearby Rocky Mountains National Park, running to Uhrichsville, Ohio, passing through Kansas, Missouri, Illinois and Indiana. It connects Estes park to Boulder, and Interstates 25 and 76, both near Denver.
State Highway 7 begins at the junction of US 36 and N St. Vrain Avenue in Estes Park and runs to Boulder, Lafayette and Brighton. Its northwestern segment is part of the Peak-to-Peak Scenic Byway.
Sister City
Estes Park's official sister city is 
Monteverde, Costa Rica.
See also
References
External links
