INCLUSION & SUSTAINABILITY 

Estes Park has deep roots in tourism. It is preceded only by the Indigenous people who lived in and traversed the area for thousands of years. And a few subsequent cattle ranchers who quickly realized tourism was key to being able to live in what was then a very remote alpine valley.

Early visitors made the arduous trip to Estes Park to enjoy the sheer beauty and recreational opportunities of what is now Rocky Mountain National Park. In more recent times, generations of visitors continue to travel to our destination for the same reasons.

It is undeniable that tourism has played a pivotal role in the development of Estes Park as we know it today. And we are so grateful for it. It is what allows our community to live and work in what is still a relatively remote mountain town. For this reason, Visit Estes Park and local partners strive to create a vibrant, inclusive and sustainable year-round destination that enriches the lives of both visitors and our community. The concept of destination stewardship is our guide. In fact, it is our cornerstone.

Tourism’s lasting impact on our destination's natural wonders and wildlife is ours to manage responsibly. Without such care, we risk irreversible damage to the very sights and experiences that attracted us all here in the first place.

To carry out this important work, we carefully consider the environmental, social and economic impacts of our actions, and we encourage our partners and guests to do the same. We are taking a leadership role in our community and industry, putting a stake in the ground in the name of sustainable tourism so that this incredible place will be here for all to enjoy for generations to come.

Our commitment to inclusion and sustainability

We exist to inspire reverence for Estes Park and the lands that surround us. We wish to share this beautiful place with everyone and strive to ensure that every single person feels welcomed and valued in our community while being thoughtful of those who came before us. 

We pledge to be good stewards of our destination by helping our guests Do Estes Right, including respect for our wildlife. We’re a community-first organization dedicated to practicing responsible tourism and supporting our workforce. 

We acknowledge that we are marketing a destination operating on the Native Lands of the Arapaho, Ute and Cheyenne tribes: https://native-land.ca/