Estes Valley Voice Podcast

As the Upper Thompson Sanitation District prepares to begin construction on a new $80 million water reclamation facility, the organization will hold an open house Wednesday, August 7 between 4 and 7 p.m.

According to Suzanne Jurgens, the Assistant District Manager of the UTSD, the annual event is an opportunity for the public to learn about the collection system, see the equipment used to perform maintenance on that infrastructure, and learn about plans for the new Water Reclamation Facility and Lift Station Improvements Project that will incorporate state-of-the art treatment technologies needed for both demand and regulatory compliance.

The current water reclamation facility (WRF) was built in 1976 at a cost of $5.5 million to treat a flow of 1.5 million gallons per day (MGD), and a peak hydraulic flow of 3.75 MGD. In the fall of 2000, a new secondary clarifier was constructed, adding operational flexibility and increased plant capacity to 2.0 MGD.

The current plant has not been significantly updated in over 50 years and is nearing the end of its useful life...

Read full story here -

https://estesvalleyvoice.com/2024/08/05/big-plans-in-the-works-at-upper-thompson-sanitation-district/

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If Carré wrote the book about Dick Life it could be titled Patriot Family Man Sailor Spy

The novelist John le Carré may have written the fictional Cold War thriller, “Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy,” but one of Estes Park’s quiet, but interesting citizens has lived a real-life version as both a sailor and real life spy.

Captain Richard “Dick” Life (Ret.) was a U.S. Naval Intelligence Officer for 24 years and a diesel submariner for four years. During his career, Life interacted with Soviet officers, worked as an intelligence analyst at the Pentagon, served in country during the Vietnam War, and was the Assistant Naval Attaché at the U.S. Embassy in Moscow. His work, spanning 33 years, took him to countries around the world...

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https://estesvalleyvoice.com/2024/07/31/estes-parks-very-own-cold-war-spy-and-frogman-has-lived-a-remarkable-life/

Life was born into a military family March 10, 1940, in Parkersburg, West Virginia. His dad was an instructor pilot, who taught Army enlistees how to fly. His father was also in the Army Air Corps branch and served in the China-Burma-India theater of war for 10 months.

While his father was overseas, Life and his mother lived with her parents in Parkersburg. After his father returned to the states, his family moved to a military base south of Detroit. In 1952 the Life family moved to Athens, Ohio, where he went to high school.

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Estes continues to serve as an evacuation center for people displaced by the Alexander Mountain Fire

BREAKING/UPDATED: A Wildland fire has been reported in Lyons near Eagle Ridge Road and Louis Lane. The fire is being called the Stone Canyon Fire. As we learn more we will update our reporting about road closures or evacuation notices. Also check our Emergency Information resource page to connect with emergency services or information in the Estes Valley...

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https://estesvalleyvoice.com/2024/07/30/estes-park-provides-major-support-to-fire-fighting-effort/

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Wildland fire forces mandatory evacuations in Big Thompson Canyon

The Estes Park Events Center was set up Monday afternoon by the local chapter of the American Red Cross as an evacuation center for people displaced by the Alexander Mountain Fire.

Cots, tables, and seating areas have been positioned to accommodate people who have come to Estes Park as refugees from the fire. Donations of pizza, pies, snack foods, and beverages are arrayed on a table.

At 8 p.m. a dozen people settled in for a night after a long day, with more people expected to arrive as night fell.

The wildfire began in the Roosevelt National Forest north of U.S. Highway 34 near the Sylvan Dale Guest Ranch, Retreat and Wedding Venue and west of the Store, a popular tourist shop for people heading into Estes Park through the Big Thompson Canyon.

Read full story here -

https://estesvalleyvoice.com/2024/07/29/no-containment-yet-in-alexander-mountain-fire/

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Depending on their viewpoint, last April area residents either smiled and chuckled or groaned in disgust when relatively small tannish critters stood on hind legs, looked around and darted across streets and open spaces.

Now that August is upon us and those rodents have burrowed close to building foundations or noshed on carefully tended flowers and almost everything in sight that’s green, most people don’t find them to be nearly as cute as they were five months ago.

It was in early April when the Wyoming ground squirrels (they’re definitely not miniature gophers) began poking their heads out of their burrows, along with their litters of two to 10 pups. People who have lived in Estes Park for any length of time expect to see the animals each summer.

However, this year the big question has been, “But why are there so many of them?”

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https://estesvalleyvoice.com/2024/07/26/the-cuteness-has-worn-off-ground-squirrels-go-away/

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The Estes Park Police are investigating a shooting that occurred Sunday evening at approximately 7:10 p.m. in the vicinity of Stanley Avenue and U.S. Highway 36.

Two teenage males were walking near the intersection when they were confronted by occupants of a dark blue SUV. According to Estes Park Police Chief Ian Stewart, the driver of the vehicle shot at the teens with a handgun...

Read full story at -

https://estesvalleyvoice.com/2024/07/29/police-investigating-sunday-night-shooting-public-information-is-sought/

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Boulder, Colorado was one of the six cities named yesterday by the Sundance Institute as finalists to potentially be named as the host location for the Sundance Film Festival beginning in 2027.

In an exchange of emails with the Estes Valley Voice yesterday afternoon, Tammy Rosen, the Chief Communications Officer at Sundance Institute, said “We expect to have a decision later this year or no later than Q1 of 2025.”

In addition to Boulder, the other cities vying to be named as the host are Atlanta, Cincinnati, Louisville, Park City/Salt Lake, and Santa Fe.

While Boulder might be named as the host city for the film institute, there is a connection to Estes Park as the Stanley Hotel in Estes Park hosted filmmakers from the Sundance Institute’s Director’s Lab in May.

Read full story here -

https://estesvalleyvoice.com/2024/07/20/boulder-named-one-of-the-six-finalists-in-wooing-the-sundance-film-festival/

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