FAQs

  1. What is the difference between the Town of Estes Park and the Estes Valley Planning Area?

    Town of Estes Park
    This is an incorporated municipality with its own local government. The Town has authority over things like zoning, development review, utilities, and municipal services within its town limits. Decisions are made by the Town Board and administered by Town staff.

    Estes Valley Planning Area
    This is a broader, unincorporated planning area in Larimer County that surrounds (and includes) the Town. Larimer County has jurisdiction over land use in the unincorporated portions of the Estes Valley Planning Area. 

    In practice, the Estes Valley Planning Area exists because the Town and County recognize that development in the surrounding valley still affects the community as a whole.