Thoughts from an Estes Park business owner

[Carey Stevanus]

Larimer County Commissioners

Estes Park Mayor and Town Trustees

Visit Estes Park Board of Directors

As you head into what I believe will be a very important meeting on Monday, I would like to take a few moments of your time to express some concerns I have with Visit Estes Park.

I have lived in Estes Park for 32 years now and have worked my way through several different jobs/careers over the years.  Six years ago, I left what I called my grownup job and decided to open a retail store.  It is not located downtown like most other shops in Estes.  I wanted to open a shop that catered to locals, and I have done that.  I carry new and vintage, cabin decor items.  Many of my vintage items honor the history of Estes and RMNP.   

In the first 4 plus years my shop was open, I was never, not once, contacted by anyone from Visit Estes Park.  Not once in 4 and a half years.  It wasn't until I complained to someone that I finally received a visit from Colleen Sovey last fall.    Coleen visited me a couple of times after that to drop off posters and ask if I wanted to be a part of certain promos. 

I was then told how I could update my own listing on the VEP website.  I am shocked to see that many shops in our town do not have their online profiles completed.  My guess is that they don't even know it is available to them.  Plus, it's super strange that we have to do it ourselves.  The website is horrible.  I ask you to please, take some time this weekend to explore it, both on your phone and on a computer.  The 2024 Operating Plan states that a 2023 Survey found that the top 2 activities visitors engaged in while in Estes were Dining Out (51%) and Shopping (46%).  It seems to me that if shopping is such an important part of what visitors come to Estes Park for, then it should be a main feature on the Visit Estes Park website.   I have umpteen complaints about the website, but won't go into them all here. 

I can't seem to unlock the details in the budget for the amount of money spent on the AI disaster VEP has decided to market to our visitors, called Rocky Mountain Roamer.  Let's just say, AI is not ready for Prime Time.  Estes Park doesn't need to be a guinea pig for someone's startup company.  It is a total joke.  I've been trying to use it all summer and only now realize I might be the only one using it and am actually driving their user numbers up.  I'm only using it to prove the point that it stinks.  When I look up the Post Office in Estes Park it tells me it's located at 215 Park Lane.  I can assure you that the post office moved from the Bond Park area decades ago.  Two weeks ago, when I ask RMR to find an antique shop, like mine, it identified two buildings in town that were never antique shops and businesses that closed years ago.  Now it gives another shop that closed a year ago and Trendz - for antiques.  Just about the only thing it answers correctly is where to get a beer.  When you finish looking at the VEPs website, take a gander at Rocky Mountain Roamer.  Pretend you're a tourist and try to navigate your way around Estes Park using the tools VEP has given you.  

VEP is so very proud of their Frozen Dead Guy Days promotion last year.  It's not an event for me and it doesn't bring my shop any customers.  I'm not knocking the event itself.  Seriously.  To each their own.  Have fun.  But stop placing so much money and effort on a 3-day event.  There are another 362 days we need to worry about.  

It feels to me like VEP has lost touch with the businesses in town.  Where are the "boots on the ground" staff members?  Why aren't there people making connections with the local businesses?  People stopping by to say "hello" when you open your store.  Someone to tell you what they offer on their website to business owners.  As a business owner myself, I am busy enough doing my job.  I need VEP to do their part. How can they possibly market the town if they don't know the people and the businesses they represent.

And last, but certainly not least, please hire people who live here to run VEP.  You can't promote a town when you live in another state.  And it's not about distance and geography.  It's about heart.  It's about wanting to be here.  It's about loving this town and the people who make it so awesome.  It's about not wanting to live anywhere but Estes Park, Colorado.  That's how I feel.  Visit Estes Park needs to be run by people who understand who we are and how we live.  We have a vibe.  We're Mountain Strong!  Kara Franker should've wanted to live here.  I understand she isn't the only one on staff who lives out of state and I think this is a mistake that should be corrected.  Moving forward, this should never happen again.  Please, hire someone who wants to be part of the Estes Park community.  Someone who wants to be one of us.  Someone who wants to understand our struggles.  Someone who wants to walk into my shop and ask me how I'm doing.  Hire someone who cares about the people who live here and not just winning awards and earning a high dollar salary.  I couldn't care less about how much money she brought to our town.  I care about the people who live here.  I care about the business owners and if they are going to survive this awful year that CDOT and the Town put us through.  I care about this town.  My town!  I hope you do too.

Thank you for your time.  Good luck with your meeting on Monday.  Please, feel free to reach out to me if you would like to discuss these issues in more detail.  

Carey Stevanus

521 S St Vrain Ave, Suite A

Estes Park, CO 80517

970-586-5750

ca...@cabintique.com

www.cabintique.com