clarification of my comments concerning drone light shows

[wildlands]

Dear Mayor and Town Trustees:

The following concerns clarification of my comments about drone light shows that I submitted earlier.  

I would like to emphasize that I support drone light shows as an alternative to fireworks over Lake Estes on July 4.  I, however, do not support drone light shows at any other times. 

The noise as well as the pollution from July 4 fireworks negatively impacts wildlife and birds.  Afterwards, the Estes Valley Watershed Coalition had a volunteer group pick up the debris all around the lake that can negatively impact wildlife.  There was  so much debris that I and other volunteers were unable to remove all of it.

While drone light shows are an eco-friendly alternative to fireworks, I would not like to see a repeat of the drone light show except on July 4 because  of its negative impact on wildlife particularly to birds.  Currently, birds are migrating back to Estes Park from where they have wintered.  They fly at night because of low predation, and are attracted to light and are disoriented by it.  There is a bird sanctuary at the lake. 

In addition, there is interest in Estes Park for a dark sky ordinance and having drone light shows during other times of the year would not be compatible with this ordinance.

I would like to submit the following questions please:

From my condo, I saw  the drone light show over Lake Estes.  (Saturday, March 28).  I think it  lasted about twenty minutes and believe it ended around 9 pm.

1.  Was permission given by the Mayor and Town Trustees?

2.  Was a permit necessary?

3.  Was this discussed at a board meeting?

4.  Was there any discussion concerning the negative impact on wildlife including birds?

5.  Was the public able to weigh in?

6.  Is this going to be an annual occurrence?

7.  How does this fit in with residents, Visit Estes Park and others who seem committed to a dark sky ordinance?

8.  Are you aware of the  volunteer effort that will take place on April 13  to gather data for a dark sky ordinance?

9.  If this is allowed, how many other groups, organizations and individuals will think it is okay to fly drones over the lake, over the national park and over people's properties with or without a light show?

I really feel that Estes should take a more protective role as far as our wildlife and  if I can remember correctly one of the candidates running for Trustee and a current Trustee who is running again used the word "magical" to describe their experiences in this mountain town.  I do not believe that having a drone light show adds to the "magical" characteristic of this town and hope that there is NOT going to be a free for all for others with drones.

Thank you for your consideration of my comments.

Susan Wolf

full time resident of Estes Park

[Frank Lancaster]

You are probably a better source to answer some of Susan's questions, in case you haven't seen this

[Frank Lancaster]

Hi Susan,

I've forwarded your e-mail on to Town Administrator Machalek.  He's probably a better source to answer most of your questions.   Here's what I can tell you from what I know

1.  Was permission given by the Mayor and Town Trustees?   I don't have any recollection or notes that this came before the town board.

2.  Was a permit necessary?  I don't know

3.  Was this discussed at a board meeting?  See Question 1 above.  Probably was discussed at a VEP board meeting however.

4.  Was there any discussion concerning the negative impact on wildlife including birds? If there was, it would have been at the staff level

5.  Was the public able to weigh in? Possible at the VEP board meeting.  Nothing I know of at the Town.

6.  Is this going to be an annual occurrence?  I don't know

7.  How does this fit in with residents, Visit Estes Park and others who seem committed to a dark sky ordinance?  I don't know

8.  Are you aware of the  volunteer effort that will take place on April 13  to gather data for a dark sky ordinance?  No, I haven't heard anything about this.

9.  If this is allowed, how many other groups, organizations and individuals will think it is okay to fly drones over the lake, over the national park and over people's properties with or without a light show?  I don't know.  I believe there was some state legislation dealing with municipalites ability to regulate drones, but I'd have to look into it's status.  There are already drones used in the area for other uses, such as realtors taking photos, and for advertising.   Due to the cost of a choreographed drone show, I would be surprised if there were very many requests for this.   I do believe it could be a viable alternative to fireworks on the 4th, especially during the anticipated high fire danger we'll be facing this summer

Frank Lancaster

Town Trustee

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[Travis Machalek]

Good afternoon Susan,

Trustee Lancaster forwarded me your email and questions. The drone show was a one-time show funded by a grant secured by Visit Estes Park from the State as part of the 250/150 USA/Colorado anniversary celebration. I've included answers to your questions below in blue. 

1.  Was permission given by the Mayor and Town Trustees? This show did not require permission from the Town Board. The Town Board did not take any action on this show.

2.  Was a permit necessary? The show was part of the event permit for the Frozen Dead Guy Days event and did not require a standalone permit. The show took place over the Events Complex property and the flight ceiling was at the FAA-allowed 400 feet above ground level. Coordination took place with the Police Department and the Hospital. 

3.  Was this discussed at a board meeting? The Town Board did not discuss this show. The Visit Estes Park Board discussed the 250/150 drone show (and drone shows in general) at its September 25th Board meeting (link to Estes Valley Voice article about this discussion). At the time, the plan was for the 250/150 show to occur during the Duck Race, but plans changed.  

4.  Was there any discussion concerning the negative impact on wildlife including birds? The article linked above mentions a discussion about the benefits to wildlife from conducting drone shows instead of fireworks. Because the shows last only 15-20 minutes, they have little to no impact on wildlife. The company that produced the drone show at FDGDays shared with VEP that they have flown thousands of shows without a single wildlife impact.

5.  Was the public able to weigh in? This topic was discussed in a public VEP Board meeting. VEP has informed me that they welcome community feedback and engagement as they consider future drone shows in Estes Park, and that they appreciate your comment.

6.  Is this going to be an annual occurrence? This was a one-time show funded by a State grant secured by Visit Estes Park as part of the 250/150 anniversary celebration. As mentioned in the article linked above, VEP has discussed the potential for additional drone shows in the future. They are open to community feedback and engagement. 

7.  How does this fit in with residents, Visit Estes Park and others who seem committed to a dark sky ordinance? VEP received information from a Dark Skies representative that drone shows are considered temporary lighting and that Dark Skies currently has no provisions or position related to drone shows regarding certification. 

8.  Are you aware of the  volunteer effort that will take place on April 13  to gather data for a dark sky ordinance? Yes. 

9.  If this is allowed, how many other groups, organizations and individuals will think it is okay to fly drones over the lake, over the national park and over people's properties with or without a light show? I do not know. The Town is rarely approached by parties interested in drone shows on Town property. To my recollection this is the first drone show we've had in Estes Park.

TM

Travis Machalek, ICMA-CM

Town Administrator

Town of Estes Park

970-577-3705

[Kirby Hazelton]

Hi Susan,

Thank you for your email and questions, and I'm glad Travis supplied answers from the Town staff side of things. In my role as a trustee, I am also one of the VEP Board members and wanted to add that the VEP Board meeting during which the drone show was discussed can be watched in its entirety here. I've also copied Sarah Leonard, the CEO of Visit Estes Park, to this email so you can connect with her if you have further questions. As Travis mentioned, VEP is involved in both the Dark Sky initiatives as well as the Frozen Dead Guy Days drone show, so there is crossover and awareness there!

I'll add that a former VEP Board member (during that September meeting, linked above) wanted to see additional drone shows as part of VEP's destination product offerings. At that time, the board collectively expressed interest in learning more but did not allocate 2026 budget/funds to drone shows. My personal take is that if there was a push for regular drone shows in Estes from the VEP side, there would be additional discussion as part of their annual operating plan and ensuing budget allocation. Both of those processes include public comment.

Please let me and/or Sarah know if you have additional questions. Thank you again for reaching out,

Kirby

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Kirby Nelson-Hazelton

Town of Estes Park Trustee

khaz...@estes.org