Facility Master Plan

Introduction

As the Estes Park School District R3 looks to the future of our facilities usage, we have found that we are in need of better guidance and planning for our campus. We have a total of 8 buildings on our campus, ranging in age from 29 years old to 64 years old.  

To address these challenges proactively, the district formed a Master Planning Committee and hired architects RB+B to guide the development of a comprehensive Facilities Master Plan. This process is focused on evaluating current and future needs, exploring options for repurposing or consolidating space, and creating more efficient, sustainable learning environments.

The combination of aging buildings and a decline in enrollment over the past 20 years, largely due to lower birth rates and high living costs, has limited young families from settling in the community. At the same time, the student population is becoming more diverse, with 45% qualifying for free and reduced lunch and 19% identified as multilingual learners, resulting in evolving academic and support needs. High housing costs also impact staff recruitment and retention, as many teachers and staff members commute from outside Estes Park.

Facility usage across the district is uneven, with some buildings operating well below capacity, such as the middle school at 70% and the administrative building at 51%. As facilities age, maintenance and operational costs continue to rise, placing additional strain on district resources. 

Financial pressures further compound these issues. Rising operational expenses, necessary facility upgrades, underutilized spaces, and staffing challenges contribute to a constrained budget. These realities underscore the importance of thoughtful, long-term planning to ensure financial sustainability while prioritizing direct support for students and staff.

Priorities: 

• Educational Opportunities
• Safety and Security
• Staff Recruitment and Retention
• Funding
• Partnerships for Education & Community Support
• Non-Academic Expectations
• Community Connection
• Operational Costs
• Enrollment and Demographics
• Building Utilization Efficiency
• Age of Buildings