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

Estes Park School District Facilities Master Plan Update

Planning for the Future of Estes Park Schools

In December 2025, Estes Park School District began the development of a comprehensive Facilities Master Plan to guide future decisions about our schools, buildings, and educational spaces. The purpose of this work is to ensure that our facilities continue to support excellent educational experiences for every student, every day, while meeting the evolving needs of our community.

To support this effort, the district partnered with Dynamic Program Management as the Owner's Representative and RB+B Architects to lead facility planning, assessment, and concept development.

A Community-Driven Process

The Facilities Master Plan has been developed through a collaborative process involving district leadership, staff, community members, and planning experts.

An Executive Committee was established to oversee the day-to-day management of the project and provide strategic guidance throughout the planning process. In addition, a Facilities Master Plan Committee was formed to gather stakeholder feedback and help ensure that community perspectives were incorporated into the work. The district also leveraged the expertise of its existing Long Range Planning Committee to provide valuable insight into district needs and priorities.

Together, these groups identified the most important facility needs facing the district and
established the criteria that would be used to evaluate future options and investments. As the planning process progressed, committee members reviewed multiple facility scenarios and planning frameworks, carefully considering how each option aligned with the district's educational goals, financial realities, and long-term vision.

Evaluating Our Facilities

While stakeholder engagement was underway, architects and engineers conducted a
comprehensive assessment of district facilities to better understand both the physical condition of our buildings and their ability to support modern teaching and learning.

The assessment included a review of:
● Building safety and structural systems
● Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems
● Electrical and plumbing infrastructure
● Fire protection systems
● Building exteriors and site conditions
● Furniture, equipment, and technology infrastructure
● Learning environments and educational spaces

The planning team incorporated information from Colorado Department of Education facility audits, state facility guidelines, demographic studies, and on-site evaluations. District operations staff also participated in facility walkthroughs to identify existing challenges and maintenance concerns.

In addition to reviewing building conditions, the team evaluated how effectively current learning spaces support teaching and learning. This educational adequacy review examined factors such as classroom size, flexibility of learning spaces, capacity, and alignment with the district's instructional vision and student learning goals. School principals and district leaders also provided valuable input regarding the strengths and challenges of existing facilities.

Where We Are Now

The Facilities Master Plan is currently in its final phase of development. Over the coming
months, district leadership, planning partners, and committee members will finalize
recommendations and implementation priorities.

The completed Facilities Master Plan will be presented to the Estes Park Board of Education
this fall. Once adopted, the plan will serve as a long-term roadmap for facility improvements,
maintenance priorities, capital investments, and future planning efforts across the district.

Looking Ahead

The Facilities Master Plan represents more than a review of buildings. It is an investment in the
future of our students and community. By thoughtfully evaluating our facilities today, we are
ensuring that future generations of Estes Park students learn in safe, welcoming, and effective
environments that support innovation, collaboration, and academic success.

We appreciate the time, expertise, and feedback provided by staff, families, community
members, and committee participants throughout this process. Their contributions have helped
shape a plan that reflects both the needs of our students and the values of our community.

We look forward to sharing the final recommendations and next steps with the community this
fall.