Estes Park Voters Reject Marijuana Businesses

Estes Park won’t allow the marijuana industry in after all, according to unofficial results from the town clerk.

The town of over 6,000 people just to the east of Rocky Mountain National Park was considering an ordinance that would have lifted Estes Park’s ban on marijuana businesses, which has been in place since before the first recreational pot stores opened in Colorado in 2014. 

According to a post on the

The ordinance would have created business licenses for medical and recreational marijuana dispensaries as well as allowed medical and recreational cultivations. Just three licenses would have been issued in each category, and the businesses wouldn’t have been allowed in Estes Park’s downtown district around Elkhorn Avenue, or within 1,000 feet of any primary education schools.

But Estes Park residents still thought the measure was too risky, and rejected the proposal. (In doing so, it followed the recent lead of Loveland in rejecting the marijuana industry.) In a statement sent to Westword, Estes Park Citizens Opposed to Legal Marijuana Outlets –  the largest financial donor to oppose the measure – celebrated the measure’s defeat.

Outstanding win for the citizens of Estes Park – 1805 NO and 834 Yes. According to Town Clerk-Jackie Williamson at the Board of Trustees Meeting tonight, 60% Of Estes Park voters cast ballots in this Election. Sounds like it was a really high turnout to say “NO – We don’t want Marijuana in our Town! Find another venue to peddle your poison!”

THANK YOU to all the Estes Park-Lovin Residents that chose protecting our community and Children over the almighty dollar. 

Despite its small population, Estes Park sees millions of tourists each year, thanks to the town’s proximity to Rocky Mountain National Park. Even if Estes Park had chosen to to legalize commercial pot, however, possessing or consuming cannabis at Rocky Mountain National Park would have remained illegal, as the park is on federal land.