ESTES PARK, Colo. (March 5, 2026) — Visit Estes Park (VEP), the official destination marketing and management organization for the Estes Park Local Marketing District, has announced two strategic partnerships designed to support local businesses, enhance the visitor experience, and keep tourism dollars circulating within the Estes Valley.
By aligning with the Estes Arts District and the Estes Park Wedding Association, VEP is reinforcing its commitment to collaborative destination stewardship - ensuring tourism growth directly benefits the community it represents.
“Strong destinations are built through strong partnerships,” said Sarah Leonard, CEO of Visit Estes Park. “When we collaborate with local organizations, we amplify our collective impact. These partnerships help us support entrepreneurs, creatives and small businesses while ensuring visitor spending stays local. That’s how we strengthen both our economy and our community for the long term.”
Partnership with Estes Arts District
VEP and the Estes Arts District (EAD) have entered into a Memorandum of Understanding to jointly fund and support a shared Program Director position focused on arts, culture and creative economy initiatives.
The shared role will strengthen coordination between community arts programming and visitor engagement, integrating arts and culture more intentionally into the Estes Park experience. The one-year, renewable agreement includes shared financial investment, collaborative grant writing and coordinated outreach efforts.
“This partnership represents a shared commitment to elevating and advancing the arts in Estes Park,” said Lars Sage, co-chair of the Estes Arts District. “By working together, we can expand opportunities for artists, enrich the cultural experience for residents and visitors, and strengthen the creative vitality of our community.”
Partnership with Estes Park Wedding Association
VEP has also formalized a partnership with the Estes Park Wedding Association to further position Estes Park as a premier mountain wedding destination.
Through a Memorandum of Understanding, the organizations will share approved image and video assets, utilize a shared digital asset platform, and coordinate promotional efforts at industry events and trade shows.
Together, these partnerships reflect VEP’s strategic focus on growing tourism in ways that elevate local businesses, diversify the visitor economy, and sustain the character of the Estes Valley.
“Estes Park is one of the most inspiring wedding destinations in the country, and this partnership allows us to showcase that story with greater clarity and impact,” said Thomas Pemberton, president of the Estes Park Wedding Association. “By aligning with Visit Estes Park, we can elevate our local wedding professionals while driving meaningful economic benefit for the community.”
As the leading economic driver in the Estes Park Local Marketing District, tourism provides substantial benefits that are funded by visitors, not residents. In 2024, visitors generated $510.8 million in direct travel spending, $29 million in local tax revenue (2.4% increase over 2023), supported 3,419 local jobs, and contributed to 82% of the Town’s sales tax revenue. Without tourism, each resident household would pay an extra $5,110 annually to sustain public services and support workforce housing and childcare solutions. Every day, visitors inject $1.4 million into the local economy and generate $79,452 in local tax revenue, helping to sustain the quality of life and amenities that make Estes Park such a vibrant place to live, work, and visit.
For more information about Visit Estes Park and the Estes Valley, check out VisitEstesPark.com and Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn.
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About Visit Estes Park
Visit Estes Park is the official Destination Marketing Organization for Estes Park, Colorado. A Destinations International accredited DMO, Visit Estes Park's mission is to drive sustainable year-round economic growth by encouraging visitor demand. Estes Park, just 90 minutes from Denver, is the basecamp for Rocky Mountain National Park offering outdoor experiences, activities, dining, shopping and an environment that is welcoming and approachable. Known for world-class adventure, resident wildlife and scenic beauty, Estes Park is Colorado’s quintessential mountain town. To learn more, go to VisitEstesPark.com.
Media Contact:
Papae Litchfield
Advocacy, Communications, & External Affairs Manager
papae@visitestespark.com
423-421-2174 (Cell)
