Rocky Mountain National Park officials are looking at options to redesign the Fall River Entrance Station/NPS

Rocky Mountain National Park officials are looking at options for improving the Fall River Entrance Station, one of two major entrance stations on the east side of the park. The entrance station is located on U.S. Highway 34, just inside the park boundary. The station was constructed in the 1960s as part of National Park Service Mission 66 enhancements and contributes to the Fall River Entrance Station Historic District.

Originally designed for summer-only operations, the facilities at the Fall River Entrance Station have exceeded their useful design life and no longer meet the safety or operational needs of the park, a park release said.

Due to increasing visitation and traffic congestion at the entrance and its impact on visitors and neighboring businesses, staff, and visitor safety issues, as well as other operational concerns, the park is considering options for improving this entrance. These include improving the entrance in the same location or nearby, or moving it further west on Highway 34. It is anticipated that the entrance improvements will update systems and facilities, resulting in better operations and more convenient access for visitors.

The park will be preparing an Environmental Assessment, and public comments are invited through August 14. The EA will analyze a range of alternatives to meet project objectives, and will evaluate potential effects on visitor experience and park resources and values. The EA also will identify mitigation measures to lessen the degree or extent of potential effects on natural and cultural resources, visitor experience, and park operations.

The park is hosting a public meeting about the proposed project on Thursday, August 3, at the Dannels Fire Station Meeting Room, 901 N. St. Vrain Avenue, Estes Park, Colorado. This will be an opportunity to express ideas, concerns, and recommendations about the potential improvements and have questions answered. There will be a short presentation at 6:15 p.m., and park staff will be available to answer questions until 7:30 p.m. The public is invited to visit at any point during the scheduled time to review materials and provide written comments.

Park staff encourages public participation throughout the planning process. There will be two opportunities to comment formally on the project – one starting now during initial project scoping, and again following release of the EA. Comments received during the scoping period will be used to help define the issues and concerns to be addressed in the EA, while also assisting with analyzing the different alternatives.

Comments must be received in writing by close of business August 14. Comments can be submitted at the public open house or online at this website.