Wednesday, August 3rd - Estes Park Residents Vote "No" On Home Rule... On Tuesday, August 2nd, residents of Estes Park voted down a move to implement a "Home Rule" status to the town. Unofficial reports are that the measure failed by a vote of: 324 Yes - 490 No. Estes Park is currently a "Statutory Town", which means that it is governed by State statutes and only has powers as granted by the State legislature. A "Home Rule" status would have allowed the town to decide their own form of government and it's general functions. In either case, the town would only be able to make decisions on local matters. Proponents of the measure claim that it would allow for greater flexibility in dealing with local problems and issues, and minimize State interference in the same, while opponents claim it would in fact reduce flexibility. Another major concern of opponents was that disgruntled citizens could demand votes on many issues, thereby limiting the powers of government. |