Mayor and Town Trustees

Mayor

Town Trustees

Eric Blackhurst, a resident of Estes Park since 1986, is originally from the Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania area where he graduated from college in 1967.  At that time he joined the United States Air Force and served in Texas, Florida, Michigan and Thailand.

After serving for six years in the Air Force and attaining the rank of Captain, Eric left the military to attend graduate school at the University of Northern Colorado. There he earned his Masters Degree and Doctorate of Education specializing in working with emotionally disturbed and learning disabled children.  He also holds a minor in special education administration.

During this time he met and married his wife, Suzanne Rosener, the editor of the Windsor Beacon and a 1968 graduate of Estes Park High School.

In 1978 Eric accepted a position at Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville, Illinois where he spent the next 7 ½ years preparing special education teachers and working with masters and doctoral students.  During this time he acted as department chairman, received tenure, and was promoted to associate professor.

Eric returned with his family to Estes Park (after a brief stop in Longmont) in 1986. He has been in the real estate business since 1986 and has served in numerous leadership positions in community including president of the Estes Park Swim Club; board member of the Estes Park Musical Festival; vice president of the Koral Heights Property Owners Association; president of Sunrise Rotary; president of the Estes Park Board of Realtors; and Northeast District Vice President for the Colorado Association of Realtors.

 Since 1988 Eric has served as President of the Forward Estes Park Foundation, a group formed in 1982 to deal with issues effecting the economic well-being of the Estes Valley. The Foundation has presented numerous studies to the community dealing with housing and community economic issues.

Dorla grew up on a farm in southwest Iowa.  She attended country school K-8, riding horseback to high school in New Market, Iowa.  Her horses and playing basketball were the passions growing up.  After high school Dorla attended American Institute of Business (AIB) in Des Moines, Iowa, again playing basketball.  Graduating from AIB, she worked in business for seven years.  Following marriage and having two sons, Dorla began classes at Drake University, graduating in 1970 with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Education, later acquiring a Masters Degree in Administration.

She retired from the Des Moines Public Schools after 22 years, nine as a sixth grade teacher and thirteen as an Elementary Principal.

Dorla and her family first came to Estes Park in the early 1960's hiking, climbing Longs Peak, doing all the things that tourists still enjoy today.  Though skiing became a family activity, changing the family vacations to Summit County, Estes Park and Rocky Mountain National Park were always the favorite destinations.  Several years before retirement the decision was made to retire to Estes Park.  In 1992, Dorla and Ike bought their house, moving to Estes Park in 1993.

Volunteering has provided both Dorla and Ike the opportunity to give back to the community.  Membership in the 2005 Citizens' Information Academy furthered their interest in town government.  Community involvement began with Newcomers Club, one year as president; Farmers Market, 7 years, one of the three organizers/managers; Woman's Club, serving as recording secretary; Ambassador, 10 years, as president 2 years and as trainer 5 years; CVB Marketing Advisory Board Member; RMNP Information Office; Friends of the Library Board, membership chair; P.E.O.

Dorla and Ike have 5 children, 9 grandchildren; all of whom love Estes Park and the mountains and visit often.  Hobbies include quilting, reading, playing bridge, hiking, and snowshoeing.

When John and his wife Karen came to Estes Park on their honeymoon 40 years ago, he told her he wanted to live here someday.  It took awhile, but they finally moved to Estes in 1998 and became local business owners.

Before moving to Estes Park, John spent 25 years in the accounting side of the life insurance industry.  He was Controller and Chief Financial Officer for one of the largest mutual life insurance companies in the country, headquartered in New York City.  Then, as President and Chief Executive Officer, he supervised the dissolution of an insolvent Florida life insurance company, protecting the best interests of policyholders and investors.  This process took five years.

John grew up in Moline, Illinois and graduated with a degree in accounting from the University of Denver.  While a student he made frequent visits to the mountains.  He attended the Wharton School of Business and is a CPA.  After his parents retired to Estes Park in 1975, he visited on a regular basis while his son and two daughters were growing up.  He is looking forward to introducing the Town to his four grandchildren.

With his wife, he owns and operates the Serendipity Trading Company downtown and Estes Park Self-Storage, which was started by his father, Milt, 30 years ago.

Since his daily commute is now three minutes instead of three hours, John has time to give back to the community.  He attended the Citizens Information Academy and was a member of the Citizens Economic Advisory Council.  He has served as treasurer of Noon Rotary and the Library Board Foundation.  Following in his father's footsteps, he was appointed a commissioner to EPURA and served for three years before being elected as a Trustee.

John has always been a numbers guy and is using those talents to make Estes Park the best place to live and work for everyone.

Richard is a local business owner. He has been an optician in many capacities from wholesale laboratory, chain store manager, and international trainer. He and his wife, Cathy, co-operate a retail optical business in Estes Park.

He has served in various volunteer capacities in the communities where he as lived, as well as in the state and national levels in his profession.  During a 6-year term as a consultant and trainer of opticians in several African countries, he co-authored a W.H.O. booklet on the production and distribution of low-cost eyewear in developing countries.   Richard served on the Board of Directors of the Manhattan, Kansas Downtown Redevelopment Organization and later was selected to serve on the Board of Directors for the Chamber of Commerce.

After becoming a resident of Estes Park in 1998, Richard has been involved in various community enhancement projects.  As a member and president (04-05) of the Estes Valley Sunrise Rotary, he has donated much of his time to the club and community in a variety of activities.   In addition he was a member of the Estes Park Salud Foundation Board of several years.  In 2002 he was appointed to the Estes Valley Planning Commission, which he chaired in 2004.

Richard and his wife, Cathy, are supported by the Rotary Club and Lions Club as they make yearly trips to Mexico to work with a project that provides dental and eye care to the underserved in rural areas.  Cathy is a past president of the Estes Park Lions Club.  Together, they are also strong supporters of the local arts community.

The Homeier’s have 3 children and 7 grandchildren, all of which live in Larimer and Weld Counties.  They love exploring Colorado’s sights and activities with their family.

Mayor Pro Tem

Chuck moved with his wife, Kathy, to Estes Park late in 2001.  Chuck and Kathy had been vacationing in Estes Park for thirty years and had recently bought a ”vacation home,” planning to retire here.  Soon after buying the “vacation home”, Chuck was offered an early retirement and they immediately changed the “vacation home” into a full time residence. 

Chuck worked 27 ½ years for the Federal Government, mainly in Data Processing.  Chuck’s career began as a computer programmer, culminating in the position of Chief of Staff and primary deputy to the Director of a nationwide computer support organization of 1500 – 2000 employees.  After relocating to Estes Park, Chuck began his second career, that of a volunteer.  He works with Estes Park’s Restorative Justice program, the Community Services Coalition and the Rocky Mountain National Park.  He is a member of the Board of Directors for the Estes Valley Sunrise Rotary, the Estes Valley Victims Advocate, the Estes Park Habitat for Humanity, and the Estes Park Parents and Community for Kids (PaCK).  He is on the Steering Committee for the Estes Valley Dog Park and is the co-chair of this year’s high school After-Prom party.  He is also the International Committee Chair for the Sunrise Rotary.

Chuck and Kathy have two children. Matthew, 25, is working in computer support for Unisys in Austin Texas. Christopher, 22, is finishing his senior year at Stephen F. Austin State University in Nacogdoches Texas. 

Chuck was born and raised in the Denver area.  He graduated from the University of Colorado in 1973, and married Kathy in 1974.  Careers took them from Colorado to the Washington DC area for 9 years.  They were then transferred to Texas (Dallas and Austin) for 19 years.  While being away from Colorado, they visited “home” regularly.