Meet the New Owners of Estes Park News: A Family Legacy Continues

Some of the best stories in a small town are the ones we read about ourselves. For more than 25 years, the Estes Park News has been the hometown paper that tells those stories, and a recent change in ownership means that tradition is in good hands for years to come. On a recent Signature Spotlight, Julie Abel sat down with Kirby and Jordan Hazelton, the new owners of the Estes Park News, to talk about what is changing, what is staying exactly the same, and why a printed community newspaper still matters in a digital world.

This conversation is a wonderful reminder of what makes the Estes Valley special: neighbors looking out for neighbors, and local institutions that genuinely connect people to this place.

A Family Legacy Continues

The Estes Park News was founded by Kris and Gary Hazelton, and Jordan Hazelton grew up watching his parents build the paper into a beloved community fixture. Now Kirby and Jordan have purchased the business from Jordan's parents, keeping the Estes Park News in the family and carrying its mission forward.

For the new owners, that continuity is the whole point. Their goal is not to reinvent the paper but to protect what already works while adding their own energy. As they describe it, anything they bring to the table is meant to be an addition to the great things the founders established, not a departure from them.

What the Estes Park News Covers

The Estes Park News tells the story of the entire Estes Valley, with coverage stretching from Allenspark to Glen Haven, Pinewood Springs, Estes Park itself, and Rocky Mountain National Park. The paper publishes the announcements, press releases, and feature articles that capture what daily life in the valley is really like.

What sets the paper apart is its community-driven approach. Rather than focusing only on what the staff finds interesting, the Estes Park News reflects what the community wants to share with neighbors and friends. That includes:

•       Stories from community groups, churches, and nonprofits

•       Local government coverage and need-to-know information

•       Profiles of community members with remarkable histories or volunteer work

•       The everyday moments that make the Estes Valley feel like home

The result is a well-rounded, holistic view of the valley. For many visitors and future residents, the paper is their very first window into what it is like to live here.

Keeping the Good Things Going

One of the most meaningful traditions the new owners are continuing is the paper's commitment to giving back. The Estes Park News does not charge for obituaries, a practice started by Kris and Gary that Kirby and Jordan plan to carry on. The same goes for press releases, announcements, and articles for community groups and important local information.

How is all of this possible? The paper is supported by advertising revenue from local businesses and organizations. Those advertisers make the free announcements, articles, and obituaries possible, which means supporting them is one more way the community takes care of itself. It is a genuine local cycle: businesses support the paper, the paper informs and serves everyone, and readers support the businesses in return.

The Charm of Print in a Digital Age

In a world of endless screens, there is something special about holding a printed paper in your hands, and the new owners clearly feel it. Jordan describes putting the paper together each week as a kind of creative puzzle, a community puzzle filled with local ads and local stories that comes together in a physical edition you can actually hold.

Kirby points to the nostalgia of sitting down with a cup of coffee, or settling in at a local spot like Poppy's, and flipping through something tangible that gives your eyes a break from the screen. The Estes Park News still embraces the digital side too, with a virtual edition, articles on its website, and more than 200,000 followers on its Facebook page. But the printed paper carries a history and charm that feels uniquely Estes Park.

That blend lets people far from town feel connected as well. Someone scrolling the paper's website or digital edition from another state can get a real sense of what is happening in the valley, and feel a little bit of that homey, mountain-town spirit from afar.

Where to Find the Estes Park News

The Estes Park News comes out once a week, with delivery drivers distributing copies on Thursday nights so the paper is ready around town. You can pick up a free copy at hundreds of locations, including Safeway, Poppy's, and many other spots around Estes Park.

Prefer to read online? You can find everything at estesparknews.com, and follow along on Facebook and Instagram to stay current between editions.

Celebrating the People Who Connect Estes Park

At Signature Home Team, our Signature Spotlight series exists to celebrate the people and businesses that make the Estes Valley such a special place to live. The Estes Park News is a perfect example: a locally owned, family-run paper that has spent decades connecting people to this place, one story at a time.

We are grateful to Kirby and Jordan for keeping this hometown tradition alive, and we are excited to see where they take it next. The next time you pick up a copy or scroll the latest edition, you will know a little more about the family behind it and the community spirit that keeps it going.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Who are the new owners of the Estes Park News?

A: Kirby and Jordan Hazelton are the new owners of the Estes Park News. They purchased the paper from Jordan's parents, Kris and Gary Hazelton, who founded it.

Q: Who founded the Estes Park News?

A: The Estes Park News was founded by Kris and Gary Hazelton, who built it into a beloved community newspaper before passing it to the next generation of their family.

Q: What areas does the Estes Park News cover?

A: The Estes Park News covers the entire Estes Valley, including Allenspark, Glen Haven, Pinewood Springs, Estes Park, and Rocky Mountain National Park.

Q: Is the Estes Park News free?

A: Yes. The Estes Park News is a free weekly paper supported by local advertising, and it does not charge for obituaries, community announcements, or press releases.

Q: When does the Estes Park News come out?

A: The Estes Park News publishes once a week, with copies distributed around town on Thursday nights so they are ready to pick up.

Q: Where can I pick up or read the Estes Park News?

A: You can pick up a free print copy at hundreds of locations around Estes Park, including Safeway and Poppy's, or read the virtual edition online at estesparknews.com. The paper is also active on Facebook and Instagram.

Relevant Links

Featured in This Spotlight

Estes Park News (website)

Estes Park News on Facebook

Connect with Signature Home Team

Estes Park Living on YouTube

Signature Spotlight playlist

Everything Estes Park Facebook group

Signature Home Team on Instagram

Signature Home Team on Facebook

About the Author: Julie Abel is a licensed real estate agent with Signature Home Team, brokered by Keller Williams Top of the Rockies, specializing in Estes Park and Northern Colorado mountain communities. She shares insights about real estate and mountain living through the Estes Park Living channel.