At 9:39 a.m., the Estes Park School District Staff received an email indicating threats to students across all three Estes Park schools. As a precaution, an evacuation of all buildings was immediately initiated.
At 10:09 a.m. Tuesday, the Estes Park School District sent a text message to parents that the school buildings were being evacuated due to threats received by email. All Estes Park School District schools have been evacuated.
Students were directed to the Estes Park Events Complex.
“We want to assure you that all students and staff are currently in a safe location,” Estes Park Schools said in an email release. “Further communication regarding the situation will be provided shortly. Please refrain from responding to the schools at this time, and additional updates will be shared in the near future. Your cooperation and understanding are greatly appreciated.”
In another email to parents, a reunification process has been issued for students and families, leading to the cancellation of school for the remainder of the day. Beginning at 11:05 a.m., EPSD began reuniting families and students.
High school students who drove themselves were released at 11:05 a.m., according to the email from EPSD Superintendent Ruby Bode.
“Please be advised that this process may take some time, and we sincerely appreciate your patience,” the statement read. “Our gratitude goes to the Estes Park Police Department, Larimer County Sheriff and Estes Valley Fire District for their collaboration on this incident.”
After the announcement of the reunification process, parents were let in in small groups and they are picking up their children. Officers began escorting parents with babies and preschool age children to the front of the line.
“The police and school district have done a great job keeping everyone safe,” said Cory Workman, an Estes Park doctor of audiology and owner of the Community Hearing Center as he waited in line.
Some parents were waiting upwards to two hours to pick up their children is 28 degree weather and 19 MPH winds. Buses arrived at the event center to allow parents some protection from the cold as they await pick-up clearance.
At 12:38 p.m., the EPSD Superintendent Ruby Body and Interim Police Chief Ian Stewart released the following joint statement:
“Dear Estes Park School District Community,
In response to the threat against the Estes Park School District, the Estes Park Police Department has assumed Incident Command to coordinate the law enforcement response. The threat, received via email, indicated the presence of explosive devices within the school campus. Collaborating with our public safety partners, we have successfully secured and are currently clearing the schools to ensure there is no imminent threat. As of now, we are not aware of any ongoing threat in the area.
While our investigation continues, all future communications regarding reunification and school activities will be directly provided by the Estes Park School District.
We extend our sincere gratitude to the following agencies that swiftly responded to assist us in managing this incident: Larimer County Sheriff’s Office, Estes Valley Fire Protection District, Colorado State Patrol, Rocky Mountain National Park, Boulder County Sheriff’s Office, Estes Park Health, and the Loveland Police Department.
Thank you for your understanding and cooperation during this challenging time.”
In an interview with the Trail Gazette, Chief Stewart said that the law enforcement response worked exactly how it was supposed to. The incident will be investigated by both the local police department and information will be shared with the agency that takes the lead in reviewing the bomb threats that were made to several dozen Colorado schools today. Stewart was not on site today as he was attending a FEMA training meeting, but he said from the moment he received word of the bomb threat he stepped out of his meeting and had been in communication throughout the morning with his staff.
This is a developing story and will be updated.
