Town of Estes Park
News Release
Town to demonstrate specialized Vac Truck uses Oct. 6
Estes Park’s 1% sales tax at work managing stormwater and mitigating future flood damage
Oct. 2, 2025
The Town of Estes Park will demonstrate a powerful new tool for stormwater system maintenance – the combination sewer cleaner. This “Vac Truck” is specifically designed for cleaning buried stormwater inlets and pipes, and safely potholing to locate underground utilities. It is used for everyday maintenance work, as well as emergencies like pipeline breaks and floods. Community members are encouraged to watch the Vac Truck in action Monday, Oct. 6 at 10:30 a.m. at the south side of the Visitor Center Parking Structure, at 500 Big Thompson Ave.
The purchase was made possible by the 1% sales tax, which was approved by voters in 2024. This sales tax revenue is dedicated to community improvements including street maintenance, stormwater management, trails expansion, wildfire mitigation and powerline upgrades for wildfire mitigation.
When stormwater systems such as culverts, ditches and inlets become clogged, the risks of roadway and property flooding increase. Erosion can undermine roads and driveways, and more debris can be washed into our creeks and rivers. Frequent intense summer storms, combined with numerous gravel driveways and open roadside ditches, have created significant challenges for the community in past rain and flood events. With limited staff to keep the stormwater system operational, the Town previously managed these issues with numerous smaller labor-intensive water tanks, pumps, trucks and excavators.
The Vac Truck purchase is a significant investment in the community’s stormwater infrastructure and resiliency. The Public Works Department is responsible for maintaining an extensive stormwater drainage system, including 369 inlets, 541 pipes and 425 culverts (56,780 linear feet total), 94 manholes, 28 detention ponds, 102,582 linear feet of curb and gutter on 53 streets, over 75 roadside drainage ditches, drainage pans, water quality features, 12 roadway bridges, and 24 pedestrian bridges over waterways.
For more information about the Town’s stormwater maintenance efforts, please visit estes.org/stormwater or contact Greg Muhonen, Stormwater Engineer, at gmuhonen@estes.org or 970-577-3581.
Media contact: Kate Miller
Public Information Officer
970-577-3701