Sunday, November 14, 2021

Estes Park Police Auxiliary


The mission of the Estes Park Police Department Auxiliary Unit is to enhance the individual and collective safety of the community by assisting the Estes Park Police Department. The Auxiliary Unit exists to provide increased police visibility and to further the goal of a positive police-community relationship for the Town of Estes Park.

Criteria for application to the Estes Park Police Auxiliary Unit - The candidate must:
  • Be at least 21 years old 
  • Be friendly, outgoing, and enjoy working with people.
  • Complete the EPPD Citizen’s Police Academy
  • Be capable of standing or walking for up to four hours
  • Consent to a criminal and driving record background check, meeting requirements of both 
  • Have no felony convictions
  • Have no outstanding warrants
  • Have an acceptable record as it relates to overall criminal and community involvement that would promote acceptance by the community 
  • Successfully complete the Auxiliary Unit admission interview and be chosen to serve by the panel

Who Are the Auxiliary and What are their Function?

They are civic-minded, individuals who volunteer to assist the Town of Estes Park Police Department by performing uniformed, unarmed patrol in their community. Auxiliary members are recruited, trained and equipped by the Police Department. They come from many diverse backgrounds and a myriad of occupations throughout the town, such as retirees, bankers, merchants, nurses, security guards, students, etc. The Auxiliary Police Officers are volunteers and do not receive salaries.

Auxiliary Police provide extra “eyes and ears” for the Police Department. They serve as  ambassadors for the department and assist in bridging the gap that often exists between community and police. Auxiliary serve as essential manpower during special events and large scale incidents or investigations. Auxiliary receive training specific to their interests and are given options as to how they would most like to serve the department. There is a 96 hour, per year, requirement for all members to fulfill though the way in which those hours are filled are optional.  


History of The Auxiliary

The Estes Park Auxiliary Unit was officially created on March 22, 2001, and was originally formed as the “Estes Park Police Department Volunteer Unit”.

The first members of the Volunteer Unit were those citizens already volunteering their time with the Police Department as well as several individuals who attended the newly created Citizen’s Police Academy.

The members of the new Volunteer Unit assisted the Police Department with many tasks. They not only worked inside the Department, but, on May 12, 2001, the Volunteer Unit worked it‘s first official event, the Estes Park Bike Rodeo. During its’ first year, the volunteer unit assisted with such special events as the Big Horn Race, the June Rodeos, the Rooftop Rodeo, Scottish-Irish Festival, Catch the Glow Parade, as well as several other community activities.

As the duties and responsibilities of the Volunteer Unit increased, the Unit was officially changed to the Police Auxiliary Unit on Sept. 30, 2003. The uniform changed to the current gray shirt with “Estes Park Police” patches, Auxiliary badge and Navy Blue pants.

September 30, 2003 also saw the creation of Auxiliary Supervisors and a commitment to increase the professional status of the Auxiliary Unit by creating an Auxiliary Unit Operations Manual.

The Auxiliary Academy was added, and a patrol vehicle was procured as the Auxiliary continues  to evolve and grow.


Blue Santa

Every holiday season, the Blue Santa Program collects non-perishable food, gifts and hygiene products for disabled, shut-in and elderly community members who need a little extra cheer during the holiday season. Blue Santa is sponsored by the Estes Park Police Auxiliary. 


To learn more about the Estes Park Police Auxiliary - please contact Captain Corey Pass at the Estes Park Police Department, at 970-577-3828 or cpass @ estes.org (without the spaces).