A historic Colorado tramway that appeared doomed a year ago is running again thanks to its sale to an out-of-state company that builds and operates urban and tourism gondolas.
Built in 1955, the Estes Park Tram operated through 2022 but didn’t open last year after its owners put it up for sale. Gondola Ventures bought and reopened it in May.
The Estes Park Tram hauls tourists 1,100 vertical feet up Prospect Mountain on the western edge of Estes Park, about four miles east of the Beaver Meadows entrance to Rocky Mountain National Park. It was built by tramway legend Robert Heron, a 10th Mountain Division veteran who designed several Colorado ski lifts following World War II. They included Aspen’s Lift 1 in 1946, which had single-person chairs, and Colorado’s first double chair at Berthoud Pass in 1947. During his career he helped design more than 100 ski lifts across the country.
Bryan McFarland and Mary Jane Loevlie, who are investors in the tram, also are behind the project to build a gondola in Idaho Springs called the Mighty Argo Cable Car. Gondola Ventures is involved with them in that project as well. The Estes Park Tram purchase closed in March.
“We spent the next seven weeks putting in about $1.5 million for deferred maintenance on the grounds and the buildings,” McFarland said. “The tramway has been meticulously maintained every year, as required, but the buildings needed a little TLC. We fixed things up and finished construction the day of the grand opening on Memorial Day weekend.”
As with all of Colorado’s ski lifts, the tram is subject to regular inspections by the Colorado Passenger Tramway Safety Board.
Heron operated the Estes Park Tram until his death in 1999, His son, John, took over and ran the operation until his death in 2022, when the family decided to sell.
“We were thrilled to acquire this iconic tramway in this beautiful place,” McFarland said. “It’s got the most spectacular views imaginable of Rocky Mountain National Park. We’re excited about the future to continue operating this thing, and we’ve got plans for improvements over the next several years, working with the town of Estes Park and Larimer County.”
Plans include building a museum at the upper terminal with historic artifacts, photographs and engineering plans related to tramway construction.
Originally Published: August 13, 2024 at 6:00 a.m.
