It sounds like the Estes Park shuttle service will take away my need for a rental car. And that's great considering the car rental prices in Denver! However, can anyone recommend a shuttle service from DIA to Estes Park?

Look at www.supershuttle.com; I know they do pickup at DIA, but I am not absolute that they will go all the way to Estes

There are a lot of shuttle services to lots of places in the mountains. Look on the DIA site for information.

I don't think super shuttle goes to Estes Park. I know it does go to Loveland, but that is still miles from Estes

Thanks for the feedback. There are a few Estes Park shuttle companies to choose from; I guess I was wondering if anyone had any experience (good or bad) in using them.
Thanks again.

I don't think there is any difference in any of them going anywhere. They pick you up, will stop at "their" store en route for you to buy a drink, let you out, and expect a tip.
For car rental, how are you shopping for a price? Depending on the time of year and what is happening, it may not be very expensive, if you start ahead of time.

Still looking for transportation help for trip to RMNP. Is it better to have your own car or just rely on the park shuttle system. It seems that the town shuttles are somewhat limiting if you like to hike early. It appears that you can't get to the hiker shuttles before 10am unless you have your own car. Plus, it seems that the town shuttle also stops at 7:30pm. Are the restaurants/bars all within walking distance to all of the lodges? We'll be staying at the Four Seasons. Sooo...to have a car or not to have a car. Which is best when visiting RMNP?

I would just rent a car. When are you going?

Sorry ...left that out. We'll be there in mid-August.

How many days? The shuttle buses serve a limited area within the park - you could probably get by without a car for 2-3 days but you'd miss the flexibility of going anywhere you want. No car also makes it more difficult logistically - you'll have to carry everything you could want for the whole day with you on the shuttles, rather than have the option of leaving some stuff in the car. And you'll need plenty of food and clothing options for a day in the park - no way I'd want to carry that all day, or make trips back and forth to town to swap out clothes, etc.

The hiker shuttle starts running at 6:30 am but the Four Seasons isn't close to the pickup point (EP Visitor Center). I don't think the FS is real close to restaurants/bars either. Not sure how much walking you'll want to do after being the park all day. Personally, I'd either rent a car or arrange lodging that is close to the EP visitor center (but only go that route if your trip is 2-3 days max).

Whatever you do, do not rent a car in Estes Park. The only rental place in town gets really poor reviews for using junky vehicles that break down frequently. Get one in Denver - you might want to check off-airport locations to get the price down.

wife and I just returned from 9 day visit to CO...STarting in denver...in estes pk/rmnp for 4 1/2 days, did hiking for 3 of those days. I would definitely recommend renting a car in denver. We drove from Houston, so we had our own car, but it's beneficial in many ways to have own vehicle for sightseeing, getting around estes park, most places are not within walking distance...eating, bike rental, shopping etc.. I strongly reccomend driving up to trail ridge rd ( trr), if you haven't before and even consider taking fall river rd ( one way ) to top of trr where they meet @ Alpine Visitors Center. good luck on trip !!

My thanks to all for your advice and recommendations. I decided to follow your suggestions, and I have rented a car to use in Estes Park. I also took the recommendation to rent a car off-site of the airport, and I saved about $250 in doing so! Woo Hoo! Thanks again. I'm soo looking forward to visiting yet another National Park!