It will likely take weeks if not months for things to get back to normal in Estes Park. People have lost homes and their businesses, and I certainly wouldn't assume that many would necessarily be able to or especially concerned with communicating with someone trying to get a deposit refund. They have more important things to worry about.

That's what I'm saying, too, historytraveler.

They were reporting yesterday that 50 bridges are flooded up there: 30 are completely gone, 20 are structurally unsafe. All bridges need testing. 'New' rivers have den formed.

Many homes, schools and businesses still don't have power or water. All three schools are heavily damaged.

I understand about your deposit, but people are devastated right now. Everyone there is affected.

been formed

I'd definitely keep chasing the deposit. Steamboat is a nice, laid back place to visit, if you're heading west toward Glenwood Springs. If you're up for a longer but pleasant drive, the trip to Durango/Ouray/Telluride can make a great vacation and can include the Million Dollar Highway, Mesa Verde and the Black Canyon of the Gunnison.

If I read your posting correctly, you won't be flying into Denver until next week? Estes Park is open for business and portions of Rocky Mountain National Park are accessible. Trail Ridge Road - the scenic drive which connects east and west sides of the park is also open. The elk rut will be in fully swing along with the aspens turning yellow. I'm sure there will be a LOT of accommodations there who would love your business and probably give you a discount just to get your business since everyone seems to think the town is shut down. Help support these small business who have been devastated by this horrible flood. Here's more information on the status of the town and park:

http://www.visitestespark.com/

The only way into Estes right now on the east side is I70 (or US6, an alternative from Golden)to 119 (through Nederland), north to 72 to 7.
Trail Ridge road could be closed at any time due to weather. There are MANY road closures within Rocky Mountain National Park.
There was a lot of traffic on this route, for obvious reasons, the past couple of days (there was such a bad delay on 6 (Clear Creek Canyon) that people were backtracking to I70). It's also the only route out for Estes, Nederland, etc.
I would avoid RMNP for the near future.
From the website http://www.estesparknews.com/?p=10991
"please limit your travel as much as possible to allow road crews..."

I agree with avoiding RMNP. Trail Ridge has been closed twice since the flooding due to snow and more is forecast for tomorrow night. It was closed yesterday and again today for a time to allow heavy equipment caravans into Estes Park for road repairs.

More roads and trails are opening today in RMNP, but getting there is still a challenge. I would love to get up there and support the town but considering only one road on the east side is open I feel it is contributing to a potential traffic nightmare. Leave the road open for those that really need to be there.

There's so much great stuff to see in Colorado that I wouldn't despair about finding other accommodations. I think there will also be cancellations in the Estes Park area, so you can probably find something else near the park if you want, but you can also head out in a completely different direction from Denver. I would start looking for alternative accommodations soon, so formulate a plan and see what you can set up.

I could not agree more with Doug. Colorado is a wonderland of things to do, and if you want to go to the Park, you may still be able to.
But there is ALL the rest of the state--it's like a HUGE "park".
Do you all like to fish? Think about THAT for a day!!

Find alternate accommodation, check with http://cotrip.org/ to make sure you get there from Denver, and enjoy the vacation.
The only way at this time to get to Estes Park (34 and 36 are closed, 119 Boulder Canyon is closed), is to drive on the I70 to Idaho Springs, pick up highway 119 to highway 7.
It will take you maybe three to four hours from the airport, but it's worth it - such a beautiful place! The park is mostly accessible again. Estes Park is open for business as much as possible, so give them your business.

It may or may not be worth giving Estes Park your business--and if it is another week, maybe even moreso. I am all for it--but it IS your vacation. And there is a lot to see in a lot of places without dealing with closures.
Do what is best for your time--and desires.

Thanks for all of the advice. We found a great house not far from Fairplay, CO - much cheaper than Estes Park. It was a perfect base for day trips to Great Sand Dune National Park (awesome!), Georgetown Railroad (beautiful drive and great Aspen views), ski resorts (Breckenridge, Vail). All in all it was a great week even though our itinerary wasn't what we had planned. We had decided to drive up to RMNP one day but it just wasn't meant to be for us. Government Shutdown happened before we could get there.

Glad it worked out.
Great Sand Dunes doesn't get a lot of attention, but we camped there years ago and I fell in love with it.

The Medano Pass Primitive Road in the Great Sand Dunes is spectacular(4 wheel drive high clearance vehicle required). I've only driven it in spring, when the creek was flowing. I hear it is one of the very best places in Colorado for fall color/aspens, I hope to try it in the fall sometime.

Be sure and see Great Sand Dunes again, as it is really neat and a little busier when the creek is flowing. This is usually the end of May or first of June. It hasn't flowed much the past couple of years, not enough snowmelt.