Estes OKs spending more to launch Loop project

ESTES PARK – Still showing the scars left by nine years of controversy, the Downtown Estes Loop got a $1 million shot in the arm Thursday night.

With only Trustee Marie Cenac dissenting, the Estes Park Board of Trustees voted to kick in more money to help cover construction costs for the Loop, the proposed one-way couplet that came in far above estimates, and get the work started in early 2023.

Public Works Director Gregory Muhonen had stunned trustees in October when he revealed that the lowest of two bids he received to complete the project –  more than $27 million –…