Estes tramway to cease operations unless buyer is found

ESTES PARK – The iconic Estes Park Aerial Tramway, which has been open since 1955, will cease operations unless its owners can find a buyer.

Robert Heron, who built the tramway, had worked with the 10th Mountain Division to construct alpine trams during World War II, then built the United States’ first double-chair ski lift. He managed the tramway until his death in 1999. His son, John Heron, then moved to Estes Park from Indiana and continued in his father’s footsteps, said John’s daughter, Aimee Heron. When John died last May 10, she said, “we had a tram manager, so he ran it last summer. But my grandfather and father were engineers. They speak the language. Now with the dilution of family members, we just can’t oversee it. We’re not equipped for the language.”

Located just south of the center of Estes Park, the free-span tramway primarily was open from Memorial Day to Labor Day, giving visitors a five-minute ride up the side of Prospect Mountain to enjoy stunning views of the town and neighboring Rocky Mountain National Park. At the top, they could visit a vendor-operated coffee shop and gift shop and explore a few light hiking trails.

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Aimee Heron said prospective buyers could contact estesparkaerialtramway@yahoo.com, adding that “We’re open to anything that somebody wants to bring forward as an idea.

“Unless a new owner comes forward to take over the business and operations, the tramway will not be open for the 2023 season,” she said. “We would like to see the heritage of the tramway continue, and we are open to all interested parties and ideas.”

In a prepared statement, Aimee Heron said, “We greatly appreciate all of the employees, vendors, townspeople, tourists and chipmunks for your long-standing support, and for letting us be part of your memories for the past 67 years.”