Estes Park Native Jorge Perez Joins Visit Estes Park Leadership

Estes Park native Jorge Perez has returned to his hometown, bringing his local insights to Visit Estes Park (VEP) as its new finance and administration manager. Hired in September 2026, Perez is less than two months into a role he describes as more fulfilling and “hands-on” than his previous accounting positions, aiming to strengthen VEP's financial operations and foster community connections.

Perez, a 2016 Estes Park High graduate, initially found it easy to take his mountain hometown for granted. He recalled wanting a “big city” experience during high school, often traveling down the valley for shopping and movies. However, as he matured, his appreciation for Estes Park's quiet trails, small shops, and natural beauty grew. He remembered his father taking him to places like Gem Lake and Stanley Park, and school field trips to Rocky Mountain National Park, highlighting the opportunities to connect with nature.

After graduating high school, Perez pursued higher education, attending the University of Colorado Colorado Springs and Front Range Community College. He later earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration and a master’s degree in accounting from Colorado State University. His professional experience began in Fort Collins, working as an auditor for firms based in Wyoming and Denver while completing his master’s degree.

With his family still residing in Estes Park, Perez eventually returned to assist with the business side of his mother's cleaning company. It was during this time that he began to fully value all that Estes Park had to offer. He recognized the economic value created by tourism, which brings opportunities and jobs, initially drawing his family to the area.

Perez has also been actively involved with the Estes Chamber of Commerce, serving as a board member for over a year. He particularly enjoys visiting local businesses and attending town-sponsored events. He mentioned experiences at Creativity Cabin Estes Park for his birthday, the Frozen Dead Guy Days festival, and the Pumpkins and Pilsners festival, which fundraises for the Estes Park Educational Foundation at Bond Park.

In his new role at VEP, Perez is focused on financial accountability, transparency, and efficiency, as outlined in Visit Estes Park’s draft 2027 operating plan. His priorities include regular financial reporting, ensuring compliance with state and local requirements, overseeing annual audits, and conducting quarterly finance committee meetings. In the coming months, he plans to evaluate new accounting software and business credit card systems to enhance VEP’s financial controls and streamline operations. VEP CEO Sarah Leonard affirmed Perez's importance, stating that the organization relies on his “day-to-day, solid contributions” and guidance.

Beyond his financial responsibilities, Perez is dedicated to strengthening his work with the Estes Chamber’s Latino Alliance. This new group aims to provide educational, business, and leadership development opportunities for members of the Estes Latino community. Perez noted the Alliance's efforts to educate the Chamber on Latino issues, stating its evolution “past the purview of the Chamber” due to widespread interest, indicating a significant community need.

The Latino Alliance has identified three key issues important to the community: language, security, and a sense of belonging. The group seeks to address communication barriers with Town officials and develop strategies for navigating interactions among diverse community members. To foster a greater sense of belonging, especially during Hispanic Heritage Month and the weeks following, the Alliance has been promoting several local events.

In September, the group held a Fiesta Latina on Cleave Street, attracting over 200 community members to commemorate Hispanic Heritage Month. The event highlighted performers representing Colombian and Mexican communities, which constitute the largest Latino populations in Estes Park, and included Mayor Gary Hall and a Selena impersonator. The Alliance is also promoting a Spanish gallery tour of the “Destination: Estes Park” exhibit at the Estes Park Museum on Tuesday, Oct. 20, and a Día de los Muertos celebration on Nov. 4 at the Estes Park Events Center.

Perez sees his identity deeply rooted in Estes Park, his family, and friends, fueling an increased “drive” to be an active part of the community. As he balances budgeting and VEP’s financials with deepening community ties, his motivation remains clear: using his background to create a visible difference. He aims to ensure that Estes Park continues to offer a strong sense of belonging to all residents, mirroring the welcome his family received.