The Board implements the direction and establishes the structure of the District and strategically plans for the future. The board members hold the District accountable on behalf of the community and demand a high standard of wastewater collection and treatment service. Additionally, the board members must work alongside other various community leaders and boards to meet common community goals. The Board is tasked with governance and has the authority to manage, control, and supervise all business affairs of the District. It is important our community know who is serving the District in a governance role because the Directors are also leaders in the community. At Upper Thompson Sanitation District our goal is to nurture a culture of participation and continuing education and we encourage the community to attend our board meetings, tour the facilities, and familiarize themselves with your local asset.
Board meetings are held on the third Tuesday of every month at
4:00 p.m. at 2196 Mall Road in Estes Park. Please join us!
Chris Eshelman is a longtime resident of Estes Park. He has many years of water utility experience and has completed multiple construction projects. He and his wife, Marlys, own and manage Fish Creek Storage, LLC. They have two married children and are the proud grandparents of two adorable grandchildren. They enjoy spending time with family and friends. They like taking trips in their travel trailer when time allows.
Having over 6 decades of connections to, and 40 years as a resident in, Estes Park, it has been my honor to continue service to my community as a member of the Upper Thompson Sanitation District Board of Directors.
Self-employed for 35 years I utilized my experience, problem-solving skills, work ethic, creativity, and knowledge in service to the community. Along the way, I gained valuable knowledge about many aspects of life, business, and organizations unique to Estes Park. Concurrently I used that knowledge in service to the community on a variety of appointed and elected boards, in addition to raising a family.
Serving as Planning Commission Member, Town Board Trustee and Mayor Pro-Tem, Estes Valley Fire Protection District President, Estes Park Housing Authority Chair, Convention and Visitors Bureau Policy Advisory Board Chair, has allowed me to give back to the community that has given our family so much.
Married to Dan Doylen, we have 2 daughters who were both born and educated in Estes Park and 7 wonderful grandchildren.
Stan has been a resident of Estes Park for 35 years. He has a B.S. Degree in Education from Fort Hays State University and a M.A. Degree in Recreation Administration from the University of Northern Colorado. Stan has held park and recreation administrative positions with Sterling, CO, Greeley, CO, and Estes Valley. He also served two terms as a board member of Estes Valley Recreation and Park District. Currently, he is on the Colorado Special District Association Property and Liability Pool Board of Directors. Stan is married to Johanna and they have 4 adult children and 4 grandchildren.
Jack has a Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering and a 36-year electric utility background, retiring in 2000 as Vice President of Operations from First Energy's Pennsylvania Power operating company. He and his wife, Jacquelyn, moved to Estes Park in 2003.
Jack says, "Although my background was primarily in the electric utility field, all public service utilities share the same challenges".
For UTSD, these include:
- Operating and maintaining an expensive, complex, and continuously aging plant and collection system infrastructure,
- Planning for additions and modifications to that infrastructure to be in a position to both serve a growing customer base and meet the requirements of an ever-changing regulatory environment in the most economically feasible manner,
- Establishing a long-term financial plan to fund timely implementation of plant and collection system infrastructure additions and modifications, while providing safe, reliable customer service at the lowest possible cost,
- Hiring, developing, and retaining a highly competent staff/workforce, and providing that workforce with the training, tools, and support they need to accomplish the required work. This allows UTSD to offer efficient, cost-effective wastewater collection and treatment services to the Estes Valley.
Kent holds a Bachelor of Science degree in history and education and a Juris Doctor degree. Kent's professional career was with the FBI serving as a special agent, legal advisor, technical advisor, and fitness advisor. He moved to Estes Park in 2003 and has served on the UTSD board of directors since 2012. Kent currently serves on the Board of Directors of the Colorado Special District Association.