If you’ve ever wanted to own and operate a tramway, here is your chance. The Estes Park Trail-Gazette reports that the Heron family is announcing their retirement from operating the Estes Park Aerial Tramway, which means that it will likely not operate during the 2023 summer season. John Heron, who was the son of the founder Robert Heron, passed away last year, and they’ve been unable to find a successor in the family to run the business.
Robert Heron opened the tramway back in 1955. Before that, he worked with the U.S. Army’s 10th Mountain Division during World War 2 to create tramways. His tramway design was first used during the Battle of Riva Ridge. Food, ammunition, and water were brought up the northern Apennine Mountains in Italy, while American casualties were brought down.
Estes Park holds the self-proclaimed title of the first to operate a scenic tramway in North America. While Cannon Mountain was the first to operate a tram in North America, their tram was replaced in 1980, and Estes Park operates exclusively as a scenic tramway (Cannon’s tram was originally built for skiing purposes). This makes Estes Park the first and oldest operating scenic tramway in the United States.
The statement from the Heron family is below:
“IT IS WITH A HEAVY HEART THAT THE FAMILY OF ROBERT HERON, WHO DESIGNED AND BUILT THE HISTORICAL ESTES PARK AERIAL TRAMWAY IN 1955, HAS DECIDED THAT WE WILL NO LONGER BE ABLE TO RUN THE TRAMWAY.
Bob Heron managed the tramway until his death in 1999. At that point, John Heron, Bob’s son was able to move to Estes Park and continue in his father’s footsteps. With John’s passing in 2022, we find ourselves unable to continue operating the Tramway as a family business. This decision did not come easily.
Unless a new owner comes forward to take over the business and operations, the Tramway will not be open for the 2023 season. We would like to see the heritage of the Tramway continue and we are open to all interested parties and ideas.
PLEASE CONTACT: ESTESPARKAERIALTRAMWAY@YAHOO.COM IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN THIS BUSINESS OPPORTUNITY.
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.
Thank you Estes Park Community! Whatever you do… Look down!”
Image Credits: Estes Park Aerial Tramway
