Clarification on Bustang service from Denver to Estes Park

The Colorado Department of Transportation's Bustang service will connect people from Denver to Estes Park, weekends starting July 3. Bustang.com photo

Rocky Mountain Day Hikes & HIKE ROCKY magazine reached out to RMNP for clarification on several articles we've seen lately, claiming that Bustang will connect with the "free Hiker Shuttle" which we were told was not running this year.   This clarification is what we received: 

"The CDOT Bustang service began in 2019 and was on hold in 2020.  One of its main purposes is to provide public transportation, very reasonably priced, from Denver to mountain communities.  

This summer, the Bustang will be operating on weekends only, beginning the fourth of July weekend.  CDOT will have a maximum of two buses with capacity of 50 individuals per bus.  

The bus(es) will arrive at the Estes Park Visitor Center (EPVC) on weekends. A connecting shuttle will be available only on those weekends for those passengers on the Bustang who are interested in visiting the park. In 2019, about 50 percent of riders were interested in visiting the park, the rest explored Estes Park and supported our local economy.  

That separate bus will go directly to the Park & Ride where those passengers will then board park shuttle buses depending on whether they want to access the Bear Lake Route or the Moraine Park Route.  There will not be multiple runs back and forth.  One trip into the park per Bustang bus (so two total into the park), and two trips back to the Estes Park Visitor's Center - one at 2 p.m. and one at 4 p.m. on those weekend days for Bustang riders.

An entrance pass is required for those riding the Bustang who wish to continue into the park, but a timed entry permit is not required. 

The Hiker Shuttle is not running this summer. "
- Kyle Patterson, Public Affairs