Planning Commission Recommends Expanded Behavioral Health Facility Near Estes Park
The Larimer County Planning Commission voted 7-0 October 15 to recommend approval of an amended special review allowing Bear Tribe LLC to more than double capacity at its behavioral health facility near Estes Park and shift from serving youth to treating adults only.
The facility at 5532 East Highway 36, approximately five miles southeast of Estes Park, would increase from 24 to 45 residents under the proposal. Owner Christine Porta said the changes are necessary because insurance costs for youth programs have become unsustainable, forcing a transition to adult services.
"The insurance is nearly an industry killer," attorney Bob Choate told commissioners, explaining why the facility can no longer operate exclusively for juveniles. "It is realistically not feasible to continue exclusively serving juveniles."
The property has operated as a behavioral health facility since 2013 under the Fire Mountain Special Review, serving young women in residential treatment. Prior to that, the site functioned as a religious retreat beginning in 1982 and operated as a motel and resort lodge before that time.
Neighboring Business Raises Safety Concerns
Jellystone Park of Estes, the commercial campground directly across Highway 36, opposed the expansion based on past security incidents and concerns about increased activity.
Rick Spear, representing the campground's ownership, testified that in 2016 multiple residents from the treatment facility broke into Jellystone's registration office and store, stole merchandise, vandalized facilities, entered guest vehicles, and damaged campground property over two nights.
"Had the Fire Mountain residential treatment facility not been there, I don't believe this would have ever taken place," Spear said, noting charges included burglary, criminal mischief between $1,000 and $5,000, and trespass with intent to commit a crime.
Kelly Thompson, Jellystone's general manager, said the park would need to implement 24-hour security coverage if the expansion is approved, representing "a significant investment in upgraded security systems, hiring and training dedicated security personnel."
Porta acknowledged the 2016 incidents but said the facility immediately responded by installing window alarms, increased motion sensors, and additional cameras. She emphasized no similar incidents have occurred in the nine years since.
Adults Expected to Present Lower Risk
The applicant and staff said adult residents should reduce rather than increase impacts compared to the previous youth program.
"Adults are coming into a healing center because they want to get better," Porta explained. Youth residents were sometimes placed involuntarily and required mandatory reporting when they left the facility, whereas adult residents can leave voluntarily at any time.
Porta confirmed the facility will not serve clients under court-ordered supervision as a condition of probation or parole, clarifying that such custodial care would require different building code classifications and additional county approvals.
The facility will focus on substance use disorder treatment and behavioral health services for adults 18 and older. Men and women will not be mixed in the program, with the applicant still determining which population to serve.
Infrastructure and Environmental Considerations
The only significant infrastructure change required involves modifications to the existing septic system to accommodate the increased capacity. Larimer County Health and Environment provided preliminary approval for the septic upgrades, according to Principal Planner Laura Culleton.
The property is served by an on-site well and septic system, with access from Highway 36 and fire protection from Estes Valley Fire Protection District.
County staff recommended 20 conditions of approval addressing septic system upgrades, facility operations, and coordination with referral agencies. The Board of County Commissioners will make the final decision on the special review amendment at a future hearing.
Facility Background and Operations
The 38.9-acre property in the Open zone district has been in commercial use for decades. A 1982 special review allowed religious retreat operations with events for up to 180 people, establishing the large-capacity septic system still in use today.
Colorado's Behavioral Health Administration now oversees licensing for adult residential behavioral health facilities following regulatory reforms that took effect January 1, 2024, according to state administrative code. Facilities must maintain proper licensing, submit to regular inspections, and report serious incidents within 24 hours.
The state licensing framework includes enforcement authority to revoke, deny, suspend or modify licenses for non-compliance. Facilities serving adults with behavioral health needs must demonstrate adequate staffing ratios, safety protocols, and treatment programming to maintain licensure.
Porta said she and her husband Aaron Huey have operated the facility since 2013 and are exploring selling the property to another behavioral health operator if the special review is approved. The interested buyer is an established entity in the behavioral health industry, Choate said.
The Planning Commission's recommendation moves to the Board of County Commissioners for final consideration. No hearing date has been set.