Jim
Jim bought the lodge in 1991 and continues as president of Ponderosa Lodge-Estes, Inc.

Originally a midwesterner (Northeast Nebraska), he obtained two degrees from what is now the University of Northern Colorado, and an advanced degree from the University of Illinois and has served as a professor of Special Education on the faculties of the University of Kentucky and Penn State University. While a student at Greeley in the late '50s, he assisted in building a filling station in Estes Park. Later, as a teacher at the college's demonstration school he visited here often. When it came time to leave higher education behind, this was one of the first places he considered. No longer heavily involved in the daily operation, he's usually around somewhere. Maryann can always track him down if you'd like information on Estes Park that a long time resident can provide.

He is currently involved in the development of a co-housing project (Mary's Meadow Development) on the south west side of town. Interested in moving to Estes Park? He can fill you in on the highs and lows of a life in Estes.

Maryann and Walt Maryann became manager of the lodge in the spring of 2000. She and Walt live on the property. Walt does maintenance here, but you are more likely to find him at his antiques restoration business (Antiques Hospital) or, as long as water is flowing in the region, teaching fly fishing or working as a fly fishing guide.

Walt's first career was in cable television, one which took the family, Walt, Maryann, Walter Junior and Angie to several states, including Nebraska, Kansas, Iowa, Oklahoma Texas, Wyoming and Missouri. Often, if you're in the office when Maryann is making reservations on the phone, you'll hear her say, "oh, you’re from ___________. We used to live just a few miles from there. Through their various moves, Maryann has worked in floral design at floral shops, has managed a major antiques mall and RV parks.

From Thanksgiving to Christmas, Walt dons his Santa suit and the Antiques Hospital turns into Santa’s workshop. Off season, should you drop by, you’ll find Maryann knitting items which her group donates to various charities in the region --unless, of course, it's something for one of her four grandchildren.

Shadow
The boss of us all. Or, the queen of the property. She's a left behind, a stray a former manager brought to the property and left when she moved away. Her age is unknown, estimated to be about 8, and her ancestry is unknown as well. According to a local vet, she's part bobcat. You can see some of the features, a ruff around her neck and tufted ears. She is happiest in the summer when there are lots of guests around.

She loves to be petted, at least her head. But, keep an eye out, as she occasionally is a little grumpy and lets you know when she doesn't want to be bothered. Check out the winter-summer photos in the lobby, When her winter hair growth is zipped off at the groomers, her 6 inch girth shrinks to about 2 inches (or in other words, in the winter she’s about 2 inches of cat and 4 inches of hair).