Estes Park’s Getting a New $1 Million Indoor Carousel

As if there weren't enough great reasons for Coloradans and tourists alike to visit Estes Park, a carousel sounds about perfect. Estes has a way of "taking you back to days of old," adding a carousel just adds to that feeling, for the whole family.

Where is the Carousel Going to Be in Estes Park?

I was walking with friends in Estes Park after participating in the town's annual Duck Waddle 5K in May of 2026, and noticed that there was a big project underway along Elkhorn Avenue. The work was very close the new Stanley Chocolate Factory, So we figured it was an expansion; it is.

Estes Park's Carousel Part of a $30 Million Renovation Project

A church on Elkhorn Avenue in Estes that dates back to 1909, had become a small mall (The Church Shops.) Then, near the end of 2025, the church officially became the Stanley Chocolate Factory, after the Stanley Hotel's owner put it through a huge renovation.

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According to the Estes Valley Voice, John Cullen sold the Stanley Chocolate Factory's building, but still owns the business inside. The new owner of the building turns out to be the same person that donated the building that houses the Carousel of Happiness in Nederland; kind of a neat coincidence.

The $5 Million Carousel Project Will Draw Many (Hopefully)

According to the Estes Valley Voice, constructing the building that will be home to the carousel comes at a cost of $4 million, the carousel itself will cost $1 million, and there'll be a $15,000 chandelier above the carousel. It really should be something to see when it's completed.