About Estes Park Memorial Observatory
The Estes Park Memorial Observatory (EPMO) is a community resource dedicated to fostering scientific education of children in Estes Park and serving as an educational venue for the community and visitors. EPMO holds events throughout the year in conjunction with the local school system, the Estes Valley Astronomical Society and the Rocky Mountain National Park.
P.O. Box 3541 • Estes Park, CO 80517
Ph: 970-586-5668
email: info@angelsabove.org
Our Observatory Goals:
- To interest kids K-12th grade in math, physics and science
- To use astronomy as a tool to accomplish these goals
- To make learning a fun experience
- To promote critical thinking about really big things
***Come for a visit, see our calendar, or contact us for a private viewing session!***
About the Angels Above Foundation
The Angels Above Foundation, Inc (AAF). is the operating entity of the Estes Park Memorial Observatory (EPMO). The foundation is a 501c3 corporation dedicated to science education of children and the public in general. Donations made to the Foundation are 100% tax deductible. All monies donated to the Foundation are used for improvements to the observatory and conduct of the observatory’s goals. No member of the board of directors or associated with the Angels Above Foundation receives monetary compensation.
History of the Angels Above Foundation
The Angels Above Foundation (AAF) is the operating entity of the Estes Park Memorial Observatory. It came about as a result of Mike and Carole Connolly and Michele Johnson wishing to build an observatory in honor of Mike and Carole’s children and Michele’s siblings, Thomas and Christian Connolly who died July 2, 2005 in a traffic accident. The reason for building an observatory is that the Connolly’s all have a background in science, math and astronomy. Specifically, Mike, a retired engineer from Lockheed Martin Corporation, spent many a night with his children viewing stars and planets. Because of this family interest and the tragic death of Thomas and Christian, the concept of a memorial observatory came into being.
The IRS designated the AAF as a 501 c3 public charity in January 2007. The observatory was built in 2008/9 on land donated by the Estes Park R-3 School District using funds primarily from a bequest of the Connolly family as well as donations from individuals and businesses in support of the observatory. The Town of Estes Park was also a substantial contributor to the project. Once the construction was completed the building was given back to the school and a long term lease established between the AAF and the school district for use of the building.
In exchange for the observatory being offered to school district students and the general public as an educational resource, the school district maintains the building and pays the utilities while the AAF is responsible for the telescope equipment and all the intellectual property associated with the observatory. The AAF is responsible for the day to day operation and all the programs put on by observatory.
The idea of the collaboration between the observatory foundation and the school district came about based on a similar agreement between the Little Thompson Science Foundation and the Little Thompson School District in Berthoud Colorado. That agreement resulted in the building of the Little Thompson Observatory (LTO) in the late 90,s. The Connolly family visited the LTO back then and all agreed that the observatory was a wonderful gift for the school and community.
Angels Above Board of Directors:
Mike Connolly, President and co-founder of the project, Aerospace Engineer (retired)
Michele Johnson, Vice-President, project co-founder and Estes Park resident
Mary Ann Varanka-Martin, PhD, Director, Estes Park High School Science Teacher (retired)
David Parker, P.C., Director, Attorney for the Foundation
RDee Sherrill, Ph.D., Director, Nuclear Chemist (retired), Estes Park resident
Robert Johnson, Ph.D., Director, Biochemist (retired), Estes Park resident
David Hemphill, Director, Estes Park Tax Service, Estes Park resident
Todd Burke, Director, Physics Teacher, Estes Park High School
Meinte Veldhuis, Director, President Little Thompson Science Foundation
Michael Prochoda, MD, Director, Ophthalmologist Estes Park Medical Center