Annual Conference

2026 CMCA CONFERENCE

The Annual Conference Planning Committee is excited to bring you an amazing 2026 Annual Conference in Estes Park, Colorado!
October 20-23, 2026
Conference Venue: Estes Park Conference Center (201 S St Vrain Ave, Estes Park, CO 80517)
Conference Hotel: Holiday Inn Estes Park by IHG (101 S Saint Vrain Ave, Estes Park, CO 80517)
What not to miss: 
  • Fresh mountain air and outdoor inspiration
  • Charming downtown with unique shops and galleries
  • Masters Academy professional development
  • Awards Banquet celebrating clerk excellence
  • Connection, collaboration & camaraderie with fellow Clerks
  • Strengthen your professional network!
  • Earn points toward your CMC and MMC certifications
CMCA Member Early Bird pricing runs from August 1 - August 31, 2026 - don't miss out on the best pricing to attend!
  • Holiday Inn Estes Park by IHG is attached to the Estes Park Conference Center. CMCA rate is $155 per night, fees are $17

 Schedule:

  • Monday, October 19
    • Open day to explore Estes Park! Participate in the Pika scavenger hunt, shop in the unique shops in downtown, and settle in early for the conference!
  • Tuesday, October 20
    • 8:30am-3:00pm - Optional Add-on for additional points - Masters Academy - Believe! Leadership Lessons from Ted Lasso - Led by Kathie Novak - (3 points) $130
    • 8:00am-2:00pm - Optional Add-on for additional points - Nuts and Bolts: An Essential Guide for Municipal Clerks - Led by Susan Ortiz, MCC and Heather Walls, CMC (3 points) $130
    • 2:00pm-3:00pm - Optional Add-on for additional points - - Conference Orientation - Led by Heidi Leatherwood and Kristen Teague - (0.5 points) No cost, included in registration
    • 12:00-4:00pm - Registration Open
    • 3:00pm - Conference Welcome
    • 3:30pm - Opening Keynote - Sharing the Trail: Walking Together Towards Excellence - Kyle Patterson, Rocky Mountain National Park PIO, and Frank Lancaster, Trustee and Previous Town Administrator
    • 5:30-7:30pm - Opening Reception - Hunter's Chophouse
  • Wednesday, October 21
    • 7:00am-4:00pm - Registration Open
    • 7:00am-8:00am - Breakfast Open
    • 7:30am-4:00pm - Exhibitors Hours
    • 8:00am-8:30am - Morning Welcome
    • 8:30am-10:00am Session 1 - Clerk Roundtable: How Would You Handle This?
    • Break
    • 10:30am-12:00pm - Session 2 - Strategic Planning for the Clerk's Office: Practical Paths for Municipalities of Every Size
    • 12:00pm-1:00pm - Lunch
    • 1:00-2:00pm - Session 3 - Panel on Disasters and Business Continuity
    • 2:30pm - 3:30pm - Session 4 - Concurrent Sessions
      • Legal & Risk Considerations in Local Government Use of Artificial Intelligence
      • Service Elevated
    • Break
    • 4:00-5:00pm - Session 5
      • TBD
    • 5:30-7:30pm - Evening at the Fairgrounds - Come in your western wear!
  • Thursday, October 22
    • 7:00am-3:00pm - Registration Open
    • 7:00am-8:00am - Breakfast Open - Coffee with a Clerk - Pin/Sticker Trading
    • 7:30am-1:30pm - Exhibitors Hours
    • 8:00am-10:00am - Session 6 - Influence: The Heart of Effective Leadership
    • Break
    • 10:30am-11:30am - Session 7 - Concurrent Sessions
      • Update from MED / NMD
      • TBD
    • 11:30am-12:30pm - Session 8 - Concurrent Sessions
      • Seeing Past the Clerk, Translating Clerk Skills Into Influence, Opportunity, and Impact
      • TBD
    • 12:30pm-1:30pm - Lunch
    • 1:30-2:30pm - Session 9 - State of Colorado Liquor Enforcement Division
    • 2:30pm-3:00pm - CMCA Membership Meeting and Officer Transition
    • 3:00pm-4:00pm - Closing Keynote - Your Brain in Public Service: The Neuroscience of Stress, Resilience, and Better Decision-Making - Jennifer-Ryan Schwartz, Executive Director Larimer County Sheriff's Office, and Neuroscience Coach
    • 6:00pm-8:30pm - CMCA Awards Dinner - Stanley Hotel Pavilion - transportation provided from hotel. Theme is Masquerade!
  • Friday, October 23
    • 9:00am-4:00pm - Optional Add-on for additional points - Athenian Dialogue - "The Art of Not Falling Apart" by Christina Patterson - Facilitated by Charity Campfield MMC - (3 points) $100 for CMCA Members and $150 for Non-Members - SEPARATE REGISTRATION
    • 9:00am-4:00pm - CMCA Board and Committee Transition Meeting
    • Optional Add-on Activities - let us know during registration which you are interested in joining!
      • Details are still being finalized for three opportunities to take part in before you leave on Friday! Please select your interest in participating and we will share details as they are available. Use the assumption you can only participate in one. **Billing for this activity will take place at later date once confirmed.**
        • Chocolate Tour - Take a tour of the factory and make your own bar of chocolate! - 1-2 hours $30-50
        • Rocky Mountain National Park - bus transportation and hike - 3-4 hours $50
        • Museum Tour - 1 hour - FREE