Several projects are underway this spring in Clear Creek Canyon that will have an impact to boaters recreating in the Canyon this runoff season. Please read the following and be aware.

Canyon Mouth to Tunnel 1 (Peaks to Plains Trail Segment 1)

This project has been ongoing since 2019 and should be wrapping up in June. There are no restrictions to boating through this segment, but you will find that there is no boater access from the pullout above Tunnel 1 into Golden. We will have to use the Golden Whitewater Park as a take out, or you could take out here and walk back up to the pull out above Screaming Quarter Mile or just take out above SQM.

Photo: Pullout above Tunnel 1 (Photo courtesy of Steve Dougherty)

Clear Creek Canyon from I-70 (Kermit’s) to Highway 119

This project will impact access from Kermit’s down to 119 from April 5, 2021 into June (exact completion date has not been determined). The Colorado Department of Transportation will begin removing and replacing all existing tunnel lighting for Tunnels 1-3, 5, and 6 along US 6 Clear Creek Canyon between the intersection of CO 93 and CO 58 to Interstate 70 near Idaho Springs. The project will modernize the lighting in all five tunnels by replacing existing lighting with new LED tunnel lights, installing lane traffic control signals at the tunnel portals, and other infrastructure updates. The new lighting in the tunnels will improve safety and visibility in Clear Creek Canyon and will be more energy efficient. The work will be completed in two phases in Spring 2021 and Fall 2021, with a summer project shutdown to accommodate seasonal motorists. Overnight full closures will be necessary to complete this work. The full closures will take place on Sunday nights from 7:00 pm to 7:00 am, and Monday through Thursday nights from 4:00 pm to 4:00 am along US 6 between I-70 and CO 119. Phase 2 will be scheduled for the fall and should not affect kayaking, but it will close off access to Clear Creek Canyon during the time work is being performed.

Clear Creek Canyon between Tunnels 5 and 6

Clear Creek County Open Space, the Colorado Department of Transportation, and Contractor partner, CEI, will continue work on the Peaks to Plains Trail project between Tunnels 5 and 6. This project consists of the construction of a 1000-foot-long concrete trail supported by various walls and structures. A project fact sheet indicates impacts to Clear Creek that could restrict kayaking or other water sports in the area. A phone call with the project media consultant, Circuit Media, clarified that navigating through this stretch of Clear Creek should be doable, but boaters will need to stay along the north shoreline to avoid heavy equipment and construction activity taking place along the south shoreline. Signs will be placed in the area indicating any restrictions and warnings to water recreationists.

From our friends at American Whitewater:

It’s hard to imagine what it would be like if up to 10 trains full of heavy crude oil and hazardous chemicals were rumbling by while paddling the Arkansas River through Browns Canyon National Monument and the entire upper Arkansas River. It would, without question, change the experience in negative ways, including opening up the opportunity for the major disturbances associated with any kind of derailment and spill of oil into the river.

We need your help today to protect this incredible place. 

This past New Year’s Eve, Colorado Midland and Pacific Railway filed a notice of exemption for lease and operations of the Tennessee Pass line that runs through the Arkansas Valley to Parkdale.

You have two options to make your voice heard. We have created a sign on letter to be submitted along with American Whitewater's technical comments. However, if you’ve got the time to go the extra mile, we’ve included detailed directions here to submit your own filing directly to the Surface Transportation Board. Comments are due by January 22 - please take action today! 

Good news! The US Forest Service (USFS) announced on September 28, 2020 that the proponent of the Oro Vista Mine has withdrawn the proposal to explore for and mine placer gold on the Arkansas River. Specifically, the proposal involved drilling hand-augured test holes and dredging with a 4-inch (intake) suction dredge. This proposal is no longer under consideration by the Forest Service and has been removed from the Status of Proposed Actions (SOPA). If a new proposal is submitted in the future, it will be analyzed as a new project. Your comments matter and we appreciate everyone who took the time to write to the Forest Service to express their opinions on the project! 

To see the comment letter submitted by CW, click here.

Whew! What a year. We couldn’t have all the fun we wanted. We had to fight some hard fights. We also had to face realities no one was particularly eager to encounter. After all, we just wanted to go boatin’!

Here at Colorado Whitewater Association, we are deeply disappointed that we couldn’t provide all of the great activities you have come to enjoy and expect. But, you know what? It won’t always be like this. It will get better and we will still be here when it’s time to get back on the river.

As a “thank you” for sticking with us, and to recognize we were unable to provide the same level of service to the paddling community as we have in the past, we are offering to extend membership for one year free. Should you want to extend membership free of charge when you get your renewal reminder, go into the renew page and select “Change”, then select “COVID-19 Individual (or Household) Membership”. That said, we are also accepting dues for 2021, should you choose to keep helping the Club out. 

Thank you for your continued support.

April Hillman
President

Let's daydream...

daydream about "sending" something other than an email or Zoom meeting request. Boofing over a hole instead of onto your couch. Checking water levels instead of press releases.

During these "stay-at-home"  and "social distancing" times, let's turn these memories and daydreams into... A CONTEST!!

There were many amazing entries for the three categories, but ultimately we can only have one winner from each category. These are the top entries based off of judges' scoring (runners up will likely be shared periodically for viewers' enjoyment on social media and in newsletters pending their permission).

PHOTO: "Race to Prom" by Ryan Wiegman

VIDEO: "A Happy Day" by Ry Sherman

WRITTEN: "River Metaphors for Grappling with Reality" by Nicole Harty

Colorado Whitewater is excited to invite you to the very first Thirsty Third Thursday. You might ask, what is Thirsty Third Thursday? It’s a way to get to know your fellow kayakers off the river while enjoying a night out. It’s also a way to educate yourself about various river topics. This month’s event will be held on August 16th at 6:30PM at the Mountain Toad Brewery in Golden. The topic for this month- paddles and different paddle shapes and sizes with Nik White. See you there!!!

If you have a topic you would like covered or ideas please email: chefsweeney@msn.com

By Brett Jacobs

On Saturday June 30^th, Brooke Smith led a Milk Run + Browns Canyon cruise in celebration of Pride Month to celebrate Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer boaters and allies. The event was a success with 28 LGBTQ boaters and LGBTQ allies participating in the cruise! Many of the participants sported festive Pride themed attire and accessories (check out the photos below!).  The event concluded with drinks and snacks at the take out (thank you Dede!). In leading the cruise, Brooke was supported by a group of LGBTQ boaters who consistently volunteer with CW.  The LGBTQ members of CW who participated in the cruise are grateful that CW is an organization where they feel safe being “out” and being themselves while participating in the river sports that CW members are so passionate about. A big thank you to all the LGBTQ allies who attended the event.  Without the support from allies, the LGBTQ community would not have made the progress it has made toward equal rights and acceptance. The cruise was a fun and festive day and a great way to end June. Internationally June is recognized as LGBTQ Pride Month to commiserate the Stonewall Riots in Manhattan in June 1969.

By Tim Friday

The 4-mile Peak to Plains Trail officially opened to the public in July 2017 with the final mile introduced in a cable cutting ceremony back in September 2017, making this pathway accessible to Clear Creek Canyon recreationalists for almost a year now.  If you paddled the Upper Clear Creek (Kermit’s) section this year, then you probably noticed some pedestrians, cyclists and/or in-line skaters cruising the river corridor on land.  The paddling community seemed to be somewhat ambivalent about this project in the past, but through the spring I heard positive comments about the trail being there.  It certainly provides easier access for non-boaters, but it also provides an alternative shuttle method for the 4-mile section paralleled by the trail.  It also makes for an easier portage or, in some cases, a great path to run faster than your boat is moving downriver in the event of an unfortunate swim! 

This project has a number of segments to be completed in order to connect the existing trail to the City of Golden.  Segment 1, next on the list for construction, begins at the mouth of the Canyon and extends to just upstream of Tunnel 1.  A design-build contract recently was negotiated by Jeffco Open Space and design is well underway.  According to Scot Grossman, Jeffco Open Space Projects Team Manager, design should be wrapping up in the spring of 2019 with construction getting underway shortly thereafter.  As far as river navigability goes, Scot advised that they are working on some access agreements now, but the hope is we won’t have any temporary structures in the creek.  This has been a goal of Colorado Whitewater – to ensure boater access and navigability during the paddling season.  Scot is a whitewater boater too and is an advocate for river runners.  We will continue to keep in touch with Jeffco Open Space to monitor the project and provide input at appropriate points during design and construction.      

To see a map of the entire P2P Trail through Clear Creek Canyon, please click on this link.  To keep up with the latest updates on the P2P Project, click here. 

The Yampa River is among the most coveted permitted river trips in Colorado. It boasts 72 miles of beautiful canyon, with everything from flat water to class 4. Most boaters spend about 5 days floating down the Yampa, which converges with the Green (downriver of Gates of Lodore) and continues through Split Mountain to the takeout in Green River, Utah.

 This section of the Yampa takes boaters through the spectacular Dinosaur National Monument, meandering along through the “high desert.” With side hikes galore, boaters can pick and choose where to eddy out and explore. You can even hike to the canyon rim, look at petroglyphs, and explore a cave.

 

As far as rapids go, this trip includes the notable “Warm Springs” rapid. At the base of this rapid, there is a large hole called “Maytag,” which is known for its washing machine-like qualities as well as its tendency to flip rafts.  Warm Springs is a class 4 rapid. There are a few other class 3 rapids along interspersed between a lot of flat water and class 2 riffles.  After the confluence of the Yampa and the Green Rivers, there is a section called Split Mountain. This contains several bouncy, fun class 3 rapids.

 

Arguably the most desired time to do this trip is May and June, when spring runoff is occurring. Late season trips into July and August tend to be hotter and have lower water. The Yampa always requires a permit, and these can be difficult to obtain. To apply for a lottery permit for high use season (second weekend in May to second weekend in July), applications are due January 31.

 

For more details or to apply for a permit, go to https://www.nps.gov/dino/planyourvisit/boating-and-rafting.htm

Dear members of Colorado Whitewater,

I am honored and excited to be CW’s new board President for 2018! Outgoing President Elizabeth Austen, who has also served as Training Camp Director for the last five years, worked tirelessly to ensure that 2017 was another great year for Colorado Whitewater. Guided by her vision and leadership, and supported by the hard work of our other volunteer board members, instructors, and general membership volunteers, we were able to achieve an INCREDIBLE amount.

Elizabeth put together a great summary of all the wonderful things with which the club was involved with in 2017, which she read shared at our Fall Dinner. I have included that list here, inserting a few additional accomplishments, and have added kudos to the CW board member or volunteer who was in charge of coordinating the event:

•  Maintained our status as one of largest (and oldest!) paddling clubs in the country, with 650 active members -  211 of whom joined in 2017 (April Hillman)
• Published 6 issues of The Spray, CW’s electronic newsletter. Past issues can be found here! (Gene Hakanson)
• Collaborated with Peter Holcombe to support his New Years’ day paddle of over 100 people on Shoshone, followed by fun at Iron Mountain Hot Springs (Brooke Smith)
• Hosted a really fun and successful Pizza and Beer social in February (Judy Thomas)
• Hosted the National Paddling Film festival for our movie night in March (Judy Thomas)
• Held another successful and well-attended Training Camp with clinics for all ability levels (Elizabeth Austen)
• Added a swiftwater rescue clinic to Arkansas River Weekend (Pete Bellande)
• Added a playboating clinic with pro kayaker Mat Dumoulin on the Glenwood Wave at Colorado River Weekend (Dick Alweis)
• Hosted Spring Dinner with Stephen Wright and Fall Dinner with Tom Martin as our captivating speakers (Judy Thomas)
• Supported the Golden Rodeo Series and added a free cook out to the event (Dave Holzman)
• Had volunteers at booths representing CW at a number of whitewater festivals including CKS Paddlefest in BV and the Royal Gorge Festival (Jodi Lee)
• Sponsored American Whitewater through a donation to Gore Fest (Pete Bellande)
• Provided insurance for all special events including the Golden Rodeo, Training Camp, Flat Water Moving Water Weekend, which is the CW beginner students first weekend outside of the pool, and Bailey Fest (when there’s water!) (Leslie Tyson)
• Collaborated with Pete, who did all the preparation for BaileyFest. Even though the flows did not support the event, the prep work still has to happen (Pete Bellande)
• Collaborated with Daniel Barton, a volunteer board fellow from Leeds School of Business who ran the South Platte River Cleanup project on behalf of CW, where CW donated gloves, trash bags, t-shirts and a ton of volunteer power (Daniel Barton)
• Maintained critical partnerships with local partners, secured sponsorships from a variety of companies to make CW’s events possible and affordable, and successfully advertised club sponsors and partners to members (Jodi Lee)
• Donated 100 brand new slalom competition jerseys to the Dawson school canoe and kayak team for use this season when they host races, including the WWOCD (Whitewater Nationals), Wildwater Nationals, and the North American Open Canoe Slalom Nationals (Elizabeth Austen)
• Made a monetary donation to the Park County Historical Society for the Bailey Put-In and McGraw Park maintenance (Patrick Tooley)
• Provided input on the conceptual design for the Peaks to Plains trail segments that are to be built in the future, and are continuing to work with Jeffco Open Space on segment 1 from Tunnel one down (Tim Friday)
• Sent a letter supporting getting grant money to pay for a boat chute on Homestake on the Arkansas River (Tim Friday)
• Continued advocating for private boaters on the Arkansas Headwaters Recreation Area’s Citizens Task Force and providing input on the AHRA Management plan (Mark Robbins and Leslie Tyson)
• Continued to represent CW on the Upper Colorado River Wild and Scenic Stakeholders Group, helping American Whitewater keep an eye on water resource management from Gore to State Bridge (Steve Dougherty)
• Represented Whitewater recreation on the South Platte Enhancement Board (Scott Winkleman)
• Offered a really robust cruise schedule, adding many more trips for all different ability levels (Jessie Gunter)
• Held several cruises for the “Boating Betties”, a growing women’s paddling group (Elizabeth Austen and Heidi Hass)
• Held three River Weekends at the Poudre, Arkansas, and Colorado Rivers (Brooke Smith)
• Our Incredible Volunteer Instruction team taught about 50 total sessions at Meyers Pool between January and May (Dick Alweis and Nicole Harty)
• Hosted instructional clinics for the Incredible Volunteer Instruction team members, given by Stephen Wright, Mat Dumoulin, Tommy Gram and Mike Mather (Dick Alweis)
• Showed our appreciation for CW volunteers at Volunteer Happy Hour night, at which volunteers enjoyed free pizza, beer, and a creative and useful gift (Karen Moldenhauer and Judy Thomas)
• Provided support for the Kids Program, through coordinating instructors and through the purchase of several children’s dry suits for use by Kids Team members, of which there were 22 (Jenny McCurdy)
• Decided to explore the feasibility of supporting pool classes on the Western Slope through the creation of a new board position, West Slope Regional Coordinator (Laurie Maciag)

And this list doesn’t even recognize the contributions of the board members who worked behind the scenes to help us function as a board and as a club: Heidi Hass, who kept the website up to date and running; Jeremiah Krayna, who managed the club’s finances and budget; Daniel Lundberg, who organized each board meeting and recorded minutes; Karen Moldenhauer, who stored all of our merchandise and sold it at events; and Patrick Tooley, who provided legal support.

I would be remiss not to mention my gratitude towards the countless member-volunteers who lead cruises, teach or assist at the pool and at training camp, run check-in and help clean up at events, mentor newer boaters in an unofficial capacity, and spread the word about our awesome club.

We are beyond excited to welcome the following new board members in 2018:

• Terra Hoover, Training Camp
• Ruth Eipper, Cruise Director
• Gail Tubbs, Treasurer
• Lindsey Lavender, Spray Editor
• Laurie Maciag (past President), West Slope Regional Coordinator

The rest of the board members will stay on to continue the amazing work they did in 2017. I am so grateful for each of these individuals and the time they dedicate to CW!

Suffice it to say, our members were involved with nearly all aspects of whitewater boating in Colorado and beyond in 2017. As President, I hope to help CW continue on this incredible trajectory. I feel immense pride at the quality and quantity of CW’s accomplishments over just the last year. Beyond the statistics about events and membership, countless friendships were formed and strengthened on and off the water as a result of members’ shared love of the river. We are truly a community, and I look forward to continuing to build community around our sport with your help!

 Colorado Whitewater is 100 percent volunteer powered. If you’d like to become more involved, feel free to email the board member in your area of interest (you can find their email addresses in the member directory on the website) or watch our social media profiles for news about upcoming events. Volunteers are ALWAYS needed.

 

Follow us on:

 Facebook (GROUP): Colorado Whitewater

Facebook (PAGE): Colorado Whitewater Association

Instagram: @coloradowhitewater

 

 Jessie Gunter, President, Colorado Whitewater