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How to stay safe on Colorado’s trails and waters in a wet year
Parks agency urges checking trail conditions, wearing life jackets on water
BY ELLIS ARNOLD EARNOLD@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
After a strong winter and wet spring, the statewide snow runo owing into Colorado rivers, streams and lakes is higher than usual this year — and with large dumps of rainfall along the Front Range, that means outdoor recreators might encounter conditions they aren’t used to seeing.
With high water on rivers this year, as of late June, there have already been 12 swift-water-related fatalities in Colorado, according to Colorado Parks and Wildlife.
“ is year’s river ows are more dangerous compared to last year,” Michael Haskins, a swift-water investigator, said in a news release.
“We strongly encourage people to check river conditions before you head out, and if you arrive and see high and fast water conditions you don’t know how to navigate or feel unsure about, please don’t risk getting hurt and the need for a river rescue,” Haskins added.
Last year, the majority of fatalities occurred because people did not wear a life jacket — and the state parks agency urges using that and other precautions to stay safe.
Meanwhile, trails have also seen impacts from the wet weather. Heavy rainfall destroyed all bridge crossings over the Cherry Creek in Castlewood Canyon State Park in Douglas County, a June news release from the parks agency said.
Here’s a look at how to stay safe when you’re recreating outdoors — whether on land or water.
Staying safe on trails
Standing water on trails is one potential hazard for bikers to watch out for.
“Check trail conditions before you go to be sure conditions are safe,” said Travis Duncan, a spokesperson with Colorado Parks and Wildlife.
You can visit trails.colorado.gov to access the state’s COTREX map system, or download the app, to locate trail closures.
(It may also be helpful to check local government websites for trail closures. For instance, Castle Rock and Je erson County list closures at tinyurl.com/CastleRockTrails and tinyurl.com/Je coParksTrails.)
Trail users should also be mindful of erosion, the natural process by which rock and soil are worn away by wind, water and tra c.
“Left unchecked, erosion can destroy trails and damage the environment,” Duncan said. “Trail erosion is accelerated by a combination of trail users, gravity and water.”
When walkers and runners encounter standing water on a trail, recommendations can vary.
“Every situation is di erent,” Duncan said. “In many instances, we’d prefer folks not hike when conditions are bad on a given trail. In most cases, going through the water is the best option and will prevent further erosion to the trail.”
Staying safe in water
Even the most experienced outdoor enthusiasts can become victims to deceptively strong currents, cold water temperatures and unexpected changes in depth, according to the state parks agency.
In 2022, Colorado experienced a low- ow snow runo year, but it was still what the parks agency called the deadliest year in Colorado waters,
