How to stay safe in Colorado’s trails and waters

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 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 sys- 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, with the majority of water-related deaths occurring in lakes and reservoirs.

( e parks agency clari ed to Colorado Community Media that it is keeping an uno cial tally. Said Duncan: “ ere is no statewide authority on water-related deaths in Colorado, though CPW has been tracking them in recent years ... CPW handles investigations on properties we manage and often gets asked to assist in searching for victims or evidence in other jurisdictions. But CPW is not the overarching authority on water-related deaths for the entire state.”)

In 2022, there were 42 water-related fatalities in Colorado, which was up from 22 in 2021, and 34 in 2020, according to the agency.

“In 2022, the majority of fatalities paddle boarding, kayaking or using an in atable of some kind, and the vast majority were not wearing a life release. “CPW wants to remind the public that paddle boards and kayaks are considered vessels, and life jacket requirements apply.” e parks agency also recommends all boaters and passengers wear a life jacket while on the water.

“Regardless of your age or experience level, the data shows that life jackets save lives,” Grant Brown, boating safety program manager for the parks agency, said in the release.

State parks sta also emphasized that river water exerts “a very powerful and constant force against any xed object.”

“Just six inches of water can knock a person o their feet. Water owing at seven miles per hour has the equivalent force per unit area as air blowing above 200 miles per hour,” the news release said.

Sta also pointed to the fact that although the air temperature may be hot, “the water is very cold.” e agency also urged the public to boat sober, as “alcohol use is the leading contributing factor in recreational boating deaths.”

“Cold water can quickly create a drowning emergency,” the agency said in a release.

Duncan also explained the term “swift-water rescue,” which involves fast-moving water conditions.

“Although sometimes called ‘white water rescue,’ it applies to any rescue situation in an environment — rural or urban — with moving water, including one not normally submerged, such as a ooded drainage area,” Duncan said.

While “swift water” has no formal de nition in the rescue industry, according to Duncan, many industry professionals accept the following quali cations as standard:

• Water depth of over two feet

• Flow rate of, at minimum, one knot (1.15 miles per hour)

• Occurrence in a natural watercourse, ood control channel, or ood-a ected environment.