
3 minute read
Preparing for the plunge
city can’t close the creek, because the city only controls the banks while the state controls the water itself. Right now, Golden can only legally restrict creek access during dangerous water levels, she said. Additionally, while those renting tubes from local out tters receive safety talks and have proper protective gear, Lorentz said Golden wants to ensure those bringing their own innertubes are doing so safely while also ensuring equitable access to public space.
is summer, the city’s hoping to collect more data on how many people are bringing their own tubes versus renting from out tters, how many trips people are taking and generally what the carrying capacity of Clear Creek is, she detailed.
City sta has suggested implementing a shuttle system to reduce congestion on the trails, implementing a wristband system to help collect data, improving street crossing near Vanover Park, and other changes.
Golden o cials will next discuss this at an April 11 City Council meeting, with plans to implement any new strategies by June, Lorentz explained.
After her overview, attendees circulated around eight stations on various topics — environmental impacts, enforcement, parking, safety, capacity data and more — asking questions and giving feedback.
Lorentz said she and her colleagues received a wide variety of suggestions, some contradictory. Some residents want the city to do more, she described, while others say it’s doing too much.


Goldenites’ suggestions
Written comments at the eight topic stations varied greatly, including several contradictory opinions.
Under parking, many suggested city residents should park for free in paid areas along 10th Street. Other ideas included free short-term parking for 2-3 hours; expanding paid or permitted parking areas to Eighth Street; modifying signage; improving parking options for Golden Farmer’s Market vendors and attendees.
Regarding environmental impacts, people were generally concerned about the proposed wristbands adding to the ongoing trash problems along Clear Creek. ey also worried about people going o -trail and damaging vegetation.
On the safety side, several people said Golden should require personal oatation devices and/or helmets, as they are currently only encouraged. City sta members explained that, if Golden requires them, it also has to have an enforcement plan and could be legally liable if something happens.
Despite sta explaining how the city can’t close the creek, people still suggested closing the banks or limiting the number of access points. A few comments said the city shouldn’t encourage any more visitors by making tubing easier with shuttles and the like, while others advocated for continued access.
Comments about a shuttle service were mixed, with some believing it’d free up parking and space on the trails. One said out tters should be required to have shuttles for their customers.


Regarding the trails, some suggested moving the tubers to the south creekside trail, saying it’s wider and has fewer put-in spots. e city’s current signage tells tubers to only use the north trail, while bikes are supposed to use the south trail. Additionally, several people asked for improved intersection crossing protocols, saying there should be crossing guards at Ford and Water streets.
Overall, the Clear Creek corridor set a record for summer visitation in 2022, and it’s expecting just as many — if not more — visitors this summer. City o cials have emphasized before that, if the city implements any new strategies this summer, Golden must give the public plenty of notice.

For more information or to submit comments, visit GuidingGolden. com/clear-creek-managementstrategies.


BY CORINNE WESTEMAN CWESTEMAN@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
Je co transfers 20 acres near fairgrounds to Westernaires e Westernaires, an organization that’s served local youth since 1949, will now have a permanent home on the property, Je co con rmed in a recent press release. e county will still have an interest in the property through deed restrictions, requiring that the Westernaires use the land for its programs or other park purposes. If it’s used in another manner, the county can elect to take the property back, Je co o cials explained. e county previously conveyed a 4-acre parcel in 1964, and another 1.4 acres in 2001. e Westernaires have been using the discussed 20 acres since 1998.

For more than 20 years, the Westernaires have been using county land on the southeast side of the Je co Fairgrounds to practice riding horses and conducting drills.
Now, the land o cially belongs to the Westernaires, thanks to a recent Je co land transfer.

“ e Westernaires are a staple in our county,” County Commissioner Andy Kerr commented in the press release, “and we would like to see them remain here.”
According to the organization’s website, the Westernaires are based at the fairgrounds in Golden, and have more than 1,000 participants aged 9 to 19. e organization promotes horsemanship, self-respect, responsibility and leadership. Its members perform at parades and other Western-themed events.


Director Bill Schleicher stated: “We are proud to celebrate the western heritage of