Paonia State Park now wakeless on Tuesdays

John Livingston
Southwest Region Public Information Officer
970-759-9590 / [email protected]
@CPW_SW

PAONIA, Colo. – The boat ramp at Paonia State Park will open for the season May 25, but Colorado Parks and Wildlife reminds the public that a “wakeless” day on Tuesdays has been enacted for 2024. 

On Tuesdays, motorized boats will not be permitted on the reservoir. Hand-launched vessels will still be allowed to access the lake, however CPW staff will not be on site to assist visitors at the boat ramp.

“There is excitement from paddlers,” said Park Manager Scott Rist. “They feel safer on the open water on that wakeless day, and we expect to see increased visitation on Tuesdays as a result of this action.”

Last winter, CPW conducted outreach and listened to public comment regarding the proposal to introduce a wakeless day. During the comment period, 94% of the public was in support of going wakeless on Tuesdays.

Tuesdays were selected because data revealed that two or fewer motorized boats launched on 92% of Tuesdays from 2021-23.

Exceptions will be made to the wakeless rule when holidays such as the Fourth of July fall on a Tuesday, but that is not the case in 2024.

“When we reached out to get public input on the proposal for a wakeless Tuesday, the overwhelming feedback was positive and in support of closing the boat ramp to motorized craft for one weekday,” Rist said. “We are excited to offer this to our surrounding communities and visitors but understand that it will take a bit of an adjustment until everyone is aware of the boat ramp closure on those Tuesdays.”

Rist said paddlers on Tuesdays should be aware of decreased staff at the boat ramp and that visitors recreating on the water should always remember to have a personal floatation device with them and be prepared to self rescue.

Located in the shadow of Colorado’s Ragged Mountains, the reservoir at Paonia State Park offers 334-surface acres for boating and paddling.

All boaters must follow current Colorado boating statutes and regulations. All motorboats, sailboats and personal watercraft must have a current year registration.