High water levels force boat ramp, trail and facility closures at Cherry Creek State Park
Bridget O'Rourke
DENVER – Due to the recent storms and heavy rainfall, Cherry Creek State Park is experiencing flooding in the park, which requires Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) to temporarily close park trails and facilities this coming weekend. The high reservoir levels have submerged the east boat ramp. The increase of water is flowing to the reservoir from Cherry Creek and Cottonwood Creek. The U.S. Army Corps informed CPW that the anticipated reservoir level is expected to rise from an elevation of 5,551 feet up to six more feet to 5,557 feet.
The following park trails and facilities will be closed this weekend, effective June 24, 2023:
- East boat ramp and east boat ramp parking lot
- Dixon Grove group picnic area
- Mountain Loop parking lot
- Cherry Creek Trail
- The Wetlands
- Reduced shoreline accessibility
- Dog Off-Leash Area (DOLA) - Use caution when walking near the creek with small dogs and children.
Road closures remain in place from previous flooding damage. Colorado Parks and Wildlife has placed fencing on restricted areas, and visitors will be subject to enforcement actions if observed in the closed area. Cherry Creek State Park’s roadway that crosses Cherry Creek has sustained severe long-term damage due to flooding and will be closed indefinitely. Vehicles will not be able to drive from the east entrance to the west entrance or west to east. Visitors can use Dam Road or I-225 to access opposite entrances.
Additional Boating Safety Tips:
Life jackets save lives. Last year was the deadliest year in Colorado waters, and the majority of fatalities occurred because people did not wear a life jacket.
- Wear a life jacket.
- Be aware of weather and water conditions.
- Protect yourself from the dangers of cold water shock. Regardless of your age or experience level, cold water can quickly create a drowning emergency.
- Paddle boards and kayaks are considered vessels, and life jacket requirements apply.
- Follow boating speed limits and maintain a proper lookout to avoid hitting floating debris in waterways.
- Boat sober. Alcohol use is the leading contributing factor in recreational boating deaths.
Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) is an enterprise agency, relying primarily on license sales, state parks fees and registration fees to support its operations, including: 43 state parks and more than 350 wildlife areas covering approximately 900,000 acres, management of fishing and hunting, wildlife watching, camping, motorized and non-motorized trails, boating and outdoor education. CPW's work contributes approximately $6 billion in total economic impact annually throughout Colorado.