Parts of Cherry Creek Reservoir closed to recreation due to algae bloom

Kara Van Hoose
Northeast Region Public Information Officer
303-829-7143 / [email protected]

Parts of Cherry Creek Reservoir closed to recreation due to toxic, blue-green algae bloom

Signs alerting visitors to the algae bloom at the West Shades area at Cherry Creek State Park

July 30, 2023

Parts of Cherry Creek Reservoir closed to recreation due to algae bloom

AURORA, Colo. – Colorado Parks and Wildlife has closed sections of the Cherry Creek Reservoir to recreation due to a toxic, blue-green algae bloom. Water samples collected this week by CPW and tested by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment showed an elevated presence of microcystin, an algal toxin.

Swimming, paddleboarding and wading will not be allowed near the marina and West Shades area. Recreation is only closed in these areas of Cherry Creek State Park. Boating and fishing are not restricted. Signs have been placed at the recreational closure areas to inform visitors and warn of the potential dangers of contact with an algae bloom.

The threshold for water recreational closure set by CDPHE is 8 micrograms per liter (ug/L) of microcystin and above. This is considered a “red” level. Samples testing below 8 ug/L are considered at a “yellow” level, where recreation is not restricted but visitors should take precautions.

The samples collected at Cherry Creek State Park showed concentrations of 10 ug/L, which resulted in the marina and West Shades area operating at “red” level. Samples will continue to be collected and tested, and the closures will remain in place until the level of microcystin decreases.

“All skin-to-water contact should be avoided for humans and pets,” Cherry Creek Operations Manager Larry Butterfield said. “Contact with the water could cause minor skin rashes and make pets ill. Dogs need to be on-leash to keep them from drinking or playing in the bloom.”

Updates to the closures will be posted to the park’s website.

According to CDPHE, symptoms of toxic algae exposure include skin irritation, fever, diarrhea, headache, muscle and joint pain, and liver damage. Contact a healthcare provider or Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222 if suspected exposure has occurred.

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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.