Private Boaters Glenwood Springs

Glenwood Canyon
Colorado River

Private Boater Access and Issues

Revised April 2008

Feedback from rangers: Conflicts have been minimal. Boaters are applying the principles/ideas below and the situation is much improved from 2003.

History:

~2002/3 timeframe- Glenwood Canyon River Rangers were faced with river access issues and proposed a private boater permitting system because of boat ramp congestion (particularly at Shoshone and Grizzly put-in's).
Representatives from the WATER (club in Grand Junction), Colorado Whitewater Association (Denver), Private Boaters Coalition and private boaters attended USFS public meeting in April 2003 to suggest alternative solutions for congestion without implementing a private boater permitting system.
In 2003, both CWWA and Private Boaters Coalition worked to get the word out to inform private boaters of the issue and how to avoid the congestion problems at Shoshone.
The education effort with suggestions on how to help avoid congestion (and deal with it) helped in 2003 and river rangers abandoned the idea of a private boater permitting system (see discussion group email for summary of ideas at the time).
2004 and beyond have shown remarkable improvement using the suggestions and ideas from stakeholders.

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What does this mean to you?:

Due to private boater participation in the meetings and implementing suggested changes at the put-in it is HIGHLY unlikely that a private boater permitting system will be implemented by USFS. In fact the current head river ranger has stated that permitting is not on the horizon. However, to build on the success we had in 2003, we plan to continue and expand education efforts about the congestion at the Shoshone put-in. Interstate 70 will not change (improve parking, access) so we need to continue to adjust our behavior and habits when using this put-in.

Even if you haven’t run the the Glenwood stretch, these put-in suggestions can be translated to other river access areas across the country (i.e. Boundary Creek ramp on the Middle Fork of the Salmon in Idaho, takeout at Cache Bar on the Middle Fork of the Salmon, Hecla Junction on a busy summer day on the Arkansas River in Colorado, etc....) River managers across the country look at these education efforts to help them improve their river access areas. What you do now will indirectly affect other river management plans.

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Key Issues:

Issues to be addressed in the education tips include, but are not limited to:

Congestion
"Ramp rage"
Parking
Time of Use
Consolidation of shuttle vehicles

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What can you do?:

Ask the Ranger (Dave Van Norman)
Expect congestion at Shoshone
Don't expect to find an empty parking space at Shoshone (especially if you have a trailer), Shoshone only has 12 parking spaces with no space for more!
Don't eat lunch at the put-in
Don't clog the ramp or block the bike ramps with gear- there are many users of this area (including through-bikers using the bike path).
Don't start a water fight with other boaters, bikers, etc... as not everyone appreciates the spray of cold water (especially tourist renting bikes for the day and using the bike path).
Before launching, meet at the takeout (Confluence Park or below)
Launch before 11 am or after 2 pm to avoid the most congested launch times
To avoid congestion, boat during the week
Expect to get in and out of the put-in within 10 minutes.
Don't yell at the ranger when they ask you to move after 15 minutes, there could be 20 vehicles waiting to launch behind you.
Don't leave your vehicle idling (motor running) while waiting to unload (it makes everyone smell your exhaust at the ramp). The rangers have to smell it all day.
Ask the ranger (directing traffic) what would be his/her suggestion for unloading. They are trying to help everyone get on the river quicker.
Parking at Grizzly is almost as bad as at Shoshone
Colorado State Patrol will give you a ticket at Grizzly if you park (all day) in the rest area section of the parking lot. They check.
Parking at Confluence Park is abundant! Meet there and leave as many cars there as possible
If you can, bring your bike and do a bike shuttle, especially if you want to run Grizzly to Shoshone more than once (this is what the locals do).
Loose dogs (not on leash's) within a few hundred feet of I-70 are a very bad idea!
When you get on the river (away from the ramp) enjoy yourself. The congestion is over.
Forest Service sign with suggestion: see below

Prevent Ramp Rage (USFS Sign)

Spend your time on the river, not the ramp.
Remove boats from the ramp as quickly as possible. Rig or de-rig your boat before getting to the launch site.
Only vehicles needed to pick up boats should drive to the ramp.
Unloading and Loading quickly is respectful.
River Rangers at launches are there to help you. Help them.
Car Pool, Shuttle and Park Vehicles outside of Glenwood Canyon.
It is State Law that dogs need to be kept on a leash in parking lots and ramp areas.