AppendixF–Recreation
PopularAttractions
GlenwoodSprings
FlatTopWilderness
HangingLake
HarveyGapStatePark
RifleFallsStatePark
RifleGapStatePark
WaterDependent
Hunting
Fishing
OtherRiverRecreation
ReferencesCited
MCWC Watershed Plan Appendix F AppendixF–Recreation
The Middle Colorado River Watershed (MCRW) provides a wide variety of settings where outdoor recreation opportunities abound, including hunting, fishing, whitewater rafting, kayaking, caving, cycling, rock climbing, horseback riding, nordic skiing, all‐terrain vehicle touring, off‐road Hummer touring, Segway touring, tandem paragliding flights, and lodge stays. The abundance of recreational activities that the region offers draws in new residents, creates business opportunities, and attracts tourists. I‐70 is a vital transportation corridor linking Denver International Airport, the Denver metropolitan area, and other Front Range population centers to the area, offering easy access within a two and one‐half to four hour drive to most places of interest. Outdoor recreation is big business in Colorado. It contributes over $10 billion annually to Colorado’s economy and supports 107,000 jobs across the state. The economic activity generated by outdoor recreation generates nearly $500 million in annual state tax revenue. Retail sales and services account for $7.6 billion in Colorado, representing 4% of the entire gross state product (OIF, 2006). Visitors spend money in local communities on things like food, lodging, and equipment. On average, visitors to Garfield County spend $287 per person related to outdoor trips. Over 3,700 jobs in Garfield County are tourism based with the number growing over time (CDPA, 2008). As a strong economic driver for the region, it is critical that the natural resources that the recreation industry relies on be maintained in a healthy and sustainable condition. With projected population growth in the MCRW coupled with increased tourism use, the area will experience increased recreational pressure on its public lands, natural amenities, and stream and river corridors. In order to assure and maintain a high quality recreational experience, there are a few issues to consider. 1) There are many competing interests for water. Protection of instream flows that resemble the pattern of historic stream flows is important for sustaining fish populations, sustaining riparian habitat for big game (hunting) and watchable wildlife, and for supporting recreational boating. 2) Demands on public access to the river and streams will likely grow. Controlled and managed access needs to be accommodated. Planning for new access can be thoughtful and sensitive to ecological impacts. The “Garfield County Greenprint for Conservation and Economic Opportunity” document devotes a section to the preservation and enhancement of recreational and tourism opportunities in the county (Garfield Legacy Project, 2012). This document is a good resource when planning on a comprehensive scale. 3) Monitoring is a tool that can be employed to determine the impacts of recreational activities on ecological integrity. Information gained through monitoring should be used to modify management strategies, mitigation unintended impacts, and to inform future recreational planning processes. Following is a description of some of the outdoor recreational features and activities that occur in the MCRW. F-1 MCWC Watershed Plan Appendix F PopularAttractions
GlenwoodSprings
The most popular tourist hub in the MCRW is Glenwood Springs, conveniently located along I‐70 and home to the world's largest hot springs swimming pool. Glenwood Springs has become a year‐round destination due to the diversity of outdoor activities, nearby ski resorts, access to the Colorado and Roaring Fork Rivers, and the Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park. FlatTopWilderness
The Flat Top Wilderness, portions of which occupy the northeast portion of the MCRW, is the second largest designated wilderness area in Colorado. It is part of the White River National Forest system which is the most visited national forest in the nation. High mountain lakes, deep canyons, and cascading streams punctuate the area. This area is popular for camping, wildlife watching, hunting and trout fishing. HangingLake
Hanging Lake is another popular site in the White River National Forest located about seven miles east of Glenwood Springs. It sits in Deadhorse Creek Canyon roughly 1,000 feet above Glenwood Canyon. The lake is a limestone travertine formation which features waterfalls cascading down into a crystal clear lake full of trout. The trail attracts over 100,000 visitors per year. Hanging Lake was designated a National Natural Landmark by the Secretary of the Interior in 2011. HarveyGapStatePark
Harvey Gap State Park, managed by Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW), is a favorite spot for anglers in the winter and summer. It is situated north of the Town of Silt and is nestled against the Grand Hogback. Anglers catch channel catfish, tiger muskie, largemouth and smallmouth bass, black crappie, bluegill, yellow perch, northern pike, and rainbow trout. Boating use is restricted to motors 20 horsepower or less and canoes are welcome. Ice fishing draws anglers to Harvey Gap in the winter. The reservoir (aka Grass Valley Reservoir) is about 190 surface acres when full. Annual visitor usage as of 2008 was 25,600 (source CPW fact sheet). RifleFallsStatePark
Rifle Falls State Park is a Colorado State Park located northeast of Rifle. The central feature of the 48 acre park is a triple seventy foot waterfall flowing over a natural travertine feature on East Rifle Creek. Commonly seen wildlife includes mule deer, elk, coyote, and golden‐mantled ground squirrel. Rainbow and brown trout can be caught in the creek. Limestone cliffs near the falls contain several small caves populated with bats. Visitor facilities include campsites, picnic sites and short hiking trails. Annual visitor usage as of 2008 was 66,300 (source CPW fact sheet). F-2 MCWC Watershed Plan Appendix F RifleGapStatePark
This 1,340 acre park with a 360 acre reservoir lies north of Rifle in the Rifle Creek drainage basin. The long, narrow reservoir is inviting to water‐skiers, jet‐skiers and power boaters. Rifle Gap often has good conditions for sailing and windsurfing. Swimming is popular at its west side beach. Anglers catch rainbow and brown trout, walleye, northern pike, largemouth and smallmouth bass, yellow perch, and black crappie. In the winter, anglers bundle up for ice fishing. Commonly observed wildlife include mule deer, elk and great horned owls. Park facilities include a visitor’s center, campgrounds, picnic sites and a boat ramp which was utilized by approximately 207,000 visitors in 2008 (source CPW fact sheet). Hunting
Large herds of deer and elk attract hunters during the fall big game hunting season which extends from late August into December. Resident and non‐resident sportsmen spend significant amounts of money in the MCRW. Hunting activity has an estimated $24.8 million dollar economic impact each year in Garfield County (total economic impacts include direct expenditures plus secondary spending by business and households as of 2007). Non‐resident hunters and anglers bring money into the Colorado economy that would probably have gone to another state if not for Colorado’s variety of hunting and fishing opportunities like those found in Garfield County (BBC, 2008). Fishing
The mainstem of the Colorado River and its many tributaries in the MCRW are home to several species of non‐native trout including brookies, browns, and rainbow as well as the native cutthroat. Sizable trout are generally found from Glenwood Canyon downstream to the City of Rifle, a stretch where fishing occurs year round. Anglers fish from the bank as well as from float boats. A number of local outfitters provide guiding services. Pocket fishing can be experienced on a number of the smaller streams where flows provide adequate habitat. Fishing has an estimated $25.9 million dollar economic impact each year in Garfield County (total economic impacts include direct expenditures plus secondary spending by business and households as of 2007) (BBC, 2008). OtherRiverRecreation
Water‐based recreation in the MCRW provides a mixture of opportunities in a variety of scenic settings. Floatboating (including rafting, kayaking, and canoeing), camping, picnicking, sightseeing, photography, hiking, and wildlife viewing are enjoyed along the river corridors where public access is available. Public access is abundant from Glenwood Canyon downstream to South Canyon Bridge. Thereafter, access is generally limited to public parks maintained by local municipalities. Although limited, public boating access exists downstream of Rifle, but river hazards do exist so boaters need to be aware of river conditions before heading downstream. Commercial rafting is popular in the lower portions of Glenwood Canyon downstream to South Canyon. In 2014, the commercial boating industry reported 55,224 user boater days. This is estimated to generate $6.8 million dollars in direct expenditures with a total economic impact of $17.5 million dollars (CROA, 2014). F-3 MCWC Watershed Plan Appendix F The newest addition to local water sports is the Glenwood Whitewater Park on the Colorado River near the West Glenwood I‐70 exit. The Whitewater Park hosted the U.S. Kayak Freestyle Team Trials in its second year. The site regularly convenes top paddlers who test their skills against the powerful current of this manmade wave. ReferencesCited
BBC Research and Consulting. 2008. The Economic Impacts of Hunting, Fishing and Wildlife Watching in Colorado ‐ Final Report. Prepared for Colorado Division of Wildlife. Colorado Department of Public Affairs (CDPA). 2008. Regional Social‐Economic Profile, Region 11. State Demography Office. Colorado River Outfitters Association (CROA). 2014. Commercial River Use in the State of Colorado 1988‐2014. Year End Report. Garfield Legacy Project. 2012. Garfield County Greenprint for Conservation and Economic Opportunity, 55 pp. Outdoor Industry Foundation (OIF). 2006. The Active Outdoor Recreation Economy. F-4