Latest news with #CherryCreekStatePark
CBS News
06-07-2025
- Climate
- CBS News
Officials issue warning about blue-green algae at Cherry Creek Reservoir in Aurora
Officials at Cherry Creek Reservoir in Aurora are warning people about toxic blue-green algae, which can cause rashes, gastrointestinal issues, muscle weakness, or even vomiting. Friends Sonya Dominguez and Vanessa Saenz spent their Sunday morning paddleboarding in the reservoir. "It was cold today, but it felt really good because it's so hot," said Dominguez. "There was a lot of, like, you know, motorboats out too. So sometimes there would be some waves, which is nice." They weren't the only ones. Plenty of people took advantage of the long weekend to take a refreshing dip in the water. But the park wasn't full, which surprised them. "I was surprised. Especially with it being like 4th of July weekend, it was not as busy," Saenz said. "Yeah, I was anticipating a lot worse, to be honest," Dominguez added. It may have been because of the blue-green algae on the shore and in the water. Cherry Creek State Park posted online Saturday that the lake has blue-green algae. They advised keeping children and pets out of the water because it can cause illness. If you come in contact with it, health experts advise showering immediately. You can fish, but park officials urge people to rinse off their fish and dispose of their guts when cleaning them. Boating is allowed, but they say if you choose to swim, you're doing so at your own risk. "I was freaking out a little bit about it. I was like, 'it's touching my leg,'" said Saenz. "I'm really trying to find different places to get in the water because of that," Dominguez said. Dominguez and Saenz say the algae won't stop them from paddle boarding the rest of the day, but they will make sure not to skip that post-paddle shower they were each planning to take. "It is what it is," Dominguez said. "We've already been in the water, so might as well just keep it going." If you have any questions, you can call the park office at 303-690-1166 ext. 1.
Yahoo
07-06-2025
- Yahoo
Water safety a priority with Colorado Parks and Wildlife
AURORA (KDVR) — Kayaking, canoeing, paddle boards, jet skis, motor boats, ski boats, even hydrofoils, all have two things in common. They are fun and potentially lethal. 'There is always a risk when you are out in the water. Just like anything you do recreational wise, when you are on a jet ski they go really fast and boats go really fast as well,' said CPW Parks Officer Lauren Shaw. At Cherry Creek State Park, Colorado Parks and Wildlife rangers spend most of their days educating the public on water safety. Man dies after inflatable kayak capsizes in Arkansas River 'We are on foot patrol a lot on the shoreline here, checking even before you get on the water to make sure you have your life jackets with you. We also have to check in the parking lot before blowing up paddle boards, or maybe taking kayaks off the roof of the car,' said Shaw. Of all the ways one can have fun on the water, jet skis can be the most dangerous, according to CPW. 'We have a lot of jet skis or personal watercraft, and they accelerate very fast and quick and so that is what we are keeping an eye on the most.' Said Shaw. In addition to making contact with the public, CPW is hoping the public will make contact with the personal flotation devices that are being offered to use for free. 'These are from the Sea Tow Foundation. We were given a grant, so we have them for loaners for our park here, so if you forget them for the day, we can loan them out to you,' said Shaw. Even with all the appropriate safety gear, dry suits, flotation devices and helmets, a little caution, they say, can save your life. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
CBS News
26-05-2025
- Climate
- CBS News
Coloradans make best out of wet weather on Memorial Day weekend
At Colorado's Cherry Creek State Park, the rain fell in spurts on Sunday. But that wasn't getting in the way of a good camping experience for the many who reserved spots months ago. At one campsite, Bharat Shrestha, an Aurora resident and volunteer at the park, and his family and friends sat around a fire getting ready to make some dinner. CBS "We are making some Nepalese food and [the kids] are asking for marshmallows," he said with a hearty laugh. "But we don't have any marshmallows, so we told them 'next year!'" Just a stone's throw from their campsite, Rebecca and Joe Reilly were making the best out of their long-planned weekend with their two sons. "With Cherry Creek, you have to book in advance if you want a good spot, so I think I booked this back in December," Rebecca told CBS Colorado. Despite the weather, they decided to try and make it a fun weekend anyway. They had gone on trips with their boys before and knew that they'd want to camp, even though the rain took some of their family plans off the table. CBS "Finnegan has been asking since last summer at the end of the year when we could go back camping, so we decided to stick it out," Joe said. Inside their tent, the boys had coloring books and activities to accomplish. Their oldest son proudly showed off his rain boots and junior park ranger badge. Over at Bharat's campground, the family mentioned enjoying the rain itself, particularly during the nighttime. "It was nice, especially hearing the rain inside the tent," he said. All over the campground, while rain either misted or poured depending on the time of day, people were playing whiffle ball or making a fire. There was fun to be had no matter the weather, and, for the Reilly family, some memories to take home despite it all. "Especially if you have kids, they're only young once," Rebecca said. "So you make positive memories, even the rain can be a great story. You're making family stories together, so it's always worth going out now."
