Swift water pours down Boulder Creek On Wednesday, June 12, 2024, Boulder County Sheriff’s Department closed Boulder Creek to single chamber flotation devices.[/caption]

Sheriff Curtis Johnson, working with the City of Boulder, has concluded that, in the interest of public safety, Boulder Creek will be closed to tubing and single chamber flotation devices.

The closure took effect on June 12 at 5 p.m. for Boulder Creek from below Boulder Falls at Highway 119 to 55th Street in the city of Boulder.

The closure includes single-chamber rafts, single-chamber belly boats, and inner tubes from floating in the creek. Sheriff’s deputies will be posting notices and advising likely tubers of the closure.

On June 12, Boulder Creek was flowing at approximately 701 cubic feet per second (CFS). As temperatures rise, spring run-off and the normal scheduled release of water from Barker Reservoir will cause the creek water flow to rise, increasing risks both to people recreating and to first responders performing water rescues.

Increased risks during higher water flows include cold water temperatures, floating debris, and obstructions in the water that can snag a person.

Kayaks and white-water canoes are exempted from this closure; nonetheless, kayakers are strongly encouraged to exercise caution and wear personal protection equipment including a life jacket, wet or dry suit, and a helmet.

The closure will remain in place until the water flow levels in the creek reduce to a level that is deemed to be safer for single chamber flotation devices.

The sheriff is authorized to close waterways under Colorado Revised Statute (C.R.S.) 33-13-110(2)(c). Violations of the closure are a civil infraction and will result in a $100 fine.