Boulder Creek tubing ban lifting starting Friday night

Maddie Rhodes
·2 min read
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DENVER (KDVR) – The melting snow in the mountains is raising water levels on creeks along the Front Range, making water sports especially precarious in June. While many places have banned tubing for the time being, Boulder Creek is lifting its ban on Friday.

The Boulder County Sheriff’s Office announced that Sheriff Curtis Johnson is rescinding the tubing ban on Friday, June 21 at 5 p.m.

Where is water tubing banned in Colorado?

Earlier this June, Boulder Creek closed tubing due to melting snow resulting in high water flows through the creek. This month, the sheriff’s office said the creek was flowing at around 701 cubic feet per second.

This creek was one of many banned in the early summer. North Saint Vrain and Saint Vrain Creek in Boulder County as well as Clear Creek in Jefferson County were temporarily banned for safety concerns with the high water levels.

As of Friday night, that ban will be lifted for Boulder Creek as the sheriff’s office said the water levels have fallen. That said, the office is still warning people that the conditions might not be safe based on skill or comfort level.

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Water sport safety tips

The sheriff’s office provided some safety tips if you plan on going to Boulder Creek:

  • Bring a personal flotation device or life jacket

  • Use a drysuit or wetsuit when water temperatures are low

  • Wear a helmet in shallow water or areas where underwater conditions are unknown

  • Put your name and contact information on the equipment in case you lose it in the water. The sheriff’s office can then contact you to make sure you safely exited the water

  • Go with other people or tell people where you are going and when you will be back

Tubing is a great way to cool off in the summer heat, but make sure the creek you’re heading to isn’t banned and be sure to bring the right equipment.

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