Really Missing Front Range/Eastern Slope, But......... (Denver, Yampa: to rent, buy)

[BabyBoomers2]

Originally Posted by pikabike

Maybe look near the Cheyenne area. You would be near Glendo and Guernsey Reservoirs for powerboating, though Guernsey gets drained in early summer. And it is close to Fort Collins, Horsetooth Reservoir, plus some other more northern Front Range reservoirs.

CO is not a great boating state unless you are a whitewater kayaker. Yeah, I know, not your interest. Seems that other parts of the US would better fit the lake powerboating and proximity to big box stores and services, with less ramp waiting time because there are simply more lakes spreading out the population of powerboaters.

Believe it or not, cowboys and ranching do exist in other parts of the country. The cowboy myth/icon might not be as obvious as in the west, but cowboys weren't known for being boaters, so they didn't care if lakes for recreation abounded. Frankly, in the most ranchy parts of CO, any little shallow muddy circle of water in the ground is viewed as a watering hole for livestock.

One of the reasons we have been serious thinking about moving back (not to the same area, however) was because we know parts of the Front Range so well. We had lots of fun while living there. Had to put up with the winters, but that's just part of living there.

We really thought we'd like living in NC and boating on Lake Norman, but it didn't turn out that way. Lake Norman just wasn't a lake we liked, and was only on it once for a boat test ride.

Went to a Cherokee casino in the mountains, but it definitely wasn't the same as going to Black Hawk.

After my wife got laid off from her job, we had the opportunity to relocate and chose here. We THOUGHT we'd like all the boating opportunities here, but way more difficult to boat here on the Intracoastal or local river than on CC or Chatfield. Much more navigational stuff to learn. We found out fairly quickly that we are definitely freshwater boaters and freshwater fishing........not saltwater or brackish water! Every time we come in from local river, we have to flush out our engine/outdrive. Don't have to do that on Colorado lakes.

As far as CO not being much of a "boating state", we'd disagree. We've seen the parking lots at both CC and Chatfield full of vehicles w/boat trailers. Of course, when retired or semi-retired, going to a lake during the week is much easier than the weekend.

During the years we lived on the Front Range (Englewood and Parker) we enjoyed the best of two worlds........cowboy/Western (rodeo) and boating, as well as RMNP.

[pikabike]

The marine navigation is not rocket science, and you can learn the basics before going on salt water and learn more as you go. The ICW and the Gulf of Mexico are oddballs, so local knowledge and experience are crucial.

I came from freshwater-only CO where I took up sea kayaking, got hooked, started studying things marine emphasizing navigation, and had enough knowledge and skill to know my boundaries and stay safe when we moved to WA. The kayaking was indeed what I had hoped for, but eventually we left for other reasons. I will get my sea and ocean kicks on vacations from now on, because I know I will miss real sea kayaking.

Anyway, change of subject now. You will have to wash out your engine, bilge, and hull even in Colorado. Get up to speed on what AIS (aquatic nuisance species) have been up to. Many western states have inspection and decon requirements, which vary from jurisdiction to jurisdiction.

BTW, I used to kayak at Chatfield every week and know well what the boat ramp crowds were like, even though I did not use the ramps myself. Weekends and holidays in the warm season frequently brought waits of two hours. Weekdays, less of a wait.

[BabyBoomers2]

We have taken two USCG Auxillary Boating classes and still really don't know half of the navigation stuff. For us, it's just much, much easier boating on a lake. Some people just aren't ICW or ocean boaters, like us.

I never once ran muffs on the outdrive and never had a problem in 3 1/2 years of boating there. Did'nt own muffs until moving here. Drained the bilge area, but that was it.

We had an Inspection done one AM, before launching at Chatfield Ramp (by the dam) and compltetely passed.

We did run into some crowds at the ramp, but that was when we were retrieving the boat, but very little when launching. A number of boaters, at the main gate to Chatfield, drove over to the marina ramp to launch. We only launched from there a couple of times.

We are also "fair weather" boaters (there and here). Wind too high, we don't go out. Wildfire smoke in the air, don't go out. Rain/t-storms in forecast, don't go out. Never went out in the afternoons.

BTW, another thing we didn't have to think about boating in CO, the tides.

[SkyDog77]

Have you boated Lake Powell or Lake Mead?

If I weee in to fresh water boating I would be targeting those lakes.

Have you thought about Henderson, NV?

[BabyBoomers2]

Originally Posted by SkyDog77

Have you boated Lake Powell or Lake Mead?

If I weee in to fresh water boating I would be targeting those lakes.

Have you thought about Henderson, NV?

Unfortunately, it gets way to hot there during the summer. That kind of heat isn't good at all for our age.

[SkyDog77]

Originally Posted by LoveBoating

Unfortunately, it gets way to hot there during the summer. That kind of heat isn't good at all for our age.

Fair enough. It does get really hot there. I still think from everything you describe, Rapid City and Spearfish would be worth checking out.

Nevada side of Tahoe or maybe Reno as well?

[TCHP]

Originally Posted by pikabike

Anyway, change of subject now. You will have to wash out your engine, bilge, and hull even in Colorado. Get up to speed on what AIS (aquatic nuisance species) have been up to. Many western states have inspection and decon requirements, which vary from jurisdiction to jurisdiction.

Yes and no. Certainly, the first time you hit Colorado water you are going through an inspection and decontamination flush. When you come out of the water, you have an exit inspection when your boat is tagged and you are issued a permit. So long as the tag is intact and you have the permit, the next time you enter the water, its a basic visual check for standing water in the bilge, engine bay, or live wells. Brake the seal of the tag or loose the permit, and you get to do decon all over again. There also is a color code on the tags for lakes that are nuisance free, have contained nusiance species, or require regular decontamination. Similarly, if you come from a body of water with a known problem to a body of water with no problem, you may also have to get a decontamination flush as well.

There is still some western culture along the Front Range, and it can be found more easily in the small communities, but it quickly being overrun by urban dominance in the metro areas around Denver.

[BabyBoomers2]

We still have a year or so to completely decide on where to go. All we know is what we miss from when we lived there, that where we live now and Florida in general isn't for us. We just don't like the East Coast or Southern states. Funny, but most people here would never think of moving to Colorado. Most know nothing about Colorado, Wyoming, Montana or states around them. There are plenty of gators here, but no Elk and haven't seen a White Tail since living here. Lots of Geico lizards and water bugs (coach roach family) also.

[pikabike]

Originally Posted by LoveBoating

We have taken two USCG Auxillary Boating classes and still really don't know half of the navigation stuff. For us, it's just much, much easier boating on a lake. Some people just aren't ICW or ocean boaters, like us.

I never once ran muffs on the outdrive and never had a problem in 3 1/2 years of boating there. Did'nt own muffs until moving here. Drained the bilge area, but that was it.

We had an Inspection done one AM, before launching at Chatfield Ramp (by the dam) and compltetely passed.

We did run into some crowds at the ramp, but that was when we were retrieving the boat, but very little when launching. A number of boaters, at the main gate to Chatfield, drove over to the marina ramp to launch. We only launched from there a couple of times.

We are also "fair weather" boaters (there and here). Wind too high, we don't go out. Wildfire smoke in the air, don't go out. Rain/t-storms in forecast, don't go out. Never went out in the afternoons.

BTW, another thing we didn't have to think about boating in CO, the tides.

The tides and currents are just part of the whole seamanship and navigation learning curve. They make the water more interesting, and can be a lot of fun. I studied mostly on my own, using several books and starting with land navigation, then adding in the other variables. I got some help as part of kayak coaching from a kayak AND navigation expert, but because I learn that kind of thing best by myself, I studied mostly on my own. Group classes for that kind of subject just make my eyes glaze over.

Since rules have probably changed since you lived in CO, you really should look up what the western states' AIS mitigation requirements are. It gets more complicated than it seems at first, because they vary so much. If you ONLY boat at one body of water, it is straightforward. But most people go more than one place, and more than one state. What I am saying is to make sure you can live with the restrictions BEFORE deciding where to move. Utah's rules are very restrictive, which means that boating in Lake Powell (now known to have zebra mussels) and then boating at a noncontaminated water body means an authorized decon is necessary before going to the second place.

[Colorado Rambler]

Originally Posted by SkyDog77

Fair enough. It does get really hot there. I still think from everything you describe, Rapid City and Spearfish would be worth checking out.

Nevada side of Tahoe or maybe Reno as well?

Pssssst! SkyDog! OP has already decided that he is coming back to the Front Range so he can go power boating on Chatfield where - just like Brigadoon - nothing changes for one hundred years at a time. Anywhere else is not up for consideration. We can only wish him well and wish him the best of luck.

Good luck, OP! Tight lines and short launch waits at Chatfield!