Really Missing Front Range/Eastern Slope, But.........

[SkyDog77]

Originally Posted by Colorado Rambler

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!

Wish I could send you rep again.

[BabyBoomers2]

Originally Posted by pikabike

Actually, learning the nav stuff wasn't necessarily fun; what I meant was that knowing how to take advantage of tidal flows was fun. And yes, definitely different strokes for different folks.

Sounds like you miss Chatfield specifically, and if you only go boating there, dealing with AIS rules should be a breeze. The toughest problem you are facing is finding a place big enough to keep your boat that is within your budget, whatever that might be. Denver has grown, to put it mildly. I do think it is worth looking at the reservoirs north of Denver, because there are a few more of them there vs south of Denver. That would help with ramp waiting time.

Actually, we miss the good times we had rainbow trout fishing on Chatfield. Miss "beaching" our old Bowrider there. Had a good time watching the hot air balloons go up over the lake when that festival was there.
Did launch and cruise around a few times on CC and that as also fun.
Ahhhhh yes, the old days!

[BabyBoomers2]

After researching different areas in the state (Colorado) and in New Mexico, Arizona and Nevada, we pretty much came to a solid conclusion that either Longmont or Loveland would be ideal for us. Close to the Rockies/RMNP, same rodeo action we went to when we lived in Colorado before, power boating/fishing lakes and so on. We can slip on our Western stuff and stop by Centennial Livestock Auction or head up to Cheyenne for the day.

So, decision made (for now anyway). Can't wait to see the big Bull Elk and Cows again!

[TCHP]

BTW, no one has mentioned it yet, but the same thing is happening at RMNP. Attendance at the park was 2.7m ten years ago. Last year it hit a peak of 4.5m. The Park Service is considering limitations on the number of visitors the park will allow as a means to preserve it. Peak attendance months at the park are July-Sept, so you may be okay for the October elk rut.

[Colorado Rambler]

Originally Posted by TCHP

BTW, no one has mentioned it yet, but the same thing is happening at RMNP. Attendance at the park was 2.7m ten years ago. Last year it hit a peak of 4.5m. The Park Service is considering limitations on the number of visitors the park will allow as a means to preserve it. Peak attendance months at the park are July-Sept, so you may be okay for the October elk rut.

If there still is a park service and National Parks by October. Given the way things are unfolding right now, all bets are off.

[BabyBoomers2]

Originally Posted by Colorado Rambler

If there still is a park service and National Parks by October. Given the way things are unfolding right now, all bets are off.

RMNP won't close. Hours, days and admittance could be shortened, but park is to popular to close.
Just like Yellowstone, NP....... will never close.

Only a major forest fire could/would shut both down temporally.

[SkyDog77]

Originally Posted by LoveBoating

RMNP won't close. Hours, days and admittance could be shortened, but park is to popular to close.
Just like Yellowstone, NP....... will never close.

Only a major forest fire could/would shut both down temporally.

They won't close it. Just shorten hours and start allowing drilling. Probably worse.

[Colorado Rambler]

Originally Posted by SkyDog77

They won't close it. Just shorten hours and start allowing drilling. Probably worse.

The precedent has already been set on lands the Park Service manages - the National Monuments. Hovenweep NM and Canyons of the Ancients NM have been all but destroyed by the fracking activities of big energy outfits like Kinder Morgan - and with very little fanfare. Mesa Verde National Park is under siege by fracking activities right on its eastern boundary. I would hope that everyone would join SkyDog and me in howling to the moon should this continue. (I presume that being such a great dog, SkyDog would howl. )

Our public lands are too precious to be turned over to the tender mercies of Putin.

The people of my little town "in the middle of nowhere" are planning a march in support of saving our National Parks and Forests on Earth Day toward the end of this month.

[Dreaming of Hawaii]

Marching is good, but contacting your Representatives and Senators is better. Support what they are doing and let them know what you don't like. Call, text, email, snail mail. They can't ignore us forever (can they?).