Driving through the state of Colorado in the warmer months can take you along narrow mountain roads flanking any one of Colorado's 20 rivers. Brightly colored rafts bob like corks through frothy rapids, eliciting delighted squeals from their occupants. Over 250 commercial rafting companies offer some variety of Colorado whitewater adventure. Renting a raft from an outfitter or bringing your own can provide a peaceful, solitary experience while pitting your muscle against river hydraulics.
River Characteristics
Spring runoff and snowmelt tumble from mountains whose peaks pierce the sky at over 14,000 feet. Steep gradients and granite boulders twist streams together in raging whitewater that can continue nonstop for miles at a time. Rafting in the state's Rocky Mountains serves up a true wilderness experience, offering the chance to explore remote canyons and backcountry that is often otherwise inaccessible. Mountain meadows burst with flowers in shades of yellow, blue and white from April through June, and vast stands of aspen blaze golden in the September sunshine.
Where to Begin
Due to steep grades and boulder-strewn riverbeds, novice-friendly water can be tricky to find. The southwest corner of the state offers several long stretches of rivers rated as Class II on the International Scale of River Difficulty, with more advanced portions above or below as you gain skill and tone upper-body muscles particular to rafting. The Rio Grande River near Creede offers bouncing boulder-garden rapids through Wagon Wheel Gap as it winds its way to the town of South Fork. Waters above Creede provide moderately challenging waters rated as Class III. Other nearby rivers of similar character include the Dolores, the lower Animas and the Gunnison.
Whitewater Parks
Man-made whitewater parks around the state offer relatively safe places to hone rafting skills. Boulders have been cemented in place, river bottoms dredged and sharp rock hazards removed to eliminate common dangers found on wild rivers. One park is located in Pueblo in the southeastern part of the state. Half a mile of the Arkansas River near downtown contains eight water features suitable for rafters to practice maneuvering through rapids. Similar parks in other areas of the state grace the cities of Glenwood Springs and Vail in the northwest section, Pagosa Springs in the southwest and Golden in the northeast.
Whitewater Marathon
If you're up for an overnight trip over some of the longest and largest rapids the state has to offer, catch the Animas River near its origin at the mining town of Eugene. This expert-only run is usually free from crowds and will test your raft-handling skill and endurance over difficult whitewater lasting two miles at a stretch. Following the course of the Durango-Silverton scenic railway, arrangements can be made with the railroad to transport you and your gear out of the last runnable canyon, not accessible by car, to save a two-mile hike to the nearest access.
Special Hazards
With the majority of whitewater thundering at elevations above 8,000 feet, the altitude can cause fatigue. In more extreme cases, severe headaches, nausea and diarrhea can occur. Constant hydration with water and electrolyte formulas can minimize symptoms until your body has a chance to acclimate. Impaired judgment from fatigue can contribute to flipping in rapids, immersing the body in icy waters that sweep you along for an extended time, allowing hypothermia to set in. Wearing a wetsuit and neoprene footwear, as well as a PFD, holds in body heat and cushions blows from sharp rocks. A change of warm, quick-drying clothing, such as fleece, should be tied to your raft in a waterproof bag for use after an unexpected swim.
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