Colorado River Cleanup (CRC)

Saturday SEPT 9th, 2023

On Water Volunteers:

If you have a boat, or have a friend with a boat and you would like to help with the cleanup, as we float the river please read the following information.

We are planning to clean up almost 34 miles of the Colorado River through the Grand Valley from Palisade to Loma, divided into 5 sections. See map above for sections. While floating down each section we try to use the rafts as barges to haul, while smaller craft duck in and out of the smaller eddies for a deeper clean. Of course, we all pull over in the bigger eddies. Every cleanup, the stretch from Las Colonias to Blue Heron needs the most attention, calling for those with the big boats, heavy lifters, and compassionate hearts to help with this mission.

On water volunteers need to supply their own boat and all required equipment as stipulated by the State of Colorado. Our insurance also requires that each participant wear an appropriate and properly fit PFD at all times while on the river or near it. We ask that people only bring craft suitable for the river. Innertubes, pool toys, or other floaties that are not designed for the river are not appropriate during the cleanup.

If you don’t have a boat, but have a friend that you can team up with, you are welcome to sign up as a passenger. However, due to liability, we can not make arrangements for you to ride in someone else’s craft. If you would still like to volunteer you are welcome to join our Ground Crew or try to make friends at the boat ramp and see if they’ll let you join them.

Shuttles:

So you don’t have to worry as much about shuttle, we are partnering with a few local shuttle services. We will be meeting at our respective boat ramps to rig boats then driving our personal vehicles to the takeout where we will have vehicles ready to shuttle at the times listed below, based on your section. After shuttle is complete, we will have a brief safety meeting, then launch working our way down the river as a group. If you miss the cut off time for the shuttle you will need to provide your own shuttle, though people in the group may be able to help you out.

Section A, Palisade to Corn Lake:

7:15 – Volunteers arrive at Palisade boat ramp to rig their boat
8:00 – Volunteers depart to take their vehicles to Corn Lake
8:30 – Pali-tours arrives at Corn Lake to shuttle volunteers back to the Palisade Boat Ramp
9:00 – Volunteers launch and start cleanup
12:30-1:30 – Volunteers finish at Corn Lake

Section B, Corn Lake to Las Colonias:

8:30 – Volunteers arrive at Corn Lake Boat Ramp to rig their boat
9:15 – Volunteers depart to take their vehicle to Las Colonias
9:30 – GJ Adventures arrives at corn lake to shuttle volunteers back to Corn Lake
10:00 – Volunteers launch and start cleanup
1:00-2:00 – Volunteers finish at Las Colonias

Section C, Las Colonias to Blue Heron:

7:45 – Volunteers arrive at the Las Colonias Boat Ramp to rig their boat
8:45 – Volunteers depart to take their vehicle to Blue Heron
9:00 – GJ Adventures arrives at Blue Heron to shuttle volunteers back to Las Colonias
9:30 – Volunteers launch and start cleanup
12:00-1:00 Volunteers finish at Blue Heron

Section D, Blue Heron to Fruita:

7:15 – Volunteers arrive at the Blue Heron Boat Ramp to rig their boat
8:00 – Volunteers depart to take their vehicle to Rimrock Boat Ramp
8:30 – Rimrock arrives to shuttle volunteers back to Blue Heron
9:00 – Volunteers launch to start cleanup
2:00-3:00 – Volunteers finish at Rimrock

Section E, Fruita to Loma:

7:00 – Volunteers arrive at the Rimrock Boat Ramp to rig their boat
7:45 – Volunteers depart to take their vehicle to Loma
8:00 – Rimrock arrives at Loma to shuttle volunteers back to Rimrock
8:30 – Volunteers launch and start cleanup
10:30-11:30 – Volunteers finish at Loma

Ready to sign up? Click on the button below.

Signup Here!

What to Wear:

Each participant should be dressed for the river. In Colorado the weather changes often and people can get cold even on a hot day if the clouds roll in and the wind picks up. A splash top and bottom (rain gear works if you don’t have these) can keep you warm in this situation.

Appropriate footwear is a must. Most river runners use Chacos or other strap-on sandals, which work on most river trips, but for a river cleanup where we spend more time walking the shoreline than floating, a shoe that covers your foot more may be preferable. Flip flops or water shoes/booties that have no support in the sole offer little protection and are not appropriate. A few companies make a lace up river shoe that work great, but If you don’t have good river footwear, an old pare of tennies that lace up tight and wont come off your feet if you step in mud work ok, but they will get trashed.

REI put together a decent list of what to wear on a river trip here.

Please Bring:

Your own Boat or Board
Paddles/oars
PFD (Life Jacket)
Effort and Enthusiasm

Some other good things include:

Gloves (PLEASE BRING LEATHER (or equivalent) WORK GLOVES)
Wire cutters
Old tarp to protect your boat
Safety first mindset

Appreciation BBQ:

Year after year amazing volunteers come out and help make our local river a little cleaner and a little bit better of a place to be. To say thank you for your help, we will be hosting an Appreciation BBQ sponsored by Grand Junction Adventures. At the BBQ we will have some swag to give away and some announcements to make, so please join us and meet more people in the local boating community.

Time: 5pm-8pm

Location: Las Colonias River Park (the cabana attached to GJ Adventures in between the Butterfly Pond and boat ramp).