Colorado’s closure of U.S. 6 in Clear Creek Canyon miffs kayakers

Denver-area kayakers who flock to the world-class rapids of Clear Creek Canyon this time of year are being shut out because of a massive project to put in fiber-optic cable for wireless coverage through the canyon.

Installation has started, but the problems for kayakers really begin late today when the Colorado Department of Transportation closes U.S. 6 between Golden and Colorado 119 through the work week until June 29.

The closure starts at 11 p.m. every Sunday and extends through every Friday at 10 a.m. That leaves the road open much of Friday, all day Saturday and much of Sunday.

CDOT also will keep U.S. 6 open from 10 a.m. May 24 until 8 a.m. May 29 for Memorial Day weekend.

Kayakers are miffed because they won’t be able to get to the water at Clear Creek during the week at a time when ideal conditions will quickly vanish. That’s because there is less mountain snow than in recent years and it is melting quickly during an unusually warm season.

“It’s definitely cutting off the bulk of the paddling season,” said John Kahn, owner of Confluence Kayaks in Denver.

Last year, the South Platte River was running strong well into July, Kahn said. But this spring, prime kayaking could disappear in just a few weeks.

“It’s a lot more challenging there than on the urban South Platte,” Kahn said. “There are spots were the water is Class 4 or Class 5 rapids. That’s the spot you want to go.

“But now they are cutting off the access, and that’s going to hurt,” he said.

Christof Stork said he paddles in Clear Creek Canyon once or twice a week, as do a lot of metro-area kayakers.

“This is a special area, and it’s a world-class creek and it means a lot to me and a lot of others,” Stork said. “On good years, you can ride well for two months, and this year it’s only going to be about six weeks. And it’s happening right now.”

CDOT is escorting rafting companies to spots along the canyon where they can disembark, said spokesman Bob Wilson.

But individual kayakers will have to wait for the weekend openings to get their runs in, he said, adding that CDOT is also doing mitigation work on rock slides in the canyon.

“The timing is unfortunate, but in talking to people in the project, it just creates too much of a hazard for the kayakers when the work is going on,” Wilson said.

Any kayaker is also free to embark somewhere farther up the canyon and away from the construction and ride all the way down the canyon, he said.

The new fiber-optic line, installed by Crown Castle International, will provide cellphone services for travelers through the canyon, as well as provide electronic message signs, closed-circuit cameras and digital radio systems for emergency crews.

“It’s unfortunate that this is a season for a lot of activities … cycling, boating and kayaking,” Wilson said. “But it’s also our season to get things done as well.”

Monte Whaley: 720-929-0907 or mwhaley@denverpost.com