The following news reports are about Colorado whitewater adventure on the Upper Arkansas River in Colorado.
A snowy winter set Colorado’s whitewater rafting industry up for what river runners describe as the perfect boating season. Snow depths throughout the state are up to 120% of average, promising that warming temperatures will soon buoy whitewater rafting destinations such as the Arkansas River, which hosts 40% of the state industry’s marketshare.
“A slightly higher than average snowpack means an excellent rafting season,” said Mark Hammer, owner of The Adventure Company in Buena Vista. “We are already booking trips in anticipation of good water levels with minimum high-water closures. It’s really a perfect situation.”
Arkansas River outfitters started opening for the season in April. …
View MoreBuoyed by warmer temperatures melting Colorado’s alpine snowpack, whitewater rafting outfitters are opening for the season this month. Arkansas River guide John Treleani took a family of first-time rafters from New Orleans on a float trip last weekend through the upper reaches of Browns Canyon National Monument.
“We had a wonderful day doing a scenic trip with their children, who had never been rafting before,” Treleani said. “The family went skiing in Breckenridge and decided to also go rafting on their Colorado vacation. It’s really great to be back on the water.”
Multiple river outfitters in the Arkansas River Valley are open for a season primed to offer perfect water flows through …
View MoreMild Weather in April Means More Activity on the Arkansas River
Canon City, Colo. (April 21, 2016) - On March 12, Raft Masters, a member of the Arkansas River Outfitters Association (AROA), kicked off the 2016 rafting season by launching one of the first trips down the river. Rafts can be seen on the river most days since then, except for some of the unusually cold days. "There was a good spring break crowd. With mild spring weather we plan on a good April and an outstanding spring," said Will Colon, co-owner of Raft Master and AROA member.
"Right now I'm anticipating a fairly "normal" season, with about average snowpack, which translates to good …
Read MoreMild Weather in April Means More Activity on the Arkansas River
Canon City, Colo. (April 21, 2016) - On March 12, Raft Masters, a member of the Arkansas River Outfitters Association (AROA), kicked off the 2016 rafting season by launching one of the first trips down the river. Rafts can be seen on the river most days since then, except for some of the unusually cold days. "There was a good spring break crowd. With mild spring weather we plan on a good April and an outstanding spring," said Will Colon, co-owner of Raft Master and AROA member.
"Right now I'm anticipating a fairly "normal" season, with about average snowpack, which translates to good …
Read MoreArkansas River, Colo. - March 29, 2016 - The Arkansas River Outfitters Association (AROA) is the Watershed Sponsor (top sponsor) for the 2016 Arkansas River Basin Water Forum that will be held in late April in Salida. As a sponsor AROA will coordinate the raft trip, fly fishing introduction class and host the Percolation and Runoff Dinner Event at Rivers Edge. "Our members understand the challenges of preserving and protecting water in the Arkansas basin. We hope by sponsoring the water forum we show our support and together explore a complex array of options to meet the basin's numerous water needs," said Mike Kissack, president of the Arkansas River Outfitters Association.
The Arkansas …
Read MoreColorado whitewater media requests can be made to individual members of AROA or send an inquiry to all qualified members by filling out the Media Request Form.