By Shannon Lukens. (Courtesy photos)
Cleanup of the Yampa River is this Saturday. This includes 15 stretches of the Yampa from Chuck Lewis State Wildlife Area to the Steamboat KOA Campground past Yampa River State Park, and in Craig. John Husband is with the Northwest Colorado Chapter of the Parrotheads who is arranging the work in Craig.
“People in the Yampa Valley like to enjoy the river a lot, and recreate on it, tubing, floating along the river and that sort of thing. We need to keep it cleaned up so everybody can enjoy it and we leave it in shape for the next people.”
If you want to help in Craig, meet at 9 a.m. Saturday at Pebble Beach by the golf course.
In Steamboat, clean-up is being organized by Friends of the Yampa and the City of Steamboat Springs. They’d love your help. Check in at 9 a.m. Saturday morning at Little Toots Park in downtown Steamboat. At noon, come back for lunch and a clean-up celebration.
Sign up to help in the Steamboat Springs area.
And remember, when tubing the Yampa, please toss your tubes in a trash receptacle if the tube breaks. Don’t leave it along the side of the river.
Here’s more from the City of Steamboat Springs.
Yampa River Clean-Up Scheduled For Saturday, July 9
Annual Event Coordinates And Engages Volunteers To Clean Up Yampa River
STEAMBOAT SPRINGS, COLORADO-July 5, 2022-The Friends of the Yampa and City of Steamboat Springs will be hosting a river clean up event Saturday, July 9, 2022.
This event is an annual effort that spans many miles of river, typically from Chuck Lewis State Wildlife Area to the Steamboat KOA Campground and engages volunteers to give back to the Yampa River and reminds all of us to respect the Yampa by keeping it clean and trash free.
There will be a total of 15 different stretches of the Yampa River for volunteers to clean up this year, along with several downtown tributaries. In addition, similar clean up events will take place downstream at Yampa River State Park and in Craig with the Northwest Colorado Chapter of the Parrotheads.
The Steamboat event takes place from 9 a.m. to noon, meeting at Little Toots Park, 55 12th Street in downtown Steamboat Springs. Volunteers can check-in on Saturday morning starting at 9 a.m. at Little Toots Park to receive additional instruction and cleaning supplies. At noon, volunteers will return to Little Toots Park for a post clean-up celebration complete with music, free lunch, and cold drinks.
To streamline the check-in process, anyone interested in volunteering is asked to sign up online by 2 p.m. on Friday, July 8. The online portal allows volunteers to pick which stretch of river they would like to clean and provides basic details and instructions for cleaning each stretch of river. If you are unable to sign up in advance, just swing by Little Toots Park after 9:00 AM to receive an assignment.
If you plan on attending, make sure to wear adequate footwear for walking along the riverbank, thick gloves, and other clothing to match the weather. Expect mosquitoes, so long sleeve shirts and bug spray is recommended. Trash bags and limited pick-up sticks will be provided.
For information and to sign up, visit www.steamboatsprings.net/rivercleanup.