Project will double the size of Chatfield's reservoir, among other improvements
As we reported in the Roundup last March, Chatfield State Park started a $160 million improvement project last year. The project will almost double the amount of water the reservoir holds (the reservoir will go from 27,000 acre feet of water to 47,000 acre feet of water). There are other improvements planned, such as new boat ramps, marina, trails, and more.
One of the great features of Sterling Ranch is that every homeowner in Sterling Ranch receives a free annual state parks pass for all 41 Colorado State Parks, including Chatfield and Roxborough State Park. Given how integrated Sterling Ranch is with the greater Chatfield area, we know residents are eager to hear more about the project. So, where does the project stand today?
Swim Beach
Let's start with my favorite family-friendly amenity, the swim beach! Chatfield's westside amenities, which stretch from the swim beach south to the Fox Run Day-Use Area, are on track to be completed by April 1, 2019. The swim beach will officially open for the 2019 summer season on Memorial Weekend 2019!
South-facing view of Chatfield. The swim beach is located on the right side of the photo.
Marina & Boating
Construction of the new marina docks, and the accompanying landside improvements, have started. According to Chatfield, this is the largest and most complex part of the recreation portion of the project.
Dredging operations and landside earthwork to accommodate the new parking lots, restroom facilities, and landscaping have been completed, which is great news. Chatfield has a special marine-focused contractor on-site fabricating the new marina docks. And good news here as well. Chatfield says they are on schedule to have the slips open for boaters on May 1, 2019. The South Boat Ramp is also on schedule to open by May 1, 2019. Several other boating amenities, such as power, water, fuel, and boat sewage removal, will be available to marina patrons by mid-May 2019. The landside facilities should open to the public by Memorial Day Weekend 2019.
Unfortunately, the marina floating facility has been delayed. Construction is scheduled to commence April 15, 2019 and will be completed by mid-August 2019. Chatfield is looking into providing short-term amenities to boaters during the construction of the floating building.
Map of Chatfield and Sterling Ranch
When will the Park return to normal operations?
Good news here as well. Chatfield says the park will generally return to normal, uninterrupted operations and public use by July 2019. Chatfield will have small landscape and watering crews out during the summer and fall of 2019, but those operations aren't anticipated to interfere with park activities.
It's been a long 10 years of planning, but this summer one of Sterling Ranch's great amenities, Chatfield State Park, will be bigger, newer, and better than it's been in the past, with additional reservoir capacity to help meet the needs of boaters, kayakers, fishermen, swimmers, and everyone else who enjoys a trip to the reservoir in the summer!
If you'd like to learn more about cool Chatfield amenities, check out these Roundup articles:
69 Acre Dog Park
Have dogs who love to run and play? Chatfield's amazing 69 acre off-leash dog park is one of the biggest (and in my opinion, best) off-leash dog parks in the entire Denver metro area.
Camping
With 197 campsites, you can experience summer camping in Colorado - just 3 miles north of Sterling Ranch. Here's the Roundup's guide to camping at Chatfield! Also, check out the camping site map to the right.
Horse Riding
Our friends at Cottonwood Riding Club have a 100-acre horse facility next to Chatfield. Cottonwood is your one-stop shop for all things equestrian, from lessons to boarding to, yes, even polo!
Mariel Ross is a realtor who specializes in helping clients budget for, design, and build their dream homes. At Focus Real Estate we've helped clients build hundreds of new homes around Denver with Lennar, Parkwood, Richmond, Wonderland, and many other builders. Learn more about what I do here. If you'd like to chat, shoot me a note at mariel@focus-realtors.com and be sure to "Like" the Roundup on Facebook. The Sterling Ranch Roundup is powered by Focus Real Estate.
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