Chatfield Reservoir — Attraction in Colorado

You ruined the lake. This is no longer a Coloradan lake, don't come here expecting that. Expect a lake from California moved over to Colorado. Everything feels man made. The trees feel like they've been placed, I know they haven't because I remember where they used to be, but the trees have been selectively cut down to give it some terrible nuclear anesthetic. And what happened to the parking lot? It looks like a landing strip for biplanes. It is so over the top cutesy like a mid-life woman owned antique shop. The camping sites are 200$ away from having a Walmart built 30 seconds away from them. There is nothing about them that even suggest nature. The humble nature of the reservoir is completely gone. It used to feel like a small encounter with nature in a surrounding of dystopian construction, but now it just another immigrant from California here to drink boba tea, listen to rap, and act completely disingenuous. Even the outskirts of the lake that still have trees aren't safe. You're clearly making your way in that direction. I wouldn't even dump my trash here. It's not good enough for that.

The one good part is that the lake itself is 99% oil and gas. If you feel like making a quick buck, get a scoop of the water, and boil off the gas into a condensation tube without boiling the water. In June they'll probably blast it with fog lights for pride month so you can see all the rainbow "water". I don't recommend smoking near the water either, you'll probably kill everyone near the water.

The person responsible for the renovation should be thrown in a wood chipper. You are a disgrace to the notion of life. You took the one escape withing 40 miles and turned it into a retirement home for the elite. For the record, I don't care that my name is linked with this post. I hope you know just how much I hate you. My disdain is imposing, and you ruined the one retreat I have ever had. I just wanted to read a book, by the lake and enjoy the trees and the occasional sound of people having fun. Now when I go there, it feels like a cubicle and I should be spinning office supplies and glancing at the clock. Staying at your lake feels like a chore, and the sound of laughter has been silenced.

I want to take you to court for the time spent writing this review and even driving near your lake. You should be ashamed. God is ashamed.

TLDR: Whoever gave the go ahead on the renovation should be charged with murder. They cut down the trees and exiled nature from ever returning. This is not a place for fun to be had. It is guantanamo for the easily swayed. I hate everyone who contributed to the renovation and I wish nothing but...

If you don’t work on fridays, have extra PTO, or simply put, unemployed, meander right over to Chatfield Reservoir; where the magic happens! Our crew decided to channel our inner Ferris Bueller and explore the aquatic nirvana of paddle boarding.

We rolled in like a snack-loaded, drink-laden, smile-infested brigade, ready to make some serious waves—literally and figuratively. Paddleboarding? More like paddle-BORING…. said no one ever. We glided across the water like drunken swans, our laughter louder than a group watching a black person trying to swim. Hilarious.

The real magic started when the jokes began flying. We had our share of edgy humor (note to self: some jokes are best left at the bottom of the lake), but when you’re with friends, new and old, and the laughs are flowing faster than the drinks, it’s all good family fun.

Our crew was a superhero mashup of old pals and new buddies, joining forces for an unforgettable day. The only thing more diverse than our friend group was our snack selection. From one bag of potato chips to another - we had it all. Cheese boards on paddleboards, anyone?

Highlight of the day: Nati, the lone black wolf in our group, slathered on sunscreen like it was going out of style and somehow still managed to get darker. Nati, you’re a legend.

The true MVP, Princess Peach, joined the shenanigans. She paddled, posed, and probably ate more snacks than the rest of us combined. Chatfield Reservoir gets an extra point for being dog-friendly.

Oh, and let's talk reservoirs for a second. This one beats any other out there, hands down. Granted, it’s the only one I’ve been to, but who needs comparison when you’ve already found perfection? Chatfield Reservoir is the Beyoncé of bodies of water.

So, if you’re looking for a place to unleash your inner rebel, bond with friends, and maybe embarrass yourself trying to balance on a paddleboard while peeing, Chatfield Reservoir is the place to be.

Just remember: talk to me nice, or don’t talk...

Chatfield Reservoir is one of our favorite spots to relax and paddle. It is dog, friendly, has quite a bit of beach space, plenty of parking (outside of peak season and times), and provides beautiful views of the front range.

Our favorite time of year is to go in the fall, when it’s a bit less busy. There is a lack of trees and shady areas available on the beach, so make sure to bring sun protection. That being said, there are plenty of trees usually available via the water, so you can paddle out for a very unique experience of getting to go through the trees in the water.

IMPORTANT NOTE: It does get quite windy, so ensure you always have on a personal flotation device. I’ve been at the reservoir on multiple occasions when paddleborders have drowned. The water can get really cold and become more dangerous than a lot of...