Boats being banned in Horsetooth's Satanka Cove

(reposting to fix e-mail address for Larimer County Commissioner John Kefalas)

The county is unexpectedly limiting access to Horsetooth's Satanka Cove west of the boat ramp to only "paddle crafts." Here's a link to the county's press release, followed by my opinion offered to Larimer County commissioners. https://www.larimer.org/spotlights/2021/04/01/larimer-county-natural-resources-separates-paddlecraft-use-motorized-boating Should you wish to express your own opinion of this situation, consider offering a respectful, non-argumentative note to Larimer County Commissioners. Bill Prater

jkepalas@larimer.org jshadduckmcnully@larimer.org kstephens@larimer.org

With an increase in people using Larimer County reservoirs — and an “exponential” increase in those using paddle boards, canoes and kayaks at Horsetooth Reservoir — officials have decided to separate the uses at the county-operated reservoir west of Fort Collins.

The Larimer County Department of Natural Resources announced in a press release Thursday that the west side of Satanka Bay, the northern cove at Horsetooth, will be closed to motorboats with only paddle crafts allowed.

The east side of Satanka Bay, and the rest of Horsetooth, will remain open to motorized boats, according to a press release.

The department, in the press release, said the change was made for safety, citing a 30% increase in day-use at the reservoir and a 40% increase in boat inspections in 2020 over the previous year alongside an “exponential rise” in the number of paddle boards, canoes and kayaks over the past five years.

To:  Larimer County Commissioners Jody Shadduck-McNally, Kristin Stephens, John Kefalas 

Dear Commissioners:

Reference:  https://www.larimer.org/spotlights/2021/04/01/larimer-county-natural-resources-separates-paddlecraft-use-motorized-boating

For well over a decade now, I have annually paid $140 and more for the right to fish Horsetooth Reservoir from my little boat, mostly on Monday through Thursday to avoid weekend crowds. Over the past year I have tolerated a quadrupling or more of paddleboard use on just about every acre of this lake, every darned day of the week. Anglers like myself pay a daily combined fee for their vehicle and a single boat. Paddleboarders who use Horsetooth pay a single $9 vehicle fee, and can bring in as many inflatable paddleboards as will fit in their car or truck. A common (and understandable) practice is to park acquaintances’ cars outside Horsetooth boundaries and pile everyone into a single vehicle.

One of the biggest annoyances to retirees like myself has been the absolute flood of growing paddleboard traffic on both ends of the lake including the upper reaches of Satanka Cove, one of my absolutely favorite fishing spots (A fact I have mostly kept to myself until now). I have just learned that no boats will be allowed in the cove this year, essentially taking it from anglers and leaving it to paddleboarders. 

Um, respectfully, I was there first. I pay an awful lot for the privilege of fishing in Satanka and a limited number of other quality fishing coves. And I strongly object to a major change like this being enacted without opportunity for public comment. Please tell me I am misunderstanding the situation - or better yet, restore my fishing rights to Satanka Cove. And please, please, do not think about closing off any other coves on this lake. If you feel the need to isolate paddleboards from other lake users to avoid conflicts - and that is certainly understandable - limit paddleboarders to as much open water as you like east of the Satanka Boat Ramp. Conflict solved; everyone's happy.

I am offering this opinion on this as a Loveland resident, editor and past president of the Loveland Fishing  Club, and long-time volunteer and supporter of Larimer County Parks and Open Space. It sure seems like the county is cutting into the rights of long-time lake users in favor of followers of a newly popular sport and a commercial paddleboard rental operation. It also seems like paddleboarders are getting a huge freebie that I have to pay for, and that the commercial interests at the Satanka Boat Ramp will get near-exclusive access to one of the most attractive features of our lake. 

Here is a link to the considerable discussion taking place on the Facebook page of Chad LaChance, host of the "Fishful Thinker" television program and one of the most knowledgeable and trustworth advocates of Horsetooth Reservoir:  https://www.facebook.com/FishfulThinker/posts/4027132374008665

Bill Prater