Golden trying to fix ‘atrocious’ behavior along creek

On July 4, dozens of tubers, swimmers and others cool off at the Clear Creek Whitewater Park near Lions Park. Thousands of people spent their Independence Day weekend cooling off in Clear Creek. Corinne Westeman After the unusual and — to a certain degree — chaotic summer along Clear Creek, many in Golden are wondering what’s in store for next year.Between this summer’s drought, the extended tubing season and major heatwaves, city officials said the 2026 creek season brought many new challenges.Trash was rampant; many visitors showed a blatant disregard for the rules, despite signage and enforcement; and the creek’s banks showed major erosion and trampled vegetation from frequent picnicking, officials described at the Oct. 27 City Council meeting.“I think saying ‘challenging behavior’ is an understatement for what we saw this summer,” Councilor Patty Evans said. “ … The behavior was atrocious.

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