Summer Job in Denver (River Suggestions?)

[cnj001]

Hey Guys, this is Nate Jones. I got a summer job in Denver, and wanted to see if yall had any information on the rivers in Colorado. Most of the local folks are real cool, but I can't ever tell if an "easy" class III run is actually going to be all that easy. (And, I don't have a creek boat with me, I only have my play boat.)

The guys at work suggested browns canyon, parts of clear creek, and parts of the poudre (pronounced "pooter" i think). I've run the ocoee several times (both upper and middle runs), but I don't want to get much harder than that? What do you guys think, any suggestions?

[kansasjames]

Stop by confluence kayak, it down town kinda.I think its off speer road, anyway they sell a book called colorado rivers and streams. The only book you need for the states runs. Pretty current info. Also Don and John, the owners are great source for info. Check out Bailey and Foxton canyon just off of the front range 30-45 minutes rom Denver. Hope this gets you where you wana be.

[Roger]

Poudre has got anything you want and most of it is scoutable from the road. Should be easy enough to find a couple of a sections for your skill set.

The Ark has got several sections that vary in difficulty and I'm sure there something in there for you. Some can be road scouted, some not.

[cyberpapa]

Golden has a whitewater park...Woody's for pizza
Poudre...New Belgium Brewery tours in Ft. Collins... Crazy live music venue, Mishawaka (the Mish) on the banks of the Poudre.
Arkansas... play park in town of Salida.. Salida to Rincon CG is easy. There is also an easy short run called "the Milk Run" from Johnson Village to Fisherman's Bridge. Brown's Canyon a step up. Good hot dogs and italian beef at a faux Chicago deli near the park in Salida.
In general (as a tandem canoeist)
a big difference in river ratings compared to here in AR is the class II rapid in CO could go on...and on....and on. Not the class II like on the Mulberry where you have a relatively short rapid followed by a recovery pool.
Check out mountainbuzz.com The message board will hook you up with other paddlers and would be a great place to get further river info. Cal

[Roger]

My experiences are from an OC-1.

cyberpapa speaks well of the difference between an eastern rating of II vs. the western version and III, IV, etc.