After a lengthy delay, American Whitewater is excited to announce that river access improvements are continuing to move forward at The Slot access on the Taylor River. Improvements include much-needed erosion control and stabilization of the river bank and the installation of a staircase with raft slides. The existing foot path to the river will be maintained for small crafts and other non-raft access. These improvements to The Slot have been long overdue. For nearly two decades after the parking lot was built, there has not been adequate access to the river for larger crafts.
In 2025, partnering with the Gunnison Ranger District of the Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre, and Gunnison National Forests and engineering firm SCJ Alliance, we finalized design plans for The Slot put-in and secured a grant from the State of Colorado. The project was temporarily halted due to contracting and budgeting constraints coming from the federal government, but American Whitewater was able to raise additional non-federal funds for the project, and we have formally partnered with the National Forest Foundation to help secure and manage project contractors. The earliest construction will begin is the fall of 2026. The construction windows for this project are limited to small windows in the spring and fall so as not to disrupt the river season and to avoid winter conditions in the area.
Through the implementation of the project, we are committed to ensuring that the area retains its scenic aesthetic, improves the user experience for all types of boaters, and provides long-term protection to the river from erosion. If you would like to learn more about this project or get involved in a meaningful way, please reach out to kestrel@americanwhitewater.org.
