Pursuing New Legislation to Clarify Stream Access in Colorado

American Whitewater, Colorado Whitewater, and the American Canoe Association are pursuing a bill in Colorado’s 2026 legislative session to clarify the public’s lawful ability to float, scout, and portage around hazards on Colorado’s rivers. This legislation would include robust protections for landowners, including expanding liability protections and clarity around property rights violations. For decades, Colorado’s murky river access laws have led to regular conflicts between public river users and landowners, risking the quality of life for both parties. 

“Enjoying our state’s rivers is baked into our culture here in Colorado,” said Hattie Johnson, Southern Rockies Restoration Director at American Whitewater. “But lack of clarity in the law leaves the thousands of residents and visitors that float these rivers at risk of losing that privilege.”

American Whitewater and our partners have been navigating this issue for decades and for the past year have undertaken concerted stakeholder outreach with water rights holders, landowners, farmers, local communities, and businesses. In response to stakeholder input, we are pursuing a bill that provides legal certainty for the status quo, including that as long as river users launch and take out on public property, they can legally navigate downstream, and portage and scout river hazards only as necessary for safe downstream travel. 

“We can and should secure a future where all Coloradans are protected by clear and reasonable river access laws,” said Kestrel Kunz, Southern Rockies Protection Director at American Whitewater. “If we continue to let river access go unresolved, we put the livelihoods of business owners, landowners, and Coloradans at risk.”

With Colorado’s $37 billion outdoor recreation economy and increasing population, proponents believe that we must work together to find a legislative solution for river access before a court case takes up the issue without a public process.

Before legislation moves forward, river access proponents are committed to continued stakeholder engagement and encourage interested organizations and members of the public to reach out with questions and feedback.

To continue our momentum and achieve success in Colorado, we need your financial support. We have a big gap to fill to meet a $80,000 campaign goal to support our lobbying, stakeholder engagement, education, and broad grassroots efforts. If you enjoy Colorado’s rivers or if public river access is important to you, now is the time to make a contribution, whether small or significant, it all makes a difference. You can donate directly to this campaign using this form. We appreciate any support you are able to give!