Your dip in Cherry Creek will have to wait.
On Thursday, the Chatfield State Park and Cherry Creek State Park were closed due to high levels of E. coli after a quarterly test showed “unsafe bacteria levels.”
Chatfield swimming access is closed due to elevated E. coli levels. We’ll continue to gather water samples and update when swimming is allowed.https://t.co/5EaIOl7jsS pic.twitter.com/N7TsMwBmj2
— CPW NE Region (@CPW_NE) July 6, 2023
“The elevated bacteria levels can be caused by fecal waste from wildlife, run-off from urban areas, or excessive run-off from rain, and the park has seen heavy rainfall this year,” said Cherry Creek State Park Operations Manager Larry Butterfield, as first reported by 9News.
According to the CDC, E. coli are bacteria found in the environment, foods, and intestines of people and animals. E. coli can cause diarrhea, while others cause urinary tract infections, respiratory illness, pneumonia, and other illnesses.
While water lovers can’t explore the waters just yet, access to the beach, fishing, and paddle boarding are allowed.
“While these closures are not common, we test the water often to make sure the public is safe while enjoying the reservoir.”
