James M. Robb - Colorado River

C O L O R A D O P A R K S & James M. Robb-Colorado River State Park W I L D L I F E FACT SHEET FOR FISCAL YEAR 2017 Who we are Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) utilizes the principles of conservation - the wise use of natural resources - to effectively manage fishing, hunting, wildlife viewing, camping, motorized and non-motorized trails, boating and outdoor education for the citizens of Colorado and its visitors. James M. Robb–Colorado River State Park consists of five sections of beautiful riverfront along 35 miles of the Colorado River as it flows through the Grand Junction area, from Island Acres in the east, through Corn Lake, the Colorado River Wildlife Area, Connected Lakes and down river to Fruita. This remarkable park offers unique scenic and recreation opportunities. Trails wind through stands of tall trees and along the banks of the famous and magnificent Colorado River. Island Acres and Fruita offer showers and tent camping as well as full-service campsites. Island Acres also offers swimming. Fishing is allowed within all park sections and waterfowl hunting is allowed at Island Acres and west of Corn Lake. Visitors to James M. Robb–Colorado River State Park spend about $36.4 million annually at local businesses.1 • CPW is actively involved in the development of the One Riverfront Trail System along the Colorado River. This effort will provide convenient and quality trail access for people wanting to enjoy the river. • The Grand Valley is a major tourist destination. Fruita, Grand Junction, and Palisade are gateway communities to many natural attractions, including the Colorado National Monument, McInnis Canyons National Conservation Area, the Grand Mesa, the Colorado River and extensive federal lands. • The Island Acres and Fruita sections of the park offer visitors a chance to enjoy the Grand Valley, with camping available to those who want to relax and spend some time there. • The Grand Junction area is famous for the extensive biking and hiking trails available to the public, including the 150-mile Kokopelli Trail. • Wineries, orchards, events, festivals and sightseeing driving tours through the Dinosaur Diamond and Scenic Byway 65 attract visitors to the Grand Junction area. The Island Acres section is minutes away from the new Cameo Shooting and Education Complex. Competitors who have recreational vehicles or choose to camp will have easy access to this section. • Our partners • Grand Junction Visitor and Convention Bureau • Mesa County • Bureau of Reclamation • Mesa Valley School District 51 Challenges we face • Colorado Mesa University • River's Edge West • One Riverfront • City of Fruita • City of Grand Junction • Town of Palisade • Mesa Land Trust • An important challenge is understanding how to efficiently use our limited resources to market a park with an attractive mild climate, convenient access to the I-70 corridor and a long visitation season. • Multiple properties were acquired to allow for the eventual expansion of the One Riverfront Trail System. Managing these properties for the maximum benefit of the agency, while waiting for the opportunity to develop the Riverfront Trail has created challenges. • Non-native, invasive plants dominate many of our properties, while poor soils, lack of irrigation and significant beaver populations complicate restoration after invasive plants are removed, presenting a challenge in our effort to improve habitat quality. • Effectively coordinating efforts with other agencies to develop the One Riverfront Trail System, while maintaining overall park operations and meeting park visitor needs remains a management challenge. • As the only managing entity along the One Riverfront Trail System that charges fees to park or utilize boat ramps, providing a sufficient level of service and amenities to users is a challenge. 1Source: Corona Research, Colorado State Parks Marketing Assessment, “Visitor Spending Analysis 2008-2009" (adjusted for inflation). COLORADO PARKS & WILDLIFE 6060 Broadway, Denver, CO 80216 (303) 297-1192 cpw.state.co.us DUSTIN DOSKOCIL/CPW Top attractions 361 32 Rd; Clifton, CO. 81520; P.O. Box 700 (970) 434-3388 • colorado.river.park@state.co.us Park Manager: Pete Firmin As of June 30, 2017 Volunteer activities • The campground host program provides valuable services to campers and assists park staff during the long camping season. • A volunteer conservation program with Bookcliff Middle School teaches outdoor science and ethics in a natural classroom. Geography Region: Northwest County: Mesa Year Acquired: 1968 Elevation: 4,600 ft Miles From Denver: 240 Annual Visitation 423,583 Facilities 3 Boat Ramps 2 Dump Stations 3 Group Picnic Areas 2 Laundry Facilities 11 Picnic Areas 2 Showers (coin-operated) 3 Visitor Centers Acreage Total Acres: 936 Governmental US Cong Dist: 3rd CO Senate: 7th CO House: 54th and 55th Trails Biking: 13 miles Hiking: 13 miles Horseback: 5 miles Total: 13 miles Employees Permanent: 8 Temporary: 16 Volunteers: 309 Volunteer Hours: 5,166 Roads Paved: 4.1 miles Unpaved: 1.1 miles Recreation Boating Fishing Geocaching Hunting Ice Fishing Ice Skating Ranger/Nature Programs Sailboarding Swimming Wildlife/Bird Viewing Winter Camping Camping Campsites (basic, year-round): 19 Campsites (electrical, year-round): 56 Campsites (full-hookup, year-round): 22 Campsites (full-hookup, seasonal): 40 Group Facilities (year-round): 6 Walden Fort Collins Craig Hayden Steamboat Springs Sterling Estes Loveland Park Greeley Oak Creek Fort Brush Morgan Meeker Kremmling Wray Brighton Denver Golden Avon Vail Rifle Frisco Glenwood Springs Breckenridge Collbran Fruita Aspen Leadville Castle Rock Limon Burlington Fairplay James M. RobbColorado River Delta Paonia Hotchkiss Buena Vista Crawford Colorado Springs Kit Carson Cripple Creek Olathe Gunnison Montrose Salida Canon City Pueblo Ridgway Ouray Lamar La Junta Dove Creek Walsenburg Monte Vista Dolores Cortez Mancos Durango Alamosa La Veta Springfield Pagosa Springs Trinidad COLORADO PARKS & WILDLIFE 6060 Broadway, Denver, CO 80216 (303) 297-1192 cpw.state.co.us KEN PAPALEO//HIGH COUNTRY COLORING Grand Junction KEN PAPALEO//HIGH COUNTRY COLORING James M. Robb-Colorado River State Park