Poudre River Whitewater Park

The Poudre River Whitewater Park in Fort Collins, Colorado, opened in 2019 as part of a larger effort to revitalize the Cache la Poudre River corridor. The development of the 11-acre park included removal of the Coy Diversion Dam transforming a once-neglected section of the river into a vibrant recreational area featuring engineered whitewater features for kayakers and tubers, a pedestrian bridge, and restored riverbanks that support both ecological health and public enjoyment. The park's inception can be traced back to 1986, when Fort Collins became the first city in Colorado to secure a recreational in-channel diversion (RICD) water right at the old Coy Diversion Dam—pioneering legal protection of flows for recreation. This early step helped make the park possible, blending outdoor fun with environmental restoration and setting a statewide precedent for river recreation rights.