Recent changes to the Boulder Reservoir have upset locals

BoulderCBS

For all long as many locals can remember, the Boulder Reservoir has been a sanctuary for the hottest summer days.

Things are changing this year at the Reservoir because Boulder Parks and recreation have extended the hours to 9 pm and entered into a public-private partnership with a new restaurant owner who wants to throw Dinner of the Beach events, including food alcoholic beverages.

According to Kim Bixel, a nearby local, most of the nearby residents were shocked by the changes and claims that no one is thinking about the actual safety realities of the situation.

Kim claims that locals were under the impression that the city was planning to upgrade the grounds and facilities at the reservoir, not to have dinner parties after sunset when it's difficult to see the water or the beach at all.

The Director of Boulder Parks and Recreation, Allison Rhodes, tells a different story and says that the changes result from community input, stating that they had an email list with 8,000 residents on it. Allison also mentioned that people are already allowed to bring liquor to the beach, so having control of the sale and consumption of alcohol would actually reduce potential harm and mirror the approach of other lakeside venues across the country.

The restaurant owner originally applied for his own liquor license but decided to withdraw his application after the protest from locals. Six nonprofits are now requesting special liquor licenses for Dinner on the Beach events, with the restaurant Dritwind to provide food.

Although locals are raising concern, Allison says that the Boulder County Sheriff's Office has been made aware of the changes and didn't oppose them.

Follow me to see more articles like this.

...

Follow