Boyd Lake State Park is one of Northern Colorado’s most active and valued boating destinations. For decades, the marina at Boyd Lake has provided essential services to park visitors and the surrounding community, including seasonal slips and moorings, dock access, fuel services, boat rentals, and a centralized hub that enhances safety and organization on the water.

The future of marina operations at Boyd Lake is changing, and the community recognizes that Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) may have new plans for how marina services are operated moving forward. Regardless of what those plans ultimately look like, existing slip and mooring holders should be grandfathered into the new marina arrangement and given priority — including the first right of refusal — before slips or moorings are offered to new applicants.

More than 125 seasonal slip and mooring holders have relied on Boyd Lake for consistent boating access, many for years. These families have invested their time and money in the lake and helped build the marina community that exists today. They should not lose their place simply because the concession, marina operator, infrastructure, or management model changes.

Marina services provide benefits far beyond seasonal boat storage. They provide fuel access and boating support, boat rentals for visitors who do not own boats, organized dock management, support for on-water safety operations, local tourism, and a gathering place for generations of Colorado families.

The marina also provides meaningful seasonal employment for local teens and young adults. For many, it is their first job and an opportunity to learn responsibility, teamwork, customer service, and work ethic. For employees, boaters, and families alike, the marina has become a “second home” where lifelong friendships and memories are built.

The marina has also historically represented a revenue-generating partnership with Colorado Parks and Wildlife, with a percentage of marina business revenue contributing back to the state park system.

We recognize that Boyd Lake faces challenges, including fluctuating water levels, infrastructure needs, construction, and environmental considerations. These realities make thoughtful planning even more important. Marina operations and environmental stewardship are not mutually exclusive. Responsible marina management can support recreation while protecting the lake, shoreline, and wildlife habitat.

Decisions regarding long-standing public services should be based on objective standards, community impact, environmental considerations, public safety, and the best interests of Colorado residents. As CPW determines the future of the marina, the process should include transparency, reasonable transition planning, and meaningful community input.

Most importantly, any future marina plan — whether operated by a new concessionaire, through a competitive Request for Proposal (RFP), or under another model developed by CPW — should expressly grandfather existing slip and mooring holders into the new operation. Current holders should receive the first right of refusal for their existing or comparable spaces before those spaces are made available to new customers. A change in marina management should not mean that the families who have supported Boyd Lake for years are pushed aside.

We respectfully request that Colorado Parks and Wildlife:

Preserve marina services at Boyd Lake State Park and include them in the park’s future plans;
Grandfather existing slip and mooring holders into any new marina operation or concession and provide them the first right of refusal for existing or comparable spaces;
Ensure a fair and orderly transition so current boating families are not displaced simply because the marina’s operator or management structure changes; and
Continue working collaboratively with the Boyd Lake community as future marina plans are developed and implemented.
Boyd Lake serves thousands of Colorado families each year. Its marina has been part of that experience for decades. We urge Colorado Parks and Wildlife leadership and the Parks and Wildlife Commission to preserve these services while protecting the families who have supported and relied upon them for years.

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