Many cyclists are concerned about the safety of riding, especially with the increasing number of crashes with motor vehicles. The Denver area has many paved shared use trails which allow cyclists to travel long distances without interacting with cars. These trails typically follow stream valleys, streets or highways. Shared use paths are for bicyclists, pedestrians, skaters, wheelchair users, and other non‐motorized users including Class 1 e-bikes that are limited to 20 mph.
One of Bike Jeffco’s initiatives is to improve the bike trail experience. Our program has the following objectives:
• Provide information about the bike paths in the Denver area, including descriptions, jurisdictions, and maps
• Provide information about safety and etiquette when riding paths
• Identify necessary improvements to paths to enhance riding enjoyment and safety
• Provide input for path improvements to the jurisdictions responsible and work with them to facilitate improvements
• Through a trail advocate program, provide volunteer riders to identify hazards and educate and help path users
The Board has decided to establish the following trails as high priority for 2024:
• Bear Creek Trail
• Clear Creek Trail
• Ralston Creek Trail
• Genesee/El Rancho Trail
• Mary Carter Trail
• Golden Gateway Trail
Trail Descriptions:
Bear Creek Trail
The Bear Creek Trail is a paved multi-use trail that runs nearly 20 miles from the South Platte River Mary Carter Trail near Hwy 285 west to the town of Morrison after passing through Bear Creek Lake Park.
Segments the Bear Creek Trail include:
- South Suburban – From the South Platte River (Mary Carter Trail) to Lowell Blvd.
- Denver – From Lowell Blvd to Wadsworth.
- Lakewood – From Wadsworth to Fox Hollow Golf Course.
- Bear Creek Lake Park – From Fox Hollow Golf Course to C-470 right-of-way (ROW).
- C470 Underpass and Morrison– The C-470 ROW adjacent to and under C-470.
- Morrison – West of C-470 ROW through the City of Morrison.
Reporting of Problems Observed on the Bear Creek Trail
South Suburban Segment
Responsible Entity: South Suburban Parks & Recreation
Contact: Anna Trexler-Varela, 303-483-7025
Report issues through the online portal: www.ssprd.org/Contact-Us
In the dropdown, select “Other Comments”
Denver Segment
Responsible Entity: City of Denver Parks & Recreation Department
Contact: Adam Lind, Trails Program Manager
Office: (720) 913-0676 Cell: (720) 694-2585 adam.lind@denvergov.org
Report issues through the online portal:
denvergov.org/Online-Services-Hub/Report-an-Issue/issue/new-report
Lakewood and BCLP Segments
Contact: Lee Blair, Open Space Coordinator, 303-679-6154, leebla@lakewood.org
Report issues through the online portal: www.lakewood.org/Government/Departments/City-Managers-Office/Communications/Request-Lakewood-service-request-FAQ
C-470 Segment
Contacts for reporting issues:
Region 1 (Denver Metro/Central Colorado) Bike/Ped Representative: Carrie Tremblatt
Morrison Segment
Public Works Department
Contact: Fritz Fouts, Public Works Director, 303-697-8749 ffouts@morrisonco.us
Clear Creek Trail
The Clear Creek Trail is a paved multi-use trail that runs more than 20 miles from the Northeast Denver area through Golden. The trail begins at the junction with the South Platte trail in Adams County, through Wheat Ridge, unincorporated Jefferson County and Golden.
Segments the Clear Creek Trail include:
- Adams County – A nine mile stretch from the South Platte River to Harlan Street and Creekside Park.
- Wheat Ridge – From Creekside Park to Indiana Street approximately 0.6 miles west of I-70.
- Jefferson County – From Indiana St. to the Golden City line just north of the Coors Brewing plant.
- Golden – Fron the city line west to US Hwy 6.
Refer to the three maps that follow this page.
Reporting of Problems Observed on the Clear Creek Trail
Adams County Segment
Responsible Entity: Adams County Parks, Open Space & Cultural Arts
Report issues through the online portal
Wheat Ridge Segment
Responsible Entity: Wheat Ridge Parks & Recreation
Contact: Brandon Altenburg, 303-231-1307, baltenburg@ci.wheatridge.co.us
Report issues through the online portal
Jefferson County Segment
Responsible Entity: Jefferson County Open Space
Contacts: Emily Guffin, Trails & Access Program Manager, 303-271-5946
Report issues through the online portal
Golden Segment
Responsible Entity: City of Golden Parks & Recreation
Contact: Tammy Tucker, Parks & Recreation Director, 303-384-8100
Report issues through the online portal
Genesee El Rancho Trail
This is a 2-mile concrete multi-use trail along I-70 that runs from the Genesee Exit (Buffalo Herd) to Rainbow Hill Road near El Rancho. The entire trail is owned and maintained by the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT).
Contacts for reporting issues:
Region 1 (Denver Metro/Central Colorado) Bike/Ped Representative: Carrie Tremblatt
Maintenance Report form Chat with a live agent Ride With GPS Link
Golden Gateway Trail
Jefferson County Open Space is responsible for the Golden Gateway Segment to Clear Creek Canyon. This 1.75-mile trail connects with downtown Golden along Clear Creek and continues west to Tunnel 1 along US 6. There are two new trailheads on US 6, one at the entrance to the canyon on one near Tunnel 1. This is a part of the Peaks to Plains trail that continued further up US 6 at the Mayhem Gulch Trailhead.
Reporting of Problems Observed on the Clear Creek Trail
Contacts: Emily Guffin, Trails & Access Program Manager, 303-271-5946
Report issues through the Online portal
Mary Carter Trail
The Mary Carter Greenway is one of the busiest multi-use trails in the metro area. The trail follows the South Platte River north for eight miles from C-470 to the junction with the Bear Creek Trail just south of US-285. North of the junction with the Bear Creek Trail, the name of the trail changes to the South Platte Trail, which continues to Brighton.
Reporting of Problems Observed on the Mary Carter Trail:
The entire Mary Carter Trail is maintained by South Suburban Parks and Recreation.
Contact: Anna Trexler-Varela, 303-483-7025
Report issues through the Online portal (In the dropdown, select “Other Comments”)
Ralston Creek Trail
The Ralston Creek Trail is a 12.5-mile paved multi-use trail that runs through numerous parks, open space, picnic and play areas in Arvada. The west end of the trail is on 64th St. near Blunn Reservoir, and the east end is at the Clear Creek Trail near Sheridan & I-76.
Reporting of Problems Observed on the Ralston Creek Trail:
The entire trail is maintained by the City of Arvada Parks Department.
Contact: Ken Billups, 720-898-7415
Report issues using the Online portal
Bike Trail Safety & Etiquette
Sometimes the fact that cars are not present creates a false sense of security when riding bike paths. In reality, many crashes occur on bike paths which range from single rider mishaps to collisions with other users that may include walkers, runners, dogs (leashed or not), in-line skaters, baby strollers, skateboarders, and horseback riders. It is important to keep in mind the variety of users, and the risk of mishap that can result when such a diverse set of users share a recreational path. Please take responsibility for the safety of you and other path users and expect the unexpected!
Discussed below are some of the hazards of riding bike paths and rules and etiquette that will prevent crashes. Another excellent source of safety information is the article from the firm Colorado Bike Law: www.colobikelaw.com/articles/avoidmayhem.html. This article has excellent advice if you are unfortunate enough to be injured in an accident on a multiuse path. It is important to secure information and evidence just as it is in a roadway accident. If possible, make every effort to have the accident investigated by the authorities.
Bike Path Hazards:
- Varying path surface conditions – width or surface changes, cracks or heaving of pavement, sand, gravel, wet pavement, ice. Be constantly vigilant for changes in the path surface.
- Bridges – Wood bridges are slippery when wet. Some entrances require slowing down to make a tight turn on or off the bridge.
- Underpasses – Visibility is limited when approaching or exiting an underpass so slow down and stay to the right. Water and debris can accumulate at the bottom of underpasses.
- Other people, regardless of whether they are walking, riding or rolling – Many times people are enjoying their walk/ride and not necessarily paying attention to where they are on the path. Riders need to limit speed to 15 mph and slow down when encountering others. Always call out or signal with a bell your intent to pass or that you are approaching. Do not assume that they can hear you. Many path users are using headphones or are distracted with their phones or conversations with friends. Also, the person you are passing may not know how to react to your warning. It’s up to you to slow down and avoid a collision if you are passing.
- Crowded conditions – Weekends and great weather draw more people to the paths. Slow down when the path is crowded, and travel at speeds that are safe and appropriate for the conditions.
- Dogs – As you approach a dog, it is important to know whether the dog is on a leash, and the length of the leash. Long or retractable leashes can cause more of a risk to cyclists than unleashed dogs.
- Wildlife – Be aware that deer and other animals inhabit the greenbelts.
Rules, Etiquette and Safe Practices:
- Speed limit 15 mph for all path users.
- The width of the path may not allow side-by-side riding. Stay to the right side of the path unless passing when safe to do so and pass to the left of slower users. Always be riding single file when passing others or to give room for approaching riders.
- Call out or ring a bell to alert other trail users you are approaching or passing.
- Riders must yield to pedestrians and other users.
- Bike paths are not suitable for large groups of high-speed riders. If your group averages over 15 mph, bike paths are not suitable for your training rides!
- Walkers, horseback riders and slower trail users do not appreciate being “buzzed” by a cyclist traveling at high speed. Slow down and communicate in a courteous manner.
- Power assisted bikes that travel at speeds over 20 mph are not allowed on Denver area paths.