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Homeowners, lake club and residents urge Loveland to move rocks and reopen Lake Loveland swim beach
Summary
Multiple homeowners, Lake Loveland Recreation Club leaders and residents told council the city's placement of boulders at the swim beach increased risk for swimmers and asked that the rocks be moved and the swim beach reopened; council asked staff for follow-up information.
Residents and representatives of the Lake Loveland Recreation Club appealed to the City Council on May 6 to move boulders the city placed at the Lake Loveland swim beach and to reopen the designated swim area before summer, arguing the rocks push swimmers into boat traffic and increase collision risk.
Rob Woodward, speaking for the Lake Loveland Recreation Club (LLRC), said the city dumped boulders under the swim beach on property “controlled by Lake Loveland Recreation Club, LLC without consultation or permission” and asked the council to move the rocks to the south shoreline and reopen the swim beach. Woodward said closing the swim beach “will force kids to the dangerous south shoreline” where boat traffic is heavier.
Several residents who live around the lake backed LLRC’s request. Rich Ball, a longtime lake resident and former parks and recreation commissioner, called the tradeoff “$50,000 versus the safety of our youth” and urged the council to relocate the rocks to the south portion of the shoreline to deter boaters from the swim area. Olivia Lundeen, a nearby homeowner and organizer with a “Save the Beach” group, asked council to use state statute SB24-058 (referenced by the speaker) as a potential lever to help preserve the public swim area.
Council members asked staff to follow up with the police and parks divisions and to send written responses to homeowners who had submitted related correspondence. Councilor Olsen and others requested staff analysis on liability, property boundaries and the lease arrangement governing lake access; council staff said they would follow up with details and copy interested residents.
No ordinance or funding decision was made at the meeting. Speakers asked the city to either move the boulders to the south shoreline or reopen the designated swim beach for the safety of children and other swimmers; council asked staff to report back on the legal status of the shoreline, lease terms and potential liability before deciding on next steps.
The council did not vote on a formal motion about the beach at the May 6 meeting, but several councilors asked that staff provide a written response to residents and return with options and cost estimates.
