Reuter Hess Reservoir manager reviews 2024 year and previews safety, parking and master‑plan work

Amy, Reuter Hess Reservoir’s recreation manager, told the Castle Pines City Council during an Aug. 27 study session that 2024 was a year of operational expansion and planning.

The presentation covered a 2023 management shift, the reservoir’s first year open for winter fishing, pilot programming, and the start of a master plan intended to drive capital projects and programming. “This document is our primary planning tool that feeds programming, budget, and sequence of work,” Amy said.

Why it matters: Staff presented the master plan as a guiding document for future spending and design work; the council’s partner‑agency relationships and permit limits will shape what projects can move forward and when. Council members pressed for continued public updates and coordination with the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board.

Key details and operational changes - Management and access: Amy said the county took over recreation management in 2023. The reservoir stayed open for fishing year‑round for the first time in 2024, and staff compared month‑to‑month 2023–24 data to show growth. - Programming winners and lessons: A windsurfing pilot attracted no attendees, while rental pontoon and pedal boats were popular. Amy said vendors reported spike in rentals after a vendor‑initiated price drop. - Safety and rescues: Amy described increasing rescue activity and explained the city has ordered a larger safety craft with a front crane to support dock maintenance and multi‑person rescues. “...in about 45 minutes, we had to perform 12 rescues because of the wind,” she said, citing a recent high‑demand incident that motivated the purchase. - Rules and enforcement: Parker Water and Sanitation requires USCG‑approved life jackets when on the water; vendors supply safety gear and staff educate users at launch points. Vessels must display a name and phone number to facilitate recovery of abandoned equipment. - Access constraints and parking: Staff said parking is currently the capacity constraint and that an expansion of the Hess Road lot and a designated trailhead are being explored for 2025. Partner days — when Castle Pines residents get free access — drove noticeable usage spikes and are limited to about 150 convenient parking spaces to manage logistics. - Procurement and vendors: Amy said the paddlecraft vendor Surf’s Up was selected through a county competitive bid process (Rocky Mountain ePurchasing) and that the vendor contract includes optional renewals.

Council response and next steps: Council members thanked staff for the update and suggested phased signups for partner days and possible two‑wave scheduling to ease crowding. Staff offered follow‑up data on vendor participation, special‑event attendance and master‑plan phases; Amy said a mid‑year appropriation request for design and engineering of early Coyote Ridge Park work will be returned to council when ready.

Bottom line: The report framed Reuter Hess as a growing recreation asset with an active master plan and near‑term public‑safety investments; the city will need additional parking or shuttle logistics to accommodate growth and will track vendor and usage data for future planning.