The Colorado River provides water to nearly 40 million people, flows through nine National Parks, and drives a $1.4 trillion economy. If the Colorado River basin were a country, it would be the world’s 7th largest by economic output.
The Upper Colorado River Basin, defined by the river network above northern Arizona, is comprised of four states—Colorado, New Mexico, Utah, and Wyoming. These states contribute the vast majority of the water coming into the Colorado River Basin, primarily through winter snowpack.
Colorado, specifically, is known as the Headwater State because it’s home to the headwaters of four major rivers—Platte, Arkansas, Rio Grande, and Colorado.
The Colorado River flows west out of the slopes of Rocky Mountain National Park and connects to several tributaries, including the Animas, Eagle, Dolores, Yampa, Blue, and Roaring Fork Rivers.
KODI Rafting runs raft trip on the Upper Colorado River out of Kremmling. The water we raft runs through a unique and beautiful landscape known for its diverse water features, abundant wildlife, and cultural landscape.
Notable sections of the Upper Colorado include Parshall to Blue River, Gore Canyon (where you’ll find extreme class IV and V whitewater), Pumphouse to State Bridge, and State Bridge to Dotsero.
Pumphouse to State Bridge is the most popular section because of its combination of placid waters through pastoral heritage ranchland and more challenging class II and class III rapids in the intervening canyons.
The Colorado River cuts a path through the Gore Mountain Range at the beginning of its long trip to the Pacific Ocean. There are natural hot springs, historic cabins, swimming, hiking, and beautiful scenery. The river is ideal for first time participants, families, and groups of all ages and abilities. The Upper Colorado River is easily accessible from many resorts, including Breckenridge, Vail, Steamboat Springs, and Winter Park.