WATER QUALITY AND RECREATION
Urban waterways are great for recreation, respite from the heat, gathering in community, fishing, and much more. But in the neighborhoods most impacted by environmental injustices, many waterways have been rendered inaccessible to residents. Railroad tracks, industrial zones, busy streets, contamination, stigma, unsafe conditions, and other injustices often prevent local residents from being able to enjoy the many ways that water could enrich their lives.
Groundwork Denver works to address water quality and accessibility issues by building partnerships and working collaboratively with communities. Groundwork Denver’s main water projects include developing and implementing the 2014 Bear Creek Watershed Plan, undertaking regular water quality testing in Bear Creek, creating a Bear Creek Water Quality Dashboard, implementing various youth-led projects, and hosting volunteer activities that engage residents in riparian corridor improvement. Groundwork Denver also participated in the Water Quality Assessment Workgroup, which created the South Platte Water Quality Assessment Tool in 2016.
Do you want to get in the water and learn a little science? Join us each month for River Watch sampling on Bear Creek! Contact water@groundworkcolorado.org to sign up or get more information.
For group opportunities, visit our Volunteer Program page.
Water Quality Sampling
Groundwork Denver partners with the following organizations to collect and analyze water samples for E. coli and other pollutants.
- Denver Department of Public and Environmental Health
- City of Lakewood
- City of Sheridan
- Environmental Protection Agency
- Water Quality Control Division
- River Watch
- Denver Water
BEAR CREEK WATERSHED PLAN
The segment of Bear Creek between Kipling Parkway and its confluence with the South Platte River was listed on Colorado's impaired waters list in 2008 because of high E. coli levels. E. coli is a naturally occuring bacterium that aids digestion in warm-blooded animals, however high levels of E.coli can indicate the presence of other pathogenic bacteria, viruses, and parasites. Recreating in contaminated urban waters can pose public health risks when polluted water is ingested or enters the body through open cuts or wounds. Always wash your hands before eating or touching your face if you have come in contact with urban waters.
In 2014, with support from the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, Groundwork Denver created a Watershed Plan for Bear Creek as part of the Clean Water Act's requirements. The presence of E. coli in the water may make it unsafe to swim or play in and limits the opportunities for local residents to utilize this resource for recreation. The Watershed Plan identifies best practices for the protection of water quality in Bear Creek, including ongoing water quality sampling, partnership building, and community education and stewardship.
Groundwork Denver is also investigating potential water quality impacts from septic systems. The City of Sheridan and Tri-County Health provide outreach materials and financial assistance options for residents interested in connecting to the sanitary main.
Additionally, Groundwork Denver partners with local governments, organizations, and community to educate residents, provide opportunities for engagement and build tools to understand pollution trends and identify areas for greatest impact on improving water quality.
Last updated 2026