Even in a drought year, Blue Mesa Reservoir near Gunnison offers great fishing and spectacular sunsets.Scott Willoughby, The Denver Post
Horsetooth Reservoir. (Jeff Stahla, Loveland Reporter-Herald)
FEATURE27 -- Girl scouts enjoy a sail around Big Soda Lake,Tuesday, July 27, 2010, in Lakewood. The girls were part of a girl scout camp that teaches them about water sports like sailing, wind surfing, and canoeing. RJ Sangosti/ The Denver Post
The breakaway pack that held the lead for a large portion of the race heads around Green Mountain Reservoir. They are from left to right: Team Garmin-Cervelo rider Thomas Peterson, Leopard Trek rider Andy Schleck, Rabobank Cycling Team rider Laurens Ten Dam, and Liquigas-Cannondale rider Ivan Basso. The Pro Cycling Challenge's stage 5 started in Steamboat Springs, Colorado today August 27th, 2011. The course went from Steamboat Springs to Kremmling the scenic Green Mountain Reservoir past Silverthorne and Dillion and finished in Breckenridge. The winner was Liquigas-Cannondale rider italian Elia Viviani. The overall leader and still wearing the yellow jersey is Team RadioShack rider Levi Leipheimer. Helen H. Richardson, The Denver Post
AURORA - OCT. 1: A trio of snowy egrets prowl the shallows of Cherry Creek Reservoir at Cherry Creek State Park. (Photo by Andy Colwell/ Special to The Denver Post)
AURORA - OCT. 1: A snowy egret flies off the surface of the Cherry Creek Reservoir at Cherry Creek State Park. (Photo by Andy Colwell/ Special to The Denver Post)
A wind surfer glides across Big Soda Lake in Morrison in a light breeze Thursday afternoon in 90 plus degree temperatures. Andy Cross, The Denver Post
BOULDER, CO - JULY 18, 2019: Karissa Smith, of Boulder, lays in the sun at the Boulder Reservoir on Thursday in Boulder. (Photo by Jeremy Papasso/Staff Photographer)
BOULDER, CO - JULY 18, 2019: Silas, 5, left, and his brother Asher, 9, work together to build a sandcastle with a pond at the Boulder Reservoir on Thursday in Boulder. (Photo by Jeremy Papasso/Staff Photographer)
LONGMONT, CO - JULY 1: Mackenzy Mitchell plays with her dog Kahlua July 1, 2019 at Union Reservoir. (Photo by Lewis Geyer/Staff Photographer)
DENVER, CO - OCTOBER 12: American white pelicans gather at Cherry Creek Reservoir. October 12, 2018. (Photo by Hyoung Chang/The Denver Post)
FRISCO, CO - SEPTEMBER 12: The sun rises over Dillon Reservoir on September 12, 2018 in Frisco, Colorado. Colorado is experiencing extreme drought that is drawing down reservoirs and headwater levels across the state. (Photo by RJ Sangosti/The Denver Post)
FRISCO, CO - SEPTEMBER 12: The sun rises over Dillon Reservoir on September 12, 2018 in Frisco, Colorado. Colorado is experiencing extreme drought that is drawing down reservoirs and headwater levels across the state. (Photo by RJ Sangosti/The Denver Post)
LITTLETON, CO - JUNE 17: Ilse Wagner checks out collapsable and foldable kayaks by Oru Kayak during the Outdoor Retailer's summer show Demo Day at the swimmer's beach in Chatfield State Park on June 17, 2019 in Denver, Colorado. The demo day had retailers showing their gear from backpacking, biking, camping, hiking, climbing, water and paddle sports and other outdoor activities. (Photo by Helen H. Richardson/The Denver Post)
LAKEWOOD, CO - JULY 11: Boaters and a kayaker enjoy Big Soda Lake in the Bear Creek State Park in warm temperatures July 11, 2017 in Denver. (Photo by Andy Cross/The Denver Post)
BOULDER, CO - JULY 18, 2019: Grant Candle, of Broomfield, lays in the sun at the Boulder Reservoir on Thursday in Boulder. (Photo by Jeremy Papasso/Staff Photographer)
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Even in a drought year, Blue Mesa Reservoir near Gunnison offers great fishing and spectacular sunsets.Scott Willoughby, The Denver Post
ExpandBy Sarah Kuta | Special to The Denver Post
PUBLISHED: | UPDATED:
Getting your player ready...
You’re not imagining it: It’s been hot this summer in Colorado.
If you don’t have time to retreat to the mountains and bask in the cooler temperatures, a good alternative is spending a day (or two) by the water.
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On those ridiculously hot days of summer, grab a cooler and some beach towels for a lake day. Despite being completely landlocked, Colorado has quite a few options when it comes to swimming, hanging out on the beach, renting a boat or fishing. For inspiration, here are a few bodies of water that are perfect for your next day at the lake.
