Organizers report that the second season of the Yampa River Ambassador program enabled educational contacts with 2,776 river users from June 1 through Labor Day weekend.

Managed by the nonprofit organization Friends of the Yampa and funded through Steamboat Springs, the program utilized three paid and 14 volunteer ambassadors this summer, more volunteers than the initial summer, said Katie Berning, the nonprofit’s outreach program manager.

Berning said the program is an important partnership that serves as “boots on the ground at river access points during the busy river season.” The largest ambassador contact day of the summer was July 4 with 1,261 tubers, 140 paddleboarders, 41 kayaks, 19 rafts and eight anglers.

Ambassadors reported trash generated by river users remains the top problem, especially with many single-use containers for drinks. Per a city ordinance approved in 2021, no disposable containers are allowed on the Yampa River including cans, plastic bottles, glass, bags and foam coolers. Tubers can bring a reusable container such as a metal growler, reusable water bottle or similar beverage holder if it is securely attached to a tube or boat.

When the Yampa River was closed to recreation for three days in early August due to high water temperatures, “people seemed to embrace the closure and understand the why,” Berning noted. On the other hand, she said, “people needed to be reminded of trail and road etiquette when waiting to get on the river.”

The ambassadors also observed concerns such as a 6-month-old baby on a tube without a personal floatation device.

Ambassadors also helped to raise awareness of the Know Before You Go online dashboard that shows current river conditions at Friendsoftheyampa.com/know-before-you-go-steamboat.

Organizers say they are seeing the success of the program continue to grow each summer.

“The Yampa River Ambassador program was a huge success this season,” said Jenny Carey, city open space and trails supervisor. “Face to face education and discussion is so much more valuable than placing a sign at a river put-in, and the ambassadors were able to chat with folks before getting on the river about important rules and etiquette. Their continued presence helps to raise awareness about everything from environmental stewardship to safety on the river.”

This summer ambassadors set up outreach locations at Charlie’s Hole, Fetcher Park and Rich Weiss Park for 109 hours.

“The outreach helps share safety tips and best practices to all river users,” Berning said. “In addition to keeping recreators safe, the ambassadors shared stewardship information to keep the Yampa safe and healthy.”