Customer Responsibility

Be prepared and understand the risks. River trips, mountain biking and fishing are adventure sports and involve risks on the part of the participant. Although we take precautions to ensure an enjoyable trip, we cannot be responsible for personal injury or lost and damaged articles. We require that you acknowledge these risks by listing to a safety briefing prior to your activity as well as reading and signing a liability release prior to departure. You can find a copy of the liability release on this web site for review (insert release form link here) or we can e-mail or mail one to you for review. There are many options and activities to choose from that offer varying degrees of difficulty so make sure you choose a trip within your group's personal limits keeping all participants in mind.

Remember to consider the group's comfort levels when deciding on a difficulty level for your adventure. High water season in Colorado is typically early to mid-June, peaking around the summer solstice (mid-June). This can differ depending on weather and snowpack. Water levels and weather can affect difficulty levels for information about water levels and weather conditions you can contact us at 800-997-3448.

Minimum ages are also available to help you find your comfort level. Our minimum ages are not mandatory, they are a guide for you to use when making a decision about the adventure you are choosing. Factors that go into minimum ages include but are not limited to a person’s height, weight, physical ability, mental capability and maturity levels. These factors along with years of experience of servicing thousand of guests have gone into setting minimum ages. These ages are just a guide and it is up to the participants and there guardians to choose an adventure within there limits. 

Download Release Agreements:
• 2010 Raft Release.pdf [Adobe Acrobat PDF - 61.14 KB]
• 2010 Bike Release.pdf [Adobe Acrobat PDF - 73.43 KB]


Classifications – River and rapid classifications is another great way to determine a suitable river trip for your group. Remember that classification can change with weather and water conditions.

• Beginner = first timers, young children
  
• Intermediate = aggressive first timers, teens
  
• Advanced = experienced paddlers looking for an adventure
  
• Expert = very experienced paddlers only

RIVER/RAPIDS CLASS RATING SYSTEM
This is strictly a subjective scale. You can characterize a rapid by class or give a general class to a whole river even though it has several different classes of rapids within it. The class of a rapid or river can change at different water levels. The temperature of the water, the air temperature, the remoteness of the river, and the difficulty of a rescue can all influence the rapid's class.

• Class I - Easy. Small riffles. No significant waves or obstacles.
• Class II - Novice. Moderate rapids with regular waves, small drops, clear passages and wide channels. Occasional maneuvering may be required.
• Class III - Intermediate. Moderately difficult rapids with larger irregular waves, often narrow channels. Complex maneuvering to avoid obstacles required.
• Class IV - Advanced. Intense, powerful rapids requiring precise maneuvering in fast, turbulent water. Complex channels with many significant obstacles to be avoided.
• Class V - Expert. Extremely long violent or obstructed rapids, often following each other almost without interruption. Drops may have large, unavoidable waves and holes or steep, congested chutes with difficult routes. Steep gradient.
• Class VI - unrunnable

Classifications of river sections may change due to water levels
For help in choosing a trip or any questions you might have please, call 1-800-997-3448 and our office personnel will be happy to assist you in putting together a successful river experience. Or e-mail us at: info@raftingcolorado.com

Cold weather gear – is recommended and may be mandatory for some river adventures. Cold weather gear is not only for your comfort but can also be for your safety. Because of cold water and rocky river bottoms wet suites, foot ware, and splash tops make a big difference in you comfort and safety. If you don’t have your own equipment don’t worry cold weather gear is available through our rental programs. (Link to rental page)