Once a popular destination for pet owners in Colorado Springs thanks to its beach and dog-friendly nature, South Suburban Reservoir is set to be permanently closed to the public – four-legged friends included.

The reservoir is found in Stratton Open Space and has served an important role in providing local residents with safe drinking water since its construction in 1932. Today, the priority of providing clean water is the reason behind its closure to the public.

While the reservoir has served as an informal spot for recreational activities over the last two decades – including a spot for off-leash dogs to go for a swim – the reservoir was drained in 2024 for the sake of conducting repairs. The repairs will be completed soon and the reservoir will refill with natural runoff, but it won’t be reopening to the public.

Colorado Springs Utilities called the decision to keep the reservoir closed a difficult but necessary one, influenced by safety concerns and water quality issues.

Dogs being present at the reservoir in high numbers were resulting in sediment getting stirred up, increasing the amount of organic carbon and nutrients in the water and contributing to the growth of algae and toxic cyanobacteria. The utilities company also noted that dogs were introducing E. coli to the water, as well. Not only were these water quality concerns resulting in a risky scenario for pets, the poor condition of the water also resulted in the utilities company having to periodically stop using the reservoir in their system over the years.

Additionally, close to 1,000 dog toys were removed from the reservoir during two clean-outs that have taken place since 2020, with the dog toys posing additional risks related to PFAs and microplastics.

“We know that South Suburban Reservoir has become a favorite destination for many people over the years,” reads a press release from Colorado Springs Utilities. “While public access has been allowed at our discretion, recreational use has never been formally approved by City Council. We must now take responsible and appropriate steps to protect this valuable water resource for our customers.”