Remembering the clothing optional beach in Colorado

About forty years ago, a lake in Northern Colorado was a popular nude swimming attraction.

Coot Lake is now a popular place to walk your dog and let them jump in for a cool swim. But this wasn't always for dogs. It was once a place where you could swim nude.

Sign warning of a nude beach, Miami, FL.Photo byMike Goad

I always assumed that the lake was named for the Coot birds that glide on its surface. But I believe it is really named for those who swam nude in the lake many years ago. Those free spirted individuals use to called themselves “cooties.”

The lake is a manmade lake that was built in the 1960’s. It quickly became a scenic area where locals walked their dogs and enjoyed mountain views. But it soon became a nude beach and swimming area. At the time San Diego was the only other city-designated nude beaches in the United States.

The Coot Lake beach became so popular that the City of Boulder installed a parking lot and began charging an entry fee.

Do you think the lake is named for the Coot birds or the Cooties? Let us know in the comments.

Soon thing took a bad turn for the concept at Coot Lake. Sex, drugs and rock and roll took centerstage. Well at least the first two on that list. According to a Daily Camera article, the residents were not pleased at the activity happen at their beloved lake. Rumors of motorcycle gangs firing shots were also reported.

Not long after, the City of Boulder required visitors to put their clothes on. Soon the city closed the area to swimming, due to liability issues.

Coot lake in the winter.Photo byColorado Martini

So next time you are fishing, walking the dog or just enjoying the scenery at Coot Lake. You can now think about how this was once a not so peaceful place. Sorry I don’t have any pictures to share from that time!

Did you know Coot Lake was once a nude swimming area? Or do you have any stories to share about Coot Lake? Let us know in the comments.

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References

• Story behind the name coot lake
• Daily Camera