Antero Reservoir, body of water
Antero Reservoir is a large lake in Colorado set in open terrain with rolling hills and views toward nearby forests. The water covers about 2,500 acres (1,010 hectares), is relatively shallow, and stays warmer than other lakes at its elevation of nearly 9,000 feet (2,743 meters), making it usable for fishing and boating throughout the year.
The dam was built in 1909 and is operated by Denver Water under management by the Colorado Division of Wildlife. Its construction marked an important milestone in regional water management and has shaped how the landscape is used today.
The name comes from the Spanish word "Antero," meaning "first," as it is the first dam upstream from the Continental Divide on the Middle Fork of the South Platte River. Visitors here engage in long-standing traditions of fishing and hunting that shape how people connect with this landscape.
The site is easily reached via nearby Highway 24 and sits about twenty minutes by car from the small town of Hartsel, where visitors can find supplies and lodging. The area is open year-round, but visitors 16 and older need a valid fishing or hunting license, and some activities are limited to specific seasons.
The water remains unusually warm at this elevation of nearly 9,000 feet, largely because the lake is shallow, allowing the sun to heat the bottom more easily. This feature makes it a preferred spot for winter anglers and allows for ice fishing when the surface freezes.
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