Story perspectives

Colorado warns against John Martin Reservoir after 4.2M spill

9/1/2026

Summary

Story summary

Colorado Parks and Wildlife warned visitors to avoid John Martin Reservoir after a sewage spill.
The spill released 4.2 million gallons of untreated sewage on Wednesday and was stopped Thursday.
Contaminated water with high E. coli levels was expected to reach the reservoir Monday morning.
Officials barred swimming, wading, tubing, paddleboarding, fishing and pet contact while keeping the park open.
Lake Hasty remained closed to full-body contact because of dangerous cyanobacteria, unrelated to the spill.

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Story summary

Colorado Parks and Wildlife warned visitors to avoid John Martin Reservoir after a sewage spill.
The spill released 4.2 million gallons of untreated sewage on Wednesday and was stopped Thursday.
Contaminated water with high E. coli levels was expected to reach the reservoir Monday morning.
Officials barred swimming, wading, tubing, paddleboarding, fishing and pet contact while keeping the park open.
Lake Hasty remained closed to full-body contact because of dangerous cyanobacteria, unrelated to the spill.