Gov. Jared Polis is jumping into the water in an effort to help rescue some of Colorado’s public pools that haven’t been able to open or have had their hours cut back due to significant lifeguard shortages.
Pools in Denver, Aurora, Thornton and Boulder have all had trouble finding enough employees this summer, part of a nationwide lifeguard problem.
The governor and Aurora Mayor Mike Coffman appeared Tuesday at Aurora’s Central Recreation Center to lay out Polis’ three-pronged approach.
First, he is enacting an emergency measure that will allow 16- and 17-year-old staff members to work overtime if they want to. Those lifeguards could earn up to $24 an hour.
He also announced a $25,000 grant program that area aquatic centers can apply to beginning July 1 to potentially use to pay their staff more or put toward recruiting efforts.
“This additional funding from the state of Colorado … will enable us to hire the talent, to train the talent necessary to keep all of our pools open this summer,” Coffman said.
The final piece is a program that will allow aspiring lifeguards to be paid $1,000 for a week of lifeguard training.
Several of the state’s public pools have delayed the start of swim season and/or operated on limited hours this summer after facing staffing shortages — particularly a lack of lifeguards and supervisors. A state poll, Polis said, found that only 57 percent of Colorado pools are fully open.
“Getting our pools open is truly a watershed moment for our state, and trust me, it’s no belly flop — we’re getting this done,” Polis said.
In Aurora, all six of the city’s outdoor pools had opened on May 28, but only on a limited basis due to lifeguard shortage issues.
Aurora lifeguards Kenzie Mayotte, 18, and Briseis Medina, 16, said when they did need a shift covered, it was often difficult to get anyone.
“It’s either you don’t have any hours or you have way too many,” Mayotte said, “and can’t find coverage.”
Medina said she might take advantage of overtime now that she’s on summer break and the two agreed they think the governor’s announcement will definitely encourage more lifeguards to work more hours.
“I’m pretty sure it will help get our staff to actually come into work to know that it is time and a half and earning more money for the summer,” Mayotte said.
