DENVER (KDVR) — Denver Parks and Recreation is planning to take over bike and boat rentals at Washington Park and City Park, a move that will force a longtime private operator to close its doors.
Wheel Fun Rentals has operated specialty bike and boat rentals at the two parks for 21 years under a series of three- to five-year contracts with the city. The business offers two- and four-seater surrey bikes and swan-shaped paddle boats that have become a familiar sight in the summer.
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Owner Josh Catron said he was notified in October 2025 that the city would not renew his contract and instead planned to run the rental operations itself. Catron said he asked the city to reconsider, but in January was again denied a contract renewal.
“They saw it as an opportunity to capture revenues. They saw it as an opportunity to keep more government jobs at the expense of private jobs,” Catron said.
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Catron said he joined the business seven years ago, as a way to supplement his teacher’s salary. He officially took over as owner in 2025 and said he invested tens of thousands of dollars upgrading equipment and resurfacing the Washington Park dock before learning the contract would not be renewed…