Landon Mayer with Still Water Seasons Greetings;
Brian LaRue with Cimmaron River;
Hayden Mellsop with A Great Day for the Birds;
Colorado TU Staff with Colorado’s Water Story Starts With Snow;
Other columns by Barbara Luneau, Timothy Gablehouse, Colorado TU Staff, and Joel Evans.
Colorado’s water year begins in the mountains, where snowpack serves as the state’s primary natural reservoir. Snow builds through the winter and remains stored on the landscape until spring, when it melts gradually and feeds rivers, reservoirs, groundwater, and communities across Colorado. That slow release is what sustains water supplies through the warmer months.
This year, that system is starting from a much lower point than normal. Statewide snowpack is currently around 22 percent of the 1991–2020 median heading into the typical peak period in early April. Winter conditions limited how much snow accumulated, and recent warm temperatures have reduced what was already a smaller snowpack. Together, those factors mean there is significantly less water stored in the mountains than Colorado would typically rely on at this time of year.
Snowpack is more than a winter metric. It is the starting point for how water moves through entire watersheds. As snow melts, that water flows through streams and rivers, recharges groundwater, and eventually reaches reservoirs and communities across the state. That same system supports drinking water, agriculture, local economies, ecosystems, and recreation, from headwater streams to downstream reaches.
When that starting point is lower, the effects carry through the system over time. Less water stored as snow can mean reduced runoff, lower river flows, and shorter periods of sustained water availability later in the season. Those changes influence how water is managed, how ecosystems function, and how people experience rivers across Colorado, whether that is on the water, along the banks, or in the communities that depend on it.
Current statewide data reflects this pattern clearly. Snow water equivalent has declined in recent weeks and remains well below average across all major basins in Colorado, with levels tracking below even the lowest historical years. Across all major basins in Colorado, snowpack is well below average, with even the highest basin well under half of normal and some basins below 10 percent of median. At the same time, drought conditions are expanding across the state, and some communities are already beginning to implement water use restrictions in response to limited supply. Snowpack, soil moisture, and drought are closely connected, and together they shape how the water year unfolds.
Spring plays an important role in what happens next. Snowpack typically reaches its peak in early April, and what remains on the landscape at that point helps determine how much water will move through rivers and reservoirs in the months ahead.
This year, the peak is not only lower than normal, it is also arriving earlier and declining more quickly. That shift in timing means runoff may move through the system faster, with a longer period of lower flows later in the season if conditions continue.
Additional precipitation and temperature patterns will still influence how the year develops, but both the amount of snowpack and the timing of its melt help define the range of outcomes.
It is easy to think about water in separate pieces, snow in the mountains, rivers on the landscape, or supply within communities. In reality, it is all one connected system. The same snowpack that feeds a headwater stream supports communities, agriculture, ecosystems, and recreation across Colorado. When there is less water stored at the beginning of the year, that change carries through everything that depends on it.
Colorado’s water story continues to develop through the spring and into summer. Colorado Trout Unlimited will continue to follow these conditions and share updates that connect snowpack, watersheds, rivers, communities, and recreation across the state. Understanding how water moves through Colorado is one of the most important steps in caring for the places and resources we all depend on.
We are heartbroken to share the news that Cheyenne Gililland, Colorado Trout Unlimited’s Philanthropy Director, passed away last week.
Cheyenne was a friend and a deeply valued part of this community. Her loss is devastating, and it is hard to put into words how much she meant to so many people across Colorado TU.
She cared deeply about conservation and was passionate about fundraising that helped support healthy rivers, clean water, and the people and communities connected to them. She believed in the mission, in the people behind it, and in the importance of bringing others into that work in meaningful ways. She built real relationships across our community and brought so much care, warmth, and dedication to everything she did.
In her role, Cheyenne helped build the relationships that sustain this work, connecting donors, partners, chapter leaders, and supporters to the care and recovery of Colorado’s rivers and streams. She had a genuine gift for making people feel welcome, valued, and part of this community.
Cheyenne also had an infectious personality and a presence that lit up the room. She brought joy, humor, and heart to the people around her, and she made this community better simply by being part of it.
Our thoughts are with Cheyenne’s family, friends, and everyone who had the privilege of knowing her. She will be deeply missed.
Late winter and early spring is when local fly fishing communities really come alive, and Colorado Trout Unlimited chapters are right in the middle of it. If you have been meaning to meet local volunteers, pick up a few new patterns, or just spend a day around people who care about rivers and the fish that live in them, these chapter expos are made for you. Two great events are coming up in March, each with its own flavor, but both are built around the same thing: community, education, and support for local conservation and outreach.
The West Denver Chapter’s Fly Tying Clinic is back on Saturday, March 7, and it is set up as an all-day, hands-on fly tying and gear event for every kind of angler. Expect a big bucket raffle, fantasy raffle, silent auction, and plenty of ways to support the chapter while you are there. New to fly tying or stuck on a pattern? Stop by the Learn to Tie area and get face-to-face help.
A highlight returning for its second year is the Build a Box promotion, where you can put together a fly box from your favorite tiers. You will also have the rare chance to watch top fly tyers demonstrate their signature flies up close. Entry is required, and hand-tied flies are available for purchase by coupon only. Coupon tickets are sold to support the West Denver Chapter and are used to “buy” flies from the tiers, twenty-five coupon tickets for $20.
Details
Date and time: Saturday, March 7, 2026, nine am to three pm
Location: Jefferson County Fairgrounds, 15200 West sixth Avenue, Golden, CO 80401
Admission: $20 adult or teen at the door; $30 family (three or more). Active military and kids twelve and younger are free.
On Saturday, March 28, the Rocky Mountain Flycasters are hosting the Northern Colorado Expo in Loveland, and it is a bigger “all-things-fly-fishing” format with something for everyone, especially families. The expo features over thirty exhibitors including local fly shops, fishing equipment suppliers, outfitters, watershed coalitions, and Rocky Mountain Flycasters conservation and education programs.
Fly tying is a major draw here too. You will find demonstrations from twenty-five well-known expert tyers, plus a kids tie-a-fly table. There are also signature fly tyer sessions in a small group setting with Pat Dorsey, Rick Takahashi, and Marty Staab. Throughout the day, you can catch expert speakers, including guides, tyers, authors, and filmmakers, with featured names including Pat Dorsey, Jeramie Prine, and the Braker Bros.
If you are bringing kids, there is a lot to keep them engaged: tie a fly, the Lawn Trout casting game, and even live stream bugs. Add casting demonstrations and games, prize drawings, and silent and live auctions for fly gear and trips, including new and lightly used items at a wide range of price points. You will also find RMFTU-branded merchandise for sale, and attendees receive a free “Trout Hero” mesh bag to help keep streams clean while supplies last. Bonus: vintage and classic rods, reels, and memorabilia will be on display, presented by nationally known antique dealer and author John Sollo. Free parking is available, and there may even be live llamas in the afternoon, weather permitting.
Details
Date and time: Saturday, March 28, 2026, ten am to three pm
Location: The Ranch Events Complex, Pedersen Toyota Center Building, South Hall, 5280 Arena Circle, Loveland, CO
Admission: Adults $10 online in advance or $20 day-of; families $20 online or $30 day-of (one or two adults plus children). Teens, military, veterans, and first responders $5 online or $10 day-of. Kids twelve and under and disabled attendees are free. Free parking.
These events are fun, but they also do real work. Raffles, auctions, admissions, and chapter fundraising help power the volunteer energy behind river restoration days, youth education, community events, and the local relationships that keep conservation moving. If you have been looking for an easy on-ramp to get involved, this is it: show up, meet people, and leave with new skills, new flies, and a stronger connection to your local fly fishing community.
If you are attending either event, bring a friend who is curious about fly fishing or conservation. Chapter expos are one of the best ways to turn curiosity into community.
Looking for more ways to plug in this season? Colorado TU chapters host fly tying nights, conservation projects, socials, and on-the-water events across the state, and there’s something on the calendar for every schedule and experience level. Check out the full chapter events calendar to find what’s coming up near you.
Colorado’s rivers support our communities, our ecosystems, and the ways people connect with water across the state. Every river needs people willing to pay attention to what’s happening upstream and why it matters, especially in low snow years.
This winter, Colorado has seen unusually low snowpack. According to data from the Natural Resources Conservation Service, statewide snowpack is currently about 58 percent of median levels. Conditions vary across the state, but overall snow accumulation is well below what is typical for this time of year. These conditions raise important questions about what this year may mean for rivers, watersheds, communities, ecosystems, and recreation as the season unfolds.
Snowpack is not just part of winter. It is the foundation of Colorado’s water system.
Colorado snowpack as a percent of the 1991–2020 median, February 18, 2026. Source: NRCS.
Snowpack acts as Colorado’s natural water storage. It holds water through the winter and releases it gradually as temperatures rise, sustaining rivers and streams through spring and summer.
When snowpack is low, there is less water stored for later in the year. That can mean reduced runoff, lower river flows, and warmer water during the hottest months. Those changes affect more than rivers alone. They influence drinking water supplies, agriculture, wildlife habitat, energy production, and the local economies and recreation that depend on healthy rivers.
Low snow years make these connections more visible across the state.
Rivers tell the story of the watersheds around them. When conditions change across the landscape, rivers often show it first.
Scientists monitor watershed health in many ways, including tracking macroinvertebrates, the small aquatic insects that live in streams and rivers. Because they respond quickly to changes in flow and water quality, shifts in these communities can offer early insight into broader watershed stress.
Healthy watersheds support clean water, resilient ecosystems, and more reliable water supplies for communities across Colorado. Caring for rivers means paying attention to the systems that support them.
Statewide snow water equivalent trends in Colorado, February 18, 2026. Data shown relative to the 1991–2020 median.
Low snow years can change how rivers function across Colorado. Lower flows and warmer water later in the season can affect river conditions and influence when and where people recreate.
These impacts are not limited to one activity. Boating, paddling, angling, and other river uses can all be affected, depending on location and timing. Conditions vary widely across the state, and staying informed about local river conditions helps people make thoughtful decisions throughout the season.
At the same time, low snow years can place added pressure on water supplies that support communities, agriculture, and local economies. Rivers connect all of these uses.
Snowpack sets the stage, but river conditions continue to change through spring and summer. Colorado Trout Unlimited will be monitoring snowpack, watershed conditions, and river health as the season unfolds and sharing updates to help members and local communities better understand what’s happening and why it matters.
This work will focus on clear, science-based information that supports public understanding and shared stewardship across Colorado.
Being a river champion does not always mean taking action on the ground. In low snow years, awareness itself matters.
Understanding where our water comes from, how snowpack supports rivers, and how watershed health connects to daily life helps build shared responsibility for Colorado’s water future. Informed conversations and thoughtful choices support healthier rivers over the long term.
Healthy rivers support Colorado communities, wildlife, and recreation. Especially in low water years, understanding Colorado’s water story is one way we can all help care for the rivers we depend on.
Many of the same interests who brought forward the Denver Fur Ban ballot measure in 2024 are back – this time supporting a petition to the Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) Commission to ban the sale of furbearer fur and products. “Furbearers” under CPW regulations refer to the species traditionally hunted or trapped with fur of commercial value, such as mink, badger, beaver, coyote and fox.
The petition contains an exemption for finished hand-tied flies, but notably does not exempt the sale, trade or barter of the fur used in tying flies. As written, the proposal would ban something as simple as a legal hunter trading harvested fur with a fly-tying friend or neighbor in exchange for some of the completed flies to use in fishing, or a Colorado fly-tyer purchasing a strip of mink fur sourced from out-of-state to use in tying streamers.
The petition will be considered by the Commission at its March 4-5 meeting, at the Doubletree by Hilton Hotel in Westminster. You can weigh in on the issue by submitting your comments online through the Commission’s public comment form at this link. The deadline for comments to be included in the Commission briefing books is noon on February 27.
While precise furbearer population estimates are difficult to obtain, available information suggests that populations are healthy. The petitioners present no information demonstrating that furbearer populations are declining and that harvest in Colorado is unsustainable; they only state that CPW’s data is not comprehensive. Yet their proposed solution is not to bolster data collection to inform science-based wildlife management; it is a political move against traditional outdoor recreation activities of which they disapprove. Indeed, the petition was filed at a time when CPW was beginning a stakeholder engagement process, to be informed by best available science, on the management of furbearer species. The petition is a pre-emption of that effort.
Notably for one major furbearer species, beaver, CPW is finalizing a statewide management plan aimed at increasing beaver on landscapes across the state. Colorado TU alongside other wildlife conservationists encouraged CPW in developing that plan, recognizing that beaver help improve watershed health and resiliency and provide vital fish habitat, especially in droughts. The new beaver plan includes a proposed mandatory sealing requirement for beaver harvested by recreational trappers and hunters – a step that will ensure more comprehensive information on harvest of the species. The beaver plan takes a comprehensive approach in promoting beaver – from coexistence strategies for “problem” beavers impacting key infrastructure, to introduction guidance, to management of harvest by sportspeople – and offers promise for promoting this keystone species in more watersheds across the state.
CPW’s approach on the beaver management plan is an example of how the science-based management of fish and wildlife should work to benefit species and habitat in Colorado. In contrast, the furbearer fur ban petition is an attack on science-based fish and wildlife management. Colorado TU urges the Parks and Wildlife Commission to reject the petition, and to allow CPW staff to continue using sound science as their guiding star for fish and wildlife management.
Please add your voice – submit respectful comments to the Commission through their online comment page and ask them to support science-based fish and wildlife management and to reject the fur ban petition.
Colorado Trout Unlimited is excited to return to the Denver Fly Fishing Show, happening February 6–8, 2026, at the Gaylord Rockies Resort & Convention Center.
The Fly Fishing Show is one of the best weekends of the year for anglers and conservation-minded communities. It brings together manufacturers, guides, educators, fly tyers, nonprofits, and thousands of passionate fly fishers, all under one roof.
This year, Colorado Trout Unlimited and our chapters will be hosting a shared space behind the Pond 2 casting area. Whether you’re already involved with TU or brand new to the organization, we’d love to connect.
Stop by to learn how we’re protecting clean water, restoring habitat, and ensuring a future for wild and native trout across Colorado.
The Fly Fishing Show offers a full weekend of gear, learning, and community.
Highlights include:
Exhibits: Hundreds of vendors showcasing the newest fly fishing gear, equipment, and travel options
Seminars: Free educational sessions covering techniques, strategy, and conservation topics
Demos: Live fly tying and casting demonstrations throughout the show
Learning Center: Hands-on instruction including knot tying, rigging tips, and fly selection
Consumer Choice Awards: Vote for favorite products and explore what’s trending
Traveling Rod Show: A special exhibit featuring rare fly rods and fly fishing history
Colorado Trout Unlimited and our chapters will be stationed together throughout the weekend in a shared space.
Find us behind the Pond 2 casting area to:
Meet volunteers and members from across Colorado
Learn about current projects and local chapter work
Explore ways to get involved in conservation and community events
Talk about how to support Colorado’s rivers and coldwater fisheries
We’re looking for volunteers to help staff our shared space throughout the Fly Fishing Show.
Volunteer shifts are available each day:
Morning shift
Midday shift
Afternoon shift
Each volunteer will receive:
Free access to enjoy the Fly Fishing Show before or after their shift
A chance to connect with other TU members and volunteers
An opportunity to help share our mission with thousands of anglers
Photo Courtesy Colorado Parks & Wildlife
If you fish in Colorado, you’ve probably heard “Clean, Drain, Dry.” It’s simple. It works. And it’s one of the easiest ways anglers can help prevent aquatic invasive species (AIS), including invasive mussels, from spreading into new waters.
Colorado Trout Unlimited has been coordinating with Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) on AIS education and outreach. CPW has a strong set of angler-focused materials that are designed to be shared through fly shops, chapter meetings, events, and local outreach.
This post lays out what’s available, where to find Clean, Drain, Dry gear you can purchase, and where to find CPW resources for outreach and gear cleaning awareness.
AIS can spread when we unknowingly move plant material, mud, and standing water from one place to another, especially through boots, waders, nets, boats, and other equipment that comes into contact with rivers, lakes, and reservoirs. The best defense is prevention, and anglers play a huge role in that.
Clean, Drain, Dry doesn’t take long. But it can save a lot of trouble down the road.
CPW has several outreach resources that are ideal for fly shops, chapters, and community events:
Angler-targeted rack cards that walk through Clean, Drain, Dry in a clear, practical way
A wide variety of stickers, including many sourced from the Invasive Species Action Network (ISAN) out of Montana, plus some sticker designs CPW created in-house
Outreach signage posted at access points in areas of known risk or concern, including new needs along the Colorado River corridor as conditions evolve
If your chapter or shop wants educational materials to share locally, these are great tools.
CPW also has a publicly available ANS media package with outreach language and reference material specifically aimed at gear cleaning and awareness. This page is packed with information and is designed to be shared widely:
CPW also has a pledge poster designed with fly shops in mind.
The idea is simple:
anglers sign a Clean, Drain, Dry pledge
if they sign, they can receive a custom sticker featuring Colorado river basins
it’s a quick, low-effort way to encourage better habits and keep Clean, Drain, Dry visible in the shop
Photo Courtesy Colorado Parks & Wildlife
A lot of anglers ask about Clean, Drain, Dry gear, things like boot brushes and towels that can live in your rig, boat, or gear bag.
CPW isn’t able to sell CPW-branded merchandise directly, but they recommend these nonprofit organizations where you can buy similar Clean, Drain, Dry gear and support invasive species prevention work in the process:
Wildlife Forever (towels, boot brushes, and other prevention tools):
https://www.wildlifeforever.org/product-catalog#!/AIS-Prevention-Tools/c/149166476
NAISMA (North American Invasive Species Management Association) (handheld boot/shoe brushes, including hoof-pick style brushes identical to some CPW distributes):
https://shop.naisma.org/collections/hand-held-boot-shoe-brushes
ISAN (Invasive Species Action Network) (merch + stickers, we source many of our AIS stickers from them, and their products use the same branding as the stickers):
https://www.bonfire.com/store/invasive-species-action-network/
If you’re part of a Colorado TU chapter, a fly shop, or a local fishing group and want Clean, Drain, Dry outreach materials, the best place to start is CPW’s public ANS outreach package and gear cleaning resources here:
Thanks for helping protect Colorado waters, and for doing your part to keep Clean, Drain, Dry normal and expected everywhere we fish.
Fly Tying at a STREAM Girls Program.
It’s time to dust off your vise, grab some materials, and tie flies for a cause that truly matters.
Colorado Trout Unlimited is excited to invite our members and chapters to participate in the Tie-4-The Future Challenge, a statewide effort to support TU’s education programs by doing what we love, tying flies. Every fly tied and donated helps connect youth to rivers, science, and conservation through hands-on learning experiences like Conservation and Fly Fishing Camp, STREAM Programs, and more.
Comparing a Tied Fly with a ‘Real Bug’ at Camp.
Tie-4-The Future is a friendly, chapter-based challenge that encourages TU members to tie flies that will be used in Colorado TU education programs. It’s simple, meaningful, and a great excuse to gather around a vise with friends—whether at home, at a brewery, virtually, or during a chapter meeting.
How it works is easy:
Tie as many flies as you’d like (click here to see recommended fly patterns)
Chapters collect flies from their members
Mail all flies together by April 1, 2026
Be sure to include your chapter name and number of flies
At the end of the challenge, the Colorado TU Chapter that ties the most flies will take home the Tie-4-The Future Trophy for a full year—along with some well-earned bragging rights 🏆.
The winner will be announced at the Colorado TU Spring Rendezvous in April.
This first year of Tie-4-The Future is just getting off the ground. That means now is the time to jump in and make an impact.
Fly Tying at Walking Mountain Science Center
Many chapters are already hosting fly-tying nights or informal tying sessions—and if your chapter isn’t yet, this is a perfect reason to start! A Tie-4-The Future tying event can be:
A chapter fly-tying night
A pop-up event at a local shop or brewery
A casual gathering for new and seasoned tiers alike
A great way to welcome new members or reconnect with longtime ones
No pressure, no perfection—just flies tied with purpose.
Fly Tying at River Conservation and Fly Fishing Camp.
The flies you tie don’t just fill boxes—they help spark curiosity, build skills, and create lifelong connections between young people and our waters. Through our Colorado Education Programs these flies become tools for learning, inspiration, and conservation.
Gather your materials, rally your chapter, and start tying! When you’re ready, mail your flies to:
Colorado Trout Unlimited
ATTN: Cyndy Scholz
1536 Wynkoop St, Suite 320
Denver, CO 80202
Questions? Reach out to cyndy.scholz@tu.org.
Year one is just getting started, so jump in, start tying, and help set the hook for a great new Colorado TU tradition.
Landon Mayer with The Frozen Over Season;
Brian LaRue with Casper’s North Platte;
Hayden Mellsop with Little Blue Lines;
Colorado TU Staff with Celebrating Colorado’s River Champions;
Other columns by Barbara Luneau, Colorado TU Staff, and Joel Evans.
