New Opportunity for Mine Waste Removal

An important new bill is advancing at the Colorado legislature that will complement existing nonprofit “Good Samaritan” mine reclamation projects and benefit Colorado’s watersheds.  SB-054, a bipartisan measure sponsored by Senators Simpson and Bridges and Representatives McCormick and Martinez, has passed the Senate and yesterday passed on a unanimous vote from the House Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee.

SB-054 will create a new streamlined permitting process for reclamation-only projects, where a mining company can remove existing waste rock piles from an abandoned mine site, transport it to a permitted milling site, and process it to extract potentially marketable metals. Importantly, while the permitting process is significantly streamlined from those for a new mining site that would be excavating additional rock, the Division of Reclamation Mining and Safety (DRMS) requirements for these reclamation-only permits still include requirements for environmental protection and reclamation plans, providing a solid foundation to ensure the sites will be appropriately managed and reclaimed after the waste rock is removed.

Trout Unlimited has been actively involved in waste rock removal projects for decades, and have seen firsthand how those efforts can benefit watershed health and water quality. By removing these sources of non-point pollution, we can improve the health of downstream waters as well as on-site habitat.

SB-054 creates a new means to engage the private sector in this work, by creating a streamlined permitting process for removal and economic use of waste rock, followed by effective site reclamation. CTU Executive Director David Nickum said in testimony to the House Ag Committee, “With more than 23,000 abandoned mine features across the state, there is a significant need for reclamation far beyond what TU, other nonprofits, or DRMS itself can tackle. Creating opportunities and incentives for mining companies to contribute to those efforts makes good sense.”  The reclamation-only permits also offer an environmentally-benign opportunity to obtain useful metals that were left behind from miners of generations past.

TU is grateful to DRMS and to the bill sponsors for their efforts to expand the community of partners in waste rock reclamation projects!

Connecting with the Community: Colorado Trout Unlimited Trout in the Classroom Program

The Colorado Trout Unlimited Trout in the Classroom program is more than just an educational initiative; it's a bridge that connects students, educators, and the broader community through a shared passion for aquatic ecosystems and trout conservation. One of the most impactful ways we foster this connection is through our release events, where students have the opportunity to release the trout they've raised into local waterways.

Engaging with the Community

Our release events are a celebration of learning and conservation, bringing together students from various schools to sites like the Carson Nature Center. These events are not just about releasing trout; they are enriched with additional programming that enhances the educational experience. For example, the Carson Nature Center features a portable water table that allows students to see how a river is formed and understand its effects on the local landscape. This hands-on activity helps students grasp the dynamic nature of rivers and the importance of maintaining healthy aquatic ecosystems.

Highlighting CSU Spur's Homeschool Event

A standout moment in our community engagement efforts was the recent trout release event hosted by CSU Spur. This event was particularly special as it connected us with a part of the community that doesn't have a traditional classroom setting—homeschoolers. CSU Spur's Water Education Coordinator, Stefan, led the event, where visitors helped release trout into the South Platte River behind the campus.

CSU Spur's event marked the first time they hosted a trout release on campus, making it an exciting milestone. The program aims to foster a deep appreciation for aquatic ecosystems and trout conservation among students, and releasing trout into the stretch of water by the campus was a thrilling experience for all involved. CSU Spur plans to continue these events, inviting more community members to join in future releases.

Looking Ahead

As we continue to grow and expand our Trout in the Classroom program, we remain committed to deepening our connections with the community. Future release events will continue to be inclusive, educational, and fun, providing opportunities for everyone to get involved and make a difference.

Stay tuned for more information on upcoming events and how you can participate in our efforts to conserve Colorado's aquatic ecosystems. Together, we can inspire the next generation of environmental stewards and ensure a healthy future for our trout and their habitats.

Welcome our New Director of Philanthropy, Cheyenne Johnson

Driven by a lifelong commitment to conservation and education, Cheyenne Johnson joins Colorado Trout Unlimited with almost 20 years of philanthropy experience. Born and raised in Austin, Texas, she has centered her professional career on her devotion to people, land & water conservation, environmental education, and cultural and historic preservation. Previous to Colorado Trout Unlimited, she had been a Philanthropy Officer for Colorado Open Lands and History Colorado. Johnson holds a bachelor’s degree in Geography specializing in Natural Resource Management from the University of Texas at Austin. She has held Director of Development positions at Hill Country Conservancy in Austin and the Cibolo Center for Conservation in Boerne, Texas. Additionally, she is on the Board of A Child’s Song, changing lives through music in Denver and involved with Lalmba, an organization working in rural communities in Ethiopia and Kenya to provide life-saving medical services and empowerment opportunities. She loves all things nature, live music, getting her hands in the dirt, and traveling with her partner Chad and Bernedoodle, Ernie. Cheyenne’s passion for water conservation with help from caring supporters ensures a sustainable future for generations to come. She can’t wait to meet you!

You can reach Cheyenne via email at: cheyenne.johnson@tu.org

The New Spring 2025 Issue of High Country Angler is Live!

Your new Spring 2025 issue of

High Country Angler is here!

Check out the Spring 2025 issue of High Country Angler e-zine, including these stories:

· Landon Mayer with Preparing for Spring Battles;

· Brian LaRue with Hermosa Creek - A Durango Gem;

· Kevin Milder with Building a Future for Conservation;

· David Nickum with Healing Rivers & Driving the Restoration Economy;

· Peter Stitcher with How to Match the Hatch;

· Other columns by Barbara Luneau, Joel Evans, and Jack Bombardier

San Luis Valley Silent Auction

Support Conservation & Fishing Education—Join the San Luis Valley TU Online Auction!

The San Luis Valley Chapter of Trout Unlimited (SLVTU) invites supporters to participate in the annual online auction—one of the most impactful ways to support local conservation and education initiatives. Bids do not just win incredible fishing experiences and gear; they directly fund projects that preserve the pristine waters and wild trout of the Rio Grande and Conejos Rivers.

Why Support Matters Every dollar raised through the auction fuels vital programs that protect and restore local waters, particularly those supporting the native Rio Grande Cutthroat Trout. Funds help:

• Implement conservation-improvement projects that sustain coldwater fisheries.

• Provide hands-on environmental education in public schools and community events.

• Offer scholarships for summer conservation camps.

• Spread awareness about the importance of clean water and habitat preservation.

• Bring together a passionate community dedicated to protecting cherished natural resources.

These efforts are made possible thanks to generous donors and partners, including Fishing is Fun grants, Colorado Trout Unlimited’s Gomo Grant, and National Trout Unlimited’s Embrace-a-Stream program. Conejos River Anglers Fly Shop, 8200 Mountain Sports, and their customers have significantly advanced conservation efforts through annual fishing and golf tournaments.

Incredible Auction Items—Bid Today! This year’s auction lineup includes a variety of exciting items and experiences, including:

• Full-Day Float Trip for Two on the Rio Grande
  A guided fishing adventure on the legendary Rio Grande with SLVTU board member and Trout Unlimited employee Toby VanRy.

• Full-Day Wade Trip for Two on Private Rio Grande Water
  Exclusive access to Off Island Ranch, a secluded section of the Rio Grande near Del Norte, CO, where anglers can fish pristine waters rarely accessed by the public.

• Handmade Bamboo Fly Rod
  A true collector’s item, this expertly crafted bamboo rod is both a work of art and a highly functional piece of gear for any angler.

And that is just the beginning. Browse the full list of auction items and find something worth bidding on.

Help Preserve the Waters of the San Luis Valley Participation in this auction directly supports the conservation and education efforts that keep rivers healthy and the community engaged. Whether bidding on a dream fishing trip, a unique piece of gear, or simply spreading the word, every effort makes a difference.

Thank you for supporting the San Luis Valley Chapter of Trout Unlimited and its mission to protect the wild, cold waters of the region. Happy bidding!

March Currents Newsletter

This month’s issue features Help Restore Federal Funding, Remaining Gala Items, CTU Spring Rendezvous, and More!

Help Restore Federal Funding for Restoration and Rural Economic Development

Help Restore Federal Funding for Restoration and Rural Economic Development

Trout Unlimited’s restoration efforts in Colorado don’t just support the state’s working lands and waters, they are also a driving force behind rural economic growth. We’ve long recognized the importance of healthy rivers and fisheries for the outdoor recreation economy, which in Colorado generates $17.2 billion in economic activity and supports over 132,000 jobs.  TU’s projects are also generating high-quality jobs for contractors, engineers, and laborers, most of whom live and work in the very communities benefiting from these projects.

Many of TU’s efforts rely upon and help leverage federal dollars from agency partners such as the Bureau of Reclamation, US Forest Service, and the Natural Resources Conservation Service. In Colorado alone, TU is managing more than $24 million in federally-funded projects, helping support more than 250 Colorado jobs through our contractors and partners. Federal dollars are critical to conducting projects like the Colorado River Connectivity Channel (pictured) - and they are multiplied, leveraging other state, local and private sector dollars to make a difference for our waterways and local communities.

The recent pause in government funding creates financial hardships for contractors, workers, farmers, ranchers and others who depend on restoration projects for income. The negative impacts in Colorado’s rural areas are especially devastating.

Looking forward, the future of restoration funding programs is in question as Congress takes up how to approach the next federal budget year - and continued funding for agency partnership grants is critical for needed projects from protecting water in the Colorado River, to reducing wildfire risks in our forests, to modernizing infrastructure for irrigators to benefit both farms and fish.

As Congress and agencies review these federally-funded programs, we urge you to reach out to your elected officials and ask them to restore - and sustain - critical federal funding for restoration projects and the rural communities they support.

Remaining Items Still Available from the River Stewardship Gala

You can still participate in the Gala by purchasing one of a handful of remaining items at an opening bid level. Items include an African photo safari, Ross Native Series reels, a dream fishing vacation in Argentina, a spey rod and reel package, and a beautiful water-wise landscape plan for your property.

Colorado Trout Unlimited Spring Rendezvous 2025

The annual CTU Spring Rendezvous membership and board meeting is April 26th in Salida, CO. The Membership and Board meeting will be at the Scout Hut (210 E Sackett Ave) in Salida.  All day Saturday, April 26 – 9 am – 4 pm, lunch provided.  There is no registration cost for this event. 

 Event includes:

• Annual elections and budget

• Update and feedback on CTU 5-year plan progress

• Regional breakouts focused on chapter conservation projects planned or on the wish list around Colorado

• Workshop with Rick Kahn (retired CPW/USFS/NPS) on collaborating with agency partners

Protecting the Miracle Mile - Here's How You Can Help

Credit Steven Brutger

The Miracle Mile is one of Wyoming’s most treasured trout fisheries, drawing anglers from across the country and generating millions in recreation-based revenue each year. But this world-class fishery, adjacent crucial wildlife habitat, and local communities and economies that depend on them are at risk. The proposed Seminoe Pumped Storage Project, a renewable energy storage project being developed by rPlus Hydro, could significantly alter the water quality, fish populations, and aquatic ecosystem of the North Platte River and wildlife habitat in adjacent uplands. To learn more about these potential impacts, please visit this link.

Despite these risks and uncertainties, the project is advancing quickly through the permitting process. A comprehensive Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) and stringent agency permit conditions are necessary to ensure that the irreplaceable fish and wildlife habitat, water quality, and recreation opportunities in and around the North Platte’s Miracle Mile and Seminoe Reservoir are adequately evaluated, monitored, protected, and mitigated (if the project is advanced). Join Trout Unlimited, Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership, Wyoming Trout Unlimited, Wyoming Wild Sheep Foundation, and Wyoming Wildlife Federation in asking regulatory and management agencies as well as elected officials to ensure that the Seminoe Pumped Storage Project is only permitted if impacts are adequately studied and addressed. 

We need your help with 3 urgent actions by 4 PM on Friday, March 14th! 

1. Sign the petition to let agencies and elected officials know your concerns  

2. Share with your friends  

3. Submit your official public comments to FERC  

Take Action for the Miracle Mile!