http://denver.yourhub.com/Boulder/Stories/Environment/Cleanups/Story~358219.aspx BOULDER, Colo. - Sept. 6, 2007 - Colorado Trout Unlimited (CTU), a nonprofit organization dedicated to conserving, protecting and restoring Colorado's coldwater fisheries, will lead the fourth annual Great Colorado Rivers Cleanup on Saturday, September 15, to remove trash and debris from river banks and channels throughout the state. CTU members and volunteers will scour designated river stretches near Aspen, Basalt, Boulder, Buena Vista, Carbondale, Colorado Springs, Denver, Durango, Evergreen, Fort Collins, Glenwood Springs, Idaho Springs, Granby, Leadville, Lyons, Pueblo, Silverthorne, Salida and Winter Park to remove trash and elevate the health of Colorado's water sources.
"We rely on Colorado's clean water supply everyday - it is one of our most precious natural resources," said David Nickum, executive director of Colorado Trout Unlimited. "It is vital for people to work together to keep Colorado's rivers clean. The Great Colorado Rivers Cleanup is a way for people in the community to get involved and make a difference. By picking up trash along the rivers, volunteers can help restore and protect the water sources we use everyday."
The majority of the Great Colorado Rivers Cleanup events are planned for the morning of Saturday, September 15, with a few events taking place on September 8, September 29 and October 13. With most of the cleanup efforts on a single day, CTU hopes to attract hundreds of volunteers for a large-scale, coordinated cleanup effort. CTU plans the Great Colorado Rivers Cleanup for the fall season because river flow is generally lower, making access to the rivers and cleanup efforts easier and safer.
"Last year, the Great Colorado Rivers Cleanup attracted hundreds of volunteers," said Nickum. "We have no doubt that this year will be an even bigger success. We encourage people to find the event in their local community and get involved."
Fifteen CTU chapters across the state will host cleanup events on 13 Colorado river stretches, including: Animas River, Arkansas River from Leadville through Salida, Arkansas River near Pueblo, Bear Creek, Blue River, Boulder Creek, Cache la Poudre, Clear Creek, Roaring Fork River (in cooperation with Roaring Fork Conservancy), South Platte near Elevenmile Canyon, South Platte in Denver (in partnership with the Greenway Foundation), St. Vrain River and the Upper Colorado River. For more information about the Great Colorado Rivers Cleanup or Colorado Trout Unlimited, visit www.cotrout.org.
About Colorado Trout Unlimited
Colorado Trout Unlimited is dedicated to conserving, protecting and restoring Colorado's coldwater fisheries and their watersheds. The statewide organization has nearly 10,000 members and is part of the national Trout Unlimited organization. Colorado Trout Unlimited fulfills its mission through advocacy and education efforts regarding the impact of drought and pollution on water-based ecosystems, and by engaging volunteers in hands-on projects to improve and rehabilitate Colorado's river systems. For more information about Colorado Trout Unlimited, visit www.cotrout.org.
