July was a very busy month for the ‘Sportsmen for Hermosa’ and TU’s efforts to protect one of Southwest Colorado’s favorite cutthroat fisheries, Hermosa Creek.  With the August congressional recess looming, and just a few months left in this congressional session, it was time to give the bill another big push from anglers and hunters.  Mid-month, a small group of Durango and Silverton supporters, including TU, went to DC to advocate on Capitol Hill.  Over the course of two days, a dozen Congressmen and women heard the praises of this very special piece of legislation.  The bill continues to be very well received and everyone in DC was supportive of moving the bill out of subcommittee and to the floor for formal votes.  Despite this push, Congress was unable to move the bill forward before the end of the month and the recess.  We’ll resume our efforts again in September. Later in the month, TU hosted a media trip into Hermosa’s interior to chase native cutthroats while experiencing Colorado’s largest unprotected roadless area.  The Denver Post’s Scott Willoughby accompanied TU staff and Emily Orbanek of Conservation Colorado on a three-day backpack trip eighteen miles down the main Hermosa trail. The group captured some fantastic images, and a bunch of nice trout, which are being shared on Facebook at www.facebook.com/sportsmenforhermosa.  Join us there.

Mr. Willoughby penned two fabulous articles for the Denver Post and we are grateful.  Enjoy them at: Hermosa Creek fishing is well worth the walk

Where wild things are:  Hermosa Creek among best

The Hermosa legislation continues to capture national attention as one of America’s best proposals to possibly move a wilderness bill through a very sticky Congress.  Since 2009 there has only been one wilderness bill enacted, and we hope Hermosa is next.  National Geographic magazine recently wrote of the backlog of wilderness bills and listed Hermosa as a top contender.  Read more here and here.