By Haley Collinsworth, Colorado Western TIC Coordinator
The Trout in the Classroom program is more than just a science project. It is a first step for students toward stewardship that is supported by passionate volunteers from local Trout Unlimited Chapters. As students raise trout and release them into local streams, they experience the responsibility of protecting something real and fragile. In that moment, learning becomes personal and students begin to see themselves not just as participants but as the next generation of river champions.
Students gather at the CSU Spur to get one last look at their trout before releasing them back into their local stream.
The March 12 release event at CSU Spur centered on engaging homeschool students and families in hands-on environmental learning. CSU Spur’s Water Education Coordinator, Stefan, led interactive discussions that helped participants better understand conservation practices and aquatic ecosystems. Members of the Denver Trout Unlimited Chapter were also on hand to support the event and share their expertise. The on-campus trout tank, which is open to the public, serves as an ongoing educational resource and is surrounded by informative displays highlighting the importance of Colorado’s headwaters.
Students from across the San Luis Valley gathered March 12 at Del Norte Town Park to release almost 800 fish.
The March 12 fish release in the San Luis Valley brought together a strong network of community partners, including Rio Grande Hospital, Colorado Parks and Wildlife, the Division of Water Resources, the U.S. Forest Service, Rio Grande Headwaters, and the Rio Grande Water Conservation District. Watershed Ambassadors played an important role throughout the day, guiding younger students in fly casting and offering hands-on support during activities. Watching high school students mentor younger participants highlighted the growing conservation leadership pipeline the program is working to build. Kevin Midler the Youth Education Chair in the San Luis Valley chapter said, “Programs like Trout in the Classroom go far beyond raising fish they are helping cultivate the next generation of conservationists in the San Luis Valley.”
A student from Independence Academy reads his goodbye letter to the trout.
On March 5, we held our first school release of the year at Corn Lake in Grand Junction. Students from Independence Academy released 271 trout into their local pond. Members of the Grand Valley Anglers joined the event, bringing a hands-on macroinvertebrate kit that helped students explore the ecosystem their fish would be entering. While saying goodbye was difficult, it was also a rewarding and meaningful conclusion to their time with the trout.
Trout in the Classroom continues to expand across the state, with release events taking place from Denver to the San Luis Valley and west to Grand Junction. This growth is fueled by dedicated teachers, supportive Trout Unlimited chapters, and, most importantly, the students who become deeply connected to the experience. Throughout the school year, classrooms raise trout while collecting data, studying life cycles, and gaining a deeper understanding of aquatic ecosystems. Along the way, they create lasting memories that help shape how they see and care for the natural world. Keep Trout in the Classroom on your radar—you may soon find the next generation of conservation leaders making an impact in your own community.
