Recently, the Water Quality Control Commission (WQCC) chose to not upgrade protections for sections of the S. Platte in Commerce City/Adams County, as well as to downgrade protections for a portion of Clear Creek east of Golden. The decision opens those waterways up to have their current water quality further eroded by polluters. Local conservation voices, including Denver TU, have petitioned the WQCC to reconsider its decision - and your voice can help as they take up that request in September.

The State of Colorado and local governments have worked hard over the last 40 years to restore the once-polluted South Platte River into a waterway that is fishable and swimmable. Similarly, data supports maintaining protections for portions of Clear Creek east of Golden against degradation, rather than allowing more pollution.

Proper antidegradation protections will help to maintain these water quality gains. Coloradans, especially residents of Commerce City and North Denver, deserve to benefit from the improvements that have been made to water quality in the South Platte River and Clear Creek. They should be able to enjoy the full recreational and public health benefits that accompany cleaner, healthier rivers.

Please join Colorado Trout Unlimited and sign on to support our Denver urban streams by signing on with our petition to the WQCC through our action page, where you can sign on with the petition as well as adding any personal comments that include your own added insights and experiences with the river. We will be submitting the petition at the end of this month, so please act today.

Thank you for speaking out for Denver's urban streams!