Colorado TU honors Chapter leaders and others at Rendezvous 2014

At the 2014 Rendezvous, Colorado TU presented its annual awards for outstanding contributions by chapters and individuals at the evening awards banquet. Colorado TU presented its “Trout Conservation Award”, recognizing outstanding contributions by TU partners, to Colorado Parks and Wildlife biologist Ken Kehmeier for his leadership in developing mitigation plans for water projects.  Kehmeier’s efforts helped secure mitigation commitments to protect fishery resources in association with the Chatfield, Moffat, and Windy Gap projects.  He has also been a leader in developing the proposed collaborative project for native trout restoration in the Poudre headwaters.

The “Trout Communication Award”, recognizing leadership in public education and communications around river conservation, went to Dan Crabtree, recently retired from the Bureau of Reclamation.  Under Dan’s leadership, the Bureau’s Aspinall public stakeholder meetings – held three times a year to coordinate operations on the Bureau’s Gunnison River dams – became a valuable forum for constructive dialogue between the agency and its stakeholders, and helped create a new spirit of cooperation.

As “Outstanding Guide & Outfitter”, Colorado TU honored Freestone Outfitters’ Clint Packo.  Clint helped develop the concepts for Colorado TU’s “Protect Our Rivers” corporate donation program and stepped up with a “Round Up For Rivers” program with Freestone itself – through which clients are invited to “round up” their purchase of a trip with an extra $25 donation for conservation.  Each donation is matched by Freestone.  In addition, Clint helped develop the innovative Hartsel Easy Access Recreation Trail with the Cherry Creek Anglers Chapter, providing an outstanding new angling opportunity on the Middle Fork South Platte for mobility-impaired anglers.

Colorado TU recognized two of its own “Outstanding Volunteers” as well.  Mike Nicholson was honored for his volunteer work as director of Colorado TU’s annual youth conservation camp, which he has guided into being a flagship program for engaging Colorado high schoolers with river conservation and angling.  Ric Tarr was honored for his 32 years of commitment as a volunteer with the West Denver chapter, stepping in wherever help was needed and providing leadership around chapter programs for both youth education and public education.

The Rocky Mountain Flycasters were recognized as “Exemplary Chapter” for their outstanding programs across the spectrum – strong community engagement, outstanding communications, vibrant youth programs including a summer day camp, and meaningful conservation projects.  In particular, the chapter was recognized for its leadership in promoting watershed health in the aftermath of two natural disasters effecting its home waters on the Poudre and Big Thompson Rivers – the 2012 High Park fire and the 2013 floods.

The West Denver Chapter was honored both for “Outstanding Communications” and “Exemplary Youth Education”.  The Chapter was recognized for its first-rate “Angler’s Edge” newsletter and effective website, and for youth programming that includes a long-standing partnership with Jefferson County Public Schools Outdoor Lab through which 6th graders get a week of in-the-field outdoor education experience.

Two chapters were recognized with “Exemplary Project” awards.  The Colorado Headwaters Chapter was honored for its long-standing, and very effective, campaign for public engagement behind protection of the Fraser River basin in the face of expanding water diversions.  The “Save the Fraser” campaign recently culiminated with an innovative agreement among TU, Grand County, and Denver Water for collaboration in conserving habitat in the watershed.  The Yampa Valley Flyfishers were recognized for their multi-year project, operating in coordination with their close partners with the Yampa Valley Stream Improvement Charitable Trust, recently completed a multi-year project investing hundreds of thousands of dollars in restoring quality habitat on the Yampa River in the Chuck Lewis State Wildlife Area.

In addition to Colorado TU’s annual awards, the Silver Trout Foundation presented its “Silver Trout” award – the highest honor for contributions to coldwater conservation in Colorado, recognizing lifetime efforts – to two individuals: Colorado TU past president Sinjin Eberle and Colorado TU Lobbyist Jen Boulton.  Sinjin was recognized for his effective leadership of Colorado TU, overseeing a period of strong financial and program growth and contributing his significant marketing and communications skills to successful campaigns to protect the Fraser and Upper Colorado Rivers.  Jen was recognized for her nearly 20 years of service as a lobbyist duing which she helped Colorado TU to secure legislation strengthening instream flow programs, water quality protections, and funding for habitat protection and fishing access – as well as holding off countless attacks on laws for protection of natural resources.

Congratulations – and thank you – to all of this year’s awardees!

Hermosa Creek legislation - moving forward, slowly

Sportsmen and women from the Southwest corner of Colorado continue to be hopeful the Hermosa Creek Watershed Protection Act will soon receive markups in the subcommittees of Congress.  In the meantime, Trout Unlimited and our sportsmen partners are doing our part to see this magnificent land protected, forever. In March, the ‘Sportsmen for Hermosa’ worked the campaign and were rewarded.  The bill’s Senate sponsor, Senator Bennet, came through Durango and requested a private meeting with the local supporters to discuss the progress.  Hunters and anglers, representing the coalition, spent about a half hour chatting with the Senator about the value of protected public lands, Hermosa’s economic input and habitat.  Attending were TU, Backcountry Hunters and Anglers, Duranglers, American Rivers, Conservation Colorado, Waterfall Ranch Outfitters, Gardenswartz and Rep. Tipton’s local staffer.  The Hermosa bill is a priority for the Senator and we’re grateful.

One of this campaign’s most important partners, Backcountry Hunters and Anglers, hosted their national Rendezvous in Denver.  Hermosa was a major topic of discussion all weekend.  Rep. Tipton attended a small, private breakfast and spoke candidly about Hermosa and his efforts to see it enacted.  Several ‘Sportsmen for Hermosa’ partner organizations were represented, including TU, BHA, Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership, Bull Moose Sportsmen and Nat’l Wildlife Federation.  The coalition thanked the Congressman for his work and leadership on Hermosa.  Additionally, Senator Udall was the keynote speaker Saturday night and mentioned Hermosa numerous times.  Several new sportsmen supporters joined the coalition, including some notables such as Dvorak Expeditions, Anglers Covey, Dragonfly Anglers, CO Wildlife Federation and Rep Your Water.  We’re grateful for their voice.

It’s an arduous journey for a bill, as School House Rock taught us, but when sportsmen and women stand unified for a special place, good things happen for trout and public lands.  You can follow the progress and lend your support on Facebook at ‘Sportsmen for Hermosa.'

--- Ty Churchwell, Sportsmen's Conservation Project, tchurchwell@tu.org

CTU Hiring River Cleanup Intern

Colorado Trout Unlimited is hiring an intern to help with our River Cleanups across Colorado. Most of our 24 chapters host at least one cleanup a year and we are hiring an intern to help make a bigger impact with river cleanups in local communities. This intern will also help to bring a strong conservation message to the cleanups and help to strengthen cleanup partnerships. This is a non paid position, however we will work with your college to arrange credit for the internship. Click here to view the position description. To apply for this internship please email your cover letter and resume to Stephanie Scott at sscott@tu.org

Runners Giving Back to Rivers?

Trout Unlimited has been very active since the floods of 2013. Four of our twenty four chapters were impacted by the floods; Alpine Anglers (Estes Park), St. Vrain Anglers (Longmont), Boulder Flycasters (Boulder), and Rocky Mountian Flycasters (Ft. Collins). Our chapters have been on the ground and working with existing partners like federal and local level governments, ditch companies, land owners, biologists and water suppliers; but recently an unexpected partner approached us and wanted to get involved in what we were doing. When all of that rain began to fall a lot of people had to change their plans. There was no exception for the Road Less Traveled Relays and Runners team whom organized the Flaming Foilage Relay.  The runners had trained  to complete this long and difficult race, and the race organizers had everything ready to go until the rain started to pour. Unfortunately, after all of the preparation, the 165 mile relay race from Idaho Springs to Buena Vista had to be canceled as it was scheduled the same weekend the flooding occurred.

Of course the runners were disappointed, but they were very understanding. All of the runners had already registered and paid for the race, and their money was non-refundable; even in the case of the flood. However, Paul Vanderheiden, the Race Director who works for Timberline Events wanted to do something with those registration fees that would give back to communities involved in the flood. Paul got in contact with the runners and promised the participants that he would make donations to groups that helped out people affected and/or groups helping with the rebuilding. Paul started to search for member groups that were involved in flood restoration projects.

Paul found information online about all of the work that Colorado Trout Unlimited had been doing with the flood restoration so he contacted Colorado Trout Unlimited wanting to donate to our efforts. This donation, courtesy of Roads Less Traveled Relays and Runners, will be used for on the ground restoration in the communities that were impacted from the floods.

For a lot of people the floods of 2013 were a horrific time. Thanks to groups like Roads Less Traveled Relays and Runners, Colorado Trout Unlimited can continue to be an active part of rebuilding the South Platte Basin. Timberline Events LLC has been a member of 1% For the Planet since 2006 and we thank them for giving back to conservation groups like Trout Unlimited.

CTU Offers the Experience of a Lifetime for High Schoolers

Know a kid age 14-18 with an interest in fly fishing and cold-water conservation? Colorado Trout Unlimited gives high school youth the experience of a lifetime at 2014 River Conservation and Fly Fishing Youth Camp! Greetings TU Members,

Registration is now open for the 2014 CTU River Conservation and Fly Fishing Youth Camp, June 8-13 at the Bar N I Ranch near Weston, Colorado.  The camp is open to all Colorado youth ages 14-18. The camp is designed to educate students on the importance of coldwater conservation and provide hands-on fly fishing instruction. Approximately 20 students are selected each year, based on their qualifications and a written essay on why they would like to attend the camp.

Camp classes include: principles of ecology, hydro-geology, aquatic vertebrate and invertebrate sampling, hydrology, trout behavior, the biology of pollution, acid deposition, and politics of conservation and human effects on the Rocky Mountains. In addition, the camp will include hands-on classes such as fly tying, fly casting, streamside ethics, angling literature, streamside botany, wader safety and survival, and the evolution of an angler. Students will also participate in a watershed project to repair habitat in a nearby stream. The River Conservation and Fly Fishing Youth Camp includes faculty from various environmental fields and state agencies such as the Colorado Division of Wildlife, Department of Environmental Protection and National Forest Service.

Megan Branine, a camp alumni, said of her experience, “The past five days have been the greatest experiences of my life. In this week, I have developed a love for a sport I aim to continue. All components of this camp—the  science, the fishing and the social aspects—have all benefited me greatly.  They have given me a passion to protect our rivers and wild lands as well as great memories to take with me.”

The cost to attend the 6 day camp is $450, but financial aid is often available via local chapter sponsorship.

For more information and to download the application, please visit http://www.coloradotu.org/river-conservation-and-fly-fishing-youth-camp/.

Colorado's Water Plan Needs to Hear from TU and YOU!!

The need for Colorado’s Water Plan has been coming for a long time. Colorado is one of the only states in the West that does not have a formal water plan. On May 14, 2013 Governor Hickenlooper issued an executive order directing the Colorado Water Conservation Board (CWCB) to commence work on the first ever Colorado Water Plan.  The plan is intended to help Colorado prepare for its water future. Specifically, Governor Hickenlooper ordered that the plan address the projected shortfall (aka “the gap”) between future water supply and demand and help Colorado reduce the practice of converting agricultural water rights to municipal water uses (aka “buy and dry”). A draft of the plan is due to the governor by the end of 2014. The final product is expected one year later. The CWCB has directed the public to comment on the water plan efforts via the nine Basin Roundtables. This is the route we must take to get our comments incorporated into each of the basin plans. The basin roundtables have been instructed to gather comments from the public and deliver their draft basin specific plan by July. In order for us to get comments incorporated into those basin specific plans we need to get to work quickly and have our comments to them before March 2014. Each of the basins are using the Statewide Water Supply Initiative (SWSI) report that they developed in 2010 as a starting point to develop their water plans. In this report the gaps, important water projects, supply needs etc. have been already identified in each basin.

Trout Unlimited has been working the past couple of months to develop an easy way for staff, board, chapters and members to provide comments on the water plan and have an opportunity to get the unified Trout Unlimited voice heard in each of the river basins. All 24 Chapters across Colorado have received the materials that they need in order to provide educated comments to each of their basins. If you would like more information about this effort or would like to receive the materials prepared please contact Stephanie Scott at sscott@tu.org. For more information from the State on the water plan, visit the website at www.coloradowaterplan.com.

Developing Colorado’s first ever water plan is not an easy task; however as a river conservation organization we could not let the opportunity pass to provide comments that would protect the fish and water that we as members need in our life in the future. We would love to hear comments from our members on what they would like to see incorporated into the plan.

Colorado Doubles Gold Medal River Miles!

The Colorado Parks and Wildlife Commission announced the upper Arkansas River as the newest addition to the statewide list of Gold Medal Trout Waters. The new Gold Medal reach is 102 miles long from the confluence with the Lake Fork of the Arkansas River, near Leadville, downstream to Parkdale at the Highway 50 bridge crossing above the Royal Gorge.  This one remarkable listing doubles the extent of Gold Medal river miles recognized in Colorado. Once a poster-child for the adverse water quality impacts on rivers left behind by our state's legacy of mining, the Arkansas now "officially" joins the ranks of Colorado's elite, high-quality trout waters.

The Gold Medal designation has been 20 years in the making, and although anglers have enjoyed the improved conditions for years, it is an official acknowledgement of the great success of myriad efforts undertaken by government agencies, nonprofit organizations, and other partners to turn an impaired river into one of the most popular fishing destinations in Colorado.

Colorado Trout Unlimited's Collegiate Peaks Anglers chapter has been an active partner in conservation efforts along the Arkansas throughout this time.  From habitat improvement efforts in the basin, to assisting with mine cleanup efforts (including ongoing efforts with National TU's Abandoned Mine Program on the Tiger Mine), to helping acquire new public access - TU has a long history of involvement with the river.  The new Gold Medal designation, as well as Senator Mark Udall's proposal to establish a new National Monument along the Browns Canyon section of the Arkansas, are testament to the benefits of many years of hard work. The Arkansas River is also a model for cooperation - with many agencies including EPA collaborating to improve its water quality, a multi-agency collaborative managing the "Arkansas Headwaters Recreation Area" with tremendous boating and fishing opportunities, and a partnership with water users for cooperative releases to maintain whitewater recreation during the summer and needed stable fish flows in the fall and winter.

“The upper Arkansas River fishery is the best it has been in over a century thanks to the efforts and hard work of many agencies and individuals that have recognized its great potential,” said Greg Policky, Colorado Parks and Wildlife Aquatic Biologist. “I am very pleased that this outstanding river has received the Gold Medal designation and is now ranked among the elite trout fisheries in Colorado.”

Gold Medal listings are a reflection of a healthy trout population accompanied by strong numbers of larger fish.  In order to receive a Gold Medal listing, a body of water must consistently support a minimum trout standing stock of 60 pounds per acre, as well as consistently support a minimum average of 12 "quality trout" – trout larger than 14 inches – per acre.

Join West Denver for their 38th Annual Fly Tying Clinic

The 38th Annual Fly Tying Clinic will be held on February 8th at the Jefferson County Fairgrounds in Golden.  This Clinic has become a staple for the local fly tying community, featuring about 60 of the best tiers from the Rocky Mountain Region including, this year, such local luminaries as Charlie Craven, Pat Dorsey, and Greg Garcia. You will have the opportunity to learn how to tie a wide variety of patterns from the masters, as well as the opportunity to buy their flies.  There will be a beginners’ fly tying table for novices who want to learn the rudiments of fly tying from experts.  In addition to the tiers, Alan Kube, recently named “Bamboo Rod Maker of the Year”, will be available to discuss the merits of bamboo.

There will also be door prizes, a bucket raffle, silent auction, and a chance to purchase tickets for our “Fantasy Raffle” which offers the winner over $3,900 in merchandise.

Admission is $10 (children 12 years of age or under are admitted free), and $2 discount coupons are available at local fly shops.

Doors open at 8:30 AM.  Food and drinks will be available at the site.  If you have any questions and/or want more information, please check the Chapter’s website at www.westdenvertu.org or call Jon Weimer at 303-830-1609.

CTU's Marshall Pendergrass on "The Sporting Life"

During the holidays, Colorado TU Vice President Marshall Pendergrass took a little time to join Bob Svetich on his radio program, "The Sporting Life" on 630 KHOW radio and also available on iheartradio.com.  If you missed the program on December 21, you can listen to a podcast by clicking here to visit the program's website.  The show also featured interviews with Ted Nugent and Dudley Brown. Thanks, Marshall, for helping spread the word about Trout Unlimited and stream conversation with radio listeners in Colorado and beyond!

Granby students win "Water Is Life" Mural and Art Challenge

Renowned muralist and conservationist Wyland announced today that Katrina Larson's art students at East Grand Middle School were named the grand prize winners of the National "Water Is Life" Classroom mural contest for grades 5-8. The  contest, inspired by the growing demands on U.S. water resources, took place Oct. 21-Nov. 21, and drew more than 9,000 students across 45 states. Participating students painted 50 square-foot murals depicting the range of habitats and uses for water throughout the United States. "America's water resources are among our greatest treasures," said Wyland, the artist whose pioneering marine life murals are seen by more than 1 billion people around the world every year. "Our coastal waters, rivers, and lakes support millions of people. But like anything they need our attention and art helps put that into focus."

As part of the national "Water Is Life" competition, the Wyland Foundation and its partners provided 300 schools with paint supplies, educational materials, and 50 square foot canvas murals to look at the economic, cultural and aesthetic value of American waters. Additional schools that participated created artworks on other surfaces - from sidewalks to school buildings. The contest encouraged students to study local and national water issues and work collaboratively. Winning classes receive $250 for art supplies, a signed Wyland artwork, and a chance for a live online painting lesson with Wyland

Twelve students at East Grand Middle Schools, ranging in grades from 6th-7th, worked on the mural entitled, "Save the Fraser River." Program organizers hope the process of interpreting water-based habitats through art will lead students to a greater understanding of their role as future caretakers of the resource.  An individual art contest for grades K-12 was also held concurrently. Details at wylandfoundation.org/artchallenge.

The National "Water Is Life" Classroom mural contest was presented in partnership with Fredrix Artist Canvas, Arts & Activities Magazine, National Van Lines, the US Forest Service, the Georgia Aquarium and Marco Fine Arts.

Check out the beautiful "Save the Fraser River" mural.