We Are Public Lands

A note from Chris Wood, CEO of Trout Unlimited:

This is not a dispassionate report.

The threat of losing our public lands looms large. That threat grows, passing like wildfire through halls of Congress and state capitols, spreading its invasive rhetoric in our communities. People with soft hands and expensive suits tell us

“It’s just transfer. It’s not like we’re selling them.”

It’s not just transfer. And it is a big deal.

The truth is that the distance between the effort to “transfer” public lands and to sell them is very short. Many of the states that would manage these lands have already sold significant portions of their formerly public state land to the highest seller. And we, as a country, have nothing to gain by such actions.

We have nothing to gain. And everything to lose.

Public lands are for anglers, hunters, hikers, campers, backpackers, energy producers, mountain climbers, berry pickers, ranchers, horse packers, birders, timber operators, miners, snowmobilers, ATVer’s, mountain bikers.

Nature’s enthusiasts. Advocates of open space and the guardians of our right to use it.

We are public lands. Public lands are our birthright as American citizens. And we will not give them up.

Statistics make the point. More than 70 percent of hunters use public lands in the West. Nearly 70 percent of native trout strongholds are on public lands. A growing majority of hunters and anglers oppose the sale of public lands.

Public lands create strongholds of important fish and wildlife habitat. Public lands provide important sources of clean water for tens of millions of people. Public lands are some of the last pristine places in the country.

Sure, these things are important.

But the bottom line is these are our lands. Yours. Mine. Ours. And a greedy few are trying to steal them from us.

Public lands are part of what define us as Americans. They are what remain of the great westward migration of the nation. They are the crucible upon which the character of the nation was formed. Our forebears left these lands to us, not so we could sell them to the highest bidder. They left them to us as an heirloom to pass on intact to the next generation. These lands are our birthright. They are a beacon of blinding and unwavering light on what it means to be free.

Whether you call it sale, transfer, or divestiture, allowing public lands to fall from public ownership would represent the triumph of cynicism over democracy. We — you and me, all of us who own these lands by virtue of our citizenship — can make sure that never happens.

We are public lands. And we will not step aside.

Sign the Petition to keep our public lands in the public hands!

World Fly Fishing Championship In Vail

Last year we saw the World Youth Fly Fishing Championships come to Colorado. This year, the adults came to compete on the waters in Colorado's Eagle Valley. Team USA finished in third place, earning a bronze medal after catching 289 fish. While France (302 fish) and Spain (293 fish) won Gold and Silver, respectively. Throughout the event, 3,802 total fish were caught and safely released.

USA team member, Lance Egan placed with the individual bronze medal with 60 fish caught.

The teams fished on sections of the Blue River, Eagle River, and Colorado River. As well as one "loch" sector at Sylvan Lake state park. "Loch means lake and signifies still water fishing.  Anglers fish in pairs on drift boats," according to the FIPS website. "The term “loch-style” is used to describe a method of still water fishing where the flies are cast, presented, and retrieved ahead of the drift of a boat, as it’s blown across the surface of a lake."

Teams were allowed practice sessions in the three days prior to the event starting to get  a feel for the water, fish, and tactics to use while on the water.

The event also featured a conservation symposium, hosted by Colorado Trout Unlimited and sponsored by Eagle Valley TU. The symposium featured a screening of Patagonia's Dam Nation Film. Following the film was a speakers panel, including representatives from CTU and Colorado Parks and Wildlife, that talked about different conservation issues going on in Colorado and throughout the United States.

Colorado Trout Unlimited is a proud sponsor of Team USA Fly Fishing and is proud of the team's accomplishments and achievements during the Fly Fishing Championships in Vail.

Denver TU Carp Slam

For the last 10 years, Denver Trout Unlimited has hosted the Carp Slam. A fishing event on the South Platte River right through Denver. Proceeds from the event go towards the continuing efforts of improving the South Platte. This year over $16,000 was raised that will be used to seed Denver South Platte River restorations, habitat studies, water temperature monitoring and helping secure water for the Chatfield expansion Environmental Pool.

Chris Galvin, defending champion, hooked into one of the Mile High Stadium carp under the I-25 bridge and carefully moved it downstream in order not to disturb the pod. Ten minutes later, he tricked another for a masterful 2 fish within a few minutes. He added another only ten minutes before the morning session ended to take the lead going into the lunch break at Black-Black Cafe.

In the afternoon session he left his amateur, James Davis, alone while he scouted for more carp. When he returned he found that Davis, the last slamateur to register and initially classified as an alternate, had landed two carp! With 5 carp for a total of 113.75 inches, the Galvin/Davis team defended the title and brought home the coveted Carp Cup awash in Upslope beer. The total inches of carp was the largest team total since Carp Slam record keeping began.

Second place was snatched by Trevor Tanner and Kyle Richards. Third place went to the team of Frank Smethurst and rookie Vernon Naake with 3 fish for 70.38 inches.

Awards also went to the individuals that raised the most funds. Ronnie Crawford with DTU won this gold scale custom carp reel as the top crowd source fundraiser.

Gold King Mine Added to Superfund List

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) placed the Gold King Mine and 47 other nearby sites on the Superfund cleanup list. These sites, all within the Bonita Peak Mining District, deposit an estimated 5.4 million gallons a day of heavy metal drainage into creeks within the Animas and San Juan river basins. The Superfund cleanup is a federal program that would allocate funds for the investigation and cleanup of some of America's "ticking time bombs" that would hinder human health and the environment.

"The Bonita Peak Mining District site consists of 48 historic mines or mining-related sources where ongoing releases of metal-laden water and sediments are occurring within Mineral Creek, Cement Creek and the Upper Animas. Near Silverton, Colorado, these drainages join to form the Animas River, which is used for drinking water, recreation and agricultural purposes," according to the EPA listing. "Contaminants found in these sources and in the surface water include arsenic, cadmium, copper, manganese, zinc, lead and aluminum. These contaminants impact fisheries that are harvested for human consumption, as well as wetlands and habitat for the threatened Canada lynx."

The Bonita Peak Mining District being added to the Superfund list is a step in the right direction that would help protect headwaters from mine drainage. Currently 40 percent of headwaters in the Western United States are affected by hard rock mining drainage. The TU-led San Juan Water Coalition has been fighting to address this issue by pushing for Good Samaritan legislation that would help clean up even more abandoned mines not addressed by the Superfund.

“Anglers and sportsmen strongly support this process,” said Trout Unlimited San Juan Mountains coordinator Ty Churchwell in a Denver Post article. “We’ll monitor the progress in the months and years to come to ensure the cleanup is done right and supports a high-quality fishery in the Animas. It’s our hope that Congress appropriates adequate funding to begin the cleanup soon." The town of Silverton, previously opposed to the Superfund program, now supports the listing along with local communities and law makers. “I’m hopeful that with this designation the EPA will continue to collaborate with local, tribal and state officials and work to protect the local economy, maximizing local employment opportunities where possible, and providing adequate funding to ensure the cleanup begins as quickly as possible,” said US Rep. Scott Tipton.

“Listing the Bonita Peak Mining District on the National Priorities List is an important step that enables EPA to secure the necessary resources to investigate and address contamination concerns of San Juan and La Plata Counties, as well as other downstream communities in New Mexico, Utah, and the Navajo Nation,” EPA regional administrator Shaun McGrath said in a statement.

“We look forward to continuing our efforts with the state of Colorado, the Bureau of Land Management, the U.S Forest Service, tribal governments and our community partners to address the impacts of acid mine drainage on the Animas River.”

South Platte River Revival

The South Platte River once supported the growth of an entire region. Cities and civilization all along the river’s shoreline sprang up, igniting the West’s development. Now, everything from shopping malls to fields of corn relies on the water in the South Platte River. Today, the South Platte Basin is tasked to support over 2.8 million people in a three-state area—and roughly 95 percent of those people live in Colorado. This is largest population density in the Rocky Mountain region and has led to the overuse of the crucial South Platte water supply.

But the communities that have used, and at times severely depleted, the resource are now working to restore it and bring the river back to health.

It was announced last week  that Denver Water, with help from Colorado Parks and Wildlife has obtained the rights to an additional 2,100 acre-feet of water that will be stored in Chatfield Reservoir and will be released downstream during times of low flow. The additional water will address the river's fishery and the populations of trout.

With the additional flows during low water periods, the water temperature will remain lower and deeper pools will be created, allowing a more hospitable environment for rainbow trout.

Increasing water flows is just one step of many that has been done to help revive the river. The Denver Trout Unlimited Chapter has been working on restoring the South Platte for many years. The chapter has recently installed water temperature sensors from Chatfield Reservoir upstream through Downtown Denver and all the way to Commerce City. These monitors will allow the chapter and agencies to see how the sometimes unreliable flows affect the temperature of the South Platte and influence the fishery.

The river also benefits from the CarpSlam- an annual fundraiser that focuses on anglers catching carp through Denver. The funds raised by the CarpSlam go directly towards the South Platte and restoring the health of the river. Over the years, the CarpSlam has resulted in anglers catching Carp, Walleye, Bass, and Trout in a river that some believe isn't able to hold a healthy population of fish.

Projects like Stream Explorers have also helped the South Platte by teaching students about the river and how it is used for both human and aquatic needs. Learning how a city can impact the health of a river and how the river plays such a vital role to our way of life is important to teach to the next generation of river stewards.

Through all of these initiatives by Denver TU, Colorado Parks and Wildlife, and Denver Water, the South Platte River is returning to a healthy river. One that not only provides water for municipal uses but one that offers enough cool, clean water for a healthy population of trout and other fish species.

CTU Helps Clip Fins for Ongoing Study

Colorado Trout Unlimited, it's chapters, and volunteers helped Colorado Parks and Wildlife clip fins of Cutbow Trout as part of CPW's ongoing study of diploid vs triploid trout in Eleven Mile Reservoir. Volunteers, along with staff from CPW helped clip over 26,000 fish in just the first day at the Mt. Shavano Fish Hatchery in Salida. Over the last two years, 97 volunteers helped clip over 148,00 fish in a six day period.

The study focuses on the size comparisons of the diploid and triploid trout. Diploid trout are the typical with only two chromosomes. In comparison, triploid trout have three chromosomes, making them sterile. The third chromosome is added during egg development through a pressure shock treatment method.

The triploid, or sterile trout, are believed to grow bigger in length and girth due to the assumption that they will use more energy for growth while the diploid trout will use up much needed energy for reproduction.

The fish used in this study are Rainbow X Cutthroat hybrid trout. Or commonly known as Cutbow trout.

Volunteers would clip the left pectoral fin on all of the diploid trout and the right fin for all triploid trout. These fish will be stocked into Eleven Mile Reservoir in February by CPW fish biologists, led by Jeff Spohn.

Due to the weak current in Eleven Mile Reservoir, these fish will be able to survive and adapt perfectly fine without a fin. According to Spohn, if the fish were placed in a river, it may hinder their ability to swim.

CTU helped with this event last year and over the course of three days, 70 volunteers clipped over 68,000 fish that were then stocked for the study.

Victory for Native Trout

The Western Native Trout Initiative (WNTI) has granted Colorado Trout Unlimited and the Cheyanne Mountain Chapter of Trout Unlimited $6000. Two $3,000 grants will be used to help bring public awareness to native trout and help further greenback genetic studies at Mt. Shavano Fish Hatchery. Western Native Trout Initiative is an organization dedicated to protecting native trout. They offer many different grant opportunities that provide conservation organizations with a means to realize their native trout projects.

Colorado Trout Unlimited (CTU), The Greenbacks and Trout Unlimited Chapters throughout the state have been propagating the good news story of greenback cutthroat trout. Throughout past months and years chapters across the state have thrown their time and energy into false greenbacks. No more. Chapter and state level advocates at CTU are working with Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW), Western Native Trout Initiative, and Cities to ensure greenbacks forever have a home on the Front Range.

Part of the state level involvement will be to create new signage to replace old signage marked with the wrong greenbacks. Signs will be erected at sights of greenback reintroduction to educate unknowing recreationists about the greenback. CPW is helping design and install signs. CTU and The Greenbacks will also be buying more 50 gallon tanks to be installed at the Mt. Shavano Fish Hatchery. Tanks will serve as brooding pens for the newly hatched greenback fry from Zimmerman Lake. Fry with like genetic crosses (WildXWild, WildXHatchery, HatcheryXHatchery) will be assigned to the same tank for research purposes.

At the chapter level the Cheyenne Mountain Chapter of Trout Unlimited (CMCTU) will be installing an exhibit: “Trout on Tejon”. The exhibit will feature sculpted greenbacks complete with educational plaque and possibly QRC code, strategically placed throughout Colorado Springs. Patrons of the Springs will soon never be far from the greenbacks. Look for instalments in the coming year.

Funding for these projects is coming from a freshly awarded WINTI Grant (Western Native Trout Initiative). The Greenbacks and CTU, along with CMCTU both received 3,000 dollars to complete their projects. These three organizations and many others across the state collaborating to bring greenbacks to the forefront of public attention is beginning to be recognized as a ground breaking effort.

North St. Vrain Creek Restoration

Almost three years ago in September of 2013, floods all over the front range swept through usually tame creeks and wiped out stream banks, structures, and anything else in their way. The North St Vrain Creek in the Button Rock Preserve area in Longmont was one of the hardest impacted streams from the flooding. The St Vrain Chapter of TU along with local stakeholders have teamed up to restore and improve the creek to prevent future damage.

The Phase 1 project area spanned a section from the box culvert downstream of Longmont Reservoir to the downstream limit of the Preserve. The work included excavation and moving material to create or protect riffle, pool, and run habitat, placing large rock structures to provide better habitat stability and creek resilience, and revegetation of riparian areas.

But more funds are needed to help initiate phase 2 of the project, and with help from the St. Vrain Chapter of TU, the City of Longmont was rewarded a Fishing is Fun grant of $84,000 to help complete more projects along the North St. Vrain in Button Rock Preserve- specifically an ADA accessible fishing pier along the river and restoration work.

The St. Vrain Chapter will continue to raise funds for Phase 2 of the project, that has been in the design for the last two month. Phase 2 will continue to address the river between Longmont Reservoir upstream to the Ralph Price Reservoir spillway. "The contractor has just completed the preliminary designs and construction costs for stakeholder review," said Barbara Luneau of the St. Vrain Chapter. "The first priorities in Phase 2 are to address the extensive flood damage at the inlet to Longmont Reservoir and at the spillway from Ralph Price."

Fin Clipping Volunteer Opportunity!!

CALLING ALL VOLUNTEERS!! This is a very rare volunteer opportunity. Colorado Trout Unlimited and our chapters are partnering with Colorado Parks and Wildlife to help with a long term study they have going studying Rainbow and Cutthroat Hybrid trout. No experience necessary, and we need more people!!

We will be in need of volunteers to help us fin clip rainbow X cutthroat hybrid trout at Mount Shavano Hatchery (Salida) for our ongoing study comparing diploid versus triploid trout at Elevenmile Reservoir.  This year we will be clipping fish August 30^th – September 2^nd and could use your help. You can come one day or the whole time!! Last year we clipped 68,000 fish in three days with the help of 70 people over the three day period.

All of the work will take place outside at the Mount Shavano Hatchery in Salida. Parking will be available at the visitor parking area on the hill before you enter into the hatchery.  We will plan on starting each day at 8 A.M. and should finish around 4:30 P.M.  Volunteers should bring the following:

• Lunch
• Water
• Sunscreen
• Chairs
• Sunshades if available

If you would like to help please contact Stephanie Scott at sscott@tu.org or 720-354-2647

Rain Barrels are Officially Legal!

On Wednesday, August 10, using a a barrel to collect rain water is legal in Colorado. Coloradans can now collect up to 110 gallons of rain water and store it for outdoor usage on yards, gardens, or plants. According to Conservation Colorado, using rain barrels could conserve up to 1,200 gallons of water each year per household. A study by the state of Colorado found that in just Douglas County alone, 97 percent of rain water was lost to evaporation and vegetation. Using these barrels, the rain will be collected in a covered unit to reduce the amount of evaporation.

Using rain barrels will also allow users to become more connected to water- the most valuable resource in the West. When collecting water through a rain barrel, it will give users a better idea of how much water they have received recently, how much they're using, and how clean the water is.

For anglers using a rain barrel will not only help keep water in rivers but it will also provide a demonstration of the current state of water. The barrel's fluctuation provides a good example of how the highs and lows of rivers fluctuate with rainfall amounts.

For more information about the collecting rain water, visit The State Website or check out this Fact Sheet from CSU