Governor Signs License Plate Bill

In the final step of a long journey, Governor Hickenlooper signed into law SB-224 on May 18, authorizing a "Protect Our Rivers" license plate.  CTU's Regional Vice President Ken Neubecker and Legislative Liaison Jen Boulton were both on hand at the bill signing in Avon as the Governor gave his final approval to the legislation. The plate, which should be available no later than January 2014, will allow Colorado motorists to show their support for our rivers while also contributing financially to river conservation and education.  Plates will be available with a $25 donation to Colorado Trout Unlimited, plus a $50 payment to the DMV for the plates themselves.

We extend a special thanks to the legislative sponsors of the license plate bill, whose leadership made this success possible: Senators Randy Baumgardner and Andy Kerr, and Representatives Millie Hamner and Jared Wright.

Sportsmen for Browns Canyon Meeting Tomorrow!!

Browns Canyon Public Meeting: We need your voice!!

Senator Mark Udall has unveiled his proposal to create Browns Canyon National Monument and Wilderness Area. Trout Unlimited along with the National Wildlife Federation, Colorado Wildlife Federation, Backcountry Hunters & Anglers, the Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership, and the Bull Moose Sportsmen’s Alliance are proud to support his bill and we need your help. This proposal will create jobs, maintain existing uses, and most importantly protect this spectacular area for river recreationists, sportsmen, anglers and future generations.

Mark Udall, who chairs the U.S. Senate National Parks Subcommittee, unveiled draft legislation on March 28, 2013, to create the Browns Canyon National Monument, covering 22,000 acres between Salida and Buena Vista in Chaffee County.  The proposal includes 10,500 acres of new wilderness and seeks to protect the most popular rafting destination in the country.  The proposal is based on a year of public input that Udall and his staff have collected since the spring of 2012.

Senator Udall is hosting two public meetings to gather input on his proposal. The first meeting was in Nathrop, CO on April 13th, and we are proud to say that sportsmen made a huge impact on the discussions that took place. Senator Udall very much heard the support coming from the sportsman community in Nathrop; but we need more!! The second meeting is being held in your area and We need to bring a strong sportsmen's voice to this meeting also. Senator Udall's proposal will protect the outstanding brown trout fishery in Browns Canyon and maintain the integrity of the backcountry habitat that is critical wintering ground for the big game that we appreciate so much as sportsmen.

Meeting Details:

What:

Browns Canyon Public Meeting

When:

Saturday, May 18

9:30am - 11:30am

Where:

American Mountaineering Center

Foss Auditorium

710 10th St.

Golden, CO

For more details, contact Reed Dils (719) 395-8949, Bill Dvorak (719) 221-3212, or Garrett VeneKlasen (505) 670-2925

License Plate Creates Sustainability

The work to get Senate Bill 13-224 passed is behind us now. Thanks primarily to Jen Boulton, Legislative Liaison, many of us are raising a glass in victory. The Protect Our Rivers license plate will be available for purchase January 1, 2014. As we celebrate, and we should, I'd like to remind us of the original reason we wanted to have the license plate.

• To create a viable brand for Colorado TU. Even prior to the passing of the bill, we created the Protect Our Rivers Corporate Sponsorship Program using the same logo that was developed for the license plate two years ago. This program formalizes how we partner with local businesses, modernizing the 1% For Rivers concept originated with Upslope Brewing Company as well as the Round Up for Rivers concept employed with Freestone Outfitters.
• To create an unrestricted revenue source that went directly to river protection. Though the money raised cannot be used for litigation or lobbying, it is otherwise available for river restoration and protection projects across the state. In analyzing the fiscal impact of the bill, the legislative council assumes that 1,000 plate sets will be sold in the first year and 100 sets in the following year. That would mean $25,000 to Colorado TU in year one, $2,500 in year two. Call me crazy, but I think we could easily double those numbers.

In this sense, the license plate is the first of what I intend to be many steps toward greater sustainability for rivers and our organization. It took a lot of upfront work to get it done, but the ongoing work is minimal and we will reap the value for years to come.

This is exactly the kind of sustainability that was the theme of Rendezvous 2013 and the backbone of my presidential platform. I look forward to sharing many more such examples over the next two years of my tenure!

- Rick Matsumoto, Colorado TU President

Some Good News for Our "Most Endangered River"

In April, American Rivers issued its annual list of  Most Endangered Rivers.  And the Colorado River - from source to sea - was named the #1 most endangered river in America. The Colorado is facing enormous challenges, largely driven by the extensive demands of its water supply in the face of a limited resource - and one that may become even more limited as we experience shifts in climate.  Fortunately, there are also positive developments for the Colorado River.

In April, the Colorado water courts decreed a new instream flow right to the Colorado Water Conservation Board to help protect its environment from the Blue River near Kremmling down to its confluence with the Eagle River.  With flows ranging from 500 cfs to 900 cfs depending on the season, it is the largest instream flow water right in Colorado's history. You can read about it in the local (Sky Hi News) paper here.

While as a more "junior"  2011 water right, it will not guarantee flows in the river from diversions under prior existing "senior" water rights, the instream flow will help protect the outstanding environment that the Colorado sustains today from future water rights or changes.

The filing was the result of a collaborative effort among local governments, conservationists, water districts, and other stakeholders in developing protections for a reach of the Colorado that had been found eligible for possible federal Wild and Scenic designation.

“This is good news for a stretch of the river that is beloved by generations of anglers,” said Mely Whiting, counsel for Trout Unlimited. “It’s an example of what can be accomplished when working together.”

TU Spells "Relief" on the Gunnison

For over 100 years, the Relief Ditch diversion on the Gunnison River has been a headache for local landowners and irrigators and a major obstacle for boaters and fish. The diversion dam, which is used to divert water for farms east of Delta, was washed out almost every year with high spring runoff flows, and then reconstructed annually by the irrigation company using bulldozers in the river channel to push up cobble creating a temporary dam. The dam created several problems, including erosion of nearby river banks, an unnatural buildup of sediment downstream, and a migration barrier to fish. It also poses a safety hazard to boaters.

In November 2012, Trout Unlimited, the Relief Ditch Irrigation Company, BLM, and other stakeholders broke ground on a construction project to modernize the Relief Ditch diversion. The project will improve water delivery for irrigators while benefiting trout, Flannelmouth sucker, Bluehead sucker, and Roundtail chub as well as wildlife habitat in the BLM’s Gunnison Gorge National Conservation Area.

“TU is identifying opportunities like this in Colorado to upgrade aging infrastructure in a way that benefits both ag producers and fish and wildlife,” said Cary Denison, project leader for TU. “We’re very excited about the opportunity to work with the irrigators to improve the diversion.”

Gunnison Gorge Anglers, the local Trout Unlimited chapter, has led the effort to replace the push-up dam with a permanent low head diversion structure and a grade control structure—improvements that will remove the fish barrier and hazard to boaters and expand habitat for several native fish. TU and partners have installed a new headgate that will reduce maintenance and expense for irrigators.  By measuring the diversion at the headgate, it will also allow irrigators to avoid drawing more water than they need from the river –helping to bolster flows.  TU has also restored the eroded riverbanks near the project with native plantings and erosion-resistant fill.

Chapter President Marshall Pendergrass explained, "This project started over three years ago from the ideas of one local TU chapter member and has become the model for working with many local, state and federal agencies to complete a major project that benefits so many water users. We are proud to be coordinating agents of this significant milestone for the Gunnison River cold water fisheries."

Final project construction was completed in March 2013 at a total cost of over $750,000.

“Many rivers and streams in the Colorado River Basin have become fragmented over the years, preventing fish movement and degrading habitat,” said Denison. “We’re working with local partners on win-win projects like this one that both open up river habitat and address infrastructure problems.”

“We’ve enjoyed working with Trout Unlimited on this project," said Mel Frazier of Relief Ditch Irrigation Company, "and look forward to the improvements to the system.”

CTU Awards Honor Conservation Leaders

At the annual CTU Awards Banquet, held as part of the Rendezvous in Redstone on April 20, awards were presented to recognize both chapters and individuals for their contributions to river conservation.  From river restoration projects, to volunteers for youth education, this year's award winners were an impressive bunch.  Awards presented were: Outstanding Volunteers.  CTU recognized three volunteer members for their outstanding contributions:

• Charlie Horn was recognized for his longstanding efforts in youth education, both spearheading West Denver TU's partnership with the Jefferson County Outdoor Lab Schools and assisting Colorado TU in bringing the "Stream Explorers" program to youth in the Denver metro area.
• Ralph Rhoades was honored for his broad volunteer commitment with the Cherry Creek Anglers - helping the chapter with everything from organizing youth education programs, to coordinating the annual fly tying clinic, to lining up compelling programs for chapter meetings.
• Brad Waltman was recognized for his leadership in establishing youth education initiatives with the new Dolores River Anglers chapter including partnerships with schools and scouting organizations - helping a new chapter to make a difference with the youth in its community.

Chapter Communications.  The Evergreen Chapter was recognized for its revitalized efforts to communicate with its members on a regular basis with a well-written and welll-researched newsletter and website, while the Grand Valley Anglers was honored for its outstanding newsletter the "Territorial Trout Tribune and Piscatorial Post."

Youth Education.  The Cheyenne Mountain Chapter was honored for a diverse program of educational efforts including partnerships with the Catamount Institute, the first-in-the-nation "Trout in the Community" project modeled after Trout in the Classroom, and involvement with the National Fishing in Schools Program.

Projects.  The Gunnison Gorge Anglers were recognized for their Relief Ditch project, partnering with local irrigators to replace a diversion structure so as to improve river habitat and flows while also reducing maintenance burdens for farmers.  The Purgatoire River Anglers were honored for their work in engaging the Trinidad community and conducting in-stream habitat improvements on the Purgatoire River through town.

Exemplary Chapter.  The Gunnison Gorge Anglers were selected as this year's exemplary chapter, in recognition of their outstanding work on the Relief Ditch project coupled with an outstanding chapter event - the Black Canyon Fly Fishing Expo; strong youth programs; and an effective chapter communications effort.

Exemplary Guide & Outfitter.  In recognition both of generous support to Colorado Trout Unlimited and its chapters through fundraising donations - along with tireless advocacy and education on issues from protecting Browns Canyon on the Arkansas to conserving wildlife and fish habitat in the face of oil and gas development, Bill Dvorak of Dvorak Expeditions was Colorado TU's Exemplary Guide & Outfitter of the year.

Trout Conservation Award.  Attorney Michael Freeman of EarthJustice was recognized for his representation of Colorado TU and other conservationists in our challenge to the BLM's Roan Plateau management plan - which lacked appropriate protections for the Roan's outstanding fish and wildlife values.  Freeman spearheaded what was a major legal victory for conservationists, and continues to lead efforts to reach a reasonable agreement with oil and gas interests that allows development in appropriate areas while protecting the most valuable habitats on the Roan.

Trout Communications Award.  Scott Willoughby of The Denver Post was honored for his writing on outdoor recreation and conservation issues - including extensive coverage of the challenges facing the Upper Colorado River and the importance of anglers and boaters engaging in its protection.

Distinguished Service Award.  For his longstanding efforts on behalf of trout conservation - from representing TU in National Forest processes for travel management on the west slope and for seeking compromise solutions on disputes over "bypass flows" at diversions on National Forests, to spearheading on-the-ground stream monitoring and native trout restoration projects, John Trammell of Grand Junction received the Distinguished Service Award.  Additionally, Mely Whiting was honored for her effective representation of Trout Unlimited on issues in the Colorado River headwaters - including work on Wild & Scenic River negotiations that resulted in an historic instream flow filing and successful negotiation of a strong river conservation package with the Windy Gap Firming Project.

Bruce Hoagland Award for Leadership in Conservation.  Longtime Colorado TU lobbyist and board member Jo Evans was honored for her lifetime contributions toward conservation.  Read more here.

Congratulations - and thank you! - to all of these award winners.

Evans Wins Leadership in Conservation Award

At Rendezvous 2013, Jo Evans was presented with the Bruce Hoagland Award for Leadership in Conservation. Jo is just the fifth person to receive this award, Colorado TU's highest honor. Jo served as Colorado TU’s legislative lobbyist for 20 years. The highlights:

• Expanding the In-Stream Flow program to allow it to actually improve the health of streams – not just keep bare survival flows.
• Negotiating the overhaul of mining regulations in the wake of the Summitville disaster.
• Playing an integral part in developing the Great Outdoors Colorado program.
• Rallying conservationists to take up the fight against Referendum A – and winning it.
• Defeating more than 30 regulatory takings bills.
• Building a bipartisan respect for – and trust in – Trout Unlimited as a reliable, balanced, and committed organization.

More recently, as a board member and currently as the Lundy family representative for the Silver Trout Foundation, she was an integral part of revising the Foundation’s bylaws and practices to restore a stronger connection – financially and organizationally – with Colorado TU. She has been a trusted friend, advisor and mentor to generations of TU leaders, leading both by example and as a patient teacher helping new volunteer leaders learn the ropes both of conservation issues as complex as water law and in teaching them how to be more effective conservation advocates.

While her forte was engaging Colorado TU effectively in political matters, she ensured that our mission and not politics guided decisions. She has always helped Colorado TU and its leaders remember that protecting the health of our fisheries and rivers has remained our guiding star. “If you do what is right for the resource, you will not go wrong.”

In presenting the award, Colorado TU Executive Director David Nickum said, "this award recognizes not just environmental achievements, but leadership in conservation. I can think of nobody who better exemplifies that leadership than Jo Evans."

Congratulations Jo!

George Osborn Wins Award

George Osborn just won the Jimmy Nelson Volunteer of the Year Award for his outstanding work on the ditch relief modification diversion project on the Gunnison River. The award, named after the late Jimmy Nelson of the Gunnison Gorge Anglers chapter, was presented by chapter president Marshall Pendergrass at Rendezvous 2013.

"George has worked tirelessly over the past three years and overcome many challenges in fundraising and cooperation with a wide variety of stakeholders," said Pendergrass. "The project simply would not have gotten done without him."

Congratulations George!

High Sportsmen Turnout at Sen. Udall’s Brown’s Canyon Meeting

Sportsmen and women showed up by the dozen Saturday at a standing-room-only event at Noah’s Ark Whitewater Rafting Co. to voice support for Senator Udall’s proposed legislation to create the Browns Canyon National Monument. The monument would cover 22,000 acres between Salida and Buena Vista in Chaffee County and includes 10,500 acres of new wilderness. The proposal seeks to protect one of southern Colorado’s most coveted wild trout fisheries and surrounding outstanding backcountry hunting areas. The proposal is based on a year of public input that Udall and his staff have collected since the spring of 2012, but the effort to protect Brown’s Canyon has been around for many years.

Many of TU’s Collegiate Peaks Chapter members, including chapter President, Dan Clegg and members Reed Dils and Bill Dvorak praised Senator Udall’s plan, noting that the area’s backcountry angling, hunting and recreational values are simply too precious to remain unguarded by a lack of federal legislative protection. Local voices from other sportsmen’s organizations, including the Colorado Wildlife Federation, Backcountry Hunters & Anglers and even a life member of the NRA (Dave Moore) also praised the proposal.

At the meeting, Congressman Lamborn appeared open to the proposal, stating that as long as the designation reflected his “multiple use” approach to public lands usage, he was willing to entertain the idea of the legislative protection.

While a majority of users are in favor of the protection, there are still some that feel a monument is not necessarily the right tool. The majority of those opposed to the designation came from the local recreational off highway vehicle community. Ironically, the recently designated, adjacent Fourmile Travel Management area on the northern boundary of Brown’s Canyon covers 102,000-acres and offers OHVers 195 miles of trails. In addition to Fourmile, much FR 184 (Turret Trail) will remain open to motorized use. Many of the hunters and anglers that spoke in favor of the designation also owned ATVs and UTVs and felt that the area provided more than enough motorized access to satisfy even the most fervent OHV enthusiast.

Senator Udall and Congressman Lamborn will be holding a second town hall-style meeting is tentatively scheduled for May 18th in Golden (meeting specifics have yet to be announced by Senator Udall’s staff). It is imperative that sportsmen and women show up to this event and voice their support!

For more details, contact Reed Dils (719) 395-8949, Bill Dvorak (719) 221-3212, or Garrett VeneKlasen (505) 670-2925.

Protect Our Rivers License Plate Clears First Hurdle!

Thanks to strong bipartisan support in the 2013 legislature, we are renewing our effort to create the Protect Our Rivers license plate! Senators Andy Kerr (D) and Randy Baumgardner (R) are the co-sponsors in the Senate. Representatives Millie Hamner (D) and Jared Wright (R) are the co-sponsors in the House. Representative Mike McLachlan (D) has also signed on.

On Tuesday April 9, the bill to establish a Protect Our Rivers license plate passed its first committee - Senate Transportation - on a unanimous 5-0 vote. The bill next goes to Senate Appropriations.

Once authorized by legislation, the plate will be available to all CO residents through a tax-deductible contribution of $25 to Colorado Trout Unlimited (plus payment to DMV for the physical plates themselves). 100% of the funds donated will be used locally to protect, conserve and restore Colorado rivers.

We secured more than enough signatures in our prior effort to establish this plate, but feel free to sign the petition if you would like to be kept apprised of the bill's progress and availability of the plate via email. Thank you for supporting Colorado's rivers!