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

CTU Partners with Patxi's Pizza in Cherry Hills for Youth Education Fundraiser

Mark your calendars for Wednesday, May 8. Colorado TU is partnering with Patxi's Pizza in Cherry Hills to raise money for Colorado TU Youth Programs! What: Come enjoy some tasty pizza pie, fine wine, and beer on May 8th at Patxi's Pizza. 10% of all sales for the entire day will benefit Colorado TU's efforts to engage the next generation of conservationists. This includes dine-in, carry-out, delivery, catering, and gift cards. Colorado TU staff will be on hand from 7pm-9pm if you would like to mingle and learn more about our programs.

Where: Patxi's Pizza Cherry Hills 3455 S University Blvd Englewood, CO 80113

Why: In order to sustain the efforts of our volunteers and supporters it is essential that we inspire a strong conservation ethic in the next generation of river stewards.  Colorado TU reaches kids through hands-on science and angling programs. Funds raised will be used to support youth programs in the Denver Metro Area.

Many thanks to Patxi's Pizza for supporting our work!!!

For more information, please contact Jake Lemon, Colorado TU Youth Education Coordinator, at jake.lemon@coloradotu.org.

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!

And the winner is...

Congratulations to Jim Buckler of Summit County, the winner of the Colorado TU Spring Raffle! Jim won a weekend getaway for two to the luxurious Madison Valley Ranch, located along one of the cathedrals of fly fishing, the legendary Madison River in Montana.

Thank you to everyone who purchased tickets!  You helped Colorado TU to raise over $10,300 in support of our work conserving, protecting, and restoring Colorado's rivers and watersheds, and connecting youth with the great outdoors.

Giving and getting from the Greenbacks

Tis the season to give... and receive. As flyfishing winds down for the year and we begin heading to the mountains for fresh powder and steep slopes, I want to take a moment to pause, reflect, and give thanks for another unforgettable fishing season.

As I flip through photos of monster trout and goofy friends having fun on the river, I’d like to ask if you would join me in giving back to the resource – to the fish and to the rivers - that have given us good times and memories throughout the year so that 2013 will be even better.

If the fish have been good to you this year, click here to give back.

For almost 3 years, thanks to the support of anglers like you, the Greenbacks have directed your donations towards vital native trout conservation and restoration projects - preserving and protecting the places and fish we love right here in Colorado.

With wild fires expected to threaten trout again next year, and more water projects on the horizon that may take additional water from our streams, our fish and rivers need your help more than ever to ensure their survival, and the survival of our sport.

Please consider giving back to the fish by clicking here.

In appreciation for your generous gift of $100 or more toward native trout conservation, the Greenbacks want to give you one of our limited edition Greenbacks hooded sweatshirts. Wear it with pride on the slopes or on the river knowing you’re helping keep our rivers and native trout alive.

Thank you again for your ongoing support.

The Greenbacks

Now Is The Time to Embrace-A-Stream

Embrace-A-Stream is the flagship grant program for funding TU's grassroots conservation efforts. Since its inception in 1975, EAS has funded over 1,000 individual projects for a total of more than $4.2 million in direct cash grants. Local TU chapters and councils contributed an additional $13 million in cash and in-kind services to EAS funded projects for a total investment of more than $17 million. In 2012, EAS funded 23 projects in 13 states. View the list of projects funded last year. TU is now accepting Embrace-A-Stream grant applications for eligible coldwater fisheries conservation projects. Chapters and councils are asked to submit proposals for conservation projects that best address the needs of native and wild trout following TU's protect, reconnect, restore and sustain conservation model.

Apply for an Embrace-A-Stream grant here.  The deadline for submission is Dec. 12, 2012. For further information or to participate in a webinar training on Oct. 29th at 8 p.m. EST, please RSVP to Rob Keith at rkeith@tu.org or 703-284-9425.

My Best Float Trip Ever

I did a float trip on the Gunnison River last weekend. I caught a couple of fish, saw an enormous Golden Eagle, enjoyed outstanding weather, and none of that had anything to do with why this was my best float trip ever. It was my best float trip ever because it was a "perfect storm" of conservation values, dedicated staff and volunteers, and people who are willing to provide financial support for river protection and restoration efforts.

• The trip was organized for members of Colorado TU's River Stewardship Council, people who contribute at least $1,200 annually. These are people who are serious about protecting rivers and it was a pleasure getting to know people who share my conservation values.
• The trip was organized by people at all three levels of Trout Unlimited - national, state and local chapter. It was a tremendous demonstration of how powerful and effective we can be when the OneTU concept is applied.

• The trip included a visit to the Gunnison Ditch Relief project site, giving RSC members a personal, on-the-ground view of how their donations translate into river conservation work.

I encourage you to consider joining the River Stewardship Council. I can't guarantee you the "best float trip ever," but I can guarantee that your money will directly translate to the best river conservation work in the state!

Rick Matsumoto, Vice President Colorado TU

Colorado TU's End of Summer Bash 8/24

Colorado TU works hard to conserve Colorado's wild trout - and we also love to throw wild parties!

So join us at the d-Note in Old Town Arvada as we celebrate another summer of progress in protecting and restoring Colorado's rivers with our end-of-summer bash, sponsored by our friends at Charlie's FlyBox.

Featuring live jazz from Rough Satin during happy hour, followed by classic rock from Big Universe!  Can't get enough?  Stick around afterwards for a second show and enjoy some boot-stomping zydeco from Dikki Du and the Zydeco Krewe.

Friday, August 24th, 5pm - 9pm At the d Note, 7519 Grandview Ave, Old Town Arvada $10 cover to benefit Colorado TU

Door prizes, raffle, silent auction, live music, cash bar and restaurant (don't miss out on the d-Note's creative pizzas!), and GREAT company!

You can order your tickets for the bash online - click here to reserve your space!

And a big thanks to our sponsor, Charlie's FlyBox, located just down the street in Old Town Arvada at 7513 Grandview. Swing by this award-winning fly shop before you come to the d-Note (they are open until 6); and with your purchase of $100 or more, you'll receive a $20 gift certificate.

Let's Support Casting for Recovery

Casting for Recovery's annual fundraiser is 8/23 at the Wildlife Experience in Parker. Click here for tickets: https://secure.acceptiva.com/?cst=4ecd65

Join Casting for Recovery-Colorado to celebrate 10 years of providing healing retreats that have given almost 350 Colorado women powerful tools to overcome the challenges of breast cancer! CFR's two-and-one-half day retreats are provided at no cost to participants, thanks to the generosity of our volunteers and donors.

This is a FUN event with a great selection of fishing and non-fishing items for you to bid on during the Silent Auction. 6:30-8:30 pm. Event details at https://secure.acceptiva.com/?cst=4ecd65 , email to coloradocastingforrecovery@gmail.com or call 303-694-4557.

Click here to learn more about Casting for Recovery.

The Colorado TU Raffle is Back!

Picture yourself in a boat on a river...

When you buy tickets for Colorado TU’s statewide raffle, you’ll help us fight to keep water in streams, support on-the-ground restoration projects, and help young people develop an appreciation for the aquatic life.

And you just might find yourself fishing in one of Colorado's most Gorge-ous places ...

Our lucky raffle winner will enjoy a full-day fall fishing float trip for two anglers through the spectacular Gunnison Gorge - plus a night's accommodations and dinner for the evening prior to your launch - all courtesy of Black Canyon Anglers.

You’ll need to hike in about a mile with your personal gear down the Chukar Trail into the scenic Gunnison Gorge; then, experienced guides will row you through one of Colorado’s true natural wonders where you’ll enjoy world-class fishing on a Gold Medal river.

The trip is for use this fall, by October 1, 2012.  Fall is prime time for streamer fishing and features the Gunnison's "hopper hatch."  For the lucky winner and their guest, this will truly be a trip to remember!

Raffle tickets are $10 each, or $25 for three. The drawing will take place at 8 pm at the Colorado TU End-of-Summer Bash on August 24th at the d-Note in Old Town Arvada. You need not be present to win.

ONLINE TICKET SALES ARE NOW CLOSED.  YOU MAY STILL PURCHASE TICKETS TONIGHT AT OUR SUMMER BASH AT THE D-NOTE IN ARVADA.

Thanks to Black Canyon Anglers for their generous support of Colorado Trout Unlimited. To learn more about their fishing and rafting trips on the Gunnison, as well as their dinner and lodging packages, visit www.blackcanyonanglers.com.

This raffle is conducted under Colorado Raffle License No 2012-05008, and is open only to residents of Colorado.