Joel Evans, CTU Board Member, featured in news report about saving the rainbow trout in Colorado

REPOST FROM KRTV.COM: 

Joel Evans has been fishing the same stretch of the Gunnison River in western Colorado for more than 40 years. Like most anglers in those parts, for him, one species of fish is king: the rainbow trout. 

Colorado wildlife officials working to save fish

But in the 1990s, that fight between fish and fisherman shifted to one between rainbow trout and a parasite that invaded Colorado rivers. It causes whirling disease, an aquatic plague where young fish are deformed, swim in circles and die of starvation. 
 
What does he like about them most? "There's a bit of fight involved," he said. since, Renzo DelPiccolo of Colorado Parks and Wildlife has been working to keep the rainbow trout alive through various breeding programs, but at great cost and with only limited success. He's seen a tenfold decrease in the fish's population. Ever

Summer issue of High Country Issue is out!

CTU named beneficiary of Anglers All Trout Clave with match from Patagonia

 

REPOST: Anglers All and Patagonia Raise More than $11K for Conservation

MAY 9, 2018

We are thrilled to announce that more than $11,000 was raised for conservation at our 2018 Trout Clave on April 21! These proceeds will go to Colorado Trout Unlimited, and will be used to carry out important river conservation and habitat work in Colorado.

Anglers All and COLORADO TROUT UNLIMITED (CTU) co-hosted this year’s Trout Clave, an annual spring event here at the fly shop. When Anglers All committed to donate a portion of the sales from the event to CTU, Patagonia generously agreed to match that donation.

“The 2018 Clave was a huge success,” said Anglers All owner, Chris Keeley. “I’m personally proud of the commitment to conservation that our staff, clients, and friends displayed this year. We can make a difference together.”

Photo Credit: AnglersAll 2018

In addition to Patagonia's support, key sponsors for the event included Fishpond, Sage, and Breckenridge Brewery. In addition to raising funds for CTU, the event promoted successful membership drives for the Bonefish and Tarpon Trust and Backcountry Hunters and Anglers.

“Colorado Trout Unlimited so appreciated the opportunity to participate in the 2018 Trout Clave,” commented CTU development director, Shannon Kindle. “We had a fantastic day sharing our conservation story with attendees and recruiting a great group of new members!

"As the beneficiary of Anglers All’s generosity and the matching funds donated by Patagonia, we look forward to putting those dollars to work on the ground in Colorado through habitat restoration, native trout reintroduction, and much more,” Kindle added. "A big thank you to all the Anglers All customers who helped to make this day such a success and to their part in helping Colorado TU continue our work protecting and restoring the fisheries we all love!”

We do owe a huge thanks to our friends, customers and the fly fishing community here in the Denver area. We're extremely proud to be a part of it. Thank you and here's to a great year of fishing ahead!

PRESS RELEASE

REPOST FROM ANGLERS ALL BLOG: https://www.anglersall.com/blog/anglers-patagonia-raise-11k-conservation/

A new look for us

Perhaps you have noticed, but we have a new look! The new logo has been slowly surfacing through our e-newsletters, social media posts, stickers, and publications - but now we will be rolling it out across all of our platforms. This new logo has been in the making for more than a year, and in the summer of 2017, concepts were drafted with four designs sent out to the Colorado TU board and chapters for feedback. The initial concept was to mimic National Trout Unlimited's logo to help foster the continuity between the council and national organization. The council's goals in the logo redesign were largely influenced by the "one TU" mantra stating that, no matter your role in Trout Unlimited, whether volunteer, donor, chapter, member, staff, or supporter - we are all part of "one TU". Sharing a similar look helps portray that message.

Early renditions of logo concepts in fall of 2017.

Some ideas about incorporating the iconic Colorado Flag were discussed.

Another goal in the redesign was to provide a banner that chapters and volunteers would be proud to unite under as a symbol of statewide river conservation - from ranchers mitigating flows on the west slope, to veterans getting on the river in the Denver Metro area. 

The new logo incorporates National's colors with a nod to Colorado's mountains and the downstream flows of of our water.

And while we were at it - why not throw in a new website? Out with the old and in with the new! If you are reading this post, then welcome to our new website! We have prioritized the important pages that people look for when visiting our site, such as membership, events, chapter locations, news, and advocacy alerts. We've also simplified the look and navigation to make it easier to use.  The new site will be able to grow with us and help bring you the content that matters most. Feel free to take a look around!

A huge thank you to Steve Lopez, Corrine and Garrison Doctor, and all the volunteers and staff who have helped us redefine the CTU look across the state and beyond. And thanks, too, to the dynamic duo of CTU's Annie Smith and board member Michael Ledger who helped spearhead the new-look website to accompany our new logo launch.

CTU's current logo.

National Trout Unlimited's current logo.

TU praises passage of bill to support wildlife and recreation

Trout Unlimited praises passage of bill to support wildlife and outdoor recreation

(Denver)—Trout Unlimited praised the passage of the Hunting, Fishing, and Parks for Future Generations Act (SB18-143) today in the Colorado General Assembly – creating a sustainable funding stream for Colorado Parks and Wildlife that will help fund efforts to preserve the state’s prized fish and wildlife populations and support outdoor recreation opportunities.

In recent years, Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) has seen its resources increasingly squeezed. The last resident license fee increase took place in 2005—and since that time, expenses have climbed by more than 25 percent and Colorado’s population has grown rapidly, putting more and more pressure on fish, wildlife, and their habitat as well as on the state’s recreation infrastructure.

Moreover, the budget squeeze has forced the agency to cut or defund 50 positions and slice $40 million from its wildlife budget—and without new funding, further cuts would be required. The bill passed today by the Colorado legislature will give CPW authority to raise hunting and fishing license fees to offset the rising costs of inflation. The modest fee increase ($8 for resident fishing licenses) will begin in 2019, with any future increases tied to the consumer price index. CPW is also looking at other revenue sources to support conservation priorities.

“Sportsmen and women have always taken pride in supporting our state’s outstanding outdoor resources and hunting and fishing opportunities,” said David Nickum, executive director of Colorado Trout Unlimited. “Hunters and anglers understand that Colorado’s wildlife and natural spaces are among our most valuable resources—and that we need to invest in our outdoor quality of life. This fee authority will help ensure that future generations have access to the same quality hunting, fishing and recreational opportunities available today.”

The enhanced revenue stream will help CPW invest in a range of sportsmen’s programs and initiatives, including:

• Providing more funds for critical programs like hunter education and Fishing is Fun;
• Expanding access for hunters and anglers by renewing high-priority leases and access programs on private land;
• Repairing CPW’s aging dams and reservoir infrastructure to keep them open for fishing;
• Modernizing hatcheries to increase the number of fish stocked in those Colorado waters that can’t support robust wild populations.

“TU is grateful to have been afforded a seat on the CPW ‘Sportsmen’s Roundtable’—a collaborative, statewide forum to engage sportsmen and women on the agency’s strategic plans and financial issues,” said Ty Churchwell, TU’s San Juan Mountains coordinator. “We applaud the CPW for involving sportsmen’s conservation organizations in development of this bill, and holding dozens of public meetings across the state. Their commitment to broad, extensive, debated input on development of this bill has helped secure support for its passage.”

Trout Unlimited thanks Colorado Parks and Wildlife Director Bob Broscheid for his leadership as well as the bill sponsors, state Senators Stephen Fenberg and Don Coram, and Representatives Jeni Arndt and James Wilson.

Download the Press Release here.

Anglers All 2018 Trout Clave in support of CTU - A Spring Celebration!

Spring has never looked so good! Anglers All's favorite annual event is Saturday, April 21 - the 2018 Trout Clave. Join Anglers All and CTU in a celebration of conservation with live music, food, beer, and of course gobs of fly fishing fun. The event kicks off at 9:00 a.m. on Saturday, April 21 and the party will continue until 5:00 p.m. The event was made possible because of great sponsors, including Patagonia, Sage, and Fishpond, this year’s event is going to be one to remember.

Be sure to get there early for Anglers All's annual half-off fly sale. From 9:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. only, trout flies are 50% off! But the fun doesn’t end there.

This year, 10% of all store sales the day of the Clave will be donated to Colorado Trout Unlimited in support of Colorado’s fisheries. Furthermore, Patagonia has generously offered to match this donation to CTU!

In addition to Colorado Trout Unlimited, Backcountry Hunters and Anglers and the Bonefish And Tarpon Trust will also be participating in the Trout Clave this year. In fact, anyone who signs up for a membership to one of these great conservation organizations at the Clave will receive a 10% discount on their purchase.

Breckenridge Brewery will be supplying cold ones, plus there will be food and live music throughout the day. The folks at Breckenridge Brewery will be sponsoring some awesome South Platte River service projects that day, including a river cleanup, pollinator plantings, and installing monofilament-recycling stations along the river. We will be asking for volunteers to signup in advance, so stay tuned for these opportunities.

The Trout Clave is a great chance to catch up with friends and customers and to celebrate a new year of fly fishing adventures. There will be raffles, gear giveaways, and opportunities to chat with product reps from some of your favorite fly fishing brands.

Big thanks goes to Patagonia for their sponsorship, as well as Fishpond and Sage. We look forward to seeing you at the 2018 Trout Clave!

Facebook Event Listing: 2018 Trout Clave

Trout Unlimited in Colorado 2017 Annual Report

We are happy to announce that our 2017 Annual Report is live and available for your viewing. Last year was filled with great work across the whole state and the finishing up of many restoration projects and continuing others! Thank you to everyone who supported Trout Unlimited in Colorado last year.

Click here to read the CTU 2017 Annual Report

Farewell to a legend: Lefty Kreh

The great Lefty Kreh passed away Wednesday at 93 years young. Considered by many to be the greatest of fly casting instructors, Lefty was one of the leaders in popularizing saltwater fly fishing and his Lefty's Deceiver fly gained such renown that it was featured on a US Postage Stamp in 1991.  Conservation was also a part of Lefty's legacy, as he was a leader in promoting the catch-and-release ethic among the fishing community. The New York Times features an obituary describing Lefty's notable and colorful life in fly fishing: Lefty Kreh, a Fly Fisherman With Few Peers, Is Dead at 93.

An inductee in the International Game Fish Association's Hall of Fame, Kreh was introduced to fly fishing by Joe Brooks.  The Hall of Fame profile on Kreh offers a great summation of what Lefty meant to fly fishing.  It concludes simply and fittingly:

His greatest accomplishment may be that he has never failed to help just about every person who has sought his assistance and advice. It is said that when Lefty asked Joe Brooks - the man who had so enriched his life - how he could repay him, Brooks replied, “Just share with others what I have shared with you.” And for more than 50 years, Lefty Kreh has been doing just that.

High Country Angler spring issue released!

The High Country Angler (HCA) is the official digital magazine of Colorado Trout Unlimited! HCA is published 4 times a year by High Country Publications, LLC., in cooperation with Colorado Trout Unlimited, the 3rd largest TU Chapter in the nation.  

Read the Spring 2018 Issues for free here.

Gov. Hickenlooper receives 2018 River Stewardship Award from Colorado Trout Unlimited

(Denver)—Gov. John Hickenlooper has received the 2018 River Stewardship Award from Colorado Trout Unlimited, for actions during his terms as Denver mayor and as Colorado governor that led to significant conservation victories for the state’s rivers and streams. The award was presented Thursday evening, March 8th at Colorado TU’s annual River Stewardship gala at Mile High Station in Denver.

In his remarks, Colorado TU executive director David Nickum lauded Hickenlooper’s long record of bringing people together to find solutions on river health issues:

“In 2007, the Denver Chapter of TU held its first ‘Carp Slam’ tournament, to raise funds for and build awareness of the South Platte River through Denver, promoting a vision of the river as a living centerpiece to a great city. They were fortunate to have an ally in the Mayor’s office, who encouraged and empowered city staff to partner in the effort. In the decade since, millions of dollars have gone into improving the river, its greenway, and promoting economic revitalization along the corridor. Today the Denver South Platte is a river on the rise.”

The Upper Colorado River was another watershed that benefited from Gov. Hickenlooper’s leadership, said Nickum. In decades past, Denver Water had not always seen eye-to-eye with conservationists or with West Slope communities and interest on water diversions and river impacts.

“As Mayor, John Hickenlooper appointed a new breed of commissioners to the Water Board—leaders like Tom Gougeon, Penfield Tate, and the late George Beardsley, who encouraged Denver Water to engage with other interests to find cooperative, collaborative solutions – not simply continue the old water fights of the past.” The resulting landmark 2013 Colorado River Cooperative Agreement was groundbreaking and spawned the present Learning by Doing partnership that is meeting water needs while improving the health of the Colorado River watershed.

“That same spirit of collaboration is woven through the Colorado Water Plan adopted by the state under Governor Hickenlooper,” said Nickum. “The Plan encourages projects and programs that benefit multiple uses, from growing cities to agriculture; it supports local collaboration through stream management planning; and it features healthy rivers as a fundamental part of our state’s water values. And that that vision has been supported by real commitment and resources through new state funding.”

Nickum noted that Gov. Hickenlooper had pulled together “the right people, at the right place and time, and with the right support and encouragement, to make these remarkable accomplishments possible. He has done nothing less than create the climate in which river stewardship can thrive in Colorado. And that is the essence of great leadership.”

Colorado Trout Unlimited’s River Stewardship Gala is the state’s largest celebration of Colorado’s rivers and world-class fishing opportunities. In 2017, nearly 400 guests helped to raise over $80,000 for Colorado TU’s conservation efforts throughout the state. Funds from the River Stewardship Gala go towards CTU’s work in youth education, protecting statewide instream flows and temperature, reintroducing and protecting native trout, and preserving and restoring the state’s fisheries and their watersheds.

A huge thank you to the guests, staff, volunteers, board members, and of course the donors who made the night a great success.