Decades of work keeps Rio Grande cutthroat trout off Endangered Species list

Photo courtesy of CPW

Dec. 12, 2024

MONTE VISTA, Colo. – Decades of work by Colorado Parks and Wildlife staff and partner organizations was recognized this week when the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced its decision to not list the Rio Grande cutthroat trout under the Endangered Species Act (ESA).

Colorado Parks and Wildlife commended the USFWS for its Dec. 9 decision that acknowledged the critical partnerships that have ensured the species is not in danger of extinction or likely to become in danger of extinction in the foreseeable future.

“CPW staff have worked tirelessly for decades to ensure Rio Grande cutthroat trout continue to persist,” said Matt Nicholl, CPW’s Assistant Director of Aquatic Wildlife. “The responsibility of successfully managing this species deeply aligns with our mission, and we are thankful for the continued support and collaboration with all of the partners who have made this announcement possible.”

CPW, along with several agencies and species experts, consulted with the USFWS during its status review for the Rio Grande cutthroat trout.

Since 2003, CPW and multiple partners, including federal agencies, states, tribes, municipalities, non-government organizations and private landowners, have worked to conserve the species and implement long-term management actions to ensure their persistence.

The collaborative framework of the group was updated in 2013 and again in 2023 with a conservation agreement and conservation strategy that outlined long-term conservation objectives for the species.

CPW aquatic biologist Estevan Vigil holds Rio Grande cutthroat trout during wild spawning operations.

“This decision is in response to all of our hard work between all of our partners,” said CPW aquatic biologist Estevan Vigil. “The whole Rio Grande Cutthroat Conservation Team, this is a win for all of us and shows we’re working hard to conserve the species without making that federal protection necessary and that we are making gains for the species.

“The decision to not list the Rio Grande cutthroat doesn’t mean we can stop. It just means we are on the right track.”

The Rio Grande Cutthroat Trout Conservation Team meets in January each year to coordinate rangewide goals and objectives. Vigil said the team serves to provide checks and balances to each other to make sure holistic goals are met.

“Following that meeting, we all go back to the areas we manage and divide and conquer all summer to meet the goals set of conserving this species,” Vigil said. “Through this shared commitment to collaborate and take actions, the future for this native species is bright throughout the Rio Grande Basin.”

Rio Grande cutthroat trout ​can be found in high elevation streams and lakes of the Rio Grande, Canadian and Pecos River drainages in Colorado and New Mexico, giving it the southern-most distribution of any form of cutthroat trout. It now occupies only 12 percent of its historic habitat in approximately 800 miles of streams. Biologists estimate that 127 conservation populations now exist in the two states, and 57 of those populations are considered to be secure.

The conservation team has conducted 13 reclamation projects to restore the fish to its native streams in the past decade, and additional projects in Colorado will soon lead to further conservation populations.

Threats to Rio Grande cutthroats primarily come from non-native trout such as brook, brown and rainbow trout. Those fish will outcompete, prey upon and hybridize with Rio Grande cutthroats. Additional threats include habitat degradation, dewatering, drought and whirling disease. As a result, pure populations of Rio Grande cutthroat trout are restricted primarily to headwater streams.​ 

Recognizing declines, CPW initiated conservation efforts for this species in the early 1980s. Work included genetic testing, invasive species removal, habitat protection and enhancement, and broodstock development. 

CPW also identified the Rio Grande cutthroat as a Tier I Species of Greatest Conservation Need under the State Wildlife Action Plan.

Over the past three decades, CPW and its partners have added 94 populations of pure Rio Grande cutthroats for a total of 238.5 miles of stream. This has been accomplished through chemical reclamations and numerous habitat and connectivity enhancements related to these species.

In Colorado, Rio Grande cutthroats are spawned in the wild by CPW biologists and eggs are raised at the Monte Vista Hatchery. Since 2020, CPW has stocked 24 waters with Rio Grande cutthroats raised at the hatchery.

CPW was able to announce a new conservation population of Rio Grande cutthroat trout in 2023 when a survey revealed multiple age classes of the species following a successful 2015 restoration project on the Roaring Fork drainage upstream of Goose Creek in the Weminuche Wilderness. The project added eight miles of pure Rio Grande cutthroat stream.

Recent reclamation projects have also been conducted on the North Fork and South Fork of Trinchera Creek, Sand Creek, and Rito Hondo Reservoir, but those populations won’t count as conservation populations until future surveys reveal multiple age classes of Rio Grande cutthroats. CPW’s goal is to create a new broodstock population at Rito Hondo.

“We are continuing to reclaim waters for native cutthroat trout by removing non-native fish and restocking with natives,” Vigil said. “We have a lot of projects and some in the process of being rebuilt. We know we are making good progress on the conservation of the species, and this is confirmation we are doing our jobs correctly and making progress.”

Over the past two years, species experts from CPW have served on the Technical Advisory Team to support USFWS in developing a Species Status Assessment (SSA). This included providing thorough input on early drafts of the SSA and enhancing the scientific accuracy and defensibility of this document to support an informed listing decision.

“CPW biologists played a significant role in the writing of this strategy, which details specific conservation actions and collaborative approaches that will reduce and/or eliminate threats to the long-term viability of the species,” said CPW Senior Aquatic Biologist Jim White. “Following this announcement from the USFWS, we look forward to continued partnership with the conservation team as we continue to advance conservation goals for these unique species.”

CPW thanks all of the partners that have helped lead to the success of Rio Grande cutthroat trout recovery:

• Trout Unlimited

• New Mexico Department of Game and Fish 

• U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

• U.S. Forest Service

• Bureau of Land Management

• National Park Service

• Jicarilla-Apache Nation 

• Mescalero-Apache Nation

• Taos Pueblo Tribe

• Western Native Trout Initiative

• Coalition of Colorado Counties

• Turner Enterprises, Inc

A watershed moment: Congress passes legislation to address toxic legacy of abandoned mines

Colorado has approximately 23,000 abandoned mines throughout the state, of which, more than 230 are known as draining mines that are currently causing environmental damage. More than 1,600 miles of Colorado streams and rivers are impaired by acid mine drainage.

From Trout Unlimited

Bipartisan “Good Samaritan” legislation will pave the way for long-awaited cleanups of toxic mine waste 

Contacts: 

• Chris Wood, President and CEO, Trout Unlimited – chris.wood@tu.org 

• Corey Fisher, Public Lands Policy Director, Trout Unlimited – corey.fisher@tu.org 

• Zoe Bommarito, National Advocacy Communications Director, Trout Unlimited – zoe.bommarito@tu.org, 517-604-1844 

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, in a historic bipartisan achievement two decades in the making, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Good Samaritan Remediation of Abandoned Hardrock Mines Act (S.2781 / H.R.7779). The legislation is expected to be signed into law by President Biden. This long-sought legislation will pave the way for Trout Unlimited, state agencies, and other third parties to increase the pace and scale of efforts to clean up abandoned hardrock mines, tens of thousands of which are polluting waterways across the country. 

The legislation was championed by U.S. Sens. Martin Heinrich (D-NM) and Jim Risch (R-ID) and U.S. Reps. Celeste Maloy (R-UT), Mary Peltola (D-AK), and Susie Lee (D-NV). It cleared the Senate by unanimous consent in July. Congress has debated Good Samaritan legislation for more than two decades. Trout Unlimited thanks Speaker Mike Johnson and Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries for their bipartisan support in bringing the legislation to the House floor.

“Today marks an important step toward cleaning up our nation’s rivers and streams,” said Chris Wood, President and CEO of Trout Unlimited. “Over 40 percent of small mountain streams in the West are polluted by heavy metals from abandoned mines. This bill is about clean water and healthy communities. It will make it possible for organizations that had nothing to do with the causes of pollution to make our rivers and streams cleaner. We commend Congress for taking this critical step, and especially thank Senators Heinrich and Risch, along with Representatives Maloy, Peltola and Lee, for their leadership in bringing Good Samaritan legislation over the finish line.” 

Abandoned mines are historic mine sites – often a century old or more – where there are no parties that can be held responsible for cleaning up mine waste. Current federal laws treat organizations that volunteer to clean up these abandoned mines—including state agencies and private non-profits groups like Trout Unlimited—as if they are the very polluters who left behind the mine waste.  

This creates daunting obstacles that prevent abandoned mine cleanups, including complicated permitting and long-term legal and financial liability for any remaining mine pollution.  

“Clean water and healthy fish and wildlife habitat are values that unite us,” said Corey Fisher, Public Policy Director at Trout Unlimited. “For too long, toxic hardrock mine waste has polluted rivers, causing downstream impacts to communities and wildlife. This common-sense law will give us a critical tool to turn the tide, restoring clean water to watersheds across the West and beyond.” 

The Good Samaritan legislation establishes a new program under the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), providing limited liability protections for up to 15 low-risk abandoned mine cleanup pilot projects conducted by state agencies, tribes, and qualified volunteer parties.  

Trout Unlimited, the leading conservation organization dedicated to restoring America’s rivers, recovering trout and salmon, and conserving clean water, has long championed the need for Good Samaritan protections to accelerate cleanup efforts. The organization played a pivotal role in advocating for the legislation, drawing on decades of on-the-ground restoration experience to raise awareness about the urgent need for action. 

“Colorado voices have long called for legislation to empower Good Samaritans to conduct mine remediation projects, and with more than 23,000 abandoned mines statewide, the significance for our waters is clear. We look forward to seeing one or more pilot projects under this bill take place here in Colorado, so that we and our partners can finally roll up our sleeves and get to work improving water quality. Colorado’s U.S. Senators have been leaders on Good Samaritan legislation for decades, and we thank Senators Bennet and Hickenlooper for all their hard work and dedication in bringing this commonsense legislation to fruition,” said David Nickum, Executive Director, Colorado Trout Unlimited.

Learn more about Good Samaritan legislation at https://www.tu.org/good-samaritan. 

Frostbite Fish-Off Set For February 1st

The Southern Colorado Greenback chapter has announced it’s annual Frostbit Fish-off is set for February 1st

2025 Frostbite Fish Off Tournament 
Thank you to our Title Sponsor Tim Berdahl and Mountain Aire Mechanical 

The Frostbite Fish Off is a fundraising tournament that offers teams of two anglers the chance to compete for great prizes while raising money for restoration efforts on the Pueblo Tailwater and youth outreach programs in the area.  The "Beat Drawing" takes place Friday, January 31st from 6-8pm and tournament fishing starts promptly Saturday morning at 9am and concludes at 5pm.  The banquet dinner and awards ceremony will be held Saturday evening from 6-9pm.

We're Hiring

Development Director

Colorado TU seeks a candidate with successful fundraising experience including developing strategic fundraising plans for campaigns or organizations, with strong interpersonal skills, and a deep commitment to coldwater conservation, to serve as the organization’s Development Director. Colorado TU relies on a diversified mix of funding including government and private sector grants and other restricted gifts, unrestricted individual and corporate giving, and events including an annual gala.

November Currents Newsletter

This month’s issue features CO Gives Day, CTU Annual Awards, Corral Creek Update, and More!

Restoration on the West Fork of the Dolores River

The Dolores River Anglers chapter of Trout Unlimited proudly announces the successful completion of a vital restoration project on the West Fork of the Dolores River. This project marks a significant achievement in their ongoing efforts to preserve and enhance trout habitats in the greater Four Corners area.

The West Fork: A Vital Tributary

Rising in the Navajo Lake basin near Lizard Head Pass, the West Fork of the Dolores River travels approximately 37 miles through diverse landscapes, including forests, ranches, farms, and residential areas, before joining the main stem of the Dolores River. This tributary is essential not only for its length and size but also for its role in delivering supplemental water to McPhee Reservoir and supporting a complex network of water rights and allocations. 

The Challenge

Historically, the West Fork has been a haven for all four species of trout, offering extensive habitats and recreational opportunities. However, human activities and climate change have taken a toll, particularly in the lower reaches, leading to a decline in trout populations. The lower river has suffered from "structural starvation," lacking the diverse features necessary for healthy trout habitats, and "trophic starvation," with an insufficient food chain base to support robust populations. 

The Solution: Process-Based Restoration

To address these issues, Dolores River Anglers implemented a process-based restoration (PBR) approach, which emphasizes working with natural river processes to achieve sustainable outcomes. The project focused on a 500-foot section of degraded riverbank and trout habitat along a meander of the West Fork. 

Restoration Techniques and Success

Using natural channel design techniques, the project team regraded riverbanks to a stable slope, reconstructed the channel width, and enhanced trout habitats with boulder structures and logs. Specifically, they installed three j-hook vanes, nine large-rock clusters, and partially embedded Large Woody Debris. Additionally, the banks were revegetated with willows, shrubs, and grass seed to stabilize the soil. These efforts have successfully recreated diverse trout habitats, including pool-riffle sequences and overhanging vegetation, ensuring a thriving environment for trout. 

Looking Ahead

The successful completion of this project stands as a testament to the dedication and expertise of the Dolores River Anglers chapter. By restoring the structural complexity and food chain base of the West Fork, they have made significant strides in preserving this critical waterway for future generations of anglers and outdoor enthusiasts. 

As this win is celebrated, Dolores River Anglers remain committed to ongoing conservation efforts, ensuring that the Dolores River and its tributaries continue to provide essential habitats for trout and other wildlife.

Corral Creek – Another Step Toward Greenback Restoration

Colorado TU staff recently joined colleagues from the U.S. Forest Service for a site visit to the Corral Creek fish passage and temporary barrier project site, to inspect work completed this year. Winter weather has already set into the project area, and driving to the project site proved challenging though the Forest Service jeep, with the assistance of chains, was able to make it.

The Corral Creek fish passage/barrier project is a unique combination of a long-term fish passage structure – a larger culvert with a simulated streambed bottom to facilitate free passage by fish – along with a temporary barrier to isolate the upstream habitat for native fish until downstream areas can also be restored to native fish habitat, at which point the barrier will be removed to reconnect the habitat. The installation is a challenging one, managing a roadway, appropriate culvert and fish passage features, a large steel-plate barrier, and a downstream concrete splash pad and rock apron, all of which need to work together to achieve the required end result. Corral Creek is just one phase of the larger Poudre Headwaters Project, aiming to restore Greenback cutthroat trout to nearly 40 miles of connected habitat in a series of phased restoration efforts.

When we arrived, we were greeted by an impressive sight: the large natural-stream-bottom culvert that was previously installed now has the steel plate fish barrier mounted at its outlet, pooling water up through the culvert and above the road crossing while creating a five-foot drop to prevent upstream movement of non-native fish from below the culvert. With the winter weather, ice had formed all along the face of the barrier wall, creating a frozen waterfall on the downstream side of the road crossing.

The inspection did yield at least one area needing additional work in the new year – the road will need to be widened additionally over the culvert to meet road specifications. Colorado TU’s contractor will work on that final task when weather allows in late spring/early summer of 2025. We will return to the site for further inspection after snowmelt to verify that other aspects of the project are operating as intended. Once work on the barrier is completed and its effectiveness confirmed, Colorado Parks and Wildlife, the Forest Service, and TU will collaborate on removal of non-native fish above the barrier – followed by reintroduction of Greenback cutthroat trout into their newly restored home in upper Corral Creek.

From Colorado to New Zealand – Treat Yourself to Fishing and Support Conservation

It’s the season of giving, and a few of our partners have some great deals that give back to Colorado TU.

RareWaters Season Pass

RareWaters continues to support CTU efforts in Colorado. For a limited time, all TU members who purchase a 2025 RareWaters Season Pass using code "TU20" will receive 20% off – that’s $500 in savings and RareWaters donates $250 of your purchase directly to CTU. The 2025 RareWaters Season Pass offers unlimited fishing on over 100 miles of epic water with many perks included with your membership, including an introductory membership to Trout Unlimited that you can share with your friends. Enter “TU20” at checkout to grab your 2025 RareWaters Season Pass Membership pass today.

fish new zealand

For a limited time, you can fish New Zealand and support CTU. Distant Waters New Zealand is offering a special limited time trip including airfare. TU members will save $1,500, and a portion of your purchase is donated to CTU.

Colorado Gives Day

You don't have to wait until December 10th to make a difference!

Donate anytime from now until December 10th to support Colorado Trout Unlimited.

Join us in efforts such as reconnecting crucial spawning tributaries, restoring native cutthroat trout populations, educating the next generation, cleaning up abandoned mines, and advocating for water quality across urban fisheries and pristine high-mountain streams. CTU and its 22 chapters statewide are dedicated to the ongoing conservation, protection, and restoration of Colorado's coldwater habitats.

Even a small contribution can create a significant impact. Seize this opportunity to make a difference – it's the perfect day to give back.

We also have two critical matching options this year:

Sacramento Gulch Mill Restoration with Anglers All
The Sacramento Gulch Mill Site reclamation project proposes to reclaim approximately 2,500 cubic yards of mine waste rock, ore stockpile, and a mill pad near the town of Fairplay. Your support will help restore this critical watershed area. Anglers All will match donations up to $10,000!

CTU Headwaters Youth Programs
Empower Colorado's youth through our conservation programs. We have a $7,500 matching gift thanks to generous supporters!

You don't have to wait, you can donate today!

From Eggs to Fry: A Fall Journey in Colorado's Trout in the Classroom Tanks

By Reyna Schedler, Western Colorado TIC Coordinator

Fall is here and will soon be on its way out and Colorado Tu’s Trout in the Classroom tanks are growing and thriving. In 67 bubbling tanks around Colorado, our trout are now swimming their way through their life cycle. Since receiving eggs in mid October and raising the trout through the alevin stage, most of our classroom tanks are at or approaching the small fry stage. 

The alevin stage is a critical phase in the trout life cycle, where the newly hatched trout larvae remain attached to their yolk sacs which provide nutrients for growth and development. Once the alevin have absorbed most of their yolk sac and had the time to develop vital organs, they start swimming up to the surface of the water in search of food.The “swim-up” phase marks the transition from the alevin stage to the fry stage. This significant transition indicates the trout’s readiness to feed independently and interact more actively with their environment. It also marks a transition in the tanks as the young trout begin to explore, establish territories, and engage with the other trout in a more dynamic ecosystem.

The increased activity levels can lead to changes in water quality parameters such as ammonia and nitrate levels, necessitating more vigilant monitoring as well as adjustments in feeding schedules. Regular monitoring ensures that water quality parameters, such as temperature, pH, ammonia, and nitrate levels remain within safe ranges. This prevents stress and disease for the trout and creates a more conducive environment for their growth. Consistent checks can help identify and address potential issues early, reducing the risk of mass mortalities and ensuring the success of the program. By prioritizing tank health, educators can provide a stable habitat that supports both the trout lifespan as well as the student’s educational experiences. 

One of the tools that educators and their students are using to track their classroom’s tank health is a global citizen science platform called CitSci. It allows participants to record observations and measurements of their tank’s environmental parameters, providing the opportunity to engage in meaningful scientific work. Educators and students observe the water clarity, fish size, and fish counts, record the frequency of water changes, and take measurements of a variety of environmental parameters, including temperature, Ammonia, pH, Iron, Copper, Nitrates, Nitrite, and Chlorine. With all of these observations and data in one place, participants, employees, and volunteers of the Trout in the Classroom program can analyze the data throughout the year and over multiple years to gain insight into patterns in tank and fish health and better understand how to raise our trout successfully. This platform provides hands-on learning experiences for students, fostering a deeper understanding of aquatic ecosystems and the importance of environmental stewardship. Click here to see our awesome data and results.

A portion of the classrooms participating in TIC are using Seneye and WYZE technology as tools for monitoring water quality in their tanks. These technologies have different features and benefits and, when used in conjunction with regular observation, help educators, students, and community members gather information about the wellbeing of their trout and tank environment. Seneye telemetry offers multi-parameter monitoring, while WYZE cams mounted on the tank can send video updates and can even be connected to live streams so that friends, family, and community members can check in on the trout. 

These two technologies can aid in the success of our tanks, especially during school breaks when the most die-offs happen due to lack of everyday observations. While they are helpful tools, the most important tool for success is human participation and observation. Through vigilant tank monitoring and community-driven efforts, educators can create a supportive habitat that fosters the growth and development of trout, also enhancing the educational experience for students. These direct contributions allow us all a deeper understanding of aquatic ecosystems and inspire us to continue participating in environmental stewardship.