Give Where It Grows: Support Youth Outdoor Learning with Colorado Trout Unlimited

This June, Colorado Trout Unlimited is proud to join more than 30 organizations across Colorado for Give Outdoor Learning, a month-long fundraising campaign during National Get Outdoors Month.

Give Outdoor Learning highlights the power of environmental education by supporting programs that connect young people with nature. These experiences grow curiosity, confidence, and connection. They also improve mental health, strengthen communities, and prepare the next generation to lead.

At CTU, our Youth Programs focus on just that. Through Trout in the Classroom, students raise trout while learning about watershed health. Our River Conservation and Fly Fishing Camp brings teens together for a week of scientific exploration, leadership training, and hands-on conservation. Our STREAM curriculum takes students into the field to study real-world water science and develop skills in stewardship and problem-solving.

With the rising demand for high-quality environmental education and continued funding challenges, your support is more important than ever.

The Give Outdoor Learning campaign runs June 1 to June 30, 2025.

Help us grow these experiences for more students across Colorado.

Colorado Parks and Wildlife sees positive signs of aquatic life in the Colorado River Connectivity Channel

News Release from Colorado Parks and Wildlife:

Colorado Connectivity Channel

GRANBY, Colo. — Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) saw an increase in the native fish population numbers more quickly than anticipated in the recently completed Colorado River Connectivity Channel (CRCC) project at Windy Gap Reservoir, located near Granby, Colo.

In early May, CPW Aquatic biologists completed the first-ever raft electrofishing survey to estimate the trout population in the CRCC. Biologists estimated that approximately 848 brown trout and 221 rainbow trout over 6" in length live within a one-mile reach of the newly constructed river channel. 

"It was very exciting to see a healthy number of adult trout occupying all of this new habitat," said Jon Ewert, CPW Hot Sulphur Springs Area Aquatic Biologist. "Especially considering that we have not stocked a single fish into the channel.” 

As a result of the improved habitat, trout from connected river sections both upstream and downstream have been able to re-establish in the newly reconnected section of the Colorado River. CPW biologists also observed extensive brown trout spawning activity in the channel last fall and moderate rainbow trout spawning activity this spring. 

“Seeing such positive results with water flowing through this new river section for just over a year, we anticipate that this fish population will continue to grow,” said Ewert.

Click to watch: Videos from this year's Colorado River Connectivity Channel fish survey

This is the second time CPW has documented positive signs of native fish repopulating the CRCC earlier than anticipated. In the fall of 2024, CPW's aquatic research team found evidence of native sculpin returning to the upper Colorado River and the CRCC after several decades of absence in nearly 30 miles of their former habitat. Sculpin found in the CRCC and downstream in the Colorado River included fish that were spawned and hatched in 2024.

Credit: Colorado Parks and Wildlife

During the survey, researchers documented one adult and 11 juvenile sculpin within the CRCC and a single juvenile sculpin in the Colorado River below the channel. Based on these sampling results, aquatic biologists and researchers from CPW believe that young sculpin are now able to take advantage of the new habitat and are dispersing downstream from healthy populations located upstream of the CRCC.

“The rapid colonization of the CRCC by this unique native fish species and its return to the Colorado River below Windy Gap is an important conservation milestone and a good indication that the channel is starting to improve the ecological health of the river," said Dan Kowalski, CPW Aquatic Research Scientist.

While the beneficial effects of the CRCC may take years to be fully realized, the results from the fish surveys conducted in May 2025 and fall 2024 represent significant milestones in the efforts to enhance habitat conditions in the upper Colorado River. These findings suggest that the health of the river may be improving more quickly than expected.

Completed in the fall of 2023, the Colorado River Connectivity Project is one of the largest aquatic habitat improvement initiatives ever undertaken in Colorado. This project reconnects aquatic habitats that were fragmented by the construction of the Windy Gap Reservoir in 1985. Currently, the new river section is closed to public fishing access. It is expected to open after the area has had sufficient time to fully revegetate, which will take a couple more growing seasons. To learn more about the Colorado River Connectivity Channel Project, visit the project's page on Northern Water’s website.

May Currents Newsletter

This month’s issue includes Troutfest Colorado 2025, Our New Look, STREAM Program with Girl Scouts, and More!

A New Look, a Unified Vision: Colorado Trout Unlimited’s Rebrand Begins

Aligning with Trout Unlimited, our national organization, CTU introduces a modernized identity to support river champions across Colorado.

Colorado Trout Unlimited is proud to introduce our updated brand — a fresh look that reflects our values, unifies our voice with Trout Unlimited, our national organization, and helps us better engage communities across the state.

We haven’t changed who we are. We remain dedicated to protecting cold, clean water, restoring rivers, and inspiring the next generation of stewards. What’s changed is how we show up — with a clearer, more consistent identity that connects our statewide efforts to the broader conservation movement led by Trout Unlimited.

What’s new:

·         A revitalized logo with clean lines and a bold, modern trout

·         A new tagline: Every River Needs a Champion

·         A more cohesive identity across platforms, materials, and chapters

What’s not changing:

·         Our focus on healthy rivers, wild and native trout, and public lands

·         Our grassroots leadership and on-the-ground work through local chapters

·         Our belief that conservation is stronger when we do it together

“Our updated look is more than a new logo—it’s a reflection of who we are and where we’re going,” said David Nickum, Colorado Trout Unlimited’s Executive Director. “We’ve modernized our identity to better connect with today’s communities and to more clearly communicate the passion and impact of our work. Every river needs a champion, and this brand helps us show up as one.”

The rebrand officially rolls out at Troutfest Colorado on May 31st at Coors Field. You’ll begin seeing the new look across our website, social media, events, and publications. Over the coming months, we’ll continue updating assets and tools for chapters and supporters to use in their own conservation outreach.

CTU STREAM Girls Camp with Girl Scouts of Colorado

What is STREAM Girls?
STREAM Girls is Trout Unlimited’s youth education program that builds on STEM learning by adding recreation and art—turning STEM into “STREAM.” The program helps young people explore their local watersheds by investigating streams, studying aquatic insects and fish, and developing a deeper awareness of river conservation. Through hands-on experiences as scientists, artists, and anglers, participants build a personal connection to their home waters.

Outdoor Adventure Weekend at Sky High Ranch
From April 11–13, 2025, Colorado Trout Unlimited’s Headwaters Youth staff—Natalie Flowers (Director of Education) and Cyndy Scholz (Colorado STREAM Programs Coordinator)—teamed up with the Girl Scouts of Colorado to bring the STREAM Girls experience to their Outdoor Adventure Camp at Sky High Ranch in Woodland Park.

The weekend began with a STREAM Girls training for about a dozen adult volunteers, including Girl Scout troop leaders and members of the Pikes Peak Chapter of Trout Unlimited (PPCTU). Volunteers practiced sampling macroinvertebrates, created insect replicas in a “Build-a-Bug” craft, and learned games like the Trout Survival Game—activities they can now take back to their troops.

When the Girl Scouts arrived Friday evening, they kicked things off with icebreakers and a creative cookie-decorating session—designing and naming their own fish-shaped treats.

On Saturday, everyone hiked to a small stream on the property to collect and observe aquatic insects. Back at the lodge, the Girl Scouts learned to tie a caddis fly, a staple in any angler’s fly box.

In the afternoon, the group headed to nearby Manitou Lake for casting practice and fly fishing—and several girls caught their first trout!

It was a joy to watch the Girl Scouts and CTU volunteers fully engaged in each activity, learning together, asking questions, and gaining confidence in both science and the outdoors.

CTU is excited to host more STREAM Girls and youth-focused events across Colorado in 2025 and beyond. We’re expanding to reach youth of all ages—and we’d love for you to join us in inspiring the next generation of river stewards.

Take Action: Say “No” to Sell-Off of Public Lands

Public lands are core to who we are as Americans, and are especially critical in western states like Colorado where so much of our land base and watersheds are largely on Federal public lands. These are the places we hunt, fish, and recreate with our friends and families, provide vital habitat for fish and wildlife, and help drive our outdoor economy:

·       70% of remaining habitat for native trout in the Rockies is found on public land

·       72% of hunters in the West rely on public lands for hunting

·       $1.2 trillion in economic activity supported by outdoor recreation in the US

·       5 million jobs supported by outdoor recreation in 2023

In a late-night move during the May 6 House Natural Resources Committee markup on the budget reconciliation package, Reps. Mark Amodei (NV) and Celeste Maloy (UT) introduced an amendment to sell off hundreds of thousands of acres of public lands in Nevada and Utah. The committee voted to advance the reconciliation bill to the House floor. Among Colorado’s delegation, Representatives Hurd (3rd CD) and Neguse (2nd CD) opposed the amendment, while Representative Boebert (4th CD) supported it.

This amendment sets a dangerous precedent for the future of America’s public lands. Budget reconciliation isn’t the place to make decisions about public land sales—especially without transparency or public input. Existing laws, regulations, and processes in place already exist to facilitate the disposal of suitable parcels of public land when it is in the public’s interest. This amendment short-circuits those transparent and careful processes that ensure any sale of public lands is indeed in the public interest.

Additionally, under current law, most proceeds from BLM land sales go into the Federal Land Disposal Account where they can be used to purchase high-priority conservation lands, enter into access easements, and for other purposes benefiting public lands to reduce fragmentation and support access to those lands. The amendment instead directs proceeds from these sales to the general treasury.

Colorado Trout Unlimited strongly opposes efforts like this to sell off public lands, especially when those efforts lack transparency, disregard public process, and fail to reinvest in our treasured public lands heritage. While this amendment passed committee, the fight to stop the sale of public lands is far from over.
 
We need you now more than ever. You can help speak out for public lands now in two key ways:

You can take action here, contacting your US Representative and urging them to oppose the sell-off of public lands under the budget reconciliation bill.

Those close to Denver can join us and other conservation partners including The Wilderness Society at a rally for public lands this Saturday, May 17th, starting at 10 am on the west steps of the State Capitol.  You can see more details and RSVP here, and bring your signs supporting public lands in public hands, and join us on Colorado Public Lands Day to speak out for protecting our public lands!

Be a pain in the ANS

Be a pain in the ANS; New gear and watercraft cleaning stations available as the fight against aquatic nuisance species continues

CPW continues fight against aquatic nuisance species in Colorado’s lakes and reservoirs; provides ANS media kit

DENVER — The fight continues for Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) as Aquatic Nuisance Species (ANS) staff work to keep invasive species from spreading in the state’s lakes and reservoirs. This year, CPW announces new gear and watercraft cleaning stations available in key locations across the state. 

“As the challenge of protecting the state’s waters and infrastructure from aquatic nuisance species continues to grow, CPW is leading the charge against these destructive species,” said Robert Walters, CPW’s ANS program manager. “As the spring season approaches, we ask for help from both the boating and water-based recreation communities to combat invasive species in the state.”

Colorado’s ANS inspectors were busy in 2024 with staff conducting 463,710 inspections and decontaminating 32,584 boats suspected of carrying mussels, other aquatic invasive species or standing water. 

In 2024, CPW intercepted 110 boats carrying invasive mussels. Mussels are destructive to aquatic habitat, can seriously damage reservoir infrastructure and cause problems on boats.

Contaminated boats usually come into Colorado from neighboring states, especially Utah and Arizona because of our proximity to Lake Powell, which has been mussel-infested for years. Other neighboring states with mussel infestations include Kansas, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Texas and South Dakota. Most Midwestern and East Coast states also have infested waters.

Boats aren’t the only source of ANS entering the state. Equipment that gets wet, such as waders and boots, can also transport aquatic species. To make the fight against ANS easier, CPW has been adding new gear and watercraft cleaning stations in key locations around the state. The public is encouraged to use these stations to decontaminate their gear and protect Colorado’s waters. 

About the ANS Program
The Colorado ANS Program was authorized by the Colorado Legislature in 2008 utilizing severance tax funds and in 2018 the Colorado General Assembly provided funding to the program through SB17-259, funding the program through boating registration fees from residents and nonresidents. 

Since CPW’s ANS inspection program started in 2008, 7.4 million boats have been inspected and 265,882 boats have been decontaminated. The agency is aided in the program by Colorado counties, municipalities, water districts, federal agencies and private companies that also conduct inspections. CPW also works proactively, looking for aquatic nuisance species by sampling waters throughout the state. In 2024, CPW crews sampled 209 standing waters and 26 flowing waters; these intense sampling efforts resulted in the early detection of zebra mussel veligers in the Colorado River and emphasize the importance of this program.

CPW has also been instrumental in establishing the Water Inspection and Decontamination (WID) protocols, which are now used by states nationwide. Agency staff are also active with the Western Regional Panel on Aquatic Nuisance Species Watercraft Inspection and Decontamination Committee.

Walters said that CPW will always remain vigilant in the fight against mussels.

“Mussels aren’t going away. However, by continuing our preventative watercraft inspection program Colorado can continue to set an example in the West and keep our waters clear of highly destructive invasive species.”

Roadside Watercraft Inspection and Decontamination Stations (WIDs)
In 2021, Colorado Legislature passed House Bill 21-1226, which authorized CPW to implement a pilot roadside watercraft inspection and decontamination program. This pilot program was highly successful and in 2024 CPW began the long-term implementation of this program at the Loma and Trinidad Ports of Entry.

In year one of this program, 41 watercraft were intercepted at these two Port of Entry locations. With the success of this program, CPW is expanding this program in 2025 to include longer operational hours and two new stations at the west bound Ft. Morgan and Limon Ports of Entry.

Boaters are reminded that if they are traveling with a motorized or trailered watercraft and encounter one of these check stations, they will be required to stop for an inspection.

What can boaters do to help prevent the spread of aquatic nuisance species?
Boat owners should “clean, drain and dry” boats after every use and utilize the green-seal program when entering and leaving a body of water. Boaters should also inspect their trailers and look in hard-to-reach spots on boats and engines for evidence of mussels. Anyone who has used a boat in waters outside of Colorado is obligated to tell boat inspectors. Boat owners can also call any state park or wildlife office if they have questions, concerns or would like information on scheduling an off-water inspection/decontamination.

All ballast boats, inboard and inboard/outboard engines, must have a green seal between launches or decontamination may take place prior to launching. Boaters are encouraged to inspect their boat between every use and make sure it is clean, drained and dry.

The State of Colorado requires boats to be professionally inspected if:

• A boat has been in any body of water that is positive, or suspected for ANS

• A boat has been in any body of water outside of Colorado

• A boat will be entering any water body where inspections are required

• A boat encounters an aquatic nuisance species check station

Tips for a speedy inspection
Boaters must stop for an inspection when entering and exiting most bodies of water in Colorado. Stricter inspection requirements exist when taking a vessel from one body of water to another. To encourage a speedy inspection process, boaters are encouraged to:

• Keep your green exit seal attached to your vessel and trailer. This seal tells inspectors what body of water the vessel was in last.

• Have your paper exit slip (blue or white) readily available. This slip tells inspectors details from your previous exit inspection that can speed up the process. 

• Open/drain all compartment hatches like: live/bait wells, bilge areas, anchor compartments, equipment compartments and any other compartments that hold items that could have come into contact with water. Have the anchor and ropes out of their compartments for inspection.

• If you know the next body of water you are going to will require a decontamination procedure, request a decontamination during the exit inspection so you can get onto your next boating adventure more quickly. 

Visit our website for more information about aquatic nuisance species and CPW’s ANS program and the boat inspection process. 

Be a Pain in the ANS: Clean, Drain and Dry your vessels and fishing gear
Everyone has a part to play in preventing the introduction and spread of invasive species in Colorado, even those who recreate on Colorado’s waters with non-motorized watercraft. Simple actions — like cleaning, draining and drying paddleboards and kayaks — can significantly protect Colorado's waters. 

Anglers are also encouraged to keep their angling gear free of mud and plants between each and every use. By cleaning, draining and drying your angling gear, you can prevent unknowingly moving a species from one body of water to another, even within different stretches of the same river, causing a domino effect of invasion with irreversible ecological damage.

Learn more about how to prevent the spread of aquatic nuisance species and tips to properly clean, drain and dry your boating and fishing gear by visiting our website. Tips for anglers and a map of CPW’s new gear and watercraft cleaning stations is available here.

Media Kit
Use CPW’s Aquatic Nuisance Species Media Kit to find helpful resources for preparing social media posts, newsletter content, stories and educating the public about keeping harmful ANS invaders from spreading across Colorado. The Media Kit contains the following information:

• “Be a Pain in the ANS” creative campaign materials to share.

• How to be a pain in the ANS - start here for links to this year’s campaign materials

• A variety of ANS photos and video including check stations, inspection and decontamination processes and invasive species

• ANS Fact Sheets

• ANS green seal program 

• State of Colorado Aquatic Nuisance Species Management Plan

• A variety of public information materials provided to boaters

April Currents Newsletter

This month’s issue includes Troutfest Colorado, Trout in the Classroom, New Opportunity for Mine Waste Removal, and More!

New Opportunity for Mine Waste Removal

An important new bill is advancing at the Colorado legislature that will complement existing nonprofit “Good Samaritan” mine reclamation projects and benefit Colorado’s watersheds.  SB-054, a bipartisan measure sponsored by Senators Simpson and Bridges and Representatives McCormick and Martinez, has passed the Senate and yesterday passed on a unanimous vote from the House Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee.

SB-054 will create a new streamlined permitting process for reclamation-only projects, where a mining company can remove existing waste rock piles from an abandoned mine site, transport it to a permitted milling site, and process it to extract potentially marketable metals. Importantly, while the permitting process is significantly streamlined from those for a new mining site that would be excavating additional rock, the Division of Reclamation Mining and Safety (DRMS) requirements for these reclamation-only permits still include requirements for environmental protection and reclamation plans, providing a solid foundation to ensure the sites will be appropriately managed and reclaimed after the waste rock is removed.

Trout Unlimited has been actively involved in waste rock removal projects for decades, and have seen firsthand how those efforts can benefit watershed health and water quality. By removing these sources of non-point pollution, we can improve the health of downstream waters as well as on-site habitat.

SB-054 creates a new means to engage the private sector in this work, by creating a streamlined permitting process for removal and economic use of waste rock, followed by effective site reclamation. CTU Executive Director David Nickum said in testimony to the House Ag Committee, “With more than 23,000 abandoned mine features across the state, there is a significant need for reclamation far beyond what TU, other nonprofits, or DRMS itself can tackle. Creating opportunities and incentives for mining companies to contribute to those efforts makes good sense.”  The reclamation-only permits also offer an environmentally-benign opportunity to obtain useful metals that were left behind from miners of generations past.

TU is grateful to DRMS and to the bill sponsors for their efforts to expand the community of partners in waste rock reclamation projects!

Connecting with the Community: Colorado Trout Unlimited Trout in the Classroom Program

The Colorado Trout Unlimited Trout in the Classroom program is more than just an educational initiative; it's a bridge that connects students, educators, and the broader community through a shared passion for aquatic ecosystems and trout conservation. One of the most impactful ways we foster this connection is through our release events, where students have the opportunity to release the trout they've raised into local waterways.

Engaging with the Community

Our release events are a celebration of learning and conservation, bringing together students from various schools to sites like the Carson Nature Center. These events are not just about releasing trout; they are enriched with additional programming that enhances the educational experience. For example, the Carson Nature Center features a portable water table that allows students to see how a river is formed and understand its effects on the local landscape. This hands-on activity helps students grasp the dynamic nature of rivers and the importance of maintaining healthy aquatic ecosystems.

Highlighting CSU Spur's Homeschool Event

A standout moment in our community engagement efforts was the recent trout release event hosted by CSU Spur. This event was particularly special as it connected us with a part of the community that doesn't have a traditional classroom setting—homeschoolers. CSU Spur's Water Education Coordinator, Stefan, led the event, where visitors helped release trout into the South Platte River behind the campus.

CSU Spur's event marked the first time they hosted a trout release on campus, making it an exciting milestone. The program aims to foster a deep appreciation for aquatic ecosystems and trout conservation among students, and releasing trout into the stretch of water by the campus was a thrilling experience for all involved. CSU Spur plans to continue these events, inviting more community members to join in future releases.

Looking Ahead

As we continue to grow and expand our Trout in the Classroom program, we remain committed to deepening our connections with the community. Future release events will continue to be inclusive, educational, and fun, providing opportunities for everyone to get involved and make a difference.

Stay tuned for more information on upcoming events and how you can participate in our efforts to conserve Colorado's aquatic ecosystems. Together, we can inspire the next generation of environmental stewards and ensure a healthy future for our trout and their habitats.