Colorado Trout Unlimited

Colorado Gives Day is Today!

Join us in efforts such as reconnecting crucial spawning tributaries to the Colorado River, 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.

Support Colorado Trout Unlimited on Colorado Gives 365 Your support helps conserve, protect and restore Colorado's coldwater fisheries and their watersheds. Make a difference for Colorado's rivers by donating today! We have two featured projects this year, both of which have matching gifts that will double your donation for...

Today is Giving Tuesday, and you can support Colorado Trout Unlimited.

Join us in efforts such as reconnecting crucial spawning tributaries to the Colorado River, 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.

https://www.coloradogives.org/organization/coloradoTU

"In this season of giving thanks, I am so grateful to the thousands of members and supporters who make possible our work to protect and restore the lands and waters that sustain our great nation. Those of us who spend time in the outdoors understand on a visceral—personal—level the connections linking quality habitat, clean water and good hunting and fishing.

"I am equally grateful for those, like my father, who never understood my passion for hunting and fishing but supported me, and TU, anyway. I can say with great confidence that Dad never fly-fished, but he always picked up old fly rods, reels, and other gear from estate sales for me.

"Happy Thanksgiving to you all."

- Chris Wood, President and CEO

The Last Score - Trout Unlimited Dad rubbed his hands as he often did when making a deal. The guy running the estate sale wanted $600 for three paintings. “I looked it up on the internet. You can check yourself. They are worth twice that!”

Consider supporting Colorado Trout Unlimited's Headwaters Youth Programs! Donations made before and on CO Gives Day will support these incredible programs, connect kids to the outdoors, build program capacity, program supplies and resources, and much more. Without your donation, CTU Headwaters Youth Programs would not be possible. This year, we have a $7500 total match from generous donors to support our efforts. So when you give this year, your impact is doubled with a matching donation!

CTU's Headwaters Youth Program engages and educates Colorado's next generation of conservation-oriented anglers. We do this through education and outreach to youth across the state; providing hands-on, field-based opportunities that foster environmental awareness, outdoor skills, leadership development, and a whole lot of fun. Our main Headwaters Programs include Trout in the Classroom, STREAM Programs, and our River Conservation and Fly Fishing Camp. In 2023, we engaged over 14,000 youth, families, and community members through our Headwaters Youth Programs!

Support CTU Headwaters Youth Program on Colorado Gives 365 Consider supporting Colorado Trout Unlimited's Headwaters Youth Programs! Donations made before and on CO Gives Day will go towards supporting these incredible programs, connecting kids to the outdoors, building program capacity, program supplies and resources, and much...

Great news! From Colorado Parks and Wildlife:

SALIDA, Colo. – Colorado Parks and Wildlife on Thursday lifted a closure of the Arkansas River above Salida that was imposed last month to allow removal of a low-head dam located 1.5 miles upstream from CPW's Mount Shavano State Fish Hatchery.

The river was reopened as crews completed removal of the dam and an adjacent boat chute, said Tom Waters, CPW’s park manager for the Arkansas Headwaters Recreation Area, which encompasses 152 miles of the Arkansas River from Leadville to Pueblo.

“We are happy to announce the river is open again, weeks sooner than expected, to instream recreation,” Waters said. “The closure and mandatory portage signs have been removed and the buoy line barrier across the river has been taken down.”

Waters said final clean-up work along the banks should be done by Nov. 23.

CPW had closed the stretch of river from the Chaffee County Road 166 Bridge to the Salida Boat Ramp to allow heavy equipment to break up and remove the dam, which was first built around 1956 to collect water for the hatchery downstream. The dam was rebuilt in 1987 with an adjacent boat chute.

“By removing the dam, we have eliminated a deadly threat to the thousands who boat on this popular stretch of the Arkansas River each year,” Waters said. River water, spilling over the dam, churned at the bottom of the dam structure, creating a powerful hydraulic that capsized and trapped boaters and swimmers. Since 2010, three people have died at the dam.

Removing the dam also enhances movements of fish – brown trout, rainbow trout and native white suckers – by easing migration access to about 85 miles of the Gold Medal river upstream. Barriers like the dam limit genetic diversity by essentially isolating segments of the river’s fish population.

The ability of fish to move freely in a river also helps to prevent overpopulation by balancing the amount of habitat and forage with the number of fish it can support.

“This project is a great example of how CPW works with its local partners to accomplish important projects for the public,” said April Estep, deputy regional manager of CPW’s Southeast Region. She specifically praised CPW’s partners, including the Chaffee County Board of County Commissioners, who provided $100,000 toward the $1.1 million removal effort.

The dam has not been used as a hatchery water supply since 2000 after whirling disease was detected in the river. Whirling disease is caused by a parasite that infects rainbow trout, leaving them deformed and swimming in circles before it quickly kills the youngest fish. CPW spent $1.5 million at the hatchery to convert it to clean spring water to raise its fish.

All photos are courtesy of Colorado Parks and Wildlife.

This year, Anglers All is matching up to $10,000 to restore Lion Creek. Ore was discovered in the Empire Mining District in 1862 on the southeast slopes of Silver Mountain, north of Empire, and mining continued in the area until about 1950. The most notable mine in the district was the Minnesota Mine, which produced primarily gold and silver and, in 1942, was the largest producer of gold in Clear Creek County, milling over 10,000 tons of ore per year. The Minnesota Mine is located approximately 1.5 miles north of Empire within the Lion Creek drainage and consists of a draining adit, flooded underground shaft, mill foundation, large volume of tailings (processed ore) downslope of the mill, and tailings deposited throughout the Lion Creek floodplain.

To begin laying the groundwork for future restoration of the impacted floodplain, TU and USFS collected soil samples within the impacted floodplain in 2020, which indicated elevated concentrations of heavy metals and acidic soil conditions. Subsequently, test plots were installed and evaluated in 2021 to identify the most effective soil amendment combination and application rate to be used in future restoration. Upcoming project work supported through your generous donations on Colorado Gives Day will include excavating tailings and disposing of them in a secure repository, placing clean fill at the streamside tailings area, grading and terracing 150 feet of future floodplain, and replanting the site to establish native riparian vegetation. By improving floodplain health and reducing metals in Lion Creek, the project will benefit downstream reaches of Clear Creek as well.

Please join us and Anglers All and help get this abandoned mine cleaned up.

Support Lion Creek Restoration with Anglers All on Colorado Gives 365 This project will entail restoration at Lion Creek, a tributary of Clear Creek near Empire. By giving to the Lion Creek project on this Gives Day, your gifts will be matched up to $10,000 by our generous partners at Anglers All.Ore was discovered in the Empire Mining...

Our Macro of the Month is the crane fly! Crane flies eat decaying plants, insects, algae, and other organic material. Larvae have a long, segmented body with breathing holes (spiracles) at the head. Adults look like a large mosquito!
River Watch of Colorado

Happy Macro of the Month Monday! This macroinvertebrate larvae is often found in the substrate of rivers, which can include gravel, sand, or detritus. They construct protective cases or burrows within this substrate. Any guesses on our Macro of the Month? Look for the answer later today. River Watch of Colorado

On Veterans Day, we pause to express our gratitude to the men and women who have served our country, protecting the freedoms we hold dear. Colorado Trout Unlimited extends a heartfelt thank you for your dedication. Your sacrifices echo in the quiet waters of our state, and we appreciate the role veterans play in preserving the beauty of Colorado's outdoors. Today, we cast our lines with respect and honor for all who have served. 🎣

Colorado Gives Day is December 5th, but you don’t have to wait. Early giving is easy and enables Colorado Trout Unlimited to continue our work to conserve, protect, and restore Colorado’s coldwater fisheries and their watersheds.

Learn more at https://www.coloradogives.org/organization/coloradoTU

One of CTU’s major focuses is to restore and protect Colorado native trout. Greenback cutthroat, Colorado River cutthroat, and Rio Grande cutthroat projects in different parts of the state are currently in progress to help these native fish thrive. Join us by giving or volunteering; it takes all aspects to get the job done.

Want to experience a New Zealand getaway while also contributing to CTU? Our friends at Distant Waters are offering a New Zealand fishing package for a limited time! For more information, please visit:

Fish New Zealand and Donate to CTU — Colorado Trout Unlimited Special price for CTU members that also gives back! For a limited time, you can travel and fish New Zealand with our friends at Distant Waters for the special price of $5,999 (originally $7,999). This package is good for the 2023/2024 season and ends April 30th. Every booking gives back to CTU!

Colorado Gives Day - Early Giving Starts Now! Donate anytime from now until December 5th to support Colorado Trout Unlimited.

Join us in efforts such as reconnecting crucial spawning tributaries to the Colorado River, 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.

Support Colorado Trout Unlimited on Colorado Gives 365 Your support helps conserve, protect and restore Colorado's coldwater fisheries and their watersheds. Make a difference for Colorado's rivers by donating today! TestimonialsThe list of non-profits who would like your time, talent and money is endless, so why Colorado...

On October 17th, Colorado TU staff and Rockymountainflycasters Chapter volunteers joined U.S. Forest Service representatives and our partners from Colorado Parks and Wildlife and Ross Reels on a site visit to see past and ongoing work as part of the Poudre Headwaters Project, the largest native trout restoration project in Colorado history. The group first visited the largely completed fish barrier on the Grand Ditch at La Poudre Pass, helping isolate the planned recovery waters for Greenback cutthroat trout on the east slope from the west slope drainages intersected by the Grand Ditch. From there, we stopped briefly at a road crossing with an undersized and not fish-friendly culvert along Neota Creek, which we hope to collaborate with the Forest Service to replace with an improved fish passage structure in 2024 or 2025.

The group next visited the active construction site where work is underway on installing a unique combination fish passage/temporary fish barrier project on Corral Creek. The barrier will help temporarily isolate habitat in Corral Creek for restoration of native trout and then later removed to restore connectivity with adjacent waters once they recovered for Greenbacks. An undersized culvert is being installed with a much larger culvert for the road crossing – large enough to have a simulated stream bottom constructed within the culvert so that fish can move freely up and downstream through the culvert just as if they were moving through the natural stream channel. At the mouth of the culvert, a steel wall barrier will be placed that can then isolate the upstream habitat temporarily but be readily removed in the future when habitats are reconnected as part of the planned Greenback “metapopulation” spread across multiple Cache la Poudre river tributaries.

Finally, we hiked to the expected downstream permanent barrier that will be the lowest point in the restoration area – a waterfall nicknamed “Starter Fluid” by expert kayakers who float the river. Located just below the confluence of the mainstem Poudre and La Poudre Pass Creek and about 11 miles up from where the “Big South” portion of the Poudre reaches Highway 14 and begins down to the more easily accessed Poudre Canyon runs, this cascade already blocks fish under most flow conditions and with some modest adjustments could be modified into a fully-effective fish barrier. Work on design concepts for further analysis and refinement is underway.

Big news! Colorado Parks and Wildlife announces closure on Arkansas River near Salida to allow dam removal

SALIDA, Colo. – Colorado Parks and Wildlife is closing a short segment of the Arkansas River beginning Oct. 23 to facilitate removal of a low-head dam located 1.5 miles upstream from the Mount Shavano State Fish Hatchery.

The closure will be in place from the Chaffee County Road 166 Bridge to the Salida Boat Ramp.

The dam was first built around 1956 to collect water for the hatchery downstream and then rebuilt in 1988 with an adjacent boat ramp.

Removing the dam will benefit the Gold Medal river’s fish – brown trout, rainbow trout and native white suckers – by opening about 85 miles of river upstream to fish migration. Barriers like the dam limit genetic diversity by essentially dividing the population into two segments.

The ability of fish to move freely in a river also helps to prevent overpopulation by balancing the amount of habitat and forage with the number of fish it can support.

The dam has not been used as a water supply for the fish hatchery since 2000 after whirling disease was detected in the Arkansas River a few years earlier. Whirling disease is caused by a parasite that infects rainbow trout, leaving them deformed and swimming in circles before it quickly kills the youngest fish. CPW spent $1.5 million at the hatchery to convert it to clean spring water to raise its fish.

Our thoughts and well wishes go out to Kerry and his family. Please take a moment to read more from The Blue Quill Angler, share their post, and donate if you can to https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-kerry-caraghar-beat-cancer

We are just over one week away from CTU's annual Fall Rendezvous. This year, join Natalie Flowers, Youth Education Coordinator, for a hands-on stream-side training and learn how to offer STREAM Programs in your chapter's area. Learn more about Rendezvous at https://coloradotu.org/rendezvous

Fish with the RareWaters crew and support CTU! Join the RareWaters team for a day on the water in October at two amazing locations in Colorado on Tarryall Creek and the Crystal River. Price includes fishing, lunch, gear demos, and giveaways! For more information, visit

RareWaters Experience RareWaters at our exclusive Fish with RareWaters events.

CTU's Fall Raffle is live! Help river conservation and get your chance to win a fishing getaway on the San Juan River with Duranglers and the Doubletree by Hilton - Durango, plus the newest Ross Reels Native Series Colorado River Cutthroat reel! Online ticket sales end on October 20th at 8pm. Drawing is on October 21st at 8pm. Enter now at https://coloradotu.salsalabs.org/ctufallraffle2023/index.html

CTU chapter Boulder Flycasters holds their annual PIG ROAST tomorrow, October 7th! Eat tasty roast pig and protect Boulder Creek. The PIG ROAST is a fun, family-friendly fundraiser benefitting the Boulder Creek watershed. This year's theme is Oktoberfest!

The afternoon's activities includes a magnificent homemade roasted pork meal, vendors, games, friendly competitions, and youth activities. Don't eat pig? A vegetarian option will be available. Come and enjoy the afternoon while supporting Trout Unlimited's work in our local watershed.

For more information, please visit https://bit.ly/48K272K

Eagle Valley Trout Unlimited's Upper Colorado Fall Classic Silent Auction is now live! Visit https://e.givesmart.com/events/vwl/

The 9th Annual Upper Colorado Fall Classic will take place on the Upper Colorado River and at venues in the Eagle Valley on Oct 8, 2023. The fly-fishing only tournament is co-ed and open to all ages.

The Pro Division offers a $3000 prize for 1st place, $1500 for 2nd place, and $500 for 3rd place.

The Am Division will have $5,000+ in prizes awarded to the top teams.

The fishing takes place on the Upper Colorado River with multiple beats between Pumphouse and Catamount.

The draw party and silent auction dinner fundraiser will take place on Oct 7, 2023 at Eagle River Brewing Company. The award party will take place at Minturn Saloon on Oct 8, 2023 after the tournament.

Trout Unlimited, along with the U.S. Forest Service and other partners, reached an eight-year, $10 million agreement to restore Colorado fish habitats affected by 2020 fires.

Over the past three years, the Forest Service has made multiple partnerships for recovery from the 2020 fires. This is the first to focus on aquatic species and watershed health. About half the funding will go to restoring stream health and the other half to rebuilding Forest Service infrastructure, making it more fish-friendly where possible.

Forest Service dedicates $10M to watershed health after Cameron Peak, East Troublesome fires The Forest Service aims to restore fish habitats affected by 2020 wildfires through a $10 million, eight-year agreement with Trout Unlimited.

Our Macro of the Month is a Bladder Snail! Bladder Snails are common in many Colorado watersheds however, they can be a nuisance species. They also look similar to the highly invasive New Zealand Mudsnails. Make sure you know how to identify these two species and clean your waders and gear to protect our watersheds from invasive species.
River Watch of Colorado

Happy Macro of the Month Monday! This cute little mollusk is common in slow-moving water and is very pollution-tolerant. Any guesses on our Macro of the Month? Look for the answer later today.
River Watch of Colorado

Tomorrow, September 30th, is the last day early bird pricing is available for the 2023 CTU Rendezvous October 20th - 22nd at the Hotel Colorado in Glenwood Springs. Join CTU chapter leaders and members, the CTU board, and CTU staff for a weekend of fishing, speakers, and workgroups. Hope to see you there!

Rendezvous — Colorado Trout Unlimited Rendezvous October 20th-22nd 2023

On September 15th, Rockymountainflycasters chapter volunteers along with Colorado Parks and Wildlife hiked into William's Gulch to stock native greenback cutthroat trout into the headwaters of the Poudre River. Another example of how Colorado Trout Unlimited volunteers aim to restore our native fish to Colorado.

This Saturday, September 30th from 11am to 2pm, CTU will join US Fish and Wildlife and other partners at Refuge Day, a free event at the Rocky Mountain Arsenal. The event is for all ages and includes live animal presentations, archery, arts and crafts, activity tables, and more! For more information, visit: https://www.fws.gov/refuge/rocky-mountain-arsenal

The 2023 Rendezvous schedule is live on the CTU website. Don't forget that early bird registration ($50 off) ends this Saturday. For more information, please visit

Rendezvous — Colorado Trout Unlimited Rendezvous October 20th-22nd 2023

On Tuesday, August 29th, members of the Pikes Peak chapter attended a site visit for stakeholders of the project for removal of a diversion dam near the mouth of Eleven Mile Canyon. The project is on track to completely remove the dam by the end of the year. Read more here: https://bit.ly/3ZmU9rY

Eleven Mile Canyon Diversion Dam Removal Update — Colorado Trout Unlimited On Tuesday, August 29th, members of the Pikes Peak chapter attended a site visit for stakeholders of the Eleven Mile Canyon Diversion Dam Removal project. Partners include the Coalition for the Upper South Platte, US Forest Service, Colorado Springs Utilities, Park County, Colorado Parks and Wildlif

Early bird pricing for the CTU Rendezvous ends September 30th! Rendezvous takes place October 20th-22nd at the Hotel Colorado in Glenwood Springs.

The annual Fall Rendezvous is the best place to be in person with new and existing members, chapter leaders, the CTU executive committee, and CTU staff.

For more information, please visit

Rendezvous — Colorado Trout Unlimited Rendezvous October 20th-22nd 2023

On Friday, September 29th, Easterseals Colorado is holding their Trout Slam. This will be an exciting day filled with friendly competition while helping more than 1,200 children and adults living with disabilities. 100% of the proceeds will go directly back into the Rocky Mountain Village center in Empire, Colorado. For more information, please visit the link below.

Trout Slam Fly Fishing

CTU is excited to announce that our very own Dick Shinton will receive the Distinguished Service in Youth Education award at this year's national Trout Unlimited CX3 meeting in Spokane, Washington.

Dick Shinton’s dedication to Youth Education has had a profound and lasting impact on his local chapter, state council, and hundreds of young people throughout Colorado. As a longstanding volunteer and leader of the Colorado River Conservation and Fly Fishing Camp for teens, Dick has been instrumental in shaping the program for 15 of its 18 years of existence. He fully embodies Trout Unlimited’s values and recognizes that engaging youth from diverse backgrounds is crucial to the sustainability of TU’s mission.

Dick’s contributions to the camp go beyond being a counselor and co-director. He invests numerous hours each year in planning and executing the program, ensuring a balanced focus on conservation awareness and fly-fishing skills. Drawing on his experience as a retired Human Resources manager, Dick creates a welcoming and supportive environment for both youth and fellow volunteers. His mentoring of youth counselors and dedication to their leadership development exemplify his commitment to fostering lifelong relationships.

In addition to his involvement with the Camp, Dick has played an integral role within the St. Vrain Anglers Trout Unlimited chapter. Since 2007, he has served on the board and held various positions, including Treasurer and Youth Education Chair. His visionary leadership led to the establishment of the Kids Learn to Fly Fish program, which has engaged young people aged eight to 13 in fly fishing and stream conservation. The program, delivered annually over six sessions, has attracted over 150 participants and garnered significant volunteer support. Dick’s proactive approach in connecting engagement programs, such as Kids Learn to Fly Fish and the State Council teen camp, has paved the way for youth to become lifelong leaders within TU.

Dick consistently volunteers for various TU projects at both the chapter and council levels, sharing his knowledge and passion for TU’s mission. His exemplary dedication and partnership have inspired others to engage with youth and become advocates for coldwater fisheries. Dick Shinton’s leadership, mentorship and tireless commitment embody the spirit of TU and make him incredibly deserving of the Distinguished Service for Youth Education award.

Registration for the 2023 CTU Rendezvous is now open! This year, Rendezvous will include Friday group fishing opportunities and a welcome dinner; workshop sessions on strategic and succession planning for chapters, the future of TU’s “Priority Waters” and how it connects with the grassroots, Water 101 with Mely Whiting on the basics of Colorado water law, Upper Colorado Basin Commissioner Becky Mitchell on the state of the Colorado River, introductory training for STREAM youth education programs, and more! We will also have staff “office hours” available where different CTU and NTU staff will be available for 20-minute face to face consultations on particular issues, challenges, or successes you want to share.

Rendezvous — Colorado Trout Unlimited Rendezvous October 20th-22nd 2023