The U.S. Bureau of Land Management (BLM) recently released its draft plan for utility-scale solar siting on public lands in the western states. This plan is critical for our country to meet ambitious renewable energy goals, and we are encouraged by BLM taking a programmatic approach to determining which areas are open to development and which are not. However, siting of these projects can have a massive impact on trout habitat and must be done in a thoughtful manner. Across the West, the draft plan could open up as much as 22 million acres to solar development. Here in Colorado, prospective a ..read more

Contacts: Jay Chancellor, Colorado Advocacy Campaigns Manager – jay.chancellor@tu.org Steve Kandell, Director of the National Campaign Support Center – steve.kandell@tu.org Nick Gann, Rocky Mountain Communications Director – nick.gann@tu.org WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Department of Interior (DOI) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced that nearly 225,000 acres of public land in the Thompson Divide has been withdrawn from all forms of mineral entry, appropriation, and disposal for the next twenty years. “The Thompson Divide is home to the headwaters of some of Colorado ..read more

Speaker Julie McCluskie, with co-sponsors Senator Dylan Roberts and Representative Karen McCormick, has introduced state legislation (HB 24-1379)  that would restore critical protections to Colorado’s at-risk wetlands and waters.  The legislation was drafted in direct response to a U.S. Supreme Court decision last year to impose the biggest rollback of the Clean Water Act since its inception in 1972. The Court’s decision essentially eliminated protections for certain wetlands and other critically important waters, including streams that don’t flow consistently year-round. Without st ..read more

Your new Spring 2024 issue of High Country Angler is here! Check out the Spring 2024 issue of High Country Angler e-zine, including these stories: Landon Mayer talks about identifying trout ‘paddles’ with Tails Up Tips; Brian LaRue goes international with Costa Rican Jungle Tarpon Adventure; Colorado TU Staff celebrates its annual River Stewardship Gala and the honoring of Bob and Suzanne Fanch with Protecting the Headwaters; Jackson Temme writes about the Costa 5 Rivers program with CU Boulder Club Highlight; Peter Stitcher with How to Master the Davy Knot; Other co ..read more

THIS MONTH’S ISSUE OF CURRENTS FEATURES Speaking for Trout, Protecting the Headwaters, Restoring the Kawuneeche Valley, and More! Read the entire issue ..read more

TU and Allies Partner on More than $5.7 Million of Collaborative Projects Funded On March 13, the Colorado Water Conservation Board (CWCB) approved 52 Water Plan Grant applications today, which will distribute $17.4 million to fund critical projects to manage and conserve water, improve agriculture, promote watershed health, spark collaborative partnerships, and much more. Among the approved Water Plan Grant projects were $3.28 million in projects being managed by Trout Unlimited in Colorado: A $1.5 million collaboration with agricultural users on Elk Creek, a key spawning tributary to the ..read more

Trout Unlimited Joins Collaborative Effort in Rocky Mountain National Park By Celia Sheneman If you have ever driven over Trail Ridge Road through Rocky Mountain National Park, then you have probably enjoyed the serenity and scenery of the beloved Kawuneeche Valley, which lies just inside the Grand Lake entrance to the Park. The headwaters of the Colorado River flow through this landmark valley at the start of its epic journey to Mexico. The Valley is a vital part of the Upper Colorado River watershed, playing significant roles in flood mitigation, drought mitigation, and wildlife habitat. Onc ..read more

River Stewardship Champions: Bob and Suzanne Fanch On March 7, CTU held its 2024 River Stewardship Gala at the Denver Museum of Nature and Science, drawing more than 300 river supporters to join in celebrating and raising funds for Colorado’s rivers. As a centerpiece of the event, the River Stewardship Award was presented to Bob and Suzanne Fanch, owners of Devils Thumb Ranch and founders of the Headwaters River Journey Museum in Winter Park. Colorado River Headwaters Chapter President Kirk Klancke and Mark Eddy presented the award; this article is drawn from their presentation. The stars had ..read more

The Rocky Mountain Flycasters Trout Fishing Expo is Saturday, March 23rd from 10am to 4pm. See below for a great raffle! attend the expo Enter to Win RMFTU's Biggest Raffle Prize of the Year! Enter to win the Ross Colorado Greenback Cutthroat reel, Scott G-Series 3wt rod, and Fishpond Nomad net. A dream package for fishing small waters! Enter raffle Event details: Event Date: Saturday, March 23, 2024; 10am – _4pm Location: South Hall of FNBO Exhibition Building at The Ranch (Larimer County Events Complex), 5280 Arena Circle, Loveland, CO Purpose: Annual fundraising event for RMFTU’s pro ..read more

Coffee Break is an ongoing series at AvidMax where they talk about fly fishing, which sometimes includes supporting local fishing communities. In this episode, Noah sits down with TU member Barbara Luneau to learn more about the annual youth event, Camp, hosted by CTU. Camp is an amazing event for high school students that takes place here in Colorado and aims to teach students conservation and fly fishing. If you are interested in helping support the event or know a student between the ages of 14-18 interested in attending, please visit the CTU Camp Webpage. We would like to thank AvidMax fo ..read more