The 2020 River Stewardship Gala auction is now LIVE!

The 2020 River Stewardship Gala auction is now LIVE!  You can view the items and register to bid by visiting this link CTUgala2020.givesmart.com. The auction will run through the evening of the event – next Thursday, March 5th. The Gala is Colorado TU’s largest fundraiser of the year so please bid often and generously! 

Be sure to check out these items!

• Handmade bamboo rod by Bill Loehr

• Spey Class with Anglers All's Simon Gawesworth

• 4 Nights lodging & 3 full days of fishing for 2 in the world famous Iberá Wetlands located in northeast Argentina with Andes Drifters

• Gear from Fishpond, Orvis, and Simms

• Tickets to see Hamilton in Denver

• Browning Citori Shotgun

• 5 days of guided flyfishing for 2- into remote New Zealand backcountry - with 7 nights accommodations, breakfast and lunch provided daily, and roundtrip airfare from San Francisco to New Zealand with Distant Waters

• Artwork by Garrison Doctor, Josh Udesen, Mark Lance, and more

• Aspen Getaway

• And of course, too many fishing trips to list

Help protect Colorado rivers - ask your Senator to support HB1157!

Rocky Mountain PBS Announces “Water Week”

Rocky Mountain PBS Announces “Water Week” – A Collaboration of Communities Throughout Colorado to Elevate Conversations on Water

Rocky Mountain PBS (RPBS) will bring Colorado-based organizations and communities together for “Water Week”, an effort to provide resources and information to a broad statewide audience by convening conversations to share the diverse perspectives of Coloradans with respect to water.

“Water Week” features unique, historical and informational programming on RMPBS, along with digital resources, and events in communities across Colorado designed to connect experts, environmentalists and businesses to any of us who see water as an essential part of Colorado’s past and future.

“I think we’re going to see a much longer period of aridity and therefore, incredibly creative thinking that’s going to have to come about,” said Andy Mueller, General Manager for the Colorado River Water Conservation District. “It doesn’t spell the end of civilization in the southwestern United States. What it means though is our civilization’s going to have to transform.”

“One year ago, RMPBS organized a statewide listening tour and engaged local advisory committees to better understand which topics are most important to their communities,” states Amanda Mountain, President & CEO for Rocky Mountain Public Media. “Water repeatedly surfaced as both an historic and contemporary issue, which led us to invest in programming and partnerships to continue these conversations around this critical topic.”

Colorado’s statewide water plan prescribes that conversations about water play a role in shaping our shared future in the state and in the broader West. We asked over 40 water experts to provide feedback to RMPBS about how public media can engage those who are not otherwise actively involved in the topic, as well as how best to expand the number of perspectives represented in critical conversations.

“Water Week” includes RMPBS hosted events across Colorado that are free to local communities:

Come enjoy whiskey and beer tastings, and experience the *NEW* one-hour special, Colorado Experience: Western Water and Power.  

Feb 25, 6pm 
Colorado Springs: ALMAGRE Venue + Bar 
Whiskey Tasting, Colorado Experience: Western Water and Power *full screening*, water information tables. 
Partners: Business for Water Stewardship, ALMAGRE Venue + Bar, Sterling Ranch, Ax and the Oak.
Event details and RSVP  

Feb 25, 6pm 
Gunnison: Western State CO University, University Center Theatre 
Colorado Experience: Western Water and Power reception, *full screening* and Q&A. 
CO Office of Film (host) 
Partners: Business for Water Stewardship; the Colorado Office of Film, Television & Media. 
Event details 

Feb 26, 6:30pm 
Pueblo: Walter's Brewery & Taproom 
Beer Tasting / SIZZLE Reel & Colorado Experience: Western Water and Power *promo*, information tables.
Partners: Business for Water Stewardship, Walter's Beer.
Event details and RSVP 

Feb 26, 5:30pm 
Grand Junction: Eureka! McConnell Science Museum (on CMU Campus) 
Whiskey & beer tasting, SIZZLE Reel & Colorado Experience: Western Water and Power *promo*, exhibiting community partners.
Partners: Business for Water Stewardship, Eureka! McConnel Science Museum, Colorado River Water Conservation District, Ute Water, Audubon Rockies. 
Event details and RSVP 

 Feb 26, 6pm 
Durango: Fort Lewis College Ballroom 
Colorado Experience: Western Water and Power *full screening*, reception with beer, panel discussion.
Partners: Four Corners Water Center, Business for Water Stewardship, Dolores Water Conservancy District; Southwestern Water Conservation District, City of Durango Utilities, US Bureau of Reclamation, Mountain Studies Institute, Water Information Program, H2org. 
Event details and RSVP 

Feb 26, 5:30pm 
Montrose: Ute Indian Museum  
Colorado Experience: Western Water and Power *full screening* and Q&A. 
Partners: Business for Water Stewardship; the Colorado Office of Film, Television & Media.
Event details 

Feb 27, 6pm 
Denver: Sterling Ranch Community Center in Littleton 
Beer tasting, Colorado Experience: Western Water and Power *full screening*, exhibiting community partners. 
Partners: Business for Water Stewardship, Sterling Ranch Colorado, Audubon Rockies, Grist Brewery, For the Love of Colorado.
Event details and RSVP

Feb 28, 5pm 
Durango: Powerhouse Science Center 
Whiskey & beer tasting, exhibiting community partners (no Colorado Experience screening).
Partners: Business for Water Stewardship, Five Rivers Trout Unlimited, Beer2Clear, Steamworks Brewing Company, Carver Brewing Company, Honey House Distillery, Conservation Colorado, H2org.
Event details and RSVP 

All “Water Week” event details for local communities can be found at www.rmpbs.org/events/waterweek/

“Water Week” programming on RMPBS begins on February 27th at 7pm with a new episode of Colorado Experience entitled “Western Water & Power”. This program visits the history of Western settlers who dreamed of deserts in bloom, where they chased the mirage of more water than the arid lands could provide. “Whiskey is for drinking and water is for fighting,” describes the urgent struggle every generation of Coloradans faces to control this fleeting but precious resource -- creating hydrodynamic history through structures that can propel water to run uphill toward money and power.

Immediately following at 8pm, Colorado Experience: “Living West – Water” will explore what happened to the Ancestral Pueblo people of Mesa Verde and Goodman Point. After settling in southwest Colorado for over 700 years, the ancestral Pueblo people suddenly left their cliff dwellings and spring-side kivas, leaving behind a variety of archaeological treasures. In this episode, historians and archaeologists discuss the possibility that this drastic move was caused by a devasting drought in the southwest region. Discover the similarities in historic conditions – and what the disappearance of water might mean for the state of Colorado today.

Continuing at 8:30 pm, Confluence tells the story of The Colorado River, which runs through the Western Slope, shaping both the landscape of the American Southwest and the people living near its waters. Confluence follows an up-and-coming indie folk band as they traverse this endangered river system, documenting its places and people through original music.

“Water Week” concludes its programming with “Arkansas River: From Leadville to Lamar” airing at 9:30pm. This program explores the economic and social importance of the river basin including its recreational, municipal, and agricultural value. By the year 2050, the population of Colorado is expected to double, but future growth and economic development hinges on a dependable water supply. In response, the state has developed a plan that will meet the needs of all water users. On RMPBS, come discover why the Arkansas River basin is an important part of that new water plan.

RMPBS wishes to thank all of the local community and statewide partners in supporting our mission of strengthening our civic fabric and convening important conversations that impact our state. Locally RMPBS has received support from the Bureau of Reclamation, Mountain Studies Institute, City of Durango Utilities, Southwest Water Conservation District, Dolores Water Conservancy District, Water Information Program, Powerhouse Science Center, Carver Brewing Company, Steamworks Brewing Company, Five Rivers Trout Unlimited, Beer2Clear, Honeyville’s Honey House Distillery, and the Four Corners Water Center at Fort Lewis College.

On Thursday February 27th RMPBS will also be hosting Carver’s Green Drinks from 5:00-6:45PM to talk about the events of Water Week.

For more information regarding “Water Week,” to RSVP to events, access resources, and learn how to get involved, visit the Rocky Mountain Public Media website at: rmpbs.org/events/waterweek/. The page includes a curated list of resources, and all Coloradans are invited to participate in a statewide survey on attitudes and knowledge are related to water.

Broadcast Schedule:

7pm - *NEW* Colorado Experience: Western Water---And Power
Ever since Western settlers dreamed of deserts in bloom, men have chased the mirage of more water than these arid lands can provide. 

8pm - Colorado Experience: Living West - Water
What happened to the Puebloans of Mesa Verde and Crow Canyon? Historians discuss the possibility that this move might have been due to a drought in the Southwest region.

8:30pm - Confluence
The Colorado River shapes both the landscape of the American Southwest and the people living near its waters.

9:30pm - Arkansas River: From Leadville to Lamar
Arkansas River from Leadville to Lamar explores the economic and social importance of the river basin including its recreational, municipal, and agricultural value.

About Rocky Mountain Public Media

Rocky Mountain Public Media is Colorado’s largest statewide, member-supported, multimedia organization and the parent company of Rocky Mountain PBS, KUVO Jazz and THE DROP. Rocky Mountain Public Media has more than 90,000 members representing every county in Colorado and reaches 98% of the state’s citizens through television, radio and digital platforms. A non-commercial media organization by and for the people of Colorado, we create high quality local and multimedia content through Regional Innovation Centers in Denver, Colorado Springs, Durango, Grand Junction and Pueblo. Our enriching journalism, educational and cultural programming connects and engages citizens for lifelong impact. RMPBS, started in Denver in 1956 as Colorado's first public television station, is now a statewide television network, with stations in Denver (KRMA), Pueblo/Colorado Springs (KTSC), Steamboat Springs (KRMZ), Grand Junction (KRMJ) and Durango (KRMU). Visit us at www.rmpbs.org.

Contact: Debbie Higgs (970) 235- 8707 // debbiehiggs@rmpbs.org

Ballantine Media Center, 1000 Rim Drive

Durango, CO 81301

New, Colorado Water Plan Interactive Map

The water Coloradans use to drink, irrigate crops, recreate, and sustain our communities is water that we share with our rivers, streams, and lakes. But climate change and population growth are straining water supplies across our state. Colorado’s Water Plan provides a blueprint to ensure we can meet future demands while also keeping our rivers healthy and flowing. The Plan includes local projects that can help make our communities more sustainable, ensure safe drinking water for all Coloradans, help our economy thrive, and protect water resources and wild ecosystems for future generations. 

In addition to the map, check out these short videos talking about the various water projects happening around the state and how the Colorado Water Plan made that possible.

Good Samaritan legislation: A solution for a vexing problem

The 2015 Gold King Mine waste water spill was an environmental disaster that began at the Gold King Mine near Silverton, Colorado, when Environmental Protection Agency personnel, along with workers for Environmental Restoration LLC, caused the release of toxic waste water into the Animas River watershed.

by Trout Unlimited (Trout Unlimited is the nation’s oldest and largest coldwater fisheries conservation organization, boasting more than 140,000 members. TU’s mission is to conserve, protect and restore North America's coldwater fisheries and their watersheds.  Learn more at www.tu.org)

Pollution from mine sites (abandoned or active) fall into two categories: “Non-point sources” and “point-sources”.  Non-point source sites are those without a specific point where the pollution discharges into waterways.  These are commonly waste rock and tailings piles that cause contaminated soil runoff.  Point-sources are those that have a specific source of water pollution discharge that you can, well, point to. In this instance, think of a mine portal bleeding orange, heavy metal-laden water; that’s a point source.  

This is an important distinction because under the Clean Water Act (CWA), the EPA requires a discharge permit for all discharges of point source pollution. The effect is that third-party groups - “Good Samaritans” who have no legal responsibility or connection to an abandoned mine – who are interested in conducting a cleanup to address a point-source, draining abandoned mine would inherit permanent liability for a problem they didn’t create.  Additionally, Good Samaritans would be required to hold a CWA pollution discharge permit and meet all applicable water quality standards as if they had created the pollution. In other words, the Clean Water Act treats polluters and Good Samaritans the same.  There is no distinction in the law.  

Because a draining mine is likely to drain forever, the entity performing the work at an abandoned site would be saddled with accountability for any remaining pollution and held liable as if they had created the pollution to begin with - even if their actions create measurable improvements in water quality. The existing legal framework is “all or nothing”.  A cleanup project must result in 100% attainment of water quality standards – 99% isn’t good enough.  This creates legal jeopardy for Good Samaritans who are unsure if 100% attainment is possible. This conundrum leaves the EPA as the only entity legally positioned to clean up leaking, abandoned mines.   But, again, it is only through Superfund can this action occur.    

Under current law, only the EPA can treat discharged mine water from abandoned mine sites.  ‘Superfund’, or the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA) provides the legal authority and source of funding for the EPA to treat mine waste water from a point-source.  But, mine sites are not the only toxic sites awaiting EPA Superfund cleanups.  At present, there are over 1300 toxic chemical/pollution sites on the EPA’s Nation Priorities List (NPL) awaiting funding and attention, only a few of which are mine sites.  Federal resources are limited for the EPA to conduct cleanups at Superfund sites and there is no dedicated funding source beyond the Congressional appropriations process.  And, unfortunately, there are hundreds - if not thousands - of smaller, abandoned draining mine sites contaminating the environment that are not likely to qualify for a Superfund action.  These are sites that Good Samaritans could take on to increase cleanup capacity beyond the back-logged and underfunded Superfund program.   

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After the Gold King mine spill in 2015, numerous Federal and State agencies placed a greater emphasis on quantifying the scope and scale of draining mines in Colorado.  A study by the State Division of Reclamation Mining and Safety (DRMS) showed over 250 draining mines in Colorado with 148 likely degrading downstream water quality.  With more frequent temperature fluctuations and population increases across Colorado, having clean water sources will become more important for future generations of Coloradans.  The draft legislation discussed in previous summaries and below, will give qualified groups the opportunity to assist the EPA and federal agencies in addressing the cleanup of draining mines.    

Good Samaritans would only be those private organizations and/or state agencies qualified to conduct cleanups who apply for, and receive, a new type of “Good Samaritan” permit from the EPA. At a minimum, permit applications would have to include: site description, parties to be involved in project, description of mine residue to be remediated, description of the expertise of the Good Samaritan and resources available to successfully implement the project, baseline environmental conditions, comprehensive remediation plan, monitoring plan, engineering plans, contractors, work schedule, health and safety plan, contingency plans, project budget, proof of financial resources and an operation and maintenance plan. Permits would only be issued after a public hearing and comment period, and only if the Good Samaritan meet requirements to the satisfaction of the EPA and applicable regulations.  

Funding for Good Samaritan projects would come from a variety of private and public sources, including both state and federal dollars depending on site locations.  Grants and foundation money could also be utilized to fund these types of cleanups that would take on a true collaboration of all project partners and interest groups in the surrounding area.   

If the EPA chooses to issue a permit for an abandoned mine cleanup, a Good Samaritan would not be required to hold a traditional CWA pollution discharge permit.  And, they would be shielded from lawsuits if 100% attainment of water quality standards are not achieved. The EPA would instead hold the Good Samaritan to the requirements and terms of the permit.  And, in the unlikely event that a Good Samaritans violates the terms of the permit, and the violation leads to a reduction in water quality or environmental conditions below baseline levels, then the EPA is authorized to require the Good Samaritan to return the site to baseline conditions or face fines, bond forfeiture and permit revocation.   

Good Samaritan legislation is being proposed by conservation organizations such as Trout Unlimited who want to conduct Good Samaritan cleanup projects, but are prevented from doing so under current laws.   Under existing laws, there are three primary disincentives to Good Samaritan cleanups.  They are: 1) It is not feasible to improve water quality to meet high Clean Water Act standards, even though there would be measurable water quality improvements. 2)  The Good Samaritan would be permanently liable for pollution they didn’t create.  3)  The threat of being sued under “citizen suit” provisions of the Clean Water Act if a project does not attain 100% of water quality standards for any given criterion - again, even if there is a measurable improvement in water quality.  

Without Good Samaritan legislation, abandoned mines sites throughout the West that are not qualifying candidates for Superfund will continue to drain pollution every single day without a legal mechanism to begin addressing the problem. Under CERCLA, these sites are not candidates for Superfund projects and therefore the EPA does not have the funding or authority to clean them up.  By passing Good Samaritan legislation, state agencies and private organizations can fill in this gap and help take-on cleanups that would yield cleaner water to the benefit every water user downstream.  

The current draft proposal is for a pilot program that would terminate after 15 projects or 7 years, whichever comes first.  After which, Congress would either let the program expire or pass legislation to continue the program. This will allow for the concept to be proved-up and show that Good Samaritan mine cleanups are effective before making permanent changes to federal law.   

In the end, Good Samaritan proponents believe any improvement to water quality, over any period of time, is better than none at all.  

CTU Annual Gomolchak Grant - Open

Request for Applications

CTU is pleased to announce that we are accepting proposals for the Leo Gomolchak Conservation Grants Program, named for Leo Gomolchak, a longtime CTU staffer and volunteer who worked tirelessly to promote wild and native trout restoration in Colorado.   This program is designed to benefit conservation efforts and organizational development at the chapter level by providing seed money which can be used as a starting point in financing grassroots conservation and/or education activities.

Under this program, we invite chapters to apply for grants of up to $1,500.  This year, a limited number of larger grants ($5,000 or more) may be available as well, for projects with significant leveraging opportunities (e.g., where funds can help match other larger grants toward conservation projects).  The application process and review criteria are described below. The application deadline is March 27.  Contact me if you have any questions regarding this process (dnickum@tu.org, or 303-440-2937 x1).

Application.  To apply for a Gomolchak Grant, chapter presidents should submit a brief letter (not more than two pages) that:

• Describes the proposed project

• Explains the purpose and need for the project

• Lists the expected project costs, the level of funding requested from CTU, any anticipated project funding from other sources, and if the chapter requests assistance in pursuing other matching grants; and

• Outlines the timeline for the project’s implementation.

Grant review criteria are listed below.  In describing the project, application letters should note the ways in which a proposal addresses these criteria (of course, not every project will address every criterion).  Application letters should be received by March 27 at CTU. 

Email is preferred (send to dnickum@tu.org), but letters can also be submitted by mail to 1536 Wynkoop Street, Suite 320, Denver, CO 80202.  A final report (again, a brief letter, including photos if available) outlining how funds were used and project results will be required for any approved grant.

Chapters with outstanding Gomolchak Grants for which final reports have not been submitted will be asked to provide the report (or a progress update, if implementation has been delayed), before funding for a new grant can be issued.

Grant review criteria.

• Significance - the degree to which a project will improve wild or native trout resources

• Organizational health – the degree to which a project will improve TU’s organizational strength at the chapter level

• Demonstration value – the extent to which a project will provide a model that can be applied by other TU chapters or partners

• Do-ability - the capability of the chapter and its project partners to carry out the proposal

• Need - the extent to which CTU support will make the project possible

• Innovation – we encourage new and creative ideas that might not otherwise be attempted

• Partnerships – projects that involve multiple chapters or that promote CTU/chapter collaboration are encouraged

• For the larger ($5000+) grant requests, leveraging potential will also be a major criterion; projects with greater matching opportunities will compete more strongly.

We are TU: Meet Barbara Luneau

Repost from National TU blog by Jenny Weis

We care about clean water, healthy fisheries and vibrant communities. We roll up our sleeves to volunteer, we sit on our boards, and we strategize as members and leaders of staff. We want you to join us.  

Thanks to initiatives such as TU’s decades-old Women’s Initiative – now Diversity and Inclusion Initiative – and those of our partners, new groups have engaged in coldwater conservation and the sport of fly fishing. The aim of this blog series is to highlight these friends, in hopes of making many new friends of broad stripes. In this series you’ll meet people of diverse communities – our good ideas, what we have in common, and where we differ. Know someone we should feature? Nominate them here. 

Since it’s not possible to sit down and have coffee or spend an afternoon on the river to show you what we’re up to, a blog post will have to do. As you read, we hope you’ll consider joining us. We need your ideas to help make a bigger impact.   

Together, we’ll help protect the special places we love.   

Barbara’s nomination detailed a long list of activities she undertakes for TU. We were curious as to what motivates her to make time for all these events and responsibilities! Reviewing her answers, we’re moved by her motivations and convinced there’s a lot she can teach us.  

Introducing: Barbara Luneau. (Instagram @baluneau) 

Hometown/current town: Longmont, Colo. 

What’s your history with conservation? I grew up with a conservation ethic, and have always believed being a steward to the environment was important. I joined Trout Unlimited and started volunteering about 12 years ago. I have served as chapter secretary, president, and conservation chair. Through TU, I have engaged more directly in my community to be a voice for my home waters and contribute to restoration and water management issues. Currently I also serve as a regional vice president on the Colorado State Council and I am chairperson of our Headwaters (Youth Programs) Committee. I also serve as co-director of Colorado’s River Conservation and Fly Fishing camp.  

My present focus in conservation is mentoring youth and working to inspire the next generation of river stewards. 

I know better than to think things will take care of themselves, it’s our civic responsibility to engage and continue to protect what’s important to us.

Barbara Luneau

Briefly, what is your history with fishing? I moved to Colorado in 1987 and was first exposed to fly fishing then. I fished on and off for a number of years, but became serious about fly fishing in 2005 when faced with becoming an empty nester. I’ve been avid about fly fishing since then. My husband and I fish all over Colorado, and many places beyond. 

Describe one challenge you face & how do you overcome it. I think that my greatest challenge as a TU leader is inspiring leaders with a new face to step forward and take on expanded roles. I believe that if we want to be different, we have to look different from the top down. I’ve been addressing these challenges by seeking out people that don’t meet the typical TU profile and finding opportunities for them to engage that align with their personal goals and passions. I wouldn’t say I’ve overcome it, but I’m working on it. 

[Giving back] means doing the hard things, seeing a need, and using your skills to address the need while improving the organization for the next generation of leaders. 

Barbara Luneau

What does ‘giving back’ mean to you? For me giving back is having an impact that you don’t even realize. I see this all the time working with youth programs, particularly our camp for teens.  It means doing the hard things, seeing a need, and using your skills to address the need while improving the organization for the next generation of leaders. 

Describe a perfect day. A perfect day is taking my 4-year old grandson to the pond on a sunny afternoon and catching bluegills all day.  

What would you grab if your house was on fire? (Don’t worry! Your humans/pets are already safe!) I probably should grab my laptop and disks, but I’d probably grab my ukulele.  

If you could squeeze just one more thing into your regular routine, what would it be? More fishing days.  

What do you want to see in the future of Trout Unlimited or in conservation? I want to see TU continue to become a more diverse organization that is sought after as a conservation partner in home waters across the country. 

What is an example of something awesome you’ve seen that helps make conservation or fishing more inclusive to new groups of people? I think an invitation is an awesome opening for inclusiveness. Seeking out partnerships where both groups have something to gain seems to be powerful for many programs including youth, veterans, cancer recovery. 

Name a person you admire. Why do you admire them?  Jimmy Carter. He values people, dignity, and the outdoors. 

Why  Trout Unlimited?   We humans are consumers of everything, TU is focused on conserving and protecting at the grassroots level, a person can really connect with their local community and water issues in their community through TU where ever your interests lie. As a TU volunteer, you can do a little or a lot, it’s fully up to you. Fly fishing is my meditation, and it’s better than it’s ever been because of actions that TU staff and volunteers take. I know better than to think things will take care of themselves, it’s our civic responsibility to engage and continue to protect what’s important to us. 

If you want to join Barbara and grow the community and work of Trout Unlimited, we encourage you to become a member! For a discounted first-time membership, click here: https://gifts.tu.org/we-are-tu 

CTU Awards - Call for Nominations!

Colorado TU Annual Awards for Excellence, Achievement, and Distinction - Call for Nominations

These annual awards are intended to recognize outstanding chapter and individual achievements, to make known to our members the wide range of TU volunteer efforts statewide, and to help export enthusiasm and good ideas to all of our chapters.  Awards will be presented at CTU’s Rendezvous on April 25, 2020, in Glenwood Springs.

·       Nominations for these awards can come from any member of Colorado Trout Unlimited.

·     For each nomination, submit background information that you feel is necessary to document the nomination; when possible, limit your written materials to one typewritten page.  Photographs of projects, newspaper clippings, sample newsletters, etc. can be useful attachments.

·       Award winners will be selected by an awards committee comprised of CTU officers and the Executive Director.

·       Nominations for awards should be submitted to CTU by March 13.  Please email nominations (preferred) to dnickum@tu.org; or mail to Colorado Trout Unlimited, Awards Committee, 1536 Wynkoop St., Suite 320, Denver, CO, 80202.

·       Nominations will be considered in the following categories:

           Exemplary Chapter

Exemplary Project

Outstanding Chapter Communication

         Exemplary Youth Program

           Outstanding Volunteer

           Trout Communications Award

           Exemplary Guide/Outfitter Award and/or Exemplary Industry Partner Award

Trout Conservation Award

Bruce Hoagland Award for Leadership in Conservation

·       Multiple awards may be presented in these categories.

·       Awards criteria appear on 2020 Nomination Form below.  These are offered by way of illustration, not limitation – winners need not match all of the listed criteria.

Auction goes live the week before Gala!

The 2020 CTU River Stewardship Gala is right around the corner!  Tickets are sold out for our March 5th event but you can still get in on the action even if you can’t attend. You can also be added to our wait list by clicking the button below.

We have an incredible lineup of auction items and will open up the online bidding about a week before the event!  Check out a few of our can’t miss auction items below and click here to be added to our list so you’ll be notified when the auction goes live!

Auction Preview

4 Nights Lodging & 3 Full Days of Fishing for 2 People in the world famous Iberá Wetlands located in northeast Argentina provided by Andes Drifters. Learn more about this once-in-a-lifetime trip!

Fish and stay at the exclusive Broadmoor Fly Fishing Camp. The winning bidder and a friend will enjoy a full day of guided fishing on the Tarryall followed by a delicious meal and lodging in one of their wonderfully equipped cabins. Didn’t get quite enough fishing in? Spend the next morning wetting a line before you depart!

Want to improve your casting skills? Enjoy three hours of private casting lessons from Clear Creek Fly Casting for you and a friend. The winning bidder chooses between 2 90-minutes lessons or 3 60-minute lessons. This experience will certainly up your game just in time for summer fishing!

Have you caught the saltwater fly fishing bug yet? Join experienced Islamorado guide Captain Tim Mahaffey for a day of tarpon fishing. This is an opportunity you won’t want to miss!

The Flat Tops are one of Colorado’s most beautiful areas! Treat yourself to a three-night stay in one of Ripple Creek Lodge’s rustic cabins and enjoy some delicious homecooked meals. Also included in this package for 2 is 1 day of guided fishing on the White River and 1 day of guided fishing on a backcountry lake that you’ll access via horseback.

Have you visited charming Redstone? Located along the Crystal River, The Redstone Inn is a wonderful hotel full of great history. The winning bidder will enjoy a 2-night stay for 2. Enjoy walks along the Crystal, visit the Redstone Castle, or fish the Crystal during your stay at the Redstone Inn.

Click here to be added to our list so you’ll be notified when the auction goes live! Anyone can participate - attending or not.

Thank you to our River Guardian sponsors:

February Newsletter: Currents

Currents is CTU's monthly newsletter that is sent out to members and email subscribers. It contains all the upcoming events, volunteer opportunities, and the latest news stories happening around Colorado.  This month’s issue features:

• “Showing Love for Public Lands”

• STREAM Girls starting up again this Spring

• Snowpack Science in Colorado

• Fly Tying video: Corded Midge Larvae

• Youth Camp Registration Open

• EPIC, HUGE RAFFLE - we’re doing it again…open Currents to see what you could win.

• events around Colorado, and more!