The State of TU 2013

Chris Wood, president and CEO of Trout Unlimited, delivers the annual State of TU presentation to members during September's annual meeting in Madison, Wisconsin. Watch "The State of TU 2013" here.

Restore the Range

Flooding in September 2013 devastated many communities and watersheds along Colorado’s Front Range including along the Big Thompson, Boulder Creek, and the St. Vrain.  The “Restore the Range” effort is working to provide financial and volunteer support for fish- and river-friendly flood restoration efforts. Click here to help Restore the Range!

The Colorado River: Every drop must count

Water has literally shaped the West. It carved Colorado from red rock and shaped landmarks from the Rocky Mountains to the Grand Canyon to the Gulf of California. Water has etched green and fertile valleys into the desert and sustained generations of hardworking families throughout the Southwest. Water is what makes the West as we know it possible — from our ski resorts in places like Vail and Powderhorn to the orchards of Palisade to our cities like Gunnison and Steamboat Springs.

The Colorado River is healthy now, but make no mistake: the Centennial State and the six states downriver are on an unsustainable course.

As former Congressman Wayne Aspinall used to say, “In the West, when you touch water, you touch everything.”

Read the rest of Senator Udall's Guest Opinion in the Post Independent.

Sportsmen welcome Udall as sponsor for Thompson Divide legislation

Another prominent co-sponsor signed onto a bill that would protect large portions of the Thompson Divide area from energy development. Sen. Mark Udall joined the Thompson Divide Withdrawal and Protection Act as a co-sponsor on Thursday, prompting another wave of support from sportsmen.

"There's been enough turmoil surrounding the Thompson Divide," said Aaron Kindle, campaign coordinator for Trout Unlimited's Sportsmen's Conservation Project. "With Udall's support, we hope to get this passed and put to rest the threat to such important hunting  and fishing resources."

The bill would permanently withdraw unleased acres of largely untouched public land near Carbondale,  Colo. from future energy development and give developers the means to donate or sell lands that are currently leased. The area is known for its prime elk hunting and high quality fishing.

"I've camped and hunted the Thompson Divide for more than a decade and have fallen in love with the place," said Nate Simmons, a longtime bowhunter and local resident of the area. "I'm really pleased that Senator Udall also recognizes those values that sportsmen hold dear. Hopefully we're now one step closer to permanent protection."

The Thompson Divide is an important economic driver in the area providing hundreds of jobs and more than $30 million in revenue to the local economy each year.

"As a business owner that relies on the clean water coming from the Thompson Divide, I'm happy to hear the news of Senator Udall's sponsorship off this legislation," said Jeff Dysart, owner of Alpine Angling and Roaring Fork Anglers. "Protecting the area is key to ensuring the health and vitality of the gold medal Roaring Fork River and is essential to my way of life."

For more information, please contact Aaron Kindle at 303-868-2859 or akindle@tu.org.