NEWS
16 May, 2026
🌿 2,200 Willows, One Strong Conservation Community! 🌿
On May 16, I joined volunteers from the Pikes Peak Chapter to help restore the Dream Stream section of the South Platte River. Over two days, volunteers planted more than 2,200 willows along eroding riverbanks to improve stream health, stabilize habitat, and support the fishery for years to come.
The day was filled with hard work, great conversations, and valuable insights from CPW aquatic research scientist Matt Kondratieff, who highlighted the importance of restoration projects and volunteer partnerships. Even better, we made a connection that may bring Matt to a future Cutthroat Chapter meeting as a featured speaker!
This project is a great reminder that conservation succeeds when chapters work together. From the Dream Stream willow planting to our support of the Bear Creek trash boom project, collaboration makes a real difference for Colorado's rivers and trout.
11 May, 2026
The Cutthroat Chapter proudly served as a volunteer sponsor for the City of Englewood’s Fins and Feathers event on Saturday, May 9, at Centennial Park.
At the CCTU booth, kids and parents had the opportunity to study live macroinvertebrates and learn the fundamentals of forming a fly-casting loop. Participants also enjoyed testing their fishing skills during the fishing derby and exploring the area on a guided nature walk along the water.
The event welcomed more than 50 attendees and featured participation from the City of Englewood, Colorado Parks and Wildlife, and other community partners, making for a fun and educational day outdoors for everyone involved.
Cutthroat Chapter Leads The Way on Gill Trail Repairs
On the last day of July this year (2023), a violent storm in Cheesman Canyon destroyed the trail system and washed decomposed granite into the South Platte River changing the flows at some favorite fishing holes. (See earlier post on this event.)
The US Forest Service called on our chapter president in an effort to bring volunteers into the canyon to repair the Gill Trail. This work required trained technical leaders to ensure the work was done correctly. Fortunately, the Colorado Mountain Bike Association (COMBA) has full time, trained individuals that work with the USFS and CPW on trail work and they were available!
On September 20 and 21, 2023, 30 volunteers along with four members of the COMBA trail team met at the lower Gill Trail parking lot, hiked into the canyon and spent the day repairing the trail.
Each day started with a safety presentation and training on how trails are properly constructed so they are not destroyed by routine weather and use. After that, packs were donned, tools picked up and crew members hiked into the canyon. Once reaching the work site, volunteers spread out repairing sections of the trail. The days were warm and dry, perfect for getting work accomplished. By Thursday afternoon the trail was completely repaired from the parking lot to the USFS boundary with Denver Water! Work from there to the upper Gill Trail parking lot will be done by Denver Water and the Coalition for the Upper South Platte.
Thank You to everyone that added their name to the Cheesman Canyon volunteer list and especially to those who came out to support this effort. If you were not available to support these dates, more days will be announced in the future when other areas of the trail system will be repaired. We hope you can join us taking care of this special location we all love to fish!
