Water Conservation Day at H20 Car Wash

Date: October 11th, 2014Time: 10:00 AM- 2:00 PMLocation: 1101 Town Center Dr. Highlands Ranch, CO

Cutthroat Members-H20 Car Wash (a major supporter of Trout Unlimited) is hosting a Water Conservation Day at its location in Highlands Ranch. All proceeds from car washes performed that day will be donated to Colorado Trout Unlimited. H20 uses a sophisticated system of laser-sensored sprayers to use as little water as possible while still ensuring a thorough wash. H20 even uses high-velocity blowers to  minimize the amount of water lost to evaporation. This event is sponsored by Trouts Fly Shop, Rep Your Water and Fox Coffee Roasters. There will be some free goodies and free conversation with other conservation-minded Coloradoans. If you're lucky, you might even have the opportunity to have your picture taken with Fraser the Fish who continues to roam the state in search of water taken from the Upper Colorado River.Please spread the word and treat your vehicle to the most water-efficient car wash in Colorado.Hope to see you there,-Cutthroat Chapter Board of Directors

Clear Creek Clean Up Project, Saturday,September 20, 2014

This year, our Stream Clean Up effort will be part of the Clear Creek Watershed Festival held at Courtney- Riely -Cooper Park in Idaho Springs. We are teamed with volunteers from Cherry Creek Anglers and plan to work the stream from Starbucks in the East to Dumont on the West. We are in need of 20 volunteers to help make this project a success. Please bring waders and work gloves. Garbage bags and safety vests will be provided.To entice you to join us we will have coffee and doughnuts at our Passport Station @ 8:30AM before work starts at 9:00AM, AND for your participation you will earn a BBQ lunch as well! THAT’S NOT ALL…., we will conclude our work with our traditional raffle, FEATURING GREAT FLY FISHING ORIENTED PRIZES after lunch.Please call our project leader, Ray Carney at 303-523-4740 to sign up!Our Passport Station is just ASCOSS THE 23rd. Street Bridge over Clear Creek to the left. Our CCTU banner will be on the Station. The Festival is fun and educational for all ages, so bring the family if you like.  

Calling all volunteers!! Saturday, September 6th - Deer Island

We are in need of a few more volunteers for this Saturday. This is a unique opportunity to make an important impact on an untouched environment. Contact Jim Klug at 303-565-7504 or jjklug1@comcast.net for questions and to register.Workday: Saturday, September 6th, 2014Project Location: Deer IslandProject Times: 9 am – 2 pmMeeting Location: 4229 CR 92, Lake George, CO 80827Map Link: https://goo.gl/maps/wIiVvVolunteers Needed: maximum 10Workday Description:Deer Island, 11 Mile Reservoir State Park, is closed to public access and use. The resource is managed by Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) and owned by Denver Water. The island is approximately 50 acres and contains several unmapped and untreated species of noxious weeds. Our task will be to identify, inventory and map invasive species'. Depending on the identifications, we may minimally (mechanically) treat the weeds. The species likely include highly invasive Canada thistle and yellow toadflax. The island is home to many species of birds, including raptors and vultures. Wildlife habitat includes deer and small mammals. Fish species include trout, pike and Kokanee salmon. These efforts will improve wildlife and aquatic habitats throughout the park and surrounding ecosystem.We will meet at the main ranger office, then travel to the North shore and then be boated over by CPW rangers to the island. Space is limited to ten volunteers, with one medium sized backpack per person. Restrooms will not be available upon leaving shoreline. Muck boots are encouraged. This is a truly unique opportunity to make an important impact in an untouched environment.Important Notes:CUSP will provide materials and necessary tools to complete project work.Restrooms will not be on site.Weather, which could create hazardous conditions, may cause the project to be canceled or rescheduled; notifications will be posted at: www.uppersouthplatte.org/Volunteer/ .Requirements of Volunteers:All volunteers must complete and submit prior to the project: a CUSP RELEASE 2014; and a VOLUNTEER LISTING 2014- for your group. Please print all documents two sided.Please Bring:Any applicable medicines (including epi-pen and inhalers, if needed)Sun blockSun glasses (or safety glasses)Work glovesWork bootsLong pants and long sleeved shirts are strongly recommendedA container for water, the use of reusable containers is encouragedSack lunches to carry with youWhat to Expect:Please be aware and prepared for potential hazards, including but not limited to: driving on mountainous roads with loose gravel and high flash flood potential; exposure to sun, wind, lightening and rapidly changing weather conditions; working with sharpened tools in areas with unstable terrain and footing; possible falling trees; hiking at significant elevation. Medications may have adverse effects in sun, heat or altitude; please list medications and medical conditions on the CUSP release form so staff may be aware of potential concerns. Know your limitations and inform staff immediately if you become ill or injured. Be prepared to exit quickly in the event of an emergency or changing environmental conditions. Please drink plenty of water prior to and during the project to avoid dehydration. Please wear appropriate clothing; clothing may become stained or ruined. The minimum age requirement for this project is 16.*Note cell phone coverage is limited in this area.

2014 Conservation Project Schedule Update

August Dates (TBD) >>>>>>DOW Fish Tagging Middle Fork South PlattAugust 23 >>>>>>>>>>CUSP Mine Reclamation, Treasure Mine above Alma USFS/NEPA Approval Promised and in Progress 99% a Go!September 6 >>>>>>>>CUSP Noxious Weed mitigation on Deer Island, 11 Mile Reservoir LIMITED to 10 VOLUNTEERSSeptember 20 >>>>>>>Clear Creek Clean Up, Idaho Springs Klug/Carney Monthly River Watch activities and our semi-annual temperature monitoring on the South Platte near Deckers. Kevin Keens7/18/14 JJK 303-565-7504 (Jim Klug)

Updated 2014 Conservation Project Schedule

2014 Cutthroat Chapter Trout Unlimited Conservation ProjectsNote:  June 21st. and August 23 Projects Switched!June 21st: Riparian Improvement, Happy MeadowsJuly 12: CUSP Deckers South Platte Clean UpAugust Dates (TBD): DOW Fish Tagging Middle Fork South PlattAugust 23: CUSP Mine Reclamation, Treasure Mine above Alma USFS/NEPA Approval Promised and in ProgressSeptember 6: CUSP Noxious Weed mitigation on Deer Island, 11 Mile ReservoirSeptember 20: Clear Creek Clean Up, Idaho Springs Klug/CarneyMonthly River Watch activities and our semi-annual temperature monitoring on the South Platte near Deckers.5/20/14 JJK/JA 303-565-7504 (Jim Klug)/303-653-6057 (Jason Agin)

2014 Updated Conservation Project Schedule

Cutthroat Chapter Trout Unlimited 2014 Conservation ProjectsMay 9th: CUSP River Bank Stabilization and Trail Reconstruction (11 Mile Canyon)June 21st: CUSP Mine Reclamation (Treasure Mine above Alma)July 12th: CUSP Deckers South Platte Clean UpAugust Dates (TBD): DOW Fish Tagging Middle Fork South PlattAugust 23rd: Riparian Improvement, Happy MeadowsSeptember 6th: CUSP Noxious Weed mitigation on Deer Island (11 Mile Reservoir)September 20th: Clear Creek Clean Up (Idaho Springs)Monthly River Watch activities and our semi-annual temperature monitoring on the South Platte near Deckers.4/21/14 JJK/JA 303-565-7504 (Jim Klug)/303-653-6057 (Jason Agin)

2014 Conservation Project Schedule

Cutthroat Chapter Trout Unlimited 

2014 

 Conservation Projects   

May  9  >>>>>>>>>>>>>>> CUSP Rock Steps and Trail Reconstruction, 

                                                              11 Mile Canyon

                                    

June 21 >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>CUSP Mine Reclamation, Treasure Mine above Alma

                                                              USFS/NEPA Approval Promised and in Progress

                                

July 12  >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>CUSP Deckers South Platte Clean Up        

                          

August 6+others (TBD) >>>>>DOW Fish Tagging Middle Fork South Platte

    

August 23 >>>>>>>>>>>>>>Riparian Improvement, Happy Meadows

                                      

September 20  >>>>>>>>>>>Clear Creek Clean Up, Idaho Springs  Klug/Carney

 

September 6 >>>>>>>>>>>>CUSP Noxious Weed mitigation on Deer Island, 

                                                                  11 Mile Reservoir  Needs USFS Approval

                                       

Monthly River Watch activities and our semi-annual temperature monitoring on the South Platte near Deckers  continue.

1/21/14  JJK/JA  303-565-7504 (Jim Klug)/303-653-6057 (Jason Agin)

Please plan on joining us on these important projects, call either of us for more information.

 

Clear Creek Cleanup Project a Resounding Success

Clear Creek Cleanup Project a Resounding Success

September 12, 2013

By:  Allen Adinoff

On September 7, the Cutthroat and Cherry Creek Anger Chapters teamed up for our annual Clear Creek Cleanup project in Idaho Springs.  A record number of volunteers (32 strong!) participated in the event.  For several of the volunteers, it was their first experience with a TU conservation project.  It was a beautiful day, and everyone enjoyed the experience.

Ten miles of stream were cleaned of litter and trash.  One of the more interesting items found was an unbroken champagne glass and bottle, unfortunately, the bottle was empty.

Breakfast and lunch were provided by local merchants: Starbucks Coffee and Beau Jo’s Pizza.  After lunch a raffle (officiated by long-timer Ray Carney) distributed prizes provided by the two chapters and also donated by local Idaho Springs merchants, Clear Creek Outdoors, Mile-Hi  Rafting , Argo Gold Mill, and Colorado Adventure Center.

“This project is a great opportunity for TU Chapters, not only to further our mission of stream conservation, but also to develop relationships with the local community of Idaho Springs”, says Jim Klug, Director of  Conservation projects for CCTU.  “The local businesses with which we have developed affiliations really have come to appreciate our efforts, and demonstrate that with their support as well.  It’s really a win win for everyone”.

There is one more CCTU conservation project scheduled for 2013.  The date is Saturday, October 12th; we will be doing mine rehabilitation at the Orange Fence mine near Alma.  Please check out the details on the web, look for it in out next Newsletter, or please call Jason Agin at 303-653-6057.

These projects are a great way to fulfill the mission of TU, and also give folks an opportunity to get to know other members of the Chapter.  Not surprisingly, the topic of fly fishing is a common focus of conversation.  On most of the projects, we also enjoy a few hours of fishing after the work is completed.

  

Please remember that participation in these projects makes you eligible to win great fishing oriented prizes in our Conservation Volunteer Awards Raffle.  A Colorado River float trip with Ray Carney and six dozen flies tied by Richard Pilatzke, among others, are waiting for you!  Come out and enjoy the conservation experience!

Thank's to Allen Adinoff, our photo journalist for this project!

Hartsel Conservation Project

Another really well done Conservation Project Saturday, August 10th! We had 13 volunteers + 2 CUSP. Right in Hartsel is the old train depot that is being worked on by the local historical group. All around the depot and down to the river were Canada Thistle. Our group removed most of the thistle, then raked dirt and spread wild flower seeds for things like Corn Flower, Yarrow, Columbine and others. Unfortunately we ran out of time to get all the thistle, but we still filled a truck bed with garbage bags. I kept waiting for a passerby to yell at us for cutting wildflowers because Canada Thistle produces pretty pinkish purple buds.Straight up Noon and we gain new energy to trot across the road where the cafe fed us a nice lunch a hamburgers fresh off the grill, chips, drink, and brownie. The owners have lived there something like 42 years and were there when the original hotel serviced guests for their hot springs. Unfortunately the area has high radon emissions so the government shut down the hot springs. Jim Klug gave the cafe owners and the lady from CUSP shirts. Great TU advertising! The locals were very thankful that we would come and help them and told us we are welcome back anytime.After lunch folks split different directions to go fishing. Bruce led Jim Klug, Jerry, Bob Melcher, and myself out behind town to Badger Gap SWA. The stream meanders through the huge meadow; the "famous" place where the buffalo were shot. Around every corner we got more bites (fish, not mosquitos). When we hooked up, we found the fish were on the small side (see photo). This is the area that Greg Spohn wants funding to track fish movement. We also checked out Tomahawk SWA on the way in. It was looking just as nice and we saw a guide there with 2 guys. Does not show on Google maps but the parking area for Badger Gap is at N 39° 2' 4", W 105° 47' 36" if you want to get there.There are only 2 Conservation Projects left this year so don't miss out. After several projects I am seeing that we really are making a difference and people notice. See our other article on this web page for the September 7th Clear Creek Outing.

CCTU 2013 Conservation Auction

SAVE THE DATE!! Tuesday, November 12th, 6:00PM 2013We only do it once a year so it has to be BIGPlease join us and support the Trout Unlimited mission to: "To conserve, protect and restore Colorado’s coldwater fisheries and their watersheds"Not only does this include the grass roots conservation projects primarily on the South Platte River watershed, but we support Youth Camp, Trout in the Classroom, and Trout in the Community. Come to the auction to learn more.Live Auction with Auctioneer Gary DeBus from The Wildlife Experience.Silent Auction, Bucket Raffles, Door PrizesIncredible Wildlife Experience foodCash BarThis is your chance to bid on great trips to public and private waters with Colorado's best guides from your favorite Fly Shops and Guides. New Fly Fishing gear including rods & reels. As always there will be many choices of Flies for you to bid on.This year The Wildlife Experience is the venue for the event as we outgrew our previous location. Big screens for viewing slide shows of CCTU Conservation Projects, Youth Camp, and Trout in the Classroom. Better automation for checkout and picking up your auction items too.Auction items include non-fly fishing items such as trips, memorabilia, salon treatments, art items by well-known artists, and moreBring your friends; they will thank you. Everybody enjoys the Live AuctionWatch this space for ticket purchase details coming soon.