Conserving, protecting and enhancing Colorado's coldwater fisheries through volunteerism, education and outreach.
West Denver Chapter Trout Unlimited
TU Legal Victory Prevents Water Grab
Trout Unlimited recently won an important Colorado Supreme Court case that reaffirmed that municipalities can’t claim more water than they reasonably need for future water projects—a decision that will help protect streamflows and trout habitat in the state’s rivers.
In the case, the Court ruled that Pagosa Springs area water districts had not sufficiently demonstrated a need for the amount of water they claimed for the proposed Dry Gulch Reservoir, based on projected population growth and water availability over a 50-year planning period. TU was concerned that the water districts’ excessive claims from the San Juan River could lower streamflows and hurt trout populations in the river. “The Supreme Court reaffirmed today that it will not tolerate public utilities speculating in water,” said Drew Peternell, director of TU’s Colorado Water Project, who argued the case before the state’s highest court. “They have to show that their claim for water is based on realistic projections for population growth. They can’t just pull numbers out the air.” The ruling is the second time Trout Unlimited has challenged the proposed reservoir size in the so-called Dry Gulch case— and the second time it has won in the state’s highest court. “In a state where water is in short supply, this ruling protects not only trout habitat but all Coloradoans from irresponsible water grabs and speculative development,” said Melinda Kassen, director of TU’s Western Water Project.
The West Denver Chapter of TU is a non-profit organization serving anglers and environmentally conscious friends in an ongoing effort to fulfill the mission of Trout Unlimited:
... Conserving, protecting and enhancing Colorado's coldwater fisheries through volunteerism, education and outreach.
We dedicate ourselves to presenting timely and informative news concerning local conservation, restoration and related topics. We also organize various outings, have educational programs, and conservation work. As volunteers, the results from our activities are both fun and satisfying. If you share our passions for conservation, then please consider joining and participating in Trout Unlimited. Also, be sure to sign up for our email list to receive updates on critical issues concerning fisheries conservation.
We hope you will bookmark our site (http://www.wdtu.org) and visit often.
August 2010
7 Lookout Mt Nature Ctr.
River Festival, Pine Valley, 9:00 AM- 4:00
9 Board Meeting: 7 PM, 200 CSM
13 September ANGLERS’ EDGE deadline
September 2010
1 Tying Corner/Welcoming 6:30 PM
Chapter Meeting - 7 PM
Speaker: TBA
13 Board Meeting: 7 PM, 300 CSM
17 October ANGLERS’ EDGE deadline
18 Clear Creek Watershed Foundation Festival- Idaho Springs
October 2010
6 Tying Corner/Welcoming 6:30 PM
Chapter Meeting - 7 PM
Speaker: TBA
9 Board Planning Session
15 November ANGLERS’ EDGE deadline
16 River Watch-9:00 AM-Golden, Lions Pk.
WDTU is one of the largest and most active Chapters in the state of Colorado. We created this web site to facilitate better communications among our membership and with the community at large. Here you
will find information about our Chapter and the Trout Unlimited organization, details on our current and past activities and projects, important conservation and legislative information, and some fly fishing news. Please feel free to browse our site and come back as often as you like. We are always striving to improve, so we welcome your feedback. From all of us at WDTU, enjoy!