April 24, 2021 - Annual Earth Day Bear Creek Conservation Project and Fishing Contest
The Cutthroat Chapter once again worked in urban Bear Creek to celebrate Earth Day in cooperation with the City of Lakewood. After a lite, provided breakfast a nearby riparian area was improved by planting willows, cottonwoods, and other native plants. After a provided lunch we returned to the stream for a low-key three-hour fishing contest with “awards” for angling “excellence”.
July 10, 2021 - South Platte River Clean Up
The chapter assembled a group of volunteers to clean up trash along the South Platte River in Deckers. Once the trash was collected, it was left in bags along the road and picked up by Douglas or Jefferson County depending on the location.
August 14, 2021 - Mine Restoration Project near Alma, CO
Richard Pilatzke lead the chapter planting trees on a recently completed Trout Unlimited mine restoration project above Alma. This project is now complete, reducing the contaminated water from an abandoned mine near the Bristlecone Pine Scenic Area from entering the Middle Fork of the South Platte, and ultimately, the South Platte main stem.
September 8/9, 2021 - Bear Creek Electroshocking Project with CPW
The Cutthroat chapter assisted our Colorado Parks and Wildlife partners. Paul Winkle and his CPW crew were there to electrofish Bear Creek. This is part of CPW's annual census of fish populations. This data will help CPW in the mission it shares with Cutthroat Chapter, namely to conserve, protect, and restore Colorado'scoldwater fisheries and their watersheds. We helped CPW sample two stretches of Bear Creek upstream of Evergreen. All the fish were recorded as to species, length, and weight, and then were released back into the wild. Finally a few members were able to educate two young ladies on what were were doing and why. Many thanks to all the CCTU volunteers that spent the day helping CPW!
Ongoing in 2021 - South Platte River Watch Program
Finally, emeritus board member Jim Rasmussen continued to lead monthly work sampling the South Platte River in Waterton Canyon, Deckers and Cheesman Canyon and providing the results to the River Watch program. The River Watch program is a statewide partnership between River Science and Colorado Parks and Wildlife.