Trout Unlimited is a national conservation group, but here on the Western Slope, their work is deeply local. The Gunnison Gorge Anglers (GGA), a volunteer-run chapter of Trout Unlimited, is restoring rivers, removing invasive fish, and advocating for clean, cold water in some of Colorado's most cherished streams — including the Gunnison, Uncompahgre, and San Miguel.
"Everybody knows the water resources are limited in Western Colorado," said board member Marshall Pendegrass. "We try to do win-win situations, improving water quality and access for all users — from farmers to anglers."
The group partners with agencies like Colorado Parks and Wildlife and the U.S. Forest Service to implement hands-on restoration projects. One current effort at Billy Creek, near Ridgway, aims to improve habitat in a popular but degraded section of river. Another, high in the Gunnison National Forest above Paonia, is working to restore habitat for native Colorado River cutthroat trout by removing non-native fish and reintroducing pure cutthroat stock.
But as GGA president John Hamill notes, conservation work doesn't stop at the water's edge. Policy advocacy is just as important — especially now, with federal conservation funding frozen and energy transport projects like the Uinta Basin Railway threatening river corridors. The group is pushing for stronger environmental protections at the state level, insulating Colorado's waterways from shifting federal policies.
GGA also has a strong focus on education and outreach. From children's events in Montrose to the annual "Trout-a-Palooza" fundraiser in Telluride, the chapter brings people together to celebrate and protect the rivers they love.
Stay up to date with their work and upcoming events at gunnisongorgeangler.tu.org.
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