In the 1980s, the City of Denver proposed building the Two Forks Dam and a one million-acre reservoir at Cheesman Canyon on the South Platte River, one of Colorado’s great trout fisheries. Working closely with other groups and interests, Trout Unlimited convinced the federal government to veto the dam’s proposed permit. TU, with the support of the City of Denver, helped develop a plan that put in place a series of conservation measures and operating agreements that ensure the section of the river through the canyon remains a premier trout fishery for generations to come.

Photos by Mark Lance.