Summit County Citizens Voice

Long-time Colorado Division of Wildlife resource manager Rob Firth is the new Upper Colorado project manager for Trout Unlimited. Firth will help the group try and protect the fishery from further impacts as Front Range entities plan further diversions, and also work on river restoration and habitat projects.

Former top Colorado Division of Wildlife officials takes on new role with coldwater fisheries conservation group

By Summit Voice

SUMMIT COUNTY — Trout Unlimited is bringing some heavyweight clout to the battle to protect the over-tapped upper Colorado River from additional impacts, as Front Range water providers plan for increased diversions from headwaters tributaries in Grand and Summit counties.

The coldwater fisheries conservation group announced Thursday that former Colorado Division of Wildlife chief of law enforcement Rob Firth will work for TU as the project coordinator for the Upper Colorado River Basin in Grand and Summit counties.

Firth is recognized as a trusted voice on resource issues in the state, and his professional relationships and ability to collaborate will help with what will be intense negotiations over how to avoid, or at least mitigate impacts from the proposed Windy Gap and Moffat Tunnel firming projects.

Firth said he’ll do his best to bridge the gap between the West Slope and the Front Range and to ensure a workable solution.

Firth, a longtime Hot Sulphur Springs resident, retired in 2008 after 25 years with the state wildlife agency. He served as a district and area wildlife manager in Grand, Summit and parts of Routt and Eagle Counties in northwest Colorado. Over the years, his duties included enforcement of game laws, protection of land and water resources, wildlife and fisheries management, and public education.

“We are excited to put Rob Firth’s experience and skills to work protecting fish and wildlife habitat in the Upper Colorado River Basin,” said Drew Peternell, director of TU’s Colorado Water Project, which works to improve stream flows and coldwater fisheries in the state. “Rob is a trusted local voice on resource issues. And he knows how to bring people together to find solutions. That makes him a perfect choice to coordinate projects on behalf of TU in the Upper Colorado.”

“I have always respected Trout Unlimited as an outstanding grassroots sportsmen’s conservation group,” said Firth. “I’m eager to work with local partners to find ways to protect and enhance our fisheries here on the West Slope.”

Firth will also plan and implement on-the-ground projects that improve coldwater habitat in the Upper Colorado River Basin. Among other duties, he will work closely with water users, private land owners and agency staff to identify opportunities to restore streams and implement cooperative agreements with irrigators that benefit agricultural operations and fish habitat simultaneously.

Filed under: Environment, rivers, Summit County Colorado Tagged: | Fraser River Upper Colorado River, Grand County, Moffat Tunnel firming, Summit County Colorado, Summit County News, Trout Unlimited, Windy Gap firming