Your help is critical to passing House Bill 1188 and protecting the general publics right to float in Colorado. The last time the State's General Assembly considered a river access bill was 1996. The bill didn't even make it to the House floor. Please make sure this precious opportunity to clarify and codify the right to float is not squandered.

American Whitewater staff and members of Colorado Whitewater provided testimony yesterday on HB 10-1188 in the Colorado Senate Judiciary Committee.

After over 7 hours of testimony, the Committee voted 4-3 to move the bill into the full Senate for debate. Thanks to the efforts of CW and AW, the senate has amended the bill to include all paddlers, not just commercial outfitters, and moves Colorado closer to recognizing the publics "right to float" on Colorado's Rivers.

After several years of international diplomacy, last month the Governor of Montana and the Premier of British Columbia signed an agreement permanently halting proposed mining and petroleum extraction in the Canadian portion of the North Fork of the Flathead River's watershed. Last week Montana Senators Max Baucus and Jon Tester introduced legislation that would offer the same protections for the watershed on our side of the border. Together, the recent actions of Montana and British Columbia will protect one of our Nation's last best rivers.

Last week American Whitewater sent a letter to the Utah legislature opposing HB 141, a bad stream access bill that is currently under consideration by the Rules Committee. We are hopeful that the Executive Appropriations Committee will chose not to fund this bill because it is a waste of money in economically tight times. Calls from paddlers to the Executive Appropriations Committee highlighting the potential impacts of this bill would be useful in educating Committee members.

This spring, the Colorado Legislature is considering a bill, which helps protect the rights of commercial boaters to float on commercial sections of river, and increases the safety of boaters by decriminalizing incidental contact with private land to portage obstacles. HB -1188 is a good bill, but doesn't go far enough! HB-1188 passed out of the House by a vote of 40-25, and is scheduled to be introduced in the Senate Judiciary Committee for a vote on March 17th. We urge you to contact members of Colorado's Senate Judiciary Committee and ask them to support HB-1188, and to amend the bill to include all members of the paddling public.

A couple of Colorado media outlets came out opposed to HB 1188! But we can fight back and let our opinions be heard too.

VOTE NOW in the ONLINE POLL - it takes 1 minute!

A landmark legislative battle is playing out right now in the state of Utah regarding the rights of paddlers to traverse the state's rivers. A 2008 court case clarified the public's right to paddle and fish Utah rivers. In response, legislators have sought to pass new laws that redefine the rights of the public. The fate of two competing bills will determine whether paddlers will be able to continue enjoying Utah Rivers or not.

Whether you are a Colorado Resident, or someone who travels to Colorado to hit the peak paddling season each year, we need your help to ensure all boaters have safe access on all Colorado rivers. AW asks that you Contact Colorado's State Legislators and Urge them to Add Private Boaters to the "River Outfitter Bill".

The Colorado legislature is considering House Bill 10-1188 (HB-1188), legislation that attempts to clarify Colorado's river access laws. As written, HB-1188 is limited to commercial outfitters and sections of river that have been commercially rafted. AW continues to work to amend the bill to include private paddlers, and is neither supporting or opposing the bill at this time.

American Whitewater is pleased to announce that our Colorado Stewardship Program has been granted additional foundation support for it's work in the Dolores River basin. Funding for our Dolores River Project will enable AW to grow our advocacy role in the Dolores River basin, and engage our membership and affiliate networks to put to use the tools, resources, and partnerships available through our Stewardship Program.

Due to the current weather predictions, the US Army Corps of Engineers has cancelled the public meeting scheduled for Summit County (December 8). The meeting will be rescheduled for January 2010. Stay tuned for meeting anouncement.

The US Army Corps of Engineers has added a public hearing on the Moffat Collection Project. Date: December 8, 2009 Location: Keystone Conference Center (0633 Tennis Club Road, Keystone, CO, 80435) Time: Open House 4:00 pm; Public Hearing begins at 6:00 pm

Public Notice - Regional Watershed Supply Project proposed by Million Conservation Resource Group.

The U. S. Army Corps of Engineers announces the scoping comment period for the Flaming Gorge/Green River Pumpback has been extended to September 28, 2009.

By the end of September, the Upper Colorado River Stakeholders Group will submit a local resource management plan alternative for the US BLM's Kremmling and Glenwood Springs Field Offices. American Whitewater has worked for over two years to represent paddlers in the negotiations, ensuring the plan explicitly protects flows that support a range of outstanding boating opportunities in Gore Canyon, Pumphouse, and Glenwood Canyon. The alternative plan crafted by the group seeks to balance permanent protection for recreational values in the Colorado River; water project yield; flexibility for water managers; and certainty for stakeholders.

Timberline Tours and American Whitewater Present the 2009 Gore Canyon Race
Saturday, August 22, 2009

This is the classic Class V whitewater race on the Upper Colorado River that brings together the finest whitewater rafters, kayakers and paddlers of all types of river craft. As always the race is open to all boaters willing to take on some of the best Class V whitewater in the state of Colorado.

Spectators are welcome but remember: stay off the railway tracks!

The 7th annual Goden Community Rodeo Series will kick off Wednesday, May 20th. The GCRS is a series of freestyle kayak competitions spread across four Wednesday evenings each summer. The event has become one of Colorado's premier opportunties to build commuity and business relationships between whitewater paddlers, spectators, the paddle sports industry and local businesses. American Whitewater is a happy to sponsor this years event.

Whitewater enthusiasts will descend onto the historic town of Buena Vista on the Upper Arkansas River May 22-25th, 2009 (Memorial Day Weekend) for a huge kickoff party to celebrate the start of the summer whitewater boating season. American Whitewater will be there again this year to give paddlers and river enthusiasts opportunities to learn about the issues facing Colorado's iconic rivers, and what paddlers can do to protect and enjoy them.

We are excited to announce the 3rd annual South Platte River Cleanup on Sunday, April 26th in celebration of Earth Day in Denver, Colorado. This is an all volunteer event to pick up trash along the South Platte River and Bike Paths.

Last year, we saw over 200 rafters, kayakers, cyclists and pedestrians that successfully removed over 2 TONS of garbage from the river and bike path. This year we anticipate an even larger turnout. We have even more sponsors and prizes. This is a great way to give back to your community and take care of the river and bike path that wind through Denver.