Group hopes to gauge stream temps, protect trout

BRECKENRIDGE (AP) - An advocacy group is planning to push the Colorado Water Quality Control Commission Monday to start enforcing measures to monitor and control the temperatures of the state's streams.

Colorado Trout Unlimited director Dave Nickum says that state already has some rules on the books, but fears major water users such as Denver Water will try to delay enforcement.

Water temperature is considered important to maintaining a healthy supply of trout and other fish. But several factors, including water diversion for residential or industrial use, can reduce the amount of cool water flowing into streams at lower elevations.

Nickum says it would cost the state little to monitor stream temperatures and says the recreational fishing industry accounts for about $690 million in annual retail sales and creates about 13,000 jobs statewide.