Cortez Parks and Recreation Dept

Cortez Parks and Recreation Dept. to receive $40K for Denny Lake project

July 31, 2001

BY THE COLORADO DIVISION OF WILDLIFE AND STAFF REPORT

Anglers around the state will have more places to pursue their passion because of the efforts of the Division of Wildlife, local communities and the dollars of sportsmen. The DOW and the 11-member Fishing is Fun Review Panel have approved nine new Fishing is Fun projects for funding this year that will provide more access and opportunities for anglers around the state.

Fifteen projects were submitted to the regions and eleven were recommended for committee review. Two projects were denied funding, six projects were awarded partial requests and three received full funding. Community sponsors of the projects have agreed to pay an average of 41 percent in matching funding. One of those projects to receive money is Denny Lake.

The lake, located on the eastern outskirts of Cortez, is to receive $40,000 for a project that will result in the construction of a 15-foot by 12-foot pier and boardwalk. The site has 13 surface acres when full. The lake has been dry for several years. But rehabilitation of the lake is under by the Cortez Parks and Recreation Department.

"We have received preliminary notice that we will receive the money from this grant," Cortez Parks and Recreation Director Chris Burkett said. "This pier will be for non-motorized watercraft and for fishermen to throw in a line. We had hoped to have water in it last year but it didn’t work out that way. We are going to (city) council on Aug. 14 for approval to start putting water in the pipeline. If all goes as planned we hope to have water in the lake by the end of September. Then we want to have the DOW come in and stock the lake for fishing."

"What this program does is it helps address an obvious concern of recruitment and retention of anglers in the state by providing fishing access at close proximity to existing and future anglers," Ed Dumph, Fishing is Fun program administrator, said.

The Fishing is Fun program is a statewide cooperative effort to enhance Colorado’s fishing resources. The program creates a three-way partnership between local communities, Federal Sportfish Restoration Act funds and the Colorado Division of Wildlife.

Now in its 14th year, the program has assisted local communities with projects totaling $19 million.

"It is the number one program in the state for improving angler access right now," Robin Knox, sport fish coordinator said.

Each year, anglers spend more than $700 million on sportfishing in Colorado. Money to fund the program is generated by a federal excise tax collected on purchases of fishing equipment, boats, motor boat and vehicle fuels. It is managed as a federal grant program to the states by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service as a "user pays – user benefits" program.

Jerry Hart, president of the United Sportsmen Council and member of the Fishing is Fun Review Panel, said the projects for this year are an especially great value for sportsmen and the communities that are helping to fund them.

"I think that these projects make great strides in opening access for anglers," Hart said. "Not only is the Fishing is Fun program great for anglers, it is a great value for the communities who use it. I’m very pleased with what the program has accomplished this year."

Bob Gilliland, parks superintendent for the city of Pueblo, has seen his community benefit from the program. According to Gilliland, the projects that the city of Pueblo has been able to complete with the funding from the program are used on a regular basis and are promoting fishing in the community.

"I believe it is an excellent program," Gilliland said. "It is pretty much the only unrestricted funding type of program that is out there. As long as the project relates to fishing you’re O.K. The project at Runyon Lake is an example of a project that has increased public use of the facility. It has really been a successful program here in Pueblo."

In March of each year applications are reviewed and ranked on a regional basis. Local government and non-profit organizations are encouraged to contact Division district wildlife managers for assistance in preparing Fishing is Fun applications. Up to 75 percent of project costs are eligible for grant awards.

Projects compete with each other based on how they help the Division achieve long range plan goals. These goals include opening urban access to streams and lakes, increasing angler access and fish habitat and site improvements including trails, roads, and parking at "new waters" which are in high demand.

Other projects for this round of funding include:

-- Fortune Reservoir (Jefferson County)

A project totaling $378,600 that will provide new fishing access to 163 surface acres. Improvements are a new parking lot, a boat ramp, a floating pier, signage, trails, fish habitat structures and rest rooms.

-- Thornton Gravel lakes (City of Thornton)

A project totaling $1,781,555 that will provide new fishing access to 82 surface acres. Improvments include grading, revegitation, signage, restrooms, a new road, trails, riprap, lighting, fencing, shade shelter, a floating pier, design and engineering.

-- Redstone Pond Fishing Shelter and Accessible Pier (Highlands Ranch)

A project totaling $40,000 that will provide a shelter and a pier at a small-established site used for angler education clinics.

-- Jayhawker Ponds Angler Access (City of Lovland)

A project totaling $90,778 that will provide new fishing access to 16+ surface acres. Improvements include fencing, a trail, a "T" shaped floating dock, signage, trash receptacles, rest benches and a restroom.

-- Greeley Fishing Docks (City of Greeley)

A project totaling $45,900 that will install two floating docks; one at Allen Park and one at J.B. Jones Park in Greeley. Additional improvements will include trail access to docks and signage.

-- Lions Park Pond (Walden)

A project totaling $7,932 that will help fund the construction of a two-and-a-half acre lined pond, a fishing pier, in-lake fish habitat, an access path, land and water purchase, renovation and signage.

-- Monument Lake (Monument)

A project totaling $725,000 that will rehabilitate the current lake by dredging out more than 110 years of silt accumulation. Additional improvements include trail access, restrooms, paved parking, shade shelter, trash receptacles and sinage.

-- Lake Christine (town of Basalt)

A project totaling $36,217 that will fund 390 feet of boardwalk, one Port–a-John enclosure and one bear-proof trash container.