Greenback Cutthroat Trout Research and Recovery
Colorado Fish and Wildlife Conservation Office is involved with recovery efforts of federally endangered greenback cutthroat trout. We are a part of the Greenback Cutthroat Recovery Team and participate as subject matter experts in document reviews. Our staff assists Colorado Parks and Wildlife with numerous greenback cutthroat trout reclamation projects to remove non-native fish species from watersheds and allow reintroduction of greenbacks in their native range. We partner with the Leadville National Fish Hatchery to develop greenback cutthroat trout brood stocks.
Cutthroat trout populations in Rocky Mountain National Park are monitored by Colorado Fish and Wildlife Conservation Office fish biologist, Chris Kennedy. Although they are not considered genetically pure greenback cutthroat trout based on the most current science, the park still manages them as greenbacks. Chris is a core team member of the Greenback Cutthroat Trout Species Status Assessment with U.S. Fish and Wildlife Ecological Services and he is also involved with several research projects through Colorado State University to increase genetic diversity and develop brood stocks of greenbacks.
