Chalk Cliffs Rearing Unit

The Chalk Cliffs Rearing Unit is a cold water fish production facility located in Chaffee County, Colorado, near the Arkansas River and Chalk Creek. Established in 1950, it produces around 700,000 catchable ten-inch rainbow trout each year, which are stocked along the Front Range. The facility also raises cutthroat trout and is committed to public education, offering tours and materials to promote angling recreation. Despite facing challenges such as water quality issues due to upstream mining, the hatchery continues to play a vital role in supporting local fish populations and habitats.