State Fish

Greenback Cutthroat

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The Greenback Cutthroat was declared the state fish on March 15, 1994. Before environmentally degrading mining operations began in the nineteenth century, the fish could be found in nearly every mountain stream in Colorado. Today, biologists are attempting to restore the population using small groups of Greenbacks found in Rocky Mountain National Park.

Greenback Cutthroat

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The Greenback Cutthroat Trout, Oncorhynchus clarkii somias, was adopted as the official state fish on March 15, 1994, by an act of the General Assembly. The Rainbow Trout was considered the state fish from 1954 until 1994 but was never officially adopted. The Greenback Cutthroat Trout was at one time indigenous to many small creeks, streams and rivers throughout most of Colorado. As mining and human occupation expanded across the state, the greenback easily succumbed to pollution from mine tailings in the state's streams and to competition from other species of trout introduced to Colorado waters.

The demise was so complete that up until the late 1980s biologists feared the extinction of this native fish. However, researchers in the early 1990s discovered several small populations of the greenback in a few remote streams in Rocky Mountain National Park. Colorado Division of Wildlife and National Park personnel took immediate steps to protect and propagate the greenback. Plans have been made to reintroduce this colorful fish to other waters within the state which are suitable for its repopulation.

10th Grade

The Greenback Cutthroat Trout was adopted as the official state fish on March 15, 1994. The Rainbow Trout was considered the state fish from 1954 until 1994. However, it was never officially adopted.

The Greenback Cutthroat Trout lived in small creeks, streams, and rivers throughout Colorado. As mining and human occupation expanded, the greenback populated died off due to pollution and to competition from other species of trout.

Up until the late 1980s biologists feared the fish was extinct. However, researchers in the early 1990s discovered small populations of the greenback in a remote streams in Rocky Mountain National Park. Colorado Division of Wildlife and National Park personnel took immediate steps to protect and propagate the greenback. Plans have been made to reintroduce this colorful fish to other waters within the state.

8th Grade

The Greenback Cutthroat Trout was adopted as the official state fish on March 15, 1994. The Rainbow Trout was considered the state fish from 1954 until 1994. However, it was never officially adopted.

The Greenback Cutthroat Trout lived in small creeks, streams, and rivers throughout Colorado. The greenback population died off due to pollution from mining and competition from other trout species.

Up until the late 1980s, biologists feared the fish was extinct. In the early 1990's, researchers discovered small populations of the greenback. They were in remote streams in Rocky Mountain National Park. Colorado Division of Wildlife and National Park personnel took steps to protect the greenback. There are plants to reintroduce the fish to other waters within the state.

4th Grade

The Greenback Cutthroat Trout was adopted as the official state fish on March 15, 1994. The Rainbow Trout was considered the state fish from 1954 until 1994. However, it was never officially adopted.

The Greenback Cutthroat Trout lived in small streams and rivers throughout Colorado. The greenback population died off due to pollution from mining.

Up until the late 1980s, biologists feared the fish was extinct. In the early 1990's, researchers discovered small numbers of the greenback. They were in streams in Rocky Mountain National Park. Colorado Division of Wildlife workers took steps to protect the greenback. There are plants to bring the fish to other waters within the state.

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Colorado State Archives

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