Meeker Office Closure
The Meeker office is closed until further notice due to the Lee Fire. Please view the news release for additional details and alternative office information.
Meeker Office Closure
The Meeker office is closed until further notice due to the Lee Fire. Please view the news release for additional details and alternative office information.
Since 1881, Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) fish hatcheries have been dedicated to improving Colorado’s fish populations. Currently, CPW operates 19 fish hatcheries, where over 90 million fish per year are bred, hatched, reared and stocked. This includes over 30 different species of fish as well as the boreal toad.
Some hatchery fish enhance angling opportunities, which is an important part of the state’s economy, contributing $1.9 billion per year. Others are critical to native species recovery efforts. Hatcheries that hold and spawn domesticated fish are called ”brood units.” The hatcheries that hatch eggs and raise fish that come from other units are called “rearing units.”
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Your Fishin' is our Mission!
The State of Colorado has multiple hatcheries, most of which welcome visitors. Some hatcheries offer self-guided tours, while others may have tour guides available during certain times of the year. Call ahead to find out what is offered at the hatchery you will be visiting. To enhance your experience, educational materials are available at all hatcheries.
Some hatcheries offer self-guided tours, while others may have tour guides available during certain times of the year. Use the Fish Hatchery Finder tool (scroll up and click on tab to the left) to locate a hatchery you plan to visit, learn what they offer and call ahead for more information or to book a tour. Educational materials are available at all hatcheries to help you get more out of your visit.
Because hatcheries are busy, working environments, tours for groups and schools need to be arranged as far in advance as possible. This helps ensure that there are plenty of educational materials on hand and that your group has the best possible experience.
Hatcheries are busy working environments. To make your visit as enjoyable and rewarding as possible, please observe these guidelines:
Enjoy your hatchery tour!
Colorado's Ultimate Road Trip
Colorado has some amazing places to visit. Now, you can add visiting all state parks and 15 fish hatcheries to your personal bucket list using the CPW Passport.
Visit a state park or hatchery and ask for your free passport.
Staff will stamp your passport in the visitor centers and stamps are sometimes located at the fee collection station(s). Go out and discover as many as you can! Challenge yourself to collect ALL the stamps.
Use #COParksPassport to share your adventures. Log your memories in the CPW Passport while traveling the state.
If you collect all state park stamps, your prize is an all star patch. If you collect all 15 hatcheries, your prize is a mug. Once you've collected all your passport stamps, fill in the required contact information and have a Colorado Parks and Wildlife employee certify/sign page 58 of the passport. Then, email a clear and legible photo of the certified page 58 to [email protected] and your prize will be sent to you.