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Some potential exists to switch management strategies away from Intensive Use (put/take catchable trout) to Optimum Use (put-grow-take). In all waters, such a management strategy would probably have to incorporate reduced bag and size limits with terminal tackle restrictions. If this alternative is chosen, implementing it over time with a significant public education effort to gain understanding and acceptance of this alternative would be best. The switch of management strategies away from put/take to put-grow-take in standing waters may not require changes in regulations, particularly on the west slope, where angling pressure is much lower. Enhance and Protect Coldwater Habitat Protection and improvement of Colorado's aquatic resources have been a high priority for some time. Water quality research and investigations in support of appropriate stream standards, DOW involvement with nonpoint discharge projects, public education and water testing through the Riverwatch Program, water quality control at our production units, instream appropriations through the CWCB, forest and land use plan review, EIS preparation, and review and habitat manipulations on state and federal lands, all contribute to ensuring high water quality. Nonetheless, with increasing pressures placed on our aquatic environments, there is a need to increase and broaden our efforts. Part of the debate in Colorado over the use of angler dollars involves what we are not doing with the funds spent on fish production. The concern typically addresses the question as to the appropriate allocation of funds between various DOW activities. Frequently, funding levels for fish production and habitat protection/enhancement are compared. Many aquatic habitat issues are not under the jurisdiction of the DOW, but with other federal (USFS, BLM, EPA, Corps of Engineers) or state (Colo. Water Conservancy Board, Department of Health) agencies. Nonetheless, the DOW is an active participant to the extent that we are authorized to do so. DOW's lack of staffing for field investigations, data analysis, negotiations, and review is likely limiting our (and other agencies') abilities to solve aquatic habitat problems. Becoming more aggressive in aquatic habitat protection and enhancement would require the reprioritization of permanent FTE, some of which is currently occurring, as well as capital expenditures for actual enhancement projects. Given the limited time and scope of this report, any quantification of benefits (increased biomass of wild trout, recreation days) was impossible. Acquire New Coldwater Access A preliminary assessment of this option involved asking DOW senior fishery biologists for their appraisal of potential new areas for acquisition. Although predicting options for new acquisition or leases always involves guesswork, the prospects for significant new access are not considered promising. Much of the high-quality stream access has already been acquired by the DOW, with most recent purchases/leases coming in at considerable cost. An example was the 28