Trinidad kids event blends fish science, films and river play
Trinidad families got a free day of fish science, films and river play at Tri Peak Theaters before young rainbow trout were released into the Purgatoire River.
A free day of fish science, films and river play gave Trinidad families a hands-on way to turn the Purgatoire River into a classroom. The Kids Purgatoire Fish, Films & River Play Day was set for Thursday, June 18, 2026, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at Tri Peak Theaters and Event Center, 3600 East Main Street in Trinidad, with no ticket required.
The program started indoors with lessons on local fish biology and aquatic insects, then moved to the river for one of its main draws, releasing young rainbow trout into their new home. Children also watched educational fish films and had time for play in the water, making the event part science lesson, part outdoor outing and part summer recreation.
Families did not just get the fishing lesson. The event listing also included a free pizza lunch, a kids snack pack with drink and popcorn, fish stickers and educational materials, a bundle of small extras that made the day feel built for younger children and the adults who brought them. The format fit especially well for families looking for a low-cost summer activity that kept kids engaged while tying them to one of the county’s defining natural resources.
The partner list showed how much local and state support sits behind that effort. The City of Trinidad, Colorado Trout Unlimited, Colorado Parks and Wildlife, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Youth Club of Trinidad, Las Animas County, GOCO, Phil Long Toyota, Fishers Peak Outfitters, Student Conservation Association, River Corps/River Science and the Purgatoire Watershed Partnership were all tied to the program. The Trinidad Fire Department Water Rescue Crew was also expected to be on hand, adding a safety layer to a day built around river access and water play.
The event also fit into a broader outdoor education push in Colorado. Colorado Parks and Wildlife says youth 15 and under fish for free in the state, and its Colorado Fishing Atlas can show species, access points, regulations and stream gages. Trinidad Lake State Park, another nearby fishing destination, is stocked with about 50,000 trout each year, underscoring how deeply fishing and habitat work are woven into recreation around Trinidad.
The same program was already being promoted in 2025, which made the 2026 outing look less like a one-off and more like a recurring summer tradition. Trout Unlimited also lists the Purgatoire River Anglers chapter in Trinidad, with President Howard Lackey as the contact, a sign that local river and youth fishing work has an organized base in Las Animas County.
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