The Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) agency is escalating its efforts to safeguard the state’s lakes and reservoirs from invasive species, a growing threat as the 2024 boating season kicks off. CPW’s Aquatic Nuisance Species (ANS) program has seen a surge in activity, with over 450,000 boat inspections and 33,000 decontaminations performed in 2023 alone.

A major concern is the increasing number of boats found contaminated with invasive mussels, averaging 127 per year since 2019. These mussels, often transported from neighboring states like Utah and Arizona, pose a significant risk to Colorado’s aquatic ecosystems and infrastructure.

The state’s ANS program, established in 2008, has inspected over 7 million boats and decontaminated nearly 234,000. It relies on collaboration with various agencies and employs rigorous sampling methods for early detection.

CPW is also leading the charge in developing and implementing preventative measures like roadside watercraft inspection stations, which have successfully intercepted numerous contaminated boats in recent years.

This year, 11 boats carrying invasive species have already been intercepted, primarily from Lake Powell but also from other states. Roadside inspections on I-70 and I-25 will continue through October, and boaters are urged to adhere to “clean, drain, and dry” practices and follow inspection requirements to protect Colorado’s waters.

©️ The Rocky Mountain Dispatch LLC. 2024