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Aquatic Animal Health Lab

Shooting Range in

Lab Address

122 East Edison
Brush, CO 80723​

Contact:

(970) 842-6308
[email protected]

Staff

​​April Kraft, Senior Fish Pathologist
​Dr. John Drennan, Fish Pathologist
Laura Gerk, Aquatic Animal Health Manager
​Victoria Vincent, Laboratory Technician II
​Dr. Ashley Malmlov, Aquatic Veterinarian
​Dr. Colby Wells, Aquatic Veterinarian​

  1. park

Aquatic Animal Health Lab

Shooting Range in ,

Lab Address

122 East Edison
Brush, CO 80723​

Contact:

(970) 842-6308
[email protected]

Staff

​​April Kraft, Senior Fish Pathologist
​Dr. John Drennan, Fish Pathologist
Laura Gerk, Aquatic Animal Health Manager
​Victoria Vincent, Laboratory Technician II
​Dr. Ashley Malmlov, Aquatic Veterinarian
​Dr. Colby Wells, Aquatic Veterinarian​

RESEARCH FACILITY

About the Lab

The Aquatic Animal Health Laboratory provides in-house support and diagnostic services, including Bacteriology, Molecular testing, Whirling disease testing, Virology and Parasitology. 

Aquatic Research

What We Do

The Aquatic Animal Health Lab staff maintains a network of contacts with federal and other state fish pathologists and also monitors news releases and announcements concerning potential disease threats. Continuous​ vigilance is necessary to prevent new or emerging diseases from entering the state and threatening the health of aquaculture and free-ranging fish populations. 

    Regulatory

    Advise the Fish Health Board and Colorado Parks and Wildlife Commission concerning development of regulations to protect state fisheries. The lab:

    • Reviews and approves Colorado Department of Agriculture aquaculture permits.
    • Maintains compliance with federal laws applying to the use of drug therapies in fish, notification of reportable diseases, compliance with the Lacey Act, the National Aquaculture Act, and other federal requirements.
    • Administer stocking regulations and importation of aquatic organisms.
    Disease Testing

    The lab conducts annual on-site inspections of fish for the presence of viral, bacterial, and parasitic pathogens. The lab is also responsible for investigating and diagnosing disease outbreaks or fish kills in cultured or free-ranging public and private fish populations caused by pathogenic organisms, nutrition, and/or environmental conditions.

    Disease Management

    The lab completes aquatic species disease assessments and monitoring, and conducting health management programs. The lab approves or prohibits movement and stocking of fish or invertebrates within the state to prevent spread of potential disease or aquatic nuisance species (ANS). Develop contingency and rapid response plans to invasion by aquatic nuisance species and emerging fish disease threats. Conduct statewide free-ranging fish health inspections. 

    Public Education

    The lab helps prevent introduction of aquatic diseases and invasive species through monitoring and educating the public about their damage to aquatic health. 

    Emerging Aquatic Diseases and Issues

    Several emerging diseases are being observed and the lab is working to prevent their entry into Colorado. 

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    Viral Hemorrhagic Septicemia Virus

    Since 2003, a new and highly virulent strain of the virus has been identified in the Great Lakes region. The virus has not yet been detected in Colorado. The lab continues to perform statewide surveillance for presence of the virus, and state regulations have been strengthened to prevent introduction of the virus into state waters.

    Largemouth Bass Virus

    The virus infects largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, bluegill, white crappie and black crappie – all species found in Colorado. Only largemouth bass die from the infection. The virus has not been detected in Colorado, but surveys for this virus are being performed by the lab.

    Asian Tapeworm or Chinese Tapeworm

    In Colorado, the tapeworm has been identified in the San Luis Valley in fathead minnow and common carp and also in the lower Colorado River Valley in grass carp, Colorado River pikeminnow and fathead minnow. The lab will be continuing to monitor the presence and​​ potential spread of this parasite in Colorado.

    Meet the Staff

    ​​April Kraft

    ​Dr. Carrie Brace

    ​Dr. Colby Wells

    Councils and Commissions

    Colorado Fish Health Board

    The statutory board was established within Colorado Parks and Wildlife by Hous​e Bill 91-1270. The board is ​​responsible for recommending or denying approval of all Chapter P-8 Aquatic Nuisance Species regulations, Aquatic definitions, Chapter 0 General Provisions (aquatic release, importation, transportation, allowable species, disease management), and C​hapter 1 Fishing regulations (baitfish) rules​ to the Colorado Parks and Wildlife Commission.​​

    Find out more