Christmas and New Years Office Closure
Colorado Parks and Wildlife offices will be closed on December 24, December 25, December 26 and January 1.
Aquatic Animal Health Lab
Shooting Range in
Lab Address
122 East Edison
Brush, CO 80723
Contact:
(970) 842-6308
[email protected]
Staff
April Kraft, Aquatic Animal Health Program Manager
Dr. John Drennan, Fish Pathologist
Laura Gerk, Molecular Microbiologist
Victoria Vincent, Microbiologist
Katie Fletcher, Microbiologist
Dr. Carrie Brace, Aquatic Veterinarian
Dr. Colby Wells, Aquatic Veterinarian
Aquatic Animal Health Lab
Shooting Range in ,
Lab Address
122 East Edison
Brush, CO 80723
Contact:
(970) 842-6308
[email protected]
Staff
April Kraft, Aquatic Animal Health Program Manager
Dr. John Drennan, Fish Pathologist
Laura Gerk, Molecular Microbiologist
Victoria Vincent, Microbiologist
Katie Fletcher, Microbiologist
Dr. Carrie Brace, 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
- Aquatic Animal Health Program Manager
- Colorado Parks and Wildlife
- 970-842-6304
- [email protected]
Dr. John Drennan
- Fish Pathologist
- Colorado Parks and Wildlife
- 970-842-6305
- [email protected]
Laura Gerk
- Molecular Microbiologist
- Colorado Parks and Wildlife
- 970-842-6308
- [email protected]
Victoria Vincent
- Microbiologist
- Colorado Parks and Wildlife
- 970-842-6312
- [email protected]
Katie Fletcher
- Microbiologist
- Colorado Parks and Wildlife
- 970-842-6307
- [email protected]
Dr. Carrie Brace
- Aquatic Veterinarian
- Colorado Parks and Wildlife
- 970-842-6310
- [email protected]
Dr. Colby Wells
- Aquatic Veterinarian
- Colorado Parks and Wildlife
- 970-842-6303
- [email protected]
Councils and Commissions
Colorado Fish Health Board
The statutory board was established within Colorado Parks and Wildlife by House 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 Chapter 1 Fishing regulations (baitfish) rules to the Colorado Parks and Wildlife Commission.