Threats to Colorado Waters
Acquatic Nuisance Species
Aquatic Nuisance Species (ANS) are aquatic plants and animals that invade lakes, reservoirs, rivers and streams. Aquatic Nuisance Species can also include fish pathogens and diseases, such as viral hemorrhagic septicemia (VHS) or whirling disease. Colorado has taken the threat of these invasive species seriously through the development of the Colorado Aquatic Nuisance Species Act and the Colorado Parks and Wildlife Aquatic Nuisance Species Program.
Colorado Law
Aquatic Nuisance Species Act in Colorado
The State Aquatic Nuisance Species (ANS) Act was signed into law in May 2008 and allocated funding to ANS programs.
The Act makes it illegal to possess, import, export, ship, transport, release, plant, place, or cause an aquatic nuisance species to be released. The Act gives authority to qualified peace officers and trained authorized agents to inspect and, if necessary, decontaminate or quarantine watercraft for aquatic nuisance species.
The Parks Board passed regulations requiring mandatory watercraft inspection and if necessary decontamination of all boats coming in from out of state, leaving known positive waters in Colorado, and those entering a high risk water where inspections and decontaminations are required by the managing agency. The rules have set the standard for watercraft inspection, decontamination, impoundment, sampling, monitoring, identification and reporting.
Formed in 2007, the Colorado Aquatic Nuisance Species (ANS) Task Force coordinates the implementation of ANS management activities between various governmental agencies and private industry. Long-term objectives of the Task Force are to raise the level of awareness about ANS and to ensure that ANS management is of high priority within our respective agencies.
In 2020, the national Aquatic Nuisance Species Task Force approved an Management Plan to protect Colorado waterways from invasive species. The backbone of the ZebraQMussel Plan includes containment and prevention through watercraft inspection and decontamination, sampling and monitoring, education and outreach, communications and information, and applied research.
State of Colorado Aquatic Nuisance Species Management Plan (PDF)
Video: "Clean Your Gear — Prevent the Spread of Aquatic Nuisance Species" - CPW
ACQUATIC NUISANCE SPECIES PROGRAM
Protecting Colorado Waters
The focus of the Aquatic Nuisance Species Program is to protect the state’s natural resources, outdoor recreation and water supply infrastructure through the prevention of new introductions of costly invasive species, such as zebra or quagga mussels, in Colorado.
CPW provides ANS support to all waters of the state, and to all inspection stations, regardless of jurisdiction.
584
“at-risk” waters sampled by Colorado Parks and Wildlife over the last 10 years
72
boat inspection and decontamination stations
over 450,000
inspections completed every year
281
watercraft with adult zebra or quagga mussels attached have been intercepted
Our Work
Program Services
Services provided include:
- Site-specific planning
- Training and certificationboat inspection
- Watercraft inspection and decontamination
- Law enforcement support
- Educational materials
- Workshops and conferences
- Sampling and monitoring
- Aquatic Nuisance Species identification
- Cost-share opportunities
- Motorboat Colorado Grants
Sampling and Monitoring
Sampling and monitoring is a key component to the success of the program. It was through this sampling program that invasive mussel larvae were first detected in Colorado. While staff monitors the state’s public waters for numerous invasive plant and animal species, the focus of sampling is on early detection of zebra and quagga mussels.
Boat Inspection and Decontamination
Colorado Parks and Wildlife has built up an extensive network of boat inspection and decontamination stations that are operated collaboratively by state, local, federal and private entities. These stations are all certified by Colorado Parks and Wildlife.
Funding the Program
In 2018, the Colorado General Assembly passed the Mussel Free Colorado Act (HB18-1008) to provide a new stable funding source. The bill also increased fines for violations and allows Colorado Parks and Wildlife to recoup costs for decontamination of quarantined and impounded vessels.
The Aquatic Nuisance Species Stamp
Through the Act, the Aquatic Nuisance Species Stamp will provide approximately $2.4 million (50% of the need) annual funding to the Aquatic Nuisance Species Program.
Buy a Stamp
Other Funding Sources
The Mussel Free Colorado Act continues to encourage federal governments, specifically the Bureau of Reclamation, U.S. Forest Service and Army Corp of Engineers, to provide the other half of the needed funds for the Aquatic Nusiance Species Program since many of the highest risk waters are federally owned or managed reservoirs.
Contact the Aquatic Nuisance Species Program
- Invasive Species Department
- Colorado Parks and Wildlife
- 6060 Broadway Denver, CO 80216
- 303-291-7295