CPW kicks off 2026 “Oh, SHELL NO—Be a pain in the ANS!” campaign urging recreators to clean, drain and dry your watercraft and gear

Travis Duncan
Statewide Public Information Officer
720-595-8294 / [email protected]

3/9/26

DENVER — Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) is launching its 2026 public awareness campaign reminding Coloradans who recreate on the state’s waters to “Be a Pain in the ANS” by cleaning, draining and drying their watercraft and gear after each use.

The campaign highlights simple steps that help prevent the spread of aquatic nuisance species (ANS), including zebra and quagga mussels, which can damage aquatic ecosystems, recreation infrastructure and water delivery systems. CPW’s Aquatic Nuisance Species team has also expanded gear and watercraft cleaning stations at state parks, wildlife areas and other popular access points to make it easier for recreators to take these steps.

The campaign encourages anglers, boaters, paddlers and other water users to help spread the message by sharing campaign content and reminding others to clean, drain and dry their equipment. It also highlights the potential for ANS to have far-reaching impacts into areas like agriculture production, water infrastructure and drinking water. This first phase of the campaign has images and content specifically related to potential impacts to Colorado’s wine industry.

“Protecting Colorado’s waters is something everyone who enjoys them can help with,” said Robert Walters, CPW’s Invasive Species Program Manager. “Our inspection and decontamination programs are an important line of defense, but individual actions like cleaning, draining and drying watercraft and gear are just as critical. This campaign is about reminding people that small steps taken by thousands of recreators can make a big difference.”

2025 inspection and decontamination efforts

Colorado’s ANS inspectors remained busy during the 2025 boating season, conducting 438,272 watercraft inspections and 30,039 decontaminations of boats suspected of carrying mussels, other aquatic invasive species or standing water.

During the same period, CPW staff intercepted 136 watercraft fouled with invasive mussels before they could launch in Colorado waters.

Most contaminated watercraft arriving in Colorado originate from neighboring states with known infestations. In 2025, the majority of these mussel-fouled watercraft originated from Lower Colorado River impoundments, most notably Lake Powell. However, additional watercraft were also intercepted from other parts of the country, including Texas, the Great Lakes states, and even from as far away as New York. 

In addition to boat ramp inspections, CPW staff also conduct inspections and decontaminations at roadside inspection stations located at ports of entry across the state.

Campaign webpage and toolkit

CPW has a campaign webpage and toolkit where the public, partners and local organizations can access educational resources and share campaign materials encouraging recreators to clean, drain and dry their gear. Check out the toolkit for social media graphics, messaging and other resources designed to help spread awareness across Colorado’s recreation community throughout 2026.