Be a pain in the ANS; New gear and watercraft cleaning stations available as the fight against aquatic nuisance species continues

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

DENVER — The fight continues for Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) as Aquatic Nuisance Species (ANS) staff work to keep invasive species from spreading in the state’s lakes and reservoirs. This year, CPW announces new gear and watercraft cleaning stations available in key locations across the state. 

“As the challenge of protecting the state’s waters and infrastructure from aquatic nuisance species continues to grow, CPW is leading the charge against these destructive species,” said Robert Walters, CPW’s ANS program manager. “As the spring season approaches, we ask for help from both the boating and water-based recreation communities to combat invasive species in the state.”

Colorado’s ANS inspectors were busy in 2024 with staff conducting 463,710 inspections and decontaminating 32,584 boats suspected of carrying mussels, other aquatic invasive species or standing water.

In 2024, CPW intercepted 110 boats carrying invasive mussels. Mussels are destructive to aquatic habitat, can seriously damage reservoir infrastructure and cause problems on boats.

Contaminated boats usually come into Colorado from neighboring states, especially Utah and Arizona because of our proximity to Lake Powell, which has been mussel-infested for years. Other neighboring states with mussel infestations include Kansas, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Texas and South Dakota. Most Midwestern and East Coast states also have infested waters.

Boats aren’t the only source of ANS entering the state. Equipment that gets wet, such as waders and boots, can also transport aquatic species. To make the fight against ANS easier, CPW has been adding new gear and watercraft cleaning stations in key locations around the state. The public is encouraged to use these stations to decontaminate their gear and protect Colorado’s waters. 

About the ANS Program

The Colorado ANS Program was authorized by the Colorado Legislature in 2008 utilizing severance tax funds and in 2018 the Colorado General Assembly provided funding to the program through SB17-259, funding the program through boating registration fees from residents and nonresidents. 

Since CPW’s ANS inspection program started in 2008, 7.4 million boats have been inspected and 265,882 boats have been decontaminated. The agency is aided in the program by Colorado counties, municipalities, water districts, federal agencies and private companies that also conduct inspections. CPW also works proactively, looking for aquatic nuisance species by sampling waters throughout the state. In 2024, CPW crews sampled 209 standing waters and 26 flowing waters; these intense sampling efforts resulted in the early detection of zebra mussel veligers in the Colorado River and emphasize the importance of this program.

CPW has also been instrumental in establishing the Water Inspection and Decontamination (WID) protocols, which are now used by states nationwide. Agency staff are also active with the Western Regional Panel on Aquatic Nuisance Species Watercraft Inspection and Decontamination Committee.

Walters said that CPW will always remain vigilant in the fight against mussels.

“Mussels aren’t going away. However, by continuing our preventative watercraft inspection program Colorado can continue to set an example in the West and keep our waters clear of highly destructive invasive species.”

Roadside Watercraft Inspection and Decontamination Stations (WIDs)

In 2021, Colorado Legislature passed House Bill 21-1226, which authorized CPW to implement a pilot roadside watercraft inspection and decontamination program. This pilot program was highly successful and in 2024 CPW began the long-term implementation of this program at the Loma and Trinidad Ports of Entry.

In year one of this program, 41 watercraft were intercepted at these two Port of Entry locations. With the success of this program, CPW is expanding this program in 2025 to include longer operational hours and two new stations at the west bound Ft. Morgan and Limon Ports of Entry.

Boaters are reminded that if they are traveling with a motorized or trailered watercraft and encounter one of these check stations, they will be required to stop for an inspection.

What can boaters do to help prevent the spread of aquatic nuisance species?

Boat owners should “clean, drain and dry” boats after every use and utilize the green-seal program when entering and leaving a body of water. Boaters should also inspect their trailers and look in hard-to-reach spots on boats and engines for evidence of mussels. Anyone who has used a boat in waters outside of Colorado is obligated to tell boat inspectors. Boat owners can also call any state park or wildlife office if they have questions, concerns or would like information on scheduling an off-water inspection/decontamination.

All ballast boats, inboard and inboard/outboard engines, must have a green seal between launches or decontamination may take place prior to launching. Boaters are encouraged to inspect their boat between every use and make sure it is clean, drained and dry.

The State of Colorado requires boats to be professionally inspected if:

• A boat has been in any body of water that is positive, or suspected for ANS
• A boat has been in any body of water outside of Colorado
• A boat will be entering any water body where inspections are required
• A boat encounters an aquatic nuisance species check station

Tips for a speedy inspection

Boaters must stop for an inspection when entering and exiting most bodies of water in Colorado. Stricter inspection requirements exist when taking a vessel from one body of water to another. To encourage a speedy inspection process, boaters are encouraged to:

• Keep your green exit seal attached to your vessel and trailer. This seal tells inspectors what body of water the vessel was in last.
• Have your paper exit slip (blue or white) readily available. This slip tells inspectors details from your previous exit inspection that can speed up the process.
• Open/drain all compartment hatches like: live/bait wells, bilge areas, anchor compartments, equipment compartments and any other compartments that hold items that could have come into contact with water. Have the anchor and ropes out of their compartments for inspection.
• If you know the next body of water you are going to will require a decontamination procedure, request a decontamination during the exit inspection so you can get onto your next boating adventure more quickly.

Visit our website for more information about aquatic nuisance species and CPW’s ANS program and the boat inspection process. 

Be a Pain in the ANS: Clean, Drain and Dry your vessels and fishing gear

Everyone has a part to play in preventing the introduction and spread of invasive species in Colorado, even those who recreate on Colorado’s waters with non-motorized watercraft. Simple actions — like cleaning, draining and drying paddleboards and kayaks — can significantly protect Colorado's waters. 

Anglers are also encouraged to keep their angling gear free of mud and plants between each and every use. By cleaning, draining and drying your angling gear, you can prevent unknowingly moving a species from one body of water to another, even within different stretches of the same river, causing a domino effect of invasion with irreversible ecological damage.

Learn more about how to prevent the spread of aquatic nuisance species and tips to properly clean, drain and dry your boating and fishing gear by visiting our website. Tips for anglers and a map of CPW’s new gear and watercraft cleaning stations is available here.

Media Kit

Use CPW’s Aquatic Nuisance Species Media Kit to find helpful resources for preparing social media posts, newsletter content, stories and educating the public about keeping harmful ANS invaders from spreading across Colorado. The Media Kit contains the following information:

• “Be a Pain in the ANS” creative campaign materials to share.
• How to be a pain in the ANS - start here for links to this year’s campaign materials
• A variety of ANS photos and video including check stations, inspection and decontamination processes and invasive species
• ANS Fact Sheets
• ANS green seal program
• State of Colorado Aquatic Nuisance Species Management Plan
• A variety of public information materials provided to boaters