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Invasive wildlife are plants, animals, insects or diseases that are not native to Colorado and have harmful negative effects on the economy and environment. They are introduced accidentally or intentionally outside of their native range. Because they are not native to Colorado habitats, they have no natural competitors or predators and are able to reproduce rapidly and out-compete native wildlife. As habitat is destroyed, the wildlife that depends on it disappears as well.

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. 

Aquatic nuisance species (ANS) are invasive plants and animals that harm lakes, reservoirs, rivers and streams; invasive species can also include non-native viruses and parasites that cause disease in fish. ANS do damage to not just Colorado’s native species, but its economy, public health, property values and parks. 

Learn more about the fish you'll find in Colorado.