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ANS (Aquatic Nuisance Species) Alerts
ANS (Aquatic Nuisance Species) Alerts
Decontamination of boat.

​​​​​​​​ANS (Aquatic Nuisance Species) Alerts​

Updated ANS Inspection Guidance

Boating is allowed in State Parks during Governor Polis's Stay at Home order. Please go boating in your local area and do not travel to go boating; visit lakes or reservoirs in your local area. 

Boaters must comply with CDPHE requirements and CPW's Aquatic Nuisance Species regulations to stop the spread of zebra or quagga mussels and other invasive species.

  • Maintain a social distance of six feet minimum when interacting with CPW staff or other people.
  • Wait for the inspector to wave you forward to the inspection station. 
  • Remain in your vehicle, set the parking brake, and turn the vehicle off.
  • If you have a green seal receipt, please keep your window closed and show it to the inspector through the window glass.
  • Follow the inspector’s instructions if they need you to get out of the vehicle and assist with the inspection. Always maintain six feet minimum between you and staff or any other people.
  • Avoid groups larger than 10 individuals or gathering with anyone that doesn’t reside in your household. Local health board guidance may limit to groups as small as four persons; please know and follow all local health board guidance.

CPW encourages people to take local and state stay-at-home orders seriously, stay home when sick, and limit travel time wherever possible, even for approved recreation. 

Find the most up to date information on how CPW is responding to COVID-19 on the COVID-19 Response page.


​​Green Mountain Reservoir ANS Alert: Monitoring finds Evidence of Quagga Mussel Larvae in Green Mountain Reservoir​

State and federal officials confirmed the presence of invasive quagga mussel larvae, known as veligers, in Green Mountain Reservoir​.

On August 18th, 2017, specialists with the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation first confirmed the presence of the veligers, initially through microscopic analysis followed by DNA testing. An independent laboratory contracted by Colorado Parks and Wildlife confirmed Reclamation's findings. It is unknown if the veligers were dead or alive at the time of detection. For more information, please see the press release​. ​

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What does this mean for boaters?​

  • Boats entering Green Mountain Reservoir will continue to inspected prior to entry to prevent further introductions of invasive mussels and other ANS into the reservoir.

  • Boats at Green Mountain Reservoir will now receive a high-risk inspection after coming off the water. If the boat has ballast tanks, an inboard or an inboard/outboard engine, or cannot be fully drained and dried, they will be required to get standing water decontamination.

  • All boats leaving will get a green seal and blue receipt indicating they were last in Green Mountain Reservoir and have followed proper inspection and decontamination procedures. (White receipts are used at negative waters.) For more information, please see the Boater’s Guide to Aquatic Nuisance Species (ANS) Inspections​.

  • Green Mountain seals and receipts (blue or white) are no longer valid for pre-inspection anywhere in Colorado State Parks.

  • All trailered and/or motorized watercraft are required to enter and exit the reservoir from the Heeney Marina ramp.  All other boat ramps are closed to motorized use by order of the USFS.  

​For more information on Zebra and Quagga Mussels, please visit the Aquatic Nuisance Species page​.​