DENVER, CO — April 28, 2025 — Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) is stepping up its efforts to protect the state’s lakes and reservoirs from destructive aquatic nuisance species (ANS) like zebra mussels, with new cleaning stations and decontamination gear available for boaters and outdoor enthusiasts across Colorado.
“With invasive species posing an ever-growing threat to Colorado’s waterways and infrastructure, it’s more important than ever for all of us to be vigilant,” said Robert Walters, CPW’s ANS Program Manager. “We’re leading the charge, but we need the boating and water recreation community’s help to keep our waters safe.”
In 2024 alone, CPW conducted over 463,000 boat inspections and decontaminated 32,584 vessels suspected of carrying invasive species or standing water — a major pathway for spreading aquatic invaders. Inspectors intercepted 110 boats carrying invasive mussels, most coming from neighboring infested states like Utah, Arizona, and Kansas.
Boaters, anglers, and paddlers are key players in the defense against ANS. CPW reminds everyone to “clean, drain, and dry” boats and gear after every use to prevent the unintentional spread of species that can wreak havoc on Colorado’s fragile aquatic ecosystems.
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New Tools in the Battle Against Invasive Species
In a significant move to support responsible recreation, CPW has installed new gear and watercraft cleaning stations at key locations across the state. These stations offer a quick and effective way to decontaminate boats, trailers, waders, boots, and other equipment that might harbor invasive species.
The expansion of Roadside Watercraft Inspection and Decontamination Stations (WIDs) is another critical part of CPW’s strategy. After a successful pilot program, long-term inspection stations are now operational at Loma and Trinidad Ports of Entry, with new locations launching in 2025 at Fort Morgan and Limon.
Boaters hauling motorized or trailered vessels are legally required to stop for inspection when passing these roadside stations.
Why It Matters
Aquatic nuisance species like zebra and quagga mussels cause serious environmental and economic damage. They clog water infrastructure, outcompete native species, and damage boats — costing millions each year in repairs and maintenance.
Since the launch of CPW’s ANS inspection program in 2008, more than 7.4 million boats have been inspected, and over 265,000 decontaminations have been conducted. These proactive measures — including water sampling that led to the early detection of mussel larvae (veligers) in the Colorado River in 2024 — are keeping Colorado a national leader in aquatic invasive species prevention.
What You Can Do: Clean, Drain, Dry
Every outdoor enthusiast can take simple steps to protect Colorado’s waters:
Clean your boat, gear, and trailers thoroughly after use.
Drain all water from boats and gear, including live wells, bilges, and ballast tanks.
Dry equipment completely before visiting another body of water.
Boaters are also encouraged to keep their green exit seals and inspection receipts readily available to speed up future inspections and avoid mandatory decontaminations.
Additionally, anglers should inspect their waders, boots, and gear between every use — even between different stretches of the same river — to prevent “domino invasions” that can cause irreversible ecological harm.
“We all have a part to play,” said Walters. “With everyone’s help, we can continue to set an example in the West and preserve Colorado’s waters for generations to come.”
Learn More
For more information about aquatic nuisance species prevention, boat inspections, and a map of new gear cleaning stations, visit the CPW ANS Program webpage.
Free: Complete Colorado 14ers Planner
Every peak. Every trailhead. Every detail: in one spreadsheet.
- All 58 peaks ranked beginner to expert
- Safety notes and seasonal windows for each
- Route difficulty, mileage, and prep tips
